9:00am Mass. Health Policy Forum Student Lunch, Great Hall, State House

Peter Thiel Is Exploring The Creation Of A Conservative Cable News Network » BuzzFeed Sources say the billionaire has engaged the wealthy Mercer family about the endeavor. According to a new book, Thiel also explored plans to create a Fox News competitor with the late Roger Ailes. …

Which Mitt Romney would Utah get? » Boston Globe Lucky Utah. Such a variety of possible Republican candidates to replace Orrin Hatch — and all subsumed in the person of one Willard Mitt Romney!…

GE alters stance on nonunion labor » Boston Globe General Electric Co. has cleared the latest hurdle to its new headquarters development by agreeing to alter its labor plan for the project after a nonunion contractor complained it was improperly shut…

Cape Cod Assembly Rejects Anti-Immigration-Enforcement Resolution » New Boston Post The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates has voted down a resolution opposing the Cape Cod sheriff's agreement with the federal government to help enforce immigration law at the county jail. …

Lawmakers concerned about Trump's mental health invited a Yale psychiatry professor to brief them in December. » Politico (S)he pointed to Trump “going back to conspiracy theories, denying things he has admitted before, his being drawn to violent videos.” Lee also warned, “We feel that the rush of tweeting is an in…

Former MassLive president Allison Werder mulling Republican run against state Rep. Brian Ashe » The Republican Allison Werder, the former president of MassLive, is considering a run for state representative. …

Massachusetts senators exploring changes to state tax law due to federal overhaul » The Republican Leaders in the state Senate said they may consider making changes to state tax law to address the new federal tax overhaul. …

Transportation commission slow to form » Commonwealth Magazine Baker aides say nothing to report 3 months after call for board …

Sessions will rescind policy that allowed legal marijuana to flourish » Boston Globe WASHINGTONAttorney General Jeff Sessions is rescinding the Obama-era policy that had paved the way for legalized marijuana to flourish in states across the country, two people with knowledge of the d…

Trump says Bannon has 'lost his mind' after Bannon insults Donald Trump Jr. » Boston Globe President Trump unleashed on his former chief strategist and campaign manager Wednesday, issuing a long and unusual statement questioning Steve Bannon's mental stability, honesty, and political influe…

Which Mitt Romney would Utah get? » Boston Globe Such a variety of possible Republican candidates to replace Orrin Hatch — and all subsumed in the person of one Willard Mitt Romney!…

Commentary: The $5 billion consideration for governmental and ERISA plan fiduciaries » Pensions & Investments Not all fiduciaries of public and private retirement plans may realize that the broker-dealers handling securities execution might have a conflict of interests that could cost "mutual funds, pension f…

Poirier named chamber Person of Year » The Sun Chronicle The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has selected state Rep. Elizabeth “Betty” Poirier as its 2017 Person of the Year, according to Jack Lank, president and CEO of the chamber.…

Revised plans for Winthrop Square tower don't go to such great heights » Boston Globe The much-anticipated Winthrop Square Tower is back, with a new design, less height, and — perhaps — a bigger payday for the city.…

Chatham, Harwich take up recreational pot shops » Cape Cod Times Chatham and Harwich voters will get a chance this spring to decide on whether they want to follow the towns of Dennis and Falmouth in supporting a general bylaw and a zoning bylaw that prohibits retai…

Justice Dept. Enforcement Memo Complicates Legal Marijuana Rollout In Mass. » WBUR

Elizabeth Warren wants the Education Dept.'s use of earnings data investigated » The Washington Post Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is asking the U.S. Department of Education's inspector general to investigate the agency's use of earnings data to grant partial student loan forgiveness to defrauded b…

Lowell leaders in full-court press to fix school heat » Lowell Sun Failing heating systems and broken pipes brought about by the longest cold snap in a century prompted the city to take drastic action on Wednesday.…

As enrollment plummets, panel charts 'future' of public education in southern Berkshires » the Berkshire edge What will education look like in Berkshire County 20 years and 30 years out? Unless the birth rate rises considerably, the chances are pretty good that the public school districts in the southern part…

Minute-by-minute storm updates on the 'bomb cyclone' » Boston Globe LIVE UPDATES …

AG Maura Healey to review Partners' plan to acquire Mass. Eye and Ear » Boston Globe A state health care watchdog agency Wednesday asked Attorney General Maura Healey to review Partners HealthCare's plan to acquire a specialty eye and ear hospital, saying the deal would raise medical …

Acting Senate President Chandler says housing problems leave Mass. at risk » Worcester Telegram Acting Senate President Harriette Chandler laid out a series of priorities for herself and the Senate on Wednesday, warning that Massachusetts is at risk of losing its reputation as a national leader …

Chandler: Housing problem puts state at risk » The Recorder Acting Senate President Harriette Chandler laid out a series of priorities for herself and the Senate on Wednesday, warning that Massachusetts is at risk of losing its reputation as a national leader …

Boston establishes $10M private donor fund to combat homelessness » Smart Cities Dive Boston Mayor Martin Walsh has announced that a new fund, the Boston's Way Home Fund, has been established to raise private money to combat chronic homelessness. He made the announcement during his sec…

Immigration battle may be about to become a firestorm in Washington » Boston Globe With pressure ratcheting up in both parties, Congress is heading into a political thicket that President Trump initiated four months ago when he chose to gradually rescind an immigration program that …

Markey calls on Republicans to help DACA recipients in spending bill » Boston Globe US Senator Edward Markey stood Wednesday among young immigrants who might soon lose their protection against deportation and demanded that Congress enact legislation to grant legal status to about 800…

Document details ICE arrests, raises questions about targets of September sweep » Gazette Net At the end of September, Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted a nationwide immigration sweep, arresting 498 immigrants, including 50 in Massachusetts. ICE said at the time that the explicit p…

Back from recess, lawmakers look to finish criminal justice reform bill » WWLP 22 Lawmakers kicked off the start of the 2nd year of the legislative session with a ceremonial formal session on Wednesday. They're hoping to pass a sweeping criminal justice reform bill as well as chang…

GE alters stance on nonunion labor » Boston Globe General Electric Co. has cleared the latest hurdle to its new headquarters development by agreeing to alter its labor plan for the project after a nonunion contractor complained it was improperly shut…

Gov. Baker welcomes Tran to the Senate » Lowell Sun Moments after welcoming newly elected Sen. Dean Tran to the "hearty band of Republicans in the state Senate," the governor on Wednesday acknowledged what he considers a political reality in Massachuse…

Updated: Senate President Chandler to colleagues: 'Let's get to work' » Worcester Mag She may not be in the role permanently, but a determined-sounding Senate President Harriette Chandler, D-Worcester, on Wednesday challenged her colleagues to put aside differences their approach to is…

Legislature resumes formal sessions amid Rosenberg probe » The Associated Press (AP) Massachusetts lawmakers formally opened the second year of its biennial session amid the ongoing ethics probe involving former Senate President Stan Rosenberg.…

Mayor Galvin proud of citizens, city's successes » Daily Times Chronicle WOBURN - Mayor Scott Galvin entered his 9th year in office with his Inauguration on Monday night in the City Council Chambers with a strong sense of community and great feelings about the residents of…

City Hall Notebook: Population on the rebound » Worcester Telegram Will Worcester's population top 200,000 when the 2020 U.S. Census is done?…

Mazzarella a major focus at annual ceremony (SLIDESHOW) » Sentinel & Enterprise For the city's 25th annual inauguration ceremony, Tuesday night served largely as a reflection of progress in recent years and a need to cooperate further in the future. …

Framingham: Freudberg elected School Committee chairman » Wicked Local Framingham School Committee Member Adam Freudberg will chair Framingham's new school board, leading a trio of fresh faces who won leadership roles on the panel Wednesday.…

Watertown town councilor takes knee during Pledge of Allegiance » Wicked Local First-time councilor Caroline Bays took a knee during the Pledge of Allegiance during the Jan. 2 inauguration ceremony for the Watertown Town Council, held at the Mosesian Center for the Arts.…

Rivera declares a holiday for his inauguration » The Eagle Tribune Mayor Daniel Rivera gave City Hall employees a half-day off on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Christ, but his inauguration on Friday will get them twice that – a full day off – “as we c…

For Mayor Walsh, a clash of values over the homeless » Boston Globe Of course Mayor Marty Walsh cares about the homeless and the addicted.…

GOP manhandles the blue states » Boston Globe At a moment when lots of Americans have lots of problems, Congress and President Trump are discouraging people from taking better care of each other. Republicans spent decades preaching the virtues of…

Meaningful wage theft laws needed to protect workers » Dorchester Reporter The Massachusetts Legislature needs to finally pass a wage theft bill (H.1033 / S.999) to protect Massachusetts workers and their ability to support their families.…

Benton: Priorities, challenges at cities' inaugurals » The Salem News

An environmentalist's review of Trump's first year » The Salem News

Dem rival wants Charlie Baker money probe » Boston Herald Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez is calling for an independent probe into Gov. Charlie Baker and any ties he has to a “pattern” of dark money penalties leveled against outside group…

Bailey jumps into Attleboro state rep race » The Sun Chronicle Republican activist Jeff Bailey said Wednesday he is running for the state representative seat vacated by Paul Heroux when he became mayor of Attleboro.…

In some Mass. districts, GOP has no shot, Baker says » Boston Globe Governor Charlie Baker is either a fatalist or a realist. …

Lynn's Brendan Crighton eyes Thomas McGee's old Senate seat » Wicked Local Swampscott Anything could happen, but state Rep. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, is poised to become the newest senator on the North Shore.…

Fentanyl banned from courtrooms » Boston Herald Fentanyl and carfentanil will be banned from Bay State courtrooms beginning next week because trial court officials fear the potentially deadly risk of handling the potent and toxic opioids.…

Sec. of State Galvin facing conflicts for picking state primary date » The Recorder It is up to Secretary of State William Galvin to pick a date to hold Massachusetts' 2018 state primary election and his request for public input hasn't pointed to an obvious answer.…

Gov. releases $100M for human services programs » Boston Herald Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's administration has released $100 million, much of it targeted for human services programs, six months after the heavily Democratic Legislature mandated the spending. …

Governor Baker approves earmark to improve Brockton's Hancock Playground » The Enterprise

Water pipe bursts, forcing downtown state office building to close » Boston Globe One of Massachusetts' largest state office buildings — which houses the attorney general, the state comptroller, housing and economic development, the state elections division, and other important a…

Redistricting Cases Could Redefine State and U.S. Politics in 2018 » Governing More than a dozen cases on partisan and racial gerrymandering are winding their way through the court system. Two cases, in particular, could become two of the most important this decade. …

Jewish holidays prompt state to change primary date » The Salem News Benjamin Bloomenthal is weighing a run for a seat in the state House of Representatives, but a quirk of the calendar could prevent from participating in the statewide primary next fall.…

Massachusetts senators exploring changes to state tax law due to federal overhaul » MassLive Leaders in the state Senate said they may consider making changes to state tax law to address the new federal tax overhaul. …

Snowstorm, cold temperatures will be big test for MBTA » Boston Globe Already off to a rough start to the winter, the MBTA is now facing its most serious challenge since the disastrous storms of 2015, with blizzard-like conditions expected on Thursday, followed by Arcti…

MassDOT mobilizing to keep roads clear of snow » WWLP 22 The state has already gathered equipment and salt, as well as trained employees, to treat the roads in the months ahead of the winter season to prepare for storms like this.…

Promised transpo infrastructure commission still taking shape » State House News Service In September, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced that Gov. Charlie Baker would sign an executive order "in the coming weeks" creating a new commission to review transportation needs and how the state cou…

Sens. Warren, Markey query feds about Tennessee Gas pipeline wastewater spill in Agawam » The Republican U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren are seeking answers from top federal regulators after a Tennessee Gas Pipeline contractor improperly spilled 16,500 gallons of tainted wastewater near …

Foe takes aim at second Falmouth turbine » Cape Cod Times If one town-owned wind turbine on the wastewater treatment plant property must be dismantled and hauled away because it is “non-conforming” under the town's general bylaws, the second turbine on t…

AG Healey: Eversource Agrees to Use Tax Cut to Lower Rates » US News and World Report Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said Eversource on Wednesday agreed to use the corporate savings it will receive under the new federal tax law to lower rates for its 1.4 million Massachuse…

Eversource to pass on corporate tax-cut savings to electricity customers » Boston Globe Eversource electricity customers in Massachusetts are getting a break on their monthly bills thanks to the corporate tax cut passed last month by Congress.…

Eversource cuts planned Western Massachusetts electric rate increase, citing new federal tax law » The Republican Eversource is seeking less of a electricity rate increase in Western Massachusetts than planned, saying it is passing along savings from the federal tax overhaul.…

Cold snap drives gas prices, rekindles pipeline debate » Gloucester Times Bitterly cold weather is causing a spike in natural gas prices that is rekindling debate over expanding pipelines to the region.…

AG Maura Healey 'glad Eversource has done the right thing' in reducing Massachusetts electricity rate hike » The Republican

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Podcast Spotlight

WGBH News Boston Public Radio: Juliette Kayyem: Bannon Will Cooperate With Mueller WBUR Radio Boston: Second Group Found Violating Campaign Finance Law On 2016 Ballot Questions WBUR Radio Boston: Congressman Capuano On 2018 And How Democrats Can Seize The Moment WAMC Northeast Report: Massachusetts Lawmakers Await Criminal Justice Reform Recommendations The Washington Post The Daily 202's Big Idea: Trump’s break with Bannon shows the limits of loyalty

Massachusetts Weekly Unemployment Claimant Data 06-10-21 » MA Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

Senate Passes Post-Retirement Work Waiver Extension » Massachusetts Retirees

Tremont Strategies Group Welcomes New Additions To Government Affairs Team » Tremont Strategies Group

$4.6 Million Rapid Reemployment Grant Program Launches in Massachusetts » MA Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

MassDOT, MAPFRE Insurance Reminder: Summer Road Safety » MassDOT

Upcoming Wellington Circle Study Virtual Public Meeting » MassDOT

MassDEP Assesses Penalty to Sira Naturals for Environmental Violations at its Milford Manufacturing Facility » MA Department of Environmental Protection

What a Week It’s Been » Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance

Led by Sen. Lewis, Fair Share Amendment Advances to the Ballot » Office of MA State Senator Jason Lewis

MMA urges House to protect local control of municipal reprecincting process » Massachusetts Municipal Association

New Measures to Boost Home Ownership, Wages, and Economic Equity in Boston » City of Boston

Boston Police Department Police Reform Policy Update » City of Boston

On the Anniversary of 1982 Nuclear Weapons Freeze Rally in Central Park, Senator Markey and Rep. McGovern Reintroduce Expansive Legislation to Halt Dangerous 21ST Century Global Nuclear Arms Race » Office of U.S. Senator Ed Markey

Senator Markey Reintroduces Legislation to Protect Dr. Anthony Fauci, Research Institute Heads From Politically Motivated Termination » Office of U.S. Senator Ed Markey

AG Healey Sues Orthodontist for Illegally Charging MassHealth Patients for Missed or Cancelled Appointments » Office of MA Attorney General Maura Healey

Drawing Democracy Coalition Urges MA Senate to Pass Reprecincting Bill to Ensure Equitable Redistricting Process: » Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

Drought Conditions Improve in Some Commonwealth Regions, Worsen in Others » Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency