10:00am Mass. Gaming Commission Public Hearing, 101 Federal Street, 12th Floor, Boston

11:00am Health Care Cost Containment Roundtable Discussion, Room 428, State House

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

Birthdays: Rep. Russell Holmes

Trump's Embrace of Racially Charged Past Puts Republicans in Crisis » New York Times President Trump's embrace of the country's racially charged past has thrown the Republican Party into crisis, dividing his core supporters who have urged him on from the political leaders who fear tha…

Steve Bannon, Unrepentant » American Prospect ou might think from recent press accounts that Steve Bannon is on the ropes and therefore behaving prudently. In the aftermath of events in Charlottesville, he is widely blamed for his boss's continui…

Mitch McConnell's secret fury over Charlottesville response highlights GOP's Trump dilemma » USA TODAY Two sources close to the senator, speaking under condition of anonymity to describe private conversations, said the pro-civil rights Republican who lived through the 1960s in Kentucky closely delibera…

Heather Heyer's mother: You didn't shut her up, you just magnified her. » Washington Post Susan Bro, the mother of Heather Heyer, who was killed on Aug. 12 in Charlottesville while protesting white nationalists urged others to fight injustice and speak up. …

Emails show lobbying firm had wide reach during de Blasio's first term » Politico As Mayor Bill de Blasio's staff first learned to navigate the city's vast bureaucracy, they sought regular help from an eager lobbying firm that had much to gain in return. …

Here's what white supremacy looks and sounds like now. (It's not your grandfather's KKK.) » Washington Post In a remarkable exchange with the press on Tuesday about the deadly violence in Charlottesville over the weekend, President Trump said, “I've condemned neo-Nazis. I've condemned many different g…

Minuteman can't meet deadline to offer health plans next year » State House News Service The health insurance company that executives hoped to build from the ashes of Minuteman Health failed to meet a key licensing deadline Thursday that would have allowed it to begin offering low-cost pl…

REPORT EXAMINES INSURANCE HURDLES FACING LOWER-WAGE WORKERS » State House News Service STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, AUG. 17, 2017....Workers at lower-wage companies are less likely to be enrolled in health insurance through their employer than their peers at other businesses, and those who do o…

Who are 'antifa' activists and how do they operate? » Boston Globe The rise of white supremacist groups since the election of President Trump has fueled another aggressive militant force: brigades of black-clad left-wing activists who believe peaceful protest is not …

Mass. businesses start paid-leave debate with weaker hand » Boston Business Journal The group Raise Up Massachusetts is pushing a ballot proposal that would require employers to give workers paid time off for family and medical leave. …

What Trump's words say about him » Boston Globe After President Trump's defiant and roundly criticized remarks about a violent rally by white nationalists and neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Va., Americans are confronting profoundly uncomfortable que…

10-year, $1B life sciences plan bears fruit in Massachusetts » The Associated Press (AP) In his offices at Boston Children's Hospital, Leonard Zon is busily developing cutting-edge stem cell therapies surrounded by fellow researchers, lab equipment and 300,000 striped, transparent zebrafi…

Massachusetts in 'active discussions' with Pawtucket Red Sox, Gov. Charlie Baker's economic development chief says » The Republican Massachusetts remains in "active discussions" with the Pawtucket Red Sox, according to Gov. Charlie Baker's economic development chief.…

Boston ranked third-most livable city in US, behind Honolulu, Washington, D.C. » The Republican

Best way to treat Saturday's 'free speech' spectacle? Ignore it » Dorchester Reporter How should Bostonians confront Saturday's planned assembly of “free speech” protestors on Boston Common? Don't. Ignore them.…

Where hate calls 'home' in Massachusetts » Boston Globe Chanting “blood and soil,” “Jews will not replace us,” and “white lives matter” — organized hate groupsdescended on Charlottesville, Va., last weekend, leadi…

Why Boston Has A Confederate Monument — And Why You Can't See It Right Now » WBUR Take a boat to Georges Island in Boston Harbor, and you'll see something you might not expect: a Confederate monument.…

Boston 'free speech' rally permit OK'd » The Union Leader Boston's Parks and Recreation Department has approved a permit for the controversial “Free Speech” rally on Boston Common this Saturday.…

City Issues Permit For 'Free Speech Rally' On Boston Common » WBUR A controversial, self-described free speech rally is set to go forward on Boston Common Saturday. The city issued a permit for the event on Wednesday afternoon.…

'Free speech' rally in Boston gets its permit — with stiff restrictions » Boston Globe Those are on the list of “zero tolerance” rules that Commissioner William B. Evans and Mayor Martin J. Walsh on Wednesday issued to organizers of a controversial “free speech rallyâ…

Religious, city leaders appeal for peace ahead of 'Free Speech' rally on Boston Common » The Republican With shovels, speeches and prayer, politicians and community leaders broadcast peace and tolerance during events on Wednesday.…

Gov. Baker to present resolution on white nationalist rally » Boston.com Republican Gov. Charlie Baker is planning to join with Democratic leaders to present a resolution in response to the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.…

Gov. Baker signs resolution denouncing white nationalism » WPRI

Baker, legislators issue resolution denouncing neo-Nazis » Metro.us

'Silence is simply not an option': Berkshire County leaders respond to rising racism and national tension » Berkshire Eagle

Learning entrepreneurship » Bay State Banner Students from Boston high schools presented five business ventures at Babson College to a panel of judges and an audience of mentors, teachers, family, and supporters last week. …

Fitchburg State distances itself from student helping to organize Boston Free Speech rally » Sentinel & Enterprise A Fitchburg State University senior who is one of the organizers of Saturday's Boston Free Speech rally said on Tuesday the event is "going forward" though some speakers have dropped out.…

Ousted Suffolk president compares herself to Reince Priebus » Boston Globe A year after she was ousted from Suffolk University after barely 12 months on the job, Margaret McKenna doesn't seem to have let it go.…

Franklin County jail to get solar energy grant » The Recorder The state, which funds the Elm Street facility, is investing $545,000 to install a 436-killowatt solar canopy at the Franklin County Jail and House of Corrections, according to the Department of Energ…

EDITORIAL: Less attention we give the racists, the better » Sentinel & Enterprise Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt." The origin of this sage phrase has been attributed both to President Abraham Lincoln and American humorist/ author Ma…

Boston Startup Hopes Its Seeds Will Help Farmers Cope With Climate Change » WBUR Farmers are often at the mercy of Mother Nature — too much heat, and their crops could shrivel up; too little water, and their plants might die off.…

Benzene levels are cause for concern in Braintree » Wicked Local Weymouth Out of six samples across Braintree, Quincy and Weymouth, levels of the carcinogenic chemical benzyne were found to be at their highest levels in East Braintree, according to data revealed to the town…

How A Bad Storm Could Endanger New England's Food Supply » WBUR It's a nightmare scenario for area urban planners. If a major storm like Hurricane Sandy were to hit Greater Boston, New England's food supply could take a major hit.…

See How the Solar Eclipse Will Look From Anywhere in the U.S. » TIME The 2017 total solar eclipse is fast approaching, and hordes of sky gazers are scrambling to find a spot where they can see the shadow of the moon completely obscure the sun for a few moments on Aug. …

One Step Closer To Making Mice That Fight Lyme, Scientists Ask Nantucket: Should We Move Forward? » WBUR Last summer, MIT researchers proposed a futuristic solution for the problem of widespread Lyme disease on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard: modify the genes of the islands' mice to make them resistant …

Massachusetts health care company owes $750,000 after allegedly forcing consumers to pay bills » Legal Newsline Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Aug. 9 that Apria Healthcare LLC (Apria) will pay more than $750,000 to resolve allegations of directly billing people for services covered by the…

Scaling up of MassHealth ACO model will affect 850,000 enrollees » The Salem News

Study: Low-wage workers have less access to employer health care » The Republican

Massachusetts Employers Face $200 Million Increase in Health Care Costs under MassHealth Amendments Blog Employment Matters Blog » Lexology

State funds to help launch Dot, Mattapan housing projects » Dorchester Reporter At a groundbreaking ceremony at Mattapan's Olmsted Green development site on Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker announced $72 million in state funding for 25 housing projects across the Bay State, eight of t…

Veterans housing finally a go for Gerson Building » The Eagle Tribune A long-discussed project is finally coming to fruition, one that will provide housing for those who have served our country.…

Grant gives NewVue new life for turning former Leominster school into housing » Sentinel & Enterprise With a new state grant promised, NewVue Communities hopes to be able to move forward soon with its long-planned conversion of the former Carter Junior High School on West Street into affordable-housin…

Amid uncertainty, state delays approval of 2018 insurance rates » Boston Globe The uncertainty about the future of national health policy reverberated in Massachusetts Wednesday when state regulators delayed approving insurance rates for individuals and small businesses that are…

Massachusetts unemployment no longer lower than U.S. rate » Boston Business Journal

Senator Cyr Seeking Nominees for 79th Citizens' Legislative Seminar » Cape Cod Online

Easthampton City Council president Joe McCoy, seeking sixth term, extols the value of local democracy » The Republican "Local government is the purest form of democracy we have," said City Council president Joseph P. McCoy. "It's neighbor-to-neighbor, and people can participate in a meaningful way. That's one thing th…

Tsongas out, Andover in? » Andover Townsman The announcement by Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, that she would not seek re-election in 2018 sent shockwaves through the political establishment last week. And it's become evident that Andove…

Springfield City Council set to pledge solidarity with Charlottesville, denounce KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists » The Republican All 13 members of the City Council are sponsoring a resolution that pledges solidarity with the city of Charlottesville, Virginia, and shares that city's "defiance of bigotry, hatred and terror" follo…

As holders voice opposition, Fall River council delays action on liquor licenses » The Herald News After hours of testimony from detractors and proponents to allow the city to request additional liquor licenses, including one that would benefit developers at the new $100 million mall redevelopment …

Minor offenses decriminalization bill gets favorable recommendation » Wicked Local Shrewsbury The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government recently issued a favorable recommendation for legislation relative to the decriminalization of minor offenses.…

Lawmakers to appoint members of Cannabis Control Commission » WWLP 22 Governor Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey and State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg must soon name people to serve on the body responsible for overseeing recreational and medical marijuana in M…

When it comes to marijuana foods, regulation drives innovation » Boston Globe Many college students will tell you that making pot brownies is easy — just sprinkle a little marijuana into a pan of melting butter, then follow the instructions on the back of the Duncan Hine…

Palmer Town Council says yes to medical marijuana growing facility » The Republican The Town Council on Monday unanimously voted to support Altitude Organic Corporation's application for a state license [pdf] that if approved could allow the Colorado company to build a medical mariju…

Planned Parenthood Poll Misleads on Taxpayer Funding for Abortion » New Boston Post his summer, a coalition of center-right groups launched a signature drive to try to make it possible to stop taxpayer funding of abortion in Massachusetts. In response, the Planned Parenthood Advocacy…

COMMENTARY: Businesses should not bail out healthcare system » Wicked Local Weymouth Though generally a staunch supporter of Governor Charlie Baker, his recent decision to sign into law some $200 million in new fees and fines against Massachusetts employers to help fund MassHealth/Med…

Shutting up the alt-right » Boston Globe Sometimes even a free speech fanatic like me is forced to admit that the correct answer is “shut up.” That's why I'm happy that Internet companies GoDaddy and Google have broken their ties…

The sting of everyday racism » Boston Globe This feels all too familiar. After watching the violence unfold in Charlottesville, Va., over the weekend, after watching white supremacists descend on the city where I went to medical school, and ont…

Our Opinion: Making the pot law work in the state » Berkshire Eagle A brave new world; the Wild West; boldly going where no man has gone before — however one wants to characterize it, the implementation of Massachusetts' new pot law marks uncharted territory.…

Our view: Privatization is helping the MBTA make progress » The Salem News Voters made it clear when they elected Charlie Baker governor that they expected him to address head-on the myriad challenges facing the MBTA – including a ballooning, misspent budget, a burgeo…

A career-defining test for Jeff Sessions » Boston Globe Attorney General Jeff Sessions is saying all the right things about the federal civil rights investigation into the white supremacist march in Charlottesville last weekend that descended into mayhem a…

If you work for Donald Trump, what's your red line? » Boston Globe If you work for President Trump, what's your red line? When do his words and actions become so chilling and outrageous that you have no choice but to walk away?…

Editorial: Turning around the T » Boston Herald We're hearing a great deal of whining about the fact that the man chosen by the Baker administration to run the MBTA has no transit experience on his resume. We have to wonder, were these “conce…

Six seek election to Timilty's seat » Wicked Local Mansfield There are six candidates interested in filling James Timilty's state senate seat. Six will appear on the Sept. 19 primary ballot, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office.…

Following in Sheriff Ashe's footsteps, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi kicks off 1st annual summer picnic » The Republican Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi is putting his own spin on predecessor Michael J. Ashe Jr.'s annual clambake tradition today, as he holds his own version of the summer picnic fundraiser in Springfi…

Baker's response to Trump remarks? He's 'deeply disappointed' » Boston Globe Republicans across the political spectrum decried President Trump's Tuesday press conference in which he boosted white supremacists, equating torch-wielding neo-Nazis chanting “Jews will not rep…

Newton Mayor Setti Warren tours the Berkshires as gubernatorial campaign begins » Berkshire Eagle Though the 2018 election may seem far away, the race for governor has already begun. …

Charlie Baker 'disturbed and dismayed' by Trump's Civil War comments » Boston Herald

'Super delegate' proposal could help Baker » Boston Globe

Springfield City Council candidate Ernesto Cruz stays in race despite arrest, job separation, campaign finance troubles » The Republican

How The Civil War Was Almost Lost In Massachusetts » Salem Patch

Rules on lead in pipes considered » The Salem News Home sellers in Massachusetts have for decades been required to tell potential buyers if toxic lead paint or plaster was detected in tests of the property. …

State had 65,000 non-fatal opioid overdoses over 15 years » Boston Herald Non-fatal overdoses in Massachusetts had soared by 200 percent from 2001 to 2015, with the total number of non-fatal overdoses during that period topping 65,000.…

Baker-Polito Administration releases updated analysis of opioid epidemic » Sampan The Baker-Polito Administration today released an update of its Chapter 55 report, providing residents, policy makers, and public officials new information on the sweep of the opioid epidemic in Massa…

New state report on opioid crisis in Massachusetts: 8 takeaways » The Republican

New Mass. State Police division will focus on terrorism, opioids, criminal intel » WCVB

MBTA panel pondering handoff of pensions » Boston Herald Under pressure to hand its investments over to state control, the long-secretive MBTA pension fund says it's in the midst of an internal review on whether to make the shift, leaving critics to wonder …

States Push for Investor-Related Protections as Feds Back Away » Barron's State regulators are placing more emphasis on investor protection, amid a federal pullback, CNBC reports.…

Galvin's office probes possible kickbacks to brokers » Boston Business Journal Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, the state's top securities regulator, has launched an investigation into whether brokerages are taking kickbacks from exchanges against their clients' int…

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito condemns white supremacists, Charlottesville violence » The Republican Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito spoke out against white supremacy and racism that sparked violence in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend, telling reporters Wednesday that there's "no place" in American cult…

Bay State Confederate monument in grey area » Boston Herald The only Confederate monument in Massachusetts — located on Georges Island in Boston Harbor where rebels were held prisoner — may soon find a new home. But Gov. Charlie Baker would rathe…

State officials still undecided about fate of Boston's only Confederate memorial » Boston Globe Not long after New Orleans officials took down four Confederate statues …

Poll Shows Most Americans Want To Keep Confederate Monuments, As Massachusetts Boards Up Its Own » New Boston Post

Charlie Baker and Other State Leaders Are Denouncing Nazis » Boston Magazine

Mass. officials slam President Donald Trump, sign resolution condemning Nazism (photos, video) » The Republican

Retailers seek tax rollback, revived tax-free weekend » Gloucester Times BOSTON — As hopes fade for a sales tax holiday this year, retailers are gearing up to ask voters to make tax-free weekends a permanent fixture while lowering the state's sales tax rate.…

Neighboring towns irked by state approval of Holbrook transfer station » Wicked Local Randolph Officials in three South Shore towns are considering their options after Holbrook received initial state approval to move forward with a controversial proposal for a waste-transfer station on the edge…

End of the line nears for historic Danvers station » The Salem News The last of nine train stations in town may have reached the end of the line. …

Lynch skeptical of new MBTA chief's credentials » State House News Service Congressman Stephen Lynch drew a parallel Wednesday between the MBTA's incoming general manager and President Donald Trump, noting that both came to their posts from outside the field. Transportation …

Elected Officials Call for Toll Plaza Meeting » East Boston Times

MBTA dumps plan for Commuter Rail Wi-Fi towers » Wicked Local - Littleton

Study estimates Boston rail link costs at $4 bil to $6 bil » State House News Service

Take a look at the 28,600 solar panels that are going to save Worcester $60 million » The Republican

Social Media Spotlight

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Massachusetts Gaming Commission MGC Meeting 8.10.17 CBS Boston Mass. Confederate Monument Can't Be Taken Down WGBH News Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans Discuss "Free Speech Rally" CBS Boston Keller @ Large: Best Way To Fight Back - Ignore Them

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Podcast Spotlight

Washington Post The Daily 202's Big Idea: Trump has failed to offer moral leadership after Charlottesville, so these people are stepping up WPKZ 105.3FM/AM1280 The K-Zone : Christian Teja Mass Lottery Boston Herald Boston Herald Radio: Steve Lynch WGBH News Boston Public Radio: Democrat Bob Massie Criticizes Baker’s Inaction: 'Always A Day Late And A Dollar Short' WBUR Radio Boston: Questions About Turnaround Of MBTA GM's Former Texas Firm

Massachusetts attorney general secures $6.3 million in refunds for 4,500 homeowners » Legal Newsline

The takeaway from the 'Top Chef' case? It belonged in state court » Boston Globe

Capewide trail system eventually will happen » Cape Cod Times

Massachusetts' Only Confederate Monument Has Been Boarded Up » Boston Magazine

Feds overreach on Teamsters » Commonwealth Magazine

GE's Immelt: I quit Trump council before president disbanded it » Boston Business Journal

Mass. Governor Charlie Baker To Headline August 28 Fundraiser For RI GOP » RI NPR

Many lawmakers warchests in the red a year out from elections » Lowell Sun

Moulton offers to take on Congress, politics at Bedford Town Hall event » Lowell Sun

Pharmacies alarmed by Boston needle disposal proposal » The Salem News

Minuteman Health pulls out of Obamacare exchanges, citing chaos in Washington » Boston Business Journal

Trump comments unite Democrats, GOP in denunciation » Boston Globe

Braintree police officers honored for Motel 6 heroism » Wicked Local Braintree

Registered Nurses at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford Vote to Join Massachusetts Nurses Association » Mass. Nurses Association

Neal Statement on USMCA Text Signing » Congressman Richard Neal

Senators Markey and Warren, Rep. Keating Announce $15 Million of Federal Investment in the Port of New Bedford » Office of Senator Ed Markey

Planned Parenthood Opposes the Nomination of William Barr as U.S. Attorney General » Planned Parenthood

2018: Senate Scorecard in Review » Progressive Massachusetts

MBTA Reaffirms Accessibility Goals with Amended Agreement » MBTA