8:30am Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, K111 Lecture Hall, Berkshire Community College, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield

10:45am Special Senate Task Force on the Retail Sector of the Commonwealth, Union Station 125A Pleasant Street Northampton, MA 01060

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

11:30am Shannon Grant Award Announcement, Grand Staircase, State House

2:00pm Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, Leslie Philips Theater, Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke

#MeToo Has Done What the Law Could Not » New York Times Sexual harassment laws couldn't work until society started believing women.…

Tumult in Mass. Senate as politicians angle for top job » Boston Globe The Massachusetts Senate was plunged into high political drama Sunday, with ambitious members shoring up support to become the chamber's next president and a sense among staffers and senators that a m…

ABC News announces comprehensive coverage of the 2018 midterm elections and 18 consequential races » ABC News Today ABC News announced comprehensive coverage of the 2018 midterm elections and 18 consequential races to watch from now until November. “18 for '18” will feature reporting by ABC News' powerhou…

Cynthia Nixon, potential Cuomo challenger, calls for 'better Democrats' to run in 2018 » Politico “We have to be more than the anti-Trump party,” she said at the annual Human Rights Campaign Greater New York gala, where she was given the Visibility Award. “In 2018, we don't just need to elec…

Donors turn 3rd race into a star war » Lowell Sun RUMMAGING THROUGH the campaign-finance reports for 3rd Congressional District candidates turned up some interesting donors. …

An Actual Nazi Is About To Get The Republican Nomination For A Congressional Seat » The Huffington Post A former leader in the American Nazi Party is about to get the Republican nomination for a U.S. congressional seat in Illinois. …

Schedule set for fiscal 2019 budget hearings » State House News Service Lawmakers who kick off fiscal 2019 budget hearings Tuesday in Gardner Auditorium have agreed to a schedule that will take them around the state before wrapping on Wednesday, March 15 with an opportuni…

South Boston rep will take second shot at joining Senate » State House News Service South Boston Rep. Nick Collins was runner-up by 379 votes in the 2013 Senate special election Democratic primary -- a race eventually won by former Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry and a contest in which a th…

Hefner had access to Rosenberg's e-mails » Boston Globe After sexual misconduct allegations were leveled against his husband late last year, Senate President Stan Rosenberg reassured his colleagues about a key concern: His husband, Bryon Hefner, had no inf…

Kennedy, Moulton in separate orbits, for now » Boston Globe The two hottest political stars in Massachusetts often seem to be blazing off in different directions.…

Big reveal from Attorney General due on Berkshire Museum art sale » Berkshire Eagle Cue another slow drum roll on the Berkshire Museum art-sale saga. A week ago, the Attorney General's Office faced a judge's deadline to report on the status of its investigation into a proposed $60 mi…

Wayfair Eyes Mammoth Back Bay Property for Headquarters » Boston Magazine Wayfair, the online furniture retailer that seems to employ every person you meet at the bar, needs a little more space to stretch its legs.…

Bezos could change the dynamic » Commonwealth Magazine He should think not about cash but the public good …

Have you visited a black-owned restaurant this month? » Boston Globe

Business 2018: Valley's economy is riding high, experts more optimistic than they've been in years » Gazette Net

Pot dispensaries to open soon in Mashpee, Plymouth » Cape Cod Times In a brightly lit room that looked like a cross between a chef's kitchen and a science lab, Triple M's director of processing was busy minding machines as they produced the offerings soon to be featur…

Small farmers want state's promise kept on craft cannabis » Berkshire Eagle For two of this town's newest farmers, 2017 was a rough year. They want to up their game — and think cannabis cultivation holds a key. "I just see this as another crop, another farm crop," said Shar…

New England colleges have one big worry: 2025 » Boston Globe When she was a high school freshman, Praise Hall lived in a hotel room in Colorado with her parents and six siblings. Even back then she knew she wanted to go to college one day, but it didn't seem po…

Perkins hosting legislators for breakfast program » Worcester Telegram Students and staff at the Doctor Franklin Perkins School will welcome Mass. legislators on Friday, Feb. 9 to share the school's programming and positive impact. …

Holy Cross will keep the name "Crusaders" after concerns that it was offensive » Boston Herald The College of the Holy Cross is keeping its century-old sports name “the Crusaders” after eight weeks of campus reflection amid concerns the name could offend Muslims.…

Charter champion's firing came after sexual harassment allegations » Politico For years, Jeremiah Kittredge has been a darling of the national charter school movement's wealthiest and most powerful benefactors.…

Chatham Selectmen Continuing Monomoy Fight with Letter to Sen. Markey » Cape Cod Online Selectmen in Chatham are now focusing efforts on the U.S. Senate in the western boundary dispute of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.…

Salem Hospital neurosurgeon named to Board of Registration in Medicine » The Salem News

Partners Healthcare says data breach exposed patient information » Boston Business Journal

Mayor seeks developers' ideas for housing in 83 city buildings » Boston Globe The next frontier for housing in Boston could be a community center. Or a library. Or a firehouse.…

Even at elite colleges, students go hungry » Boston Globe What happens when even ramen noodles are out of reach? It's a problem that elite colleges across the country are now confronting, as a significant share of students are unable to afford even basic sta…

Who buries Massachusetts' poor? State pays so little only a couple of funeral homes will take them » The Republican Thomas Colligan was terminally ill at the Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Agawam and the staff there realized they were in a dire situation.…

SPECIAL FEATURE: THE HURRICANE CONTINUES » Dig Boston All the instruments and teaching materials have been pushed aside to make room for cases of bottled water, Goya cans, suitcases, tables, and chairs. Two young parents take turns entertaining their tod…

Labor Department plan could let the boss pocket the tip » Boston Globe The Trump administration is moving to give restaurants and other employers more control over workers' tips. But critics have denounced the plan as legalizing wage theft and accuse the administration o…

MBTA makes peace with bus mechanics union today » Boston Globe

New House budget chief rakes in campaign cash » Gloucester Times When you control the state's $41 billion purse strings, people want to be your friend. …

How they voted: Western Mass. lawmakers weigh in on early voting costs, combatting Alzheimer's » Mass Live Massachusetts House and Senate lawmakers cast ballots on measures ranging from measures to reimburse municipalities for the costs of early voting to coordinating efforts to combat Alzheimer's, as they…

Senate panel calls hearing on net neutrality » Boston Herald A legislative panel is examining how Massachusetts could respond after the repeal of federal net neutrality rules.…

Sen. Stanley Rosenberg scandal deepens » Boston Herald Report: Former senate president gave his husband email access…

Rosenberg says report of new allegations contains 'significant factual inaccuracies' » The Greenfield Recorder Sen. Stan Rosenberg on Sunday responded to new allegations, brought to light by the Boston Globe, that the senator directed his staff to grant his husband, Bryon Hefner, access to his Senate email acc…

Tumult in Mass. Senate as politicians angle for top job » Boston Globe The Massachusetts Senate was plunged into high political drama Sunday, with ambitious members shoring up support to become the chamber's next president and a sense among staffers and senators that a m…

New Rosenberg-Hefner allegations called 'concerning,' while GOP says Rosenberg has 'lost all credibility' » The Republican The news of Bryon Hefner's ability to tap into former Senate President Stan Rosenberg's emails has spurred renewed talks that Rosenberg will not be able to return to his post as one of three most powe…

BAKER: "NO WAY" ROSENBERG SHOULD REGAIN PRESIDENCY IF CHARGES ARE TRUE » State House News Service

Mayor Walsh Wonders How Long Senate Can Go Without Permanent President » WBUR

Stan Rosenberg Faces Murky Political Future after Hefner Email Reveal » Boston Magazine

Baker: Rosenberg can't return as Senate prez if new allegations are true » Boston Herald

Stan Rosenberg 'certainly shouldn't be Senate president' if email allegations are true, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says » The Republican

'I did not allow Bryon Hefner to influence my actions and decisions,' Stan Rosenberg says after email allegations » The Republican

Charlie Speaks: Rosenberg's Senate Status Hangs in the Balance » New Boston Post

Plainville officials want more liquor licenses for the town » The Sun Chronicle Selectmen will ask special town meeting voters for the authority to seek more liquor licenses from the state Legislature.…

Lawrence's Rep. Moran Secures $700K for More Lawrence Police » The Valley Patriot State Representative Frank A. Moran (D—Lawrence) today announced that a state grant the Representative filed in the state budget has resulted in almost three quarters of a million dollars in increas…

O'Connor looks back at town council service in Weymouth » Wicked Local Weymouth State Sen. Patrick O'Connor, R-Weymouth, said restoring Legion Field, revitalizing the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station, and a growing opioid addiction crisis in the town were the major reasons…

Key Senate committee OKs $25M for new police HQ » The Eagle Tribune A key committee of the state Senate on Thursday approved borrowing $25 million to replace the city's 50-year-old police station as part of a $3.5 billion borrowing plan for construction projects acros…

Walsh: State aid levels contributing to "crisis here in the city" » State House News Service

The Berlin Wall was shameful. Trump wants to build his own » Boston Globe IN THE DESERT outside San Diego, tactical teams assigned to US Customs and Border Protection have been testing eight prototypes for the “great, great wall on our southern border” that Donald Trump…

Why Larry Nassar's crimes must never be forgotten » Boston Globe THE RESIGNATION OF THE BOARD of USA Gymnastics this week was a necessary and overdue step in redressing the horrors unveiled in the case of Lawrence Nassar, the team doctor for that organization. Als…

Guest Opinion: Detergent pods not the only surprising poison hurting teens » The Herald News By now, most of us have heard about the so-called “Tide Pod Challenge”: Teens film themselves doing things with laundry detergent pods most adults would never think of, biting them, cooking them, …

No, Steve Wynn is not 'suitable' » Boston Globe THERE'S AN EASY CALL to make following the Wall Street Journal report detailing “a decades-long pattern of sexual misconduct” by casino magnate Steve Wynn. The board of Wynn Resorts Ltd. should r…

Urge Congress to fund community health centers » Cape Cod Times Cape Cod and the Islands' community health centers are hundreds of miles from the U.S. Capitol, but what happens (or doesn't happen) under the dome directly affects us all here at your local community…

America's crucial nuclear nonproliferation treaty with Russia » Boston Globe IN A WORLD where North Korea's nuclear threats roil the Korean Peninsula, and the president of the United States threatens to unravel a nuclear agreement with Iran that the rest of the world agrees is…

Will we finally get a national digital public library? » Boston Globe Since 2005, there have been three much-ballyhooed efforts to create a national digital public library for readers to access e-books just as they get physical books from their local library: easily, an…

Houston: African-Americans' road to 'Justice' » Boston Herald For African-Americans in Massachusetts, the road to justice has been long, and painfully steep, and for long periods more like a parking lot than an artery going anywhere.…

Time's up for Steve Wynn in Everett » Boston Globe It's probably time for casino magnate Steve Wynn to fold his cards in Massachusetts.…

Letter: Couldn't believe caution urged on the $15 wage proposal » Worcester Telegram When I read “Caution urged on minimum wage raise” (Friday, Jan. 26) I couldn't believe it. The four representatives now want to study how this will affect small businesses. They agreed that the st…

Yes, climate change is real. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2012 through 2017 were among the 10 warmest years on record. » Newburyport News Yes, climate change is real. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2012 through 2017 were among the 10 warmest years on record. …

Editorial: Nothing about voting in Mass. need be 'automatic' » Boston Herald In America respect for individual liberty is deeply ingrained. Except, perhaps, if you live in Massachusetts.…

Suing Big Pharma is no panacea in opioid crisis » The Eagle Tribune There's a desperate need to better understand why and how often prescription painkillers are dispensed in this country, and how readily those scripts lead patients into a dark cycle of addiction. Howe…

Carr: History shows Capuano, Galvin need not fret » Boston Herald The bad news for U.S. Rep. Mike Capuano and Secretary of State Bill Galvin is that they have primary opponents in their re-election bids this year.…

As Patriots, we support juvenile justice reform » Boston Globe THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS represent a six-state region and we are grateful for many things, including our region's national leadership in improving our justice systems, especially for children and yout…

Unchoke the throat » Commonwealth Magazine In Pike reconstruction, add boardwalk or extend shoreline …

Bourne GOP To Hold Caucus » Cape News The Bourne Republican Town Committee will hold a caucus on Wednesday, February 14, at 7 PM, at 118 Waterhouse Road, Suite B.…

Ballot question committees raised $2.4M heading into 2018 » South Coast Today The election is 10 months off, but already committees supporting and opposing questions on the November ballot have raised more than $2.4 million.…

Lewis to seek reelection » The Metro West Daily News The Democratic freshman lawmaker representing the 7th Middlesex district - Ashland and six precincts in south Framingham - pulled nomination papers, officially launching his bid last week.…

Rep. Nick Collins to seek open seat in state Senate » Boston Herald State Rep. Nick Collins is launching a campaign for the open state Senate seat vacated by Linda Dorcena Forry, promising to bring a “broader perspective” in his renewed bid to represent the distri…

One-man race in Tuesday's Senate primary » Lynn Daily News Item State Rep. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) will be on the only name on the ballot for Tuesday's special primary to fill Mayor Thomas M. McGee's former senate seat.…

Democrat running for governor calls on Rosenberg to resign from Senate » Boston Globe

Candidates jockey for support at Hyde Park caucus » Bay State Banner

Massachusetts: Pro-Gun Bills Nearing Committee Deadline » NRA-ILA This Wednesday, February 7th, will be the last day for action on bill reports by the Joint Committees in the Legislature. Currently, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security are con…

Charlie Baker had a not-so-stellar week » Boston Globe Charlie Baker should be riding high this week, with a fresh set of poll numbers affirming he's once again the nation's most popular governor, and the home team headed to the Super Bowl.…

STATE HOUSE ROUNDUP: Time to make some adjustments » Wicked Local Salem By glossy lips or scandals on the Vegas strip, sometimes even the best laid plans can be sidelined.…

Neighbors of Bradford train station seek state help after homes fill with fumes » The Eagle Tribune

Mass. utilities ordered to set new rates based on federal tax cuts » Boston Globe The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities on Friday ordered electric, gas, and water companies to determine new rates, so consumer bills are adjusted to reflect the corporate tax cuts approved …

State Senate panel calls net neutrality hearing » Gloucester Times A legislative panel is examining how Massachusetts could respond after the repeal of federal net neutrality rules. Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey is among those invited to testify before the…

Disputed N.H. power project faces doubt on Beacon Hill » Boston Globe The Baker administration appeared to distance itself from the controversial Northern Pass transmission line on Friday, one day after the project was dealt a potentially fatal blow.…

State's 3 utilities will decide fate of N. Pass » Commonwealth Magazine Eversource will be sitting on both sides of the table …

Social Media Spotlight

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CBS Boston Keller @ Large: Tracking the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission WGBHForum Save the Date: IdeaLab 2018 Senator Elizabeth Warren Sen. Warren on the public health emergency in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands CBS Boston Mass May Not Be Ready For Recreational Marijuana Sales By July 1 CBS Boston Lawmaker Wants Mass To Become 'Marijuana Sanctuary State'

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Maura Healey @MassAGO Andy Vargas @RepAndyVargas

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Podcast Spotlight

WGBH News Callie Crossley: Boston, Don't Get Blinded Wooing Amazon — Apple Is On The Market WGBH News Under The Radar: Meet Three Newly Elected Massachusetts Lawmakers Washington Post The Daily 202's Big Idea: More memos are coming. Will they matter?

8:30am Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, K111 Lecture Hall, Berkshire Community College, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield

10:45am Special Senate Task Force on the Retail Sector of the Commonwealth, Union Station 125A Pleasant Street Northampton, MA 01060

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

11:30am Shannon Grant Award Announcement, Grand Staircase, State House

2:00pm Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, Leslie Philips Theater, Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke

Birthdays: Rep. Joseph McKenna

9:00am Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, Public Hearing Room, Barnstable Town Hall, 367 Main Street, Hyannis

9:00am Greater Boston Legal Services Client/Staff Lobby Event, Great Hall, State House

10:00am Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, William B. Allen Community Room, Franklin Regional Council of Governments, 12 Olive Street, Greenfield

10:00am Department of Unemployment Assistance Public Hearing, Minahan Hall, Charles F. Hurley Building, 19 Staniford Street, Boston

10:00am Joint Committee on Ways & Means, FY19 Budget Hearing - ANF, Exec. Office of Technology, Secretary, Treasurer, Attorney General & Auditor

10:30am Joint Committee on Municipalities & Regional Government, Public Hearing

11:00am Go Red for Women, Grand Staircase, State House

11:00am Special Senate Committee on Net Neutrality and Consumer Protection, Oversight Hearing

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

12:00pm Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, Public Hearing

1:00pm Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, Informational Hearing

1:00pm Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy, Public Hearing and Executive Session

1:00pm Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Executive Session

2:00pm Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, Rooms 231-232, UMass School of Law, 333 Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth

6:00pm Meet & Greet with Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford & Gubernatorial Candidate Bob Massie, GSM Labor Council, 556 Pleasant Street, New Bedford

7:00pm Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Public Hearing, Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters, Richard Cronin Building, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough

State Primary for Special Election for Sen. Thomas McGee's seat

9:00am DMH Metro Boston Area Citizens Legislative Breakfast, Great Hall, State House

9:00am Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, Saxe Room, Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester

11:00am Senate Session, Full Formal Session

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

2:00pm Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, Room 119, Math/Science Building, North Shore Community College, 1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers

5:30pm Maura Healey's Birthday Celebration

5:30pm Maura Healey's Birthday Celebration

Joint Rule 10 deadline - Last day for reports by Joint Committees (except Health Care Financing)

Birthdays: Attorney General Maura Healey

9:00am DMH Southeast Area Citizens Legislative Breakfast, Great Hall, State House

9:00am Brain Injury Association of Mass. Advocacy Day, Grand Staircase, State House

11:00am Senate Session, Full Formal Session

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

12:00pm State Library February Author Talk: Rosalyn D. Elder, State Library, State House

1:00pm Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, One Ashburton Place, 21st Floor, Boston

10:30am Cannabis Control Commission Public Hearing, West Tisbury Public Library, 1042 State Road, West Tisbury

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