11:00am House Session, Informal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

Editorial: The Massachusetts GOP needs a reboot » Boston Globe The Massachusetts Republican Party has a long and storied history, one that in the modern era includes such historically important figures as former president Calvin Coolidge; Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., a…

Boston City Councilor, Senate hopeful Lydia Edwards ‘has broken down barriers,’ Mayor Michelle Wu says weeks before special election » MassLive With a special state election primary just three weeks away, more than a dozen Boston and Massachusetts officials huddled outside the State House Tuesday morning to throw their support behind City Cou…

Massachusetts agency ‘failed to conduct proper oversight’ on Uber, Lyft drivers, new state audit report finds » MassLive A Massachusetts state agency charged with overseeing rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft failed to protect passengers from unqualified drivers, according to a new report released Tuesday from State…

Amid the push for a cleaner future, a proposed power plant threatens to escalate the war over the region’s power grid » Boston Globe It would cost $85 million to build, spew thousands of tons of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere for years to come, and perpetuate the reliance on fossil fuels in a dozen …

Advocates urge legislators to establish early education, child care system » Boston Globe A Littleton mother said that her yearly child-care bill for two children was $47,000 — for only four days a week. A college professor said her early education students routinely switch majors or see…

What if Charlie Baker ran as an independent? A new poll suggests it’s his ‘most viable path.’ » Boston.com Gov. Charlie Baker says he still hasn’t decided if he’ll run for a third term as Massachusetts governor. He also says he’s “very comfortable” in the Republican Party, even as many of its lea…

With federal oversight in short supply, state AGs step in to probe troubled police » Washington Post Police in Aurora, Colo., shot 20-year-old Jamaal Bonner in the back three times with a submachine gun during a sting operation, killing him. Four years later, the department formally apologized for ki…

Why the 'Old North' States Have Been Economic Laggards » Governing Hint: It’s not politics or failed strategy. But we have a 23-state region spanning the Great Plains, Midwest and Northeast, as well as some border states, that have consistently trailed the rest of …

What’s in a Name? The Struggle Over What We Call Public Institutions. » Governing The town of Hanover, N.H., has been in turmoil lately over how to identify its school sports teams. Ever since 1951 they have competed proudly as the Marauders, but in the last year or so students and…

NY: Cuomo faces potential legal hurdles after Assembly report » Spectrum News While former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is out of office and impeachment is off the table, members of the State Assembly made it clear in a report released this week that they are sharing the information they …

FL: Florida lawmakers to consider subminimum wage; critics decry it as ‘loophole’ to $15 an hour » Orlando Sentinel A year since Floridians approved Amendment 2 to gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $15, a Republican lawmaker is again looking for a way to pay workers less.…

CA: He’s Remaking Criminal Justice in L.A. But How Far Is Too Far? » New York Times To keep people out of prison, George Gascón is risking everything: rising violent crime, a staff rebellion and the votes that made him district attorney.…

President Biden and family arrive on Nantucket Island to celebrate Thanksgiving » Boston Globe President Biden and his family arrived on Nantucket Tuesday evening to start their extended Thanksgiving holiday visit.…

Biden to nominate Shalanda Young as budget director » Boston Globe President Joe Biden plans on Wednesday to nominate Shalanda Young, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, to become the agency’s permanent leader after months without one, accor…

Biden and Harris help food kitchen prepare Thanksgiving meals ahead of president’s Nantucket trip » Boston Globe President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, helped a local food kitchen prepare Thanksgiving meals for the needy before leaving town — like millions of other Americans — to resume their family traditi…

Oath Keepers, Proud Boys subpoenaed by Jan. 6 House panel » Boston Globe The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 US Capitol insurrection issued more subpoenas Tuesday, this time to extremist organizations, including the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers as well as their…

Chase CEO Jamie Dimon visits Mattapan, says bank’s Community Center rollout could expand » Boston Globe JPMorgan Chase & Co. planned to open 16 bigger branches it dubs “Community Centers” in inner-city neighborhoods around the country. But chief executive Jamie Dimon told reporters at the Mattapan C…

The disappearing mall: How Covid-19 has hastened the demise of a long-time fixture in American culture » Boston Business Journal The American shopping mall — long an icon of the nation’s suburban expansion — has for years had to evolve amid changing consumer tastes and, in the most dire circumstances, mass store closures …

Fighting gas prices, US to release 50 million barrels of oil » Boston Globe President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered 50 million barrels of oil released from America’s strategic reserve to help bring down energy costs, in coordination with other major energy consuming nations,…

Fund Sought To Revive Underutilized Buildings » State House News Service A new state fund outlined in a bill before the Legislature would help facilitate improvements to underutilized commercial or industrial buildings in economically distressed areas, a measure that suppo…

In win for residents with disabilities, Boston must upgrade curb ramps across the city » WBUR A long-running civil rights movement has won a huge but quiet victory in Boston. It’ll mean millions of dollars in spending, and construction projects across the city — including in Jamaica Plain,…

Northeastern’s general counsel, former Suffolk DA, retiring » Boston Business Journal Ralph C. Martin, a former Suffolk district attorney who has spent the last decade as Northeastern University's general counsel, will retire in December, the school said Monday.…

Boston has a stormwater problem. Could filling Fort Point Channel be part of the solution? » Boston Globe Here’s one idea for what to do with rainwater that floods low-lying areas of Boston during bad storms: store it in the Fort Point Channel.…

On anniversary, numbers tell story of casino impacts » News 22 WWLP.com On Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, Gov. Deval Patrick put pen to paper and made casino-style gambling a reality for Massachusetts. A decade later, the vision for expanded gaming has not been fully realized ye…

Massachusetts hospitals to reduce non-essential elective procedures » Boston Herald Massachusetts hospitals, which are once again facing critical staffing and bed shortages, will soon be limiting non-essential pre-scheduled procedures to preserve resources and capacity.…

Opinion: The known — but unknown — patient » Boston Globe After a presentation on Compassion in Medicine (hands up, please — who doesn’t want it?), a man about my age came over to introduce himself. He had been sitting near the back of the conference roo…

Hospitals nearing capacity ordered to limit non-urgent procedures » Commonwealth Magazine MASSACHUSETTS HOSPITALS that are running out of bed capacity will be required by the state to reduce the number of non-essential, non-urgent procedures they perform under an order issued Tuesday by ac…

Baker orders hospitals facing bed shortages to reduce scheduled, nonessential procedures » WBUR Gov. Charlie Baker ordered hospitals in Massachusetts facing shortages of beds to reduce certain scheduled nonessential or non-urgent medical procedures, starting Monday, Nov. 29.…

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu pushing rent control policy with Gov. Charlie Baker, state lawmakers » MassLive Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Tuesday that she and Gov. Charlie Baker spoke last week during their face-to-face meeting about rent control, and while she did not suggest she had changed his mind about…

Boston to move toward 24-hour treatment and services for people on Mass and Cass, says Wu » Boston Herald People living on Mass and Cass can’t always access empty shelter beds due to active drug use or mental health conditions, according to Mayor Michelle Wu, so the city is looking toward 24-hour “sup…

Families still seeking justice for those who died in Soldiers' Home COVID-19 outbreak » Western Mass News There’s developing news as we check-in with state leaders, one day after a judge dismissed the charges against the two previous heads of the Holyoke Soldiers' Home. Family members told us Tuesday th…

Madaro Family Community Fund’s Thanksgiving Day Dinner Thursday » East Boston Times-Free Press Out of an abundance of caution Rep. Adrian Madaro’s Madaro Family Community Fund Annual Thanksgiving Day dinner will be takeout only for a second year in a row due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.…

Racism in the courts: Massachusetts Chief Justice of the Trial Court Paula M. Carey says courts ‘thoroughly investigate’ allegations » MassLive Just months before retirement, Chief Justice of the Trial Court Paula M. Carey cosigned an internal memo with Court Administrator John A. Bello, that was sent to trial court employees addressing the a…

DiZoglio continues push to ban non-disclosure agreements » Gloucester Times Nondisclosure agreements are commonly used by large companies to protect trade secrets, resolve arbitration cases and settle workplace conflicts.…

US jobless claims plunge to 199,000, lowest since 1969 » Boston Globe The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plummeted last week to the lowest level in more than half a century, another sign that the U.S. job market is rebounding rapidly from last ye…

Here are the people waiting on Beacon Hill money that ― unlike our legislative leaders ― they need » Boston Globe As the Legislature churns ever so slowly figuring out how to spend billions in extra cash, here are the people waiting on the money that they ― unlike our “leaders” ― need.…

Amherst finalizes federal ARPA spending list » Gazette Net An economic empowerment officer position to aid in revitalizing Amherst, and the creation of a youth empowerment center as recommended by the Community Safety Working Group, are in line to receive por…

Springfield councilors propose $5M transfer to ease rising tax bills » MassLive City councilors including finance chairwoman Tracye Whitfield are urging Mayor Domenic J. Sarno to approve a transfer of $5 million in budget surplus funds to ease rising real estate tax bills.…

Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Grand Opening of New Public Park in Lynn » Lynn Journal Seeking to expand recreational opportunities for the public, the Baker-Polito Administration celebrated the official opening of a newly constructed park in the City of Lynn between Spencer Street and …

Worcester is changing the way it elects its school committee: Here are three options on the table » MassLive Following a federal lawsuit filed earlier this year, Worcester is changing the way it elects its school committee, moving away from an at-large system.…

Wu holds forth on policing, vaccine passports, and Walsh documentary » Commonwealth Magazine FOR MICHELLE WU, when it comes to making room amid her bold plans for the often more prosaic daily grind of city government, it’s time to make the donuts. When it comes to her first installment on G…

Hanson selectman agrees to pay $5,000 fine for state ethics violations » Patriot Ledger A Hanson select board member agreed to pay a $5,000 fine to the State Ethics Commission for voting on a warrant article from which he would likely benefit and for representing his company following a …

Baker's Path to Reelection May Not Be Through the Republican Primary » NECN A poll favors Gov. Charlie Baker to remain in the Massachusetts State House when compared to other potential gubernatorial candidates, but he trails behind Geoff Diehl among likely Republican primary …

Democrat files to run against Bristol County Sheriff Hodgson in 2022 » WPRI.com Longtime Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson has drawn a challenger for next year’s election.…

Ferriabough Bolling: Giving thanks to people that make city, state great » Boston Herald As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with our loved ones, here are just a few people I am grateful for this season.…

Baker Continues Push to Raise Campaign Cash » NECN Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker will be hoping his supporters are in a giving mood on Tuesday night when he holds a pre-Thanksgiving fundraiser at Davio's in Boston's Seaport as he continues to raise…

Michelle Wu hints at possibility of vaccine passport for Boston restaurants, venues, businesses » Boston Herald Mayor Michelle Wu said she’s looking at “all the options available” when it comes to a potential vaccine mandate for restaurants, venues and businesses, which some key stakeholders oppose.…

CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart perpetuated opioid crisis, jury finds » Boston Globe A federal jury in Cleveland on Tuesday found that three of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, CVS Health, Walmart, and Walgreens, substantially contributed to the crisis of opioid overdoses and d…

COVID-19 cases have jumped 59 percent in New England in the past 2 weeks » Boston Globe The Baker administration on Tuesday ordered Massachusetts hospitals, already teeming with patients who delayed care during the early days of the pandemic, to reduce nonurgent surgeries to help manage …

Firefighters from 14 Mass. departments honored for bravery » Boston Globe Firefighters from 14 Massachusetts departments were honored Tuesday at the annual Firefighter of the Year ceremony for their courage and exceptional service to the Commonwealth.…

Firefighters honored for bravery and service in Worcester award ceremony » Boston Herald Whether rescuing children, the elderly and pets from burning homes, fending off a gunman or rescuing boaters from currents, Bay State firefighters risked their lives to save others. For that, Gov. Cha…

Wu to have public process on police commissioner search, which will start in the new year » Boston Herald Mayor Michelle Wu hopes to find a new police commissioner for the city within the first few months of 2022, and the search will start with public community listening sessions to seek feedback before c…

Secret Service enacts ‘No Drone Zone’ in Nantucket for Joe Biden Thanksgiving visit » Boston Herald The Secret Service has designated Nantucket a “No Drone Zone” ahead of President Biden’s Thanksgiving visit.…

Healey asks Beacon Hill legislators to overhaul hate crimes statute » WBUR Violence against people because of their race, gender identity or another protected status is becoming more prevalent, but because of gaps in state law, there is effectively "no difference" between a …

McGovern: Infrastructure bill good for district and state » Gazette Net President Joe Biden was finally able to sign the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill on Nov. 15 that had been held up for months due to haggling and maneuvering by members of his own party in Congress.…

Audit faults state oversight of Uber and Lyft drivers » WHDH State regulators failed to perform some of their required oversight of Uber and Lyft during a nearly two-year period, raising questions about whether all drivers who transported Massachusetts passenge…

Massachusetts auditor: Uber, Lyft drivers allowed to operate under ‘much looser standards’ than state protections mandate » Boston Herald Authorities routinely “failed to conduct proper oversight” allowing Uber and Lyft drivers to operate under “much looser standards” than state law mandates, an auditor’s report found.…

Maine lawmakers urge Charlie Baker to help terminate interstate clean energy project » Boston Herald Fifty Maine lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans, urged Gov. Charlie Baker to help their state stop a transmission corridor from being erected through Maine — a project soundly rejected by voters th…

Electricity supplier gets attack on AG wrong » Commonwealth Magazine THIS WINTER, residential customers should be wary of competitive electric suppliers taking advantage of rising electric bills to lure new customers. We have all heard the stories of these predatory su…

Maine DEP suspends license of hydro transmission line » Commonwealth Magazine THE MAINE Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday suspended the license it issued for a Massachusetts-financed transmission line carrying hydroelectricity from Quebec until a court either ha…

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GBH News Turkey with a side of inflation: On a food line in Waltham, Massachusetts. CBS Boston Gov. Baker Orders Hospitals With Limited Capacity To Reduce Some Procedures

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Advisory: Tuesday: Immigration, Public Health, Public Safety, Labor, Legal and Survivor Advocates to Testify in Support of Safe Communities Act » Massachusetts Safe Communities Coalition

Victim of Homicide in Lowell Identified » Middlesex County District Attorney's Office

Moulton Statement on Verdict in the Murder of Ahmaud Arbery » Office of U.S. Representative Seth Moulton (MA-6)

Senator Markey Statement on Ahmaud Arbery Verdict » Office of U.S. Senator Ed Markey

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Launch of Public Awareness Campaign: “Path to Help” » MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Former Accountant Charged in Connection With Scheme to Hide Wareham Company’s Taxable Sales From the State » Office of MA Attorney General Maura Healey

New BU Task Force on Workplace Culture to Focus on Improvements for Staff » BU Today

ARL Takes in 67 Cats from Caregiver » Animal Rescue League Boston

Boston Globe | Cannabis Control commissioner frustrated by slow pace of progress (Letter to the Editor) » Cannabis Control Commission

Dec. 4/5: Coming Together: Building Progressive Political Power » Progressive Massachusetts

Safe Communities Act Hearing Prep – Dec 2021 » Progressive Massachusetts

ADL Joins “Shine A Light,” an Unprecedented Coalition to Spotlight Antisemitism » Anti Defamation League

Notices of Public Review of Prospective Regulations » Office of MA State Secretary William Galvin

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Start of Public Ice Skating Season » MA Department of Conservation and Recreation

MEMA Hosts COVID-19 Recovery Webinars for Non-Profits » Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates “Green Friday” in Massachusetts with Tree Cutting Ceremony » MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

MassDEP, U.S. EPA to Host Virtual Public Meeting on Waste Site Cleanup Efforts at Bliss Corner » MA Department of Environmental Protection