11:00am Joint Committee on Public Service, Public Hearing

11:00am Joint Committee on Financial Services, Public Hearing

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

1:00pm Criminal Justice Task Force on Juvenile Age, Room 222

5:00pm Reception for Sen. Brendan Crighton

6:30pm Crumbling Concrete Commission, Monson Town Offices Building, 110 Main Street, Monson, MA 01057

Top Negotiators Say They Have Distracted Driving Bill Deal » State House News Service Rep. William Straus and Sen. Joseph Boncore, who have been co-chairing a six-member conference committee since June, said in a joint statement at around 7:15 p.m. Friday that they settled on terms and…

MBTA Retirement Fund Investing More Assets Through PRIT » State House News Service On Friday, the retirement fund board authorized a new $25 million private equity investment through the Pension Reserves Investment Management Trust (PRIT), which invests state pension fund assets as …

Trump's health care cost transparency rule originated in the Bay State » Boston Business Journal The rules, spurred by an executive order issued by Trump in June, will require hospitals to publish the prices they negotiate with insurers, and require insurers to post real-time cost-sharing informa…

Trump Accuses Pence Aide Jennifer Williams Of ‘Presidential Attack’ » HUFFPOST “Tell Jennifer Williams, whoever that is, to read BOTH transcripts of the presidential calls, & see the just released ststement (sic) from Ukraine,” he tweeted. “Then she should meet with the ot…

Elizabeth Warren has billionaires shedding tears. Who are business leaders backing instead? » Boston Globe Pore over the federal campaign contribution filings of some key Boston business leaders who have previously donated to Democrats, and the answer seems clear: Yes, she has — a lot. Warren may be the …

Michael Bloomberg apologizes for stop-and-frisk: ‘I was wrong’ » Boston Globe Ahead of a potential Democratic presidential run, Michael R. Bloomberg, New York’s former mayor, reversed his longstanding support of the aggressive “stop-and-frisk” policing strategy that he pu…

State Senate Plans Plastic Bag Ban » WGBH Massachusetts could ban plastic shopping bags by 2021 under a new proposal Senate President Karen Spilka plans to bring to a vote Wednesday in the Senate.…

When the Judge Became the Defendant » New York Times Judge Shelley Joseph, charged with obstruction of justice and accused of helping an undocumented immigrant escape detention, has signaled she will risk a trial.…

Humason’s Senate exit opens door to Democrat in 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District » Gazette Net There will be a special election on a yet-to-be-determined date to fill his Senate seat, and as of now, state Rep. John Velis, D-Westfield, is the only candidate to announce his plan to run for the po…

Sondland Kept Trump Administration Officials Apprised of Ukraine Push » The Wall Street Journal In addition to Mr. Sondland’s July 26 phone call with the president, impeachment investigators are expected to focus on two other conversations Mr. Sondland had about investigations over the course …

Trump backs off flavored vape ban he once touted » Washington Post His campaign manager, Brad Parscale, privately warned the ban could hurt him in battleground states, said a person who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.…

Housing crisis 1 and 2: Dual approaches needed for double-barreled crisis » Commonwealth Magazine GREATER BOSTON’S affordable housing crisis is front-page news these days, and a frequent topic of conversation in housing circles. But the reference to a single housing crisis is off-base; we have t…

Is Elizabeth Warren looking for safer ground in health care? » Washington Post What Warren did on Friday could help to ease the fears of Democrats that she would be a vulnerable general-election candidate advocating positions that are politically unpalatable. But she is a long w…

Don Jr. is on a mission to recruit Trump culture warriors » Politico If Trump Jr. can connect with just a few pockets of traditionally Democratic-leaning younger voters, exploit their skepticism of millennial wokeness and convert them into engaged culture warriors, it …

White House backs Stephen Miller amid white nationalist allegations » The Hill The White House is standing by senior adviser Stephen Miller as he faces calls from dozens of Democrats to resign after newly released emails showed he circulated material linked to white nationalism …

Deval Patrick gives OK to super PACs » Boston Herald Presidential candidate Deval Patrick on Sunday said he would welcome windfalls from super PACs as the former Bay State governor enters the Democratic race at the 11th hour — a split from Massachuset…

Trump is ‘healthy as can be,’ White House press secretary says after doctor visit » Boston Globe White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said it is ‘‘absolutely not’’ true that President Trump’s visit to a doctor Saturday was anything other than a routine physical exam, maintainin…

Billionaires give Elizabeth Warren a political gift before she can even tax them — their anger » Boston Globe Some billionaires are not happy with Senator Elizabeth Warren — and she appears thrilled about it.…

​Deval Patrick Thinks There's A Reason To Believe » Brookline Patch A reason to believe voters are dissatisfied with the current crop of the Democratic candidates for president. A reason to believe there's a void and only he can fill it. A reason to believe he can def…

Have Trump take the stand » Boston Globe If one of the Republicans’ main complaints over the witnesses’ testimony in the impeachment hearings is that it is hearsay and not direct testimony, why doesn’t the GOP simply ask President Trum…

Ayanna Pressley: Despite polls, more voters saying yes to impeachment » Boston Herald The impeachment inquiry into President Trump is causing more voters to “shift” and support impeachment, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley said in Somerville Sunday, while a new poll showed the televised h…

Deval Patrick could’ve been a contender » Lowell Sun Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced last week that he would, contrary to his statements earlier in the year, be joining the still-crowded race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomina…

Inside Warren’s secret big-donor fan club » Politico Elizabeth Warren prohibits special access for big donors — but her campaign treasurer and another close ally are organizing wealthy supporters for Warren behind the scenes while she rips on the rich…

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Baker says Patrick 'gets a pass right out of the gate' » Milford Daily News Gov. Charlie Baker says he won’t be weighing in on his predecessor Deval Patrick’s presidential run - at least not yet.…

Berkshire delegation says Patrick faces uphill battle in 2020 Democratic primary » Berkshire Eagle It was 13 years ago that an obscure candidate named Deval Patrick entered the race for state governor as a decided long shot to the Democratic Party's perceived front-runner, then state Attorney Gener…

The Museum of Science ranks among the best in the nation. The accolades don’t come without turmoil » Boston Globe With a planetarium, 4-D theater, butterfly garden, and Van de Graaff generator that slings lightning bolts, the Museum of Science often ranks among the best of its kind in the country. But these days,…

Rest in Peace to the Cursed Dunkin’ Double Cup » Boston Magazine For untold years, the nation’s most shameless Dunks customers have been requesting that their plastic iced coffee cups come sheathed in an additional layer of trash: a foam cup. It’s a technique d…

Pining for the good old days, when pot didn’t kill you » Boston Globe For decades people used pot. Some smoked every day, some smoked it socially. Some made edibles and ate them. I am in my 80s, and I never saw anyone vomit, or have lung problems, or die from using mari…

How Mass. Cannabis Inspectors Keep A Watchful Eye Over The Legal Pot Industry » WBUR Nearly one year since the first legal, adult-use cannabis sale was made, there are now 33 retail stores open around Massachusetts.…

Hundreds fill Boston church for Transgender Day of Remembrance » Boston Globe The Cathedral Church of St. Paul in downtown Boston was dark, save for the dim light of candles held by hundreds of people who attended Sunday evening’s Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil.…

Indeed there should be a law against urging someone to commit suicide » Boston Globe Who would not stand with Conrad Roy’s mother? We are all struggling together on this planet, and we exist to lift one another up.…

Vote on College Screening Rules Planned in December » State House News Service State higher education officials need to develop a screening process to identify colleges at risk of closure and a training program for boards of trustees, under legislation Gov. Charlie Baker signed …

Fewer foreign students coming to the United States » Boston Globe The United States may be losing its luster as a destination for foreign students with the grades and the means to travel for a college degree, according to a new report.…

These employees fundraise for UMass Amherst, but their salaries are secret » The Republican The UMass Amherst Foundation, the fundraising arm of the flagship campus for the University of Massachusetts system, pays around $3 million a year in salaries. But while public money accounts for at l…

Want the Most Bang for Your Buck? This Is the Massachusetts College for You » Boston Magazine It’s tough to surprise anyone around these parts with a new college ranking, unless you’re really invested in the battle between our two elite Cambridge institutions for the top slot. But a new na…

Cape Cod shark report faulted for misleading data, costs » Cape Cod Times On a sunny fall day, Kristian Sexton was sitting on Nauset Beach, hunched over a small hand-held monitor, his head buried in a sun shade. Offshore, feeding humpback whales were breaching, but closer t…

Bill to reinstate Seashore advisory commission headed to House floor » Cape Cod Times A federal bill to reinstate the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission for 10 years is scheduled to go to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. William Keating…

State should reopen review of East Boston substation » Commonwealth Magazine Neighborhood already burdened by environmental hazards. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY III…

Franklin natives are first sisters to become US Army generals » Boston Globe The two sisters played high school soccer together in Franklin, Mass., shared a respectful ability to speak their minds to adults, and gleaned an abiding sense of public service from their parents.…

Lots of talk, if little action, on a Mass. sports betting bill » Boston Globe Given how many issues of a more pressing nature are being debated on Beacon Hill, no sense of urgency surrounds the passage of a sports betting bill in Massachusetts.…

More ominous signs at Mass. gambling facilities » Commonwealth Magazine Encore revenues slide; Plainridge numbers near all-time low…

One barrier falls, but Mass. can still do more for affordable housing » Boston Globe Last Monday’s Boston Globe reported on the creation of a website, the Housing Navigator, to facilitate the search for affordable housing opportunities (“Site would aid housing search,” Page A1).…

Where should new housing go? » Commonwealth Magazine Reforms needed to build in residential districts…

Mass. Nonprofit Ready To Feed Coast Guard Families If Government Shuts Down Again » WGBH A Massachusetts-based nonprofit that fed Coast Guard families during last year's 35-day-long government shutdown said it is prepared to do so again if this month's budget negotiations break down in Co…

Insurers report weaker financials but maintain positivity » Boston Business Journal The state’s three largest insurers all reported weaker financials compared to a year ago, yet maintained a rosy outlook on the market overall.…

Officials acknowledge health concerns at Malden District Court played role in its temporary closure » Boston Globe State officials cited only “ongoing repairs” when they announced last month that the 97-year-old Malden courthouse would be closed until spring.…

State Sen. Michael Brady has ‘no particular barstool,’ and no chair either » Boston Herald The bad news is, Sen. Michael Brady is no longer chairman of the Committee on Public Service, which apparently makes him the only state senator in Massachusetts who is not collecting a bloated “stip…

State senator Chandler honored with national award for arts support » Worcester Telegram State Senate President Emerita Harriette L. Chandler has been nationally recognized for her contributions to the arts in communities across Massachusetts.…

Springfield mayor’s communications director arrested for vandalizing cars, damaging restaurant at MGM Springfield casino » The Republican The communications director for Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is accused of damaging property in a restaurant in the MGM Springfield casino and vandalizing vehicles in the facility’s parking garage.…

Congressional candidate Jake Auchincloss calls for stiff gun control laws » The Sun Chronicle Jake Auchincloss, one of six Democrat candidates for the 4th Congressional District seat being vacated by Joe Kennedy III, urged Congress to enact stiff gun control measures in the wake of a school sh…

Candidates for 4th Congressional District get endorsements » The Sun Chronicle Two candidates for the 4th Congressional District seat being vacated by Joe Kennedy III picked up endorsements recently.…

It’s official - Boston City Council votes will undergo recount with Mejia-St. Guillen race within 8 votes » The Republican In the latest tally of the Boston City Council election, Julia Mejia garnered 22,500 votes — just eight votes ahead of her closest contender, Alejandra Nicole St. Guillen.…

Sen. Ed Markey campaigns in Lowell, touts bridge funding » Lowell Sun Incumbent U.S. Sen. Ed Markey spoke at Warp & Weft in downtown Lowell Saturday as part of his campaign against his Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy, with Markey touting his work to get fun…

Kennedy’s absence at climate forum puts Markey’s record in bold relief » Boston Globe According to Joan Vennochi, Representative Joe Kennedy’s decision to skip a forum on climate change — the most pressing issue facing humankind — is a “smart bet” (A climate change forum gets…

Keller @ Large: Gov. Baker On Deval Patrick’s Presidential Aspirations » CBS Boston Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker certainly knows what Deval Patrick is like on the campaign trail. So will it translate for Patrick as he makes a late entry into the presidential race?…

Impeachment probe polarizes Greater Newburyport voters » Newburyport News Polls, primaries and impeachment are on the minds of many voters as the 2020 presidential campaign kicks into high gear.…

A Teen Tried To Raise Red Flags About Her Boyfriend, But He Took His Own Life. Is The School Responsible? » WGBH Christina worried when she found her 16-year-old boyfriend Jacob Goyette drunk and crying at school in the spring of 2018.…

Juul sued over its marketing to young people » Boston Globe Juul Labs has yet another nicotine headache in Massachusetts.…

Hospital staff find connections between vaping, lung illness » Lowell Sun The word of the night at the Nashoba Valley Medical Center was EVALI, short for electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury.…

‘We’re on the front line’: the teens pushing for flavored e-cigarettes ban » The Guardian The Massachusetts state house of representatives passed a bill banning flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes, in a major defeat for America’s embattled vaping industry.…

Asbestos found in debris that leaked onto Boston street, spokesperson says » WCVB Crews are still working to clean up part of downtown Boston after a substance containing asbestos leaked from manholes onto the street Saturday.…

With Brookline rep’s support, House passes flavored tobacco ban » Wicked Local Brookline The Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed a bill banning flavored tobacco, mirroring a similar ban passed during Brookline Town Meeting in May.…

Massachusetts Senate May Snuff Out Menthols » New England Public Radio There are just a handful of days left for the Massachusetts legislature to get things done before essentially breaking until January. There's a lot on the to-do list, but one item that appears headed …

First responders show support for fallen Worcester firefighter » Boston Herald Hundreds of first responders and community members stood through the freezing cold and snow flurries in Worcester Sunday to pay their respects to Worcester fire Lt. Jason Menard, killed last week whil…

Mass. Police Officers May Not Receive Required Training From State, Auditor's Report Says » WBUR A new report from the state auditor suggests that Massachusetts is not properly training its municipal police officers.…

Mayor Walsh responds to Boston police overtime fraud investigation » Boston Globe Boston Mayor Martin Walsh responded Saturday to a story published by the Globe Friday reporting that a federal grand jury is investigating accusations of overtime fraud in the Boston Police Department…

Businesses owe more than $160 million in back taxes to state » Boston Herald More than $160 million in state revenue remains uncollected — unpaid by delinquent businesses — even as lawmakers eye new levies on ordinary citizens and an overhaul of the tax code.…

For Marshfield voters, a time to pay more? » Boston Globe Do local property taxes ever decrease? Not usually. More likely, they increase, and were it not for a state law prohibiting Massachusetts cities and towns from raising taxes year over year by more tha…

Vigil to end motor vehicle crashes highlights safety measures, distracted driving legislation on Beacon Hill » Boston Globe About 100 people stood in the cold outside the State House Sunday afternoon to hear from grieving family members who have lost loved ones in crashes. Among them was a Cambridge man who lost his wife t…

MBTA rolls out communication plan as more T diversions loom » Boston Herald The MBTA wants to let you know it’s hard at work spending big bucks to fix itself — and expect that to show up in the form of big diversions in the coming year, T boss Steve Poftak says.…

Auditing company investigating RMV is keeping records private » Boston Globe The auditing firm the Baker administration hired to investigate the Registry of Motor Vehicles is refusing to turn over records from dozens of interviews it conducted of current and former state emplo…

Hands-free driving bill cheered by advocates, feared by NAACP » Boston Herald The forward momentum on the state’s hands-free driving bill encourages road-safety advocates — but the NAACP says the legislation may yet do more harm than good.…

Double standards at the MBTA » Commonwealth Magazine I AM THE PRESIDENT and business manager of OPEIU Local 453, a union representing over 400 middle-level administrative and professional employees in every department at the MBTA.…

OTR: Gov. Charlie Baker wants $19 billion bond bill passed instead of gas tax » WCVB The governor believes there is more funding available to support transportation over the next five years than ever before, outside of the Big Dig.…

Top Negotiators Say They Have Distracted Driving Bill Deal » WBUR House and Senate negotiators announced Friday they reached an agreement to resolve distracted driving legislation that has been stalled for months, but they declined to share details of the compromise…

Safety advocates press for legislators to finally pass hands-free driving bill » Boston Herald Two days after lawmakers announced they’d reached an agreement on a hands-free driving bill, road safety advocates stood in front of the State House to recite the names of 72 victims of roadway cras…

Social Media Spotlight

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WCVB Channel 5 Boston OTR: Gov. Charlie Baker wants $19 billion bond bill passed instead of gas tax CBS Boston Keller @ Large: Gov. Baker On Deval Patrick's Presidential Run

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Podcast Spotlight

Bloomberg Baystate Business: It’s About the Cup WGBH Under The Radar: NECAT Gives Underemployed Adults The (Kitchen) Tools for Success

11:00am Joint Committee on Public Service, Public Hearing

11:00am Joint Committee on Financial Services, Public Hearing

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

1:00pm Criminal Justice Task Force on Juvenile Age, Room 222

5:00pm Reception for Sen. Brendan Crighton

6:30pm Crumbling Concrete Commission, Monson Town Offices Building, 110 Main Street, Monson, MA 01057

10:00am Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, Public Hearing

10:30am Joint Committee on State Administration & Regulatory Oversight, Public Hearing

11:00am House Session, Full Formal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

12:00pm Joint Committee on Public Health, Public Hearing

5:00pm MassDEP Public Hearing: Draft 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan, MassDEP Southeast Office, 20 Riverside Drive, Lakeville

6:00pm Campaign Kickoff for State Sen. Candidate Jay McMahon

10:00am MassEvolves Recognition Ceremony, Grand Staircase & Great Hall, State House, Boston

1:30pm Division of Banks Public Hearing, 1000 Washington Street, Hearing Room 1-E, Boston

Last day for 2019 formal sessions

Birthdays: Rep. David Muradian

11:00am State House Flu Clinic, Great Hall, State House, Boston

11:00am Robocall Summit of the New England States, Gardner Auditorium, State House, Boston

11:00am Joint Committee on Municipalities & Regional Government, Public Hearing

5:30pm Mass Alliance 2019 Boston Celebration of Progressive Champions

6:00pm Carry it On: Annual Celebration of Action for Racial & Economic Justice, 89 South Street, Boston

6:00pm Falmouth Reception for Congressman Bill Keating

6:00pm Fall Reception for Norfolk County Sheriff Jerry McDermott

6:30pm Politics & Pints with Rep. Adrian Madaro

9:30am 19th Annual Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month Opening Ceremony, Grand Staircase, State House, Boston

10:30am Department of Public Health Hearing, Public Health Council Room, Second Floor, Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston

11:00am EDCO 50th Anniversary Celebration, Great Hall, State House, Boston

ADL to Honor Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen at "Never Is Now" Summit on Anti-Semitism » ADL

Massachusetts is not producing a body of representative leaders equipped to do the work of the entire people. » Progressive Massachusetts

Will DACA Doubts Reign Supreme? » New England Board of Higher Education

Massachusetts Congressional Delegation Pushes Back on Trump Administration’s Proposed SNAP Cuts » Office of Congressman Jim McGovern

House and Senate Announce Agreement on “Anti-Robocall” Legislation » ACA International

Nurses to Testify Tuesday at State House on Bills to Protect Patients from Unsafe Medication Administration and Caretakers During Emergency Response » Massachusetts Nurses Association

Kennedy, Cicilline Introduce Bill To Generate Millions In Federal Funding For Southern New England » Office of Congressman Joe Kennedy III

Massachusetts Unemployment and Job Estimates for October 2019 » Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

Notice of Public Meeting: Special Commission to Plan, Develop, and Implement Strategies to Support and Promote Minority-Owned Real Estate and Financial Services Organizations in the Commonwealth » Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

Approval Of Pine Street Inn Supportive Housing Project In Jamaica Plain » City of Boston

Baker-Polito Administration Marks America Recycles Day with $3.6 Million in Grants for Recycling, Composting and Waste Reduction » Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Press Statement RE: Weymouth Compressor Receiving Baker Permit Approval » Toxics Action Center

Door-to-door Marketer for Competitive Electric Suppliers Agrees to Stop Massachusetts Sales » Office of Attorney General Maura Healey

AG Healey Sues Trump Administration Over Illegal Attack on States’ Authority to Set Clean Car Standards » Office of Attorney General Maura Healey

A Time for Celebration, Activism » Massachusetts Teachers Association

Senators Markey and Warren Call for Investigation of Canada’s Right Whale Regulations » Office of Senator Ed Markey

Senator Lewis Joins Unanimous Vote to Advance Legislation Reducing Prescription Drug Costs » Office of Senator Jason Lewis

Rep. Lynch And Quiet Skies Caucus Request Answers From FAA Administrator To Address Nationwide Aircraft Noise » Office of Congressman Stephen Lynch

Locke Lord QuickStudy: FTC Issues Guide for Social Media Influencers » Locke Lord

EOHHS Awards over $2 Million in Student Loan Repayment, Special Projects Grants to Community-Based Providers » Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Toxic algae bloom still present in Santuit Pond in Mashpee » Utility Contractor's of New England

Tests find traces of chemical group in Tri-Town water » Utility Contractor's of New England

Notices of Public Review of Prospective Regulations » Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Announces Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results » Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

The Boston Globe Names Nutter a Top Place to Work for 2019 » Nutter

Inequitable Exposure to Air Pollution from Vehicles in Maryland » Union of Concerned Scientists

Funding Transportation Solutions » A Better City

Senate Adopts Bill To Reduce Prescription Drug Costs » Tarr Talk

Voters: Tax the Rich and Big Corporations, Invest More in Transportation » Progressive Massachusetts

Rodriguez Named to El Mundo Boston 30 under 30 List » Committee for Public Counsel Services

AFSCME President Lee Saunders on Senator Warren’s Medicare for All Proposal » AFSCME

New structural heart disease initiative aims to extend and improve patients’ lives » American Heart Association

Planned Parenthood Celebrates Verdict Against Discredited Anti-Abortion Group » Planned Parenthood

New Op-Ed from MassCyberCenter Director & Bay Path University President on Diversity in the Cybersecurity Workforce » Massachusetts Technology Collaborative

North Washington Street Bridge – Construction through Nov. 30 » Trucking Association of Massachusetts

House Makes Wise Choice to Postpone Transportation Debate » Associated Industries of Massachusetts