9:00am 5th Annual Down Syndrome Advocacy Day, Grand Staircase, State House, Boston

11:00am Mass. Department of Energy Resources Public Hearing, MassDEP Central Regional Office, Assabet Room, 8 New Bond Street, Worcester

11:00am House Committee on Technology & Intergovernmental Affairs, Public Hearing

11:00am Senate Session, Full Formal Session

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

5:00pm Fundraiser for Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni

5:00pm Reception for Rep. Aaron Vega

5:00pm Fundraiser for Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni

5:00pm Reception for Rep. Aaron Vega

5:30pm Reception for State Sen. Candidate Amaad Rivera

5:30pm Reception for State Sen. Candidate Amaad Rivera

6:00pm Rep. Jay Livingstone Re-Election Campaign Kickoff

6:00pm Sen. Patrick O'Connor Re-Election Campaign Kickoff

6:00pm Mass. Department of Energy Resources Public Hearing, MassDEP Southeast Regional Office, 20 Riverside Drive, Lakevill

6:00pm Rep. Jay Livingstone Re-Election Campaign Kickoff

6:00pm Sen. Patrick O'Connor Re-Election Campaign Kickoff

7:00pm Spring Reception for Rep. Adrian Madaro

7:00pm Viewing of RBG with State Rep. Candidate Allison Gustavson

7:00pm Spring Reception for Rep. Adrian Madaro

7:00pm Viewing of RBG with State Rep. Candidate Allison Gustavson

Kingston will pitch centrist message with $500,000 ad blitz » Lowell Sun U.S. Senate candidate John Kingston pitched himself as a Republican centrist in the mold of Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday, describing his brand of politics as the antidote to a polarized Washington …

Governor playing politics with ICE amendment » The Berkshire Eagle When it's an election year, no subject is off the table when it comes to prying — or scaring — a few votes out of people. Despite prognostications by political handicappers that barring some scand…

Beacon Hill moves to raise $50 million in fees on rental cars, real estate transactions » Boston Globe Massachusetts lawmakers are moving to impose as much as $50 million in new annual fees, considering a surcharge on car rentals as well as some transactions involving mortgages and deeds.…

Seth Moulton endorses Josh Zakim in race for secretary of state » Boston Globe US Representative Seth Moulton, who muscled his way into Congress four years ago by upsetting a seasoned Democratic incumbent, is backing Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim in his primary challenge to s…

Jeff Flake At Harvard Law Commencement: 'We May Have Hit Bottom' » WBUR In a speech delivered at Harvard Law School's 2018 Class Day last Wednesday, U.S. Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) criticized President Trump and Congress, saying the presidency has been "debased."…

Voters favor women who will fight harassment, poll finds » Boston Globe Female candidates who pledge to fight sexual harassment can win increased support from their base, while candidates who question the relevance of the #MeToo movement raise doubts in voters’ minds ab…

Democrats struggle with midterm message on impeachment » Politico A senior Senate Democrat warned on Wednesday that Americans would soon grow “tired of” the Trump-Russia scandal, tamping down the impeachment fever spreading through his party’s base.…

What Happened to Jill Stein’s Recount Millions? » The Daily Beast Shortly after the 2016 election, Jill Stein raised more than $7 million from shell-shocked liberals eager to pursue a swing-state recount. Nearly two years later, the U.S. Green Party’s last candida…

Millennium’s grand vision for Boston industrial park hit a snag » Boston Globe The developer behind the idea for a gondola over the Seaport District has hit a major complication in its plan to redevelop a large section of the marine industrial park and will likely miss a May 31 …

Devices map people’s movements in Downtown Crossing to help businesses fine-tune offerings » Boston Globe Next time you pass through Downtown Crossing, Rosemarie Sansone will be keeping an eye on you. Her organization, the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, is using video cameras to record tra…

Defying Lore, AutoFair Formally Moves Subaru Dealership from N.H. to Haverhill » WHAV Moving a business from New Hampshire to Massachusetts doesn’t seem intuitive to some. AutoFair’s chief, however, said moving his Subaru dealership from Plaistow, N.H., to Haverhill was supported …

National Grid begins turning Somerset into power hub » The Herald News Somerset once boasted two power generation plants, Montaup and Brayton Point.…

Recent Rockwell buyer won't say whether it made it a two-fer » The Berkshire Eagle While no one yet claims to own the Norman Rockwell painting the Berkshire Museum sold last week, two of the most likely buyers are commenting.…

Senate study details obstacles Mass. retailers face » Milford Daily News Many of the most successful shopping districts in Massachusetts were built decades ago and would not be allowed under current zoning rules, according to a Senate task force report that examined the st…

Group co-chaired by Sen. Rodrigues finds retailers impeded by zoning, lack of predictable policy » The Herald News The Massachusetts Senate Task Force on Strengthening Local Retail, which released its final report Wednesday, listed numerous barriers to those in the retail business and a lack of attention, in some …

Senate report finds retailers impeded by zoning, lack of predictable policy » State House News Service Many of the most successful shopping districts in Massachusetts were built decades ago and would not be allowed under current zoning rules, according to a Senate task force report that examined the st…

Fifteen years later: A reflection on the Mass. biotech sector » Boston Business Journal

Salem officials question pot commissioner » The Salem News Recreational marijuana could bring in as much as $63 million to the state in its first year, according to Department of Revenue estimates. …

Timeline for issuing pot licenses up in air » Boston Herald The Cannabis Control Commission can begin issuing business licenses at the end of this week, but the agency’s top regulator suggested yesterday it may be two weeks before the commission begins appro…

'Cannabis slowly but surely playing role' in pain treatment, says panelist in Holyoke forum (photos) » MassLive Marijuana poses nowhere near the dependency problem of nicotine or alcohol, a physician said at a panel discussion Tuesday.…

Reports on sex offender Wayne Chapman should be fully released, Gov. Charlie Baker says » The Republican

State reps prep bill to give Pioneer leadership more time to deal with budget crisis » The Recorder While the Pioneer Valley Regional School Committee works on solving its financial problem, state representatives Paul Mark and Susannah Whipps are preparing a bill they hope will buy the committee the…

Mount Ida deal spurs call to action by State Sen. » Boston Herald State lawmakers are looking to leash University of Massachusetts President Martin T. Meehan’s broad authority to spend millions on real estate and force greater scrutiny on all spending for the spra…

Lawmakers seek renewed emphasis on civics in public schools » My Fox Boston The Massachusetts House has approved legislation to encourage civics education in public schools, but without a graduation requirement included in the Senate version of the bill.…

Layoffs begin amid Methuen school budget battle » Eagle Tribune Pink slips were handed out to dozens of Methuen public school teachers and staff Wednesday as administrators grappled with the reality of a budget proposal from the mayor that's $6.5 million less than…

Former EPA head Gina McCarthy to lead new climate center at Harvard » Boston Business Journal Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency head and Boston native Gina McCarthy will lead a new climate science center at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the university announced on We…

Tuition from out-of-state students needed to fund UMass due to 'stagnated' state funding, school officials say » The Republican Following the release of a report critical of the number of out-of-state students accepted into the University of Massachusetts system, the school is defending its admission record. …

UMass-Boston students, faculty outline requests at meeting » State House News Service Saying some on their Dorchester campus feel ignored, University of Massachusetts Boston students, faculty and staff on Wednesday made a series of asks to UMass trustees.…

UMass Boston students, faculty outline requests at meeting » Dorchester Reporter Saying some on their Dorchester campus feel ignored, University of Massachusetts Boston students, faculty and staff on Wednesday made a series of asks to UMass trustees. …

Emails show how UMass Boston faculty scrambled chancellor search » Dorchester Reporter

Vargas Delivers Maiden Speech on Civics Bill as House Enacts Education Legislation » WHAV

Several Cape & Islands Communities Receive State Climate Change Grants » Capecod.com Several Cape and Islands communities were recently awarded grant funding from the state to help prepare for climate change and build coastal resilience.…

Court’s gambling decision may have other implications for Vineyard and beyond » Martha's Vineyard Times When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports gambling on May 14, it did more than allow states to provide for online and casino betting in Massachusetts on baseball, football, bask…

Mohegan Sun goes after Wynn deal » Boston Herald Mohegan Sun is asking a judge to throw out the coveted casino license awarded to Wynn Resorts nearly four years ago, claiming the Gaming Commission failed to properly investigate the casino company an…

Mass. businesses want to reduce unnecessary ER visits by 20 percent » Boston Globe Massachusetts businesses, looking to cut their health care costs, are teaming up on a new initiative aimed at sharply cutting the number of people who seek care in hospital emergency rooms when they c…

State reps question Beth Israel-Lahey mega-merger » Boston Business Journal Two state representatives are calling for a more transparent review of the planned mega-merger between Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Lahey Health, saying they are concerned the deal will ra…

Virginia Just Voted to Expand Medicaid. These States Could Be Next. » Governing The issue will likely be moving to the ballot box this November. …

Lawmakers push AG to slow down review of health care merger » Boston Herald

Housing Assistance Corp. adds 4 to board » Cape Cod Times Ashley Moore Baker, Catherine Baker, Dr. Kumara Sidhartha and Raymond Tamasi have been added to the board of directors at the Housing Assistance Corp., according to a statement from the nonprofit orga…

Mashpee Tapped For State Housing Choice Initiative » Cape News Mashpee was recognized among 67 communities in Massachusetts for its commitment to building housing. As such, the town will be eligible for additional state funds.…

Gov. Charlie Baker to sign affordable housing bill Thursday » News 22 WWLP.com Housing advocates will join Governor Charlie Baker Thursday morning when he signs a nearly $2 billion affordable housing bill.…

Healthy Incentives Program reinstated » Martha's Vineyard Times On Monday, May 21, Gov. Charlie Baker granted the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) $2.15 million in supplemental funding to finish off its fiscal year, which will in turn help a successful Island Grow…

Mass. Senate passes immigrant protections » Bay State Banner Amendment to the state budget is seen as a Safe Communities Act compromise …

Serial sex offenders would face heavier penalties under bill from Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker » The Republican With a convicted child rapist about to walk free, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says he'll be filing a bill to stop future instances of that.…

Jury begins deliberations in case of ex-school employee accused of shooting student over drugs » Boston Globe Shaun O. Harrison, a former dean at English High School, illegally kept a shotgun, a rifle, and ammunition in his Roxbury apartment, but he didn’t shoot a 17-year-old student in the back of the head…

Plymouth courthouse to be renamed for Senate President Therese Murray » Wicked Local Plymouth The state will rename the courthouse on Obery Street for former Senate President Therese Murray.…

City Council President: Loan may not cover Lynn’s budget deficit » Lynn Daily News Item The $14 million loan to fill the city’s budget deficit will not be enough to cure city’s financial woes, according to City Council President Darren Cyr.…

Wendell Town Meeting to decide $2.6 million budget » Athol Daily News Voters will be asked at the Tuesday, June 5, annual Town Meeting, to approve a $2.6 million budget for next year and pass a resolution to change the state flag and seal of Massachusetts (Article 23), …

Neighbors could form districts, levy assessments under House bill » Newburyport News The House overwhelmingly approved legislation Wednesday that would allow property owners to form districts and levy assessments to pay for improvements within them.…

Departing Hampshire Council of Governments councilor recommends agency disband » The Republican Russell Peotter, who chaired a Hampshire Council of Governments committee charged with figuring out a way to keep the financially struggling agency afloat, announced his resignation last week and reco…

Rockland selectman: Town administrator behaved inappropriately » Patriot Ledger Selectman Deirdre Hall has withdrawn her candidacy for state representative after asking the board to open an investigation into the behavior of Town Administrator Allan Chiocca.…

Marty Walsh names new press secretary » Boston Globe

Finally giving the middle class the pay raise they deserve » Boston Globe Earlier this year, a casual reader would have seen headlines declaring that the economy is booming in certain big, coastal cities like San Jose or Boston. The business sector also had articles reporti…

Boston families need greater access to early education » Boston Globe There is overwhelming consensus among families, educators, doctors, and academics that early childhood education is critical. But this year, more than a thousand 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds signed up …

Trump not good enough for Mitt’s grandkids, but good enough for the country » Boston Globe Mitt Romney says President Trump is not a role model for his grandchildren. But his policies are better than expected.…

Editorial: Candidates seeking office can’t be bothered to vote » Boston Herald Voters in Massachusetts are not new in feeling that their elected representatives do not respect them very much.…

Letter to the Editor: Rodrigues, Pacheco right to cross the aisle on amendment » Taunton Daily Gazette All too often, politics from Washington to Beacon Hill follow a similar pattern: Democrats vote one way, Republicans another, and nothing gets accomplished. Stick to your party’s agenda and don’t …

Most rep, Senate seats will be contested in fall » Lowell Sun Most of the state Legislature's seats representing Greater Lowell will see competitive elections this fall, according to a preliminary list of candidates on the ballot provided by Secretary of State W…

Sen. Adam Hinds endorses Quentin Palfrey for lieutenant governor » Wicked Local Weymouth Sen. Adam Hinds endorses Quentin Palfrey for lieutenant governor…

Robert Massie confirms order forced him from home in 1995 » Boston Globe The wife of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Robert K. Massie obtained a court order that forced him to leave their Somerville home in 1995 while they were in the midst of a divorce, Massie confirme…

Massachusetts Democrats in Worcester this weekend for state convention » The Enterprise More than 6,000 Democratic State Convention delegates will converge on the DCU Center this weekend to cheer Elizabeth Warren - uncontested for the party’s nomination for U.S. Senate - and endorse ca…

Nguyen holds campaign kickoff, rallies supporters » Eagle Tribune Political newcomer Tram Nguyen is ready to take on incumbent State Rep. Jim Lyons by the horns.…

Senate candidate Kingston calls Warren a "most divisive figure" » Eagle Tribune John Kingston III, one of three Republican candidates for U.S. Senator in the Sept. 4 primary says the woman who currently has the job is a "most divisive figure."…

Our wheezing democracy » Commonwealth Magazine

Bernie Sanders campaign co-chairs endorse Jay Gonzalez for governor » The Republican

LG candidate Tingle visits council he hopes to chair » State House News Service

Colarusso Announces Candidacy For State Representative » Milton Patch

Director in medical examiner’s office appears to have fabricated credentials » Boston Globe A top official at the taxpayer-funded agency responsible for investigating violent and unexplained deaths asserts she has a master’s degree from Northeastern University, but the school says it has n…

Reps call for scrutiny of hospital merger » Gloucester Times Two state lawmakers are calling for officials to shine a spotlight on a pending hospital merger that would create the state's second-largest health care system.…

Hampden Sheriff Nick Cocchi commits 86 beds for regional opioid treatment but says more likely needed » The Republican Just after his announcing the Hampden County Sheriff's Department would be offering 86 beds for the treatment of people with opioid addictions, Sheriff Nick Cocchi said that number is a good start but…

Double shooting brings unwanted, but all too familiar feeling of fear to JP housing development » Boston Globe Outside one of the red brick buildings of the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments in Jamaica Plain on a recent weekday evening, a housing authority worker tended to about 100 hot dogs on a mobile charcoal gr…

Pols drop ball on training to spot abuse » Boston Herald A decade after the Legislature called for special training for mandated reporters, none exists — a dangerous lapse, critics say — even as politicans consider requiring more professionals to be res…

Students return to Roosevelt Avenue headquarters with prom invite for Smith and Wesson CEO » The Republican A small group of Springfield and Boston student activists gathered outside Smith and Wesson headquarters on Roosevelt Avenue Wednesday afternoon to offer to take company CEO P. James Debney to prom an…

State Senator Keenan Highlights Braintree Impact In State Budget » Braintree Patch State Senator Keenan Highlights Braintree Impact In State Budget …

Sen. Friedman Secures Funding For Arlington In Senate Budget » Arlington Patch Here's what was adopted by the Senate that pertains to Arlington. …

Lawmakers hesitant to apply early voting to primaries » Sentinel & Enterprise Early voting earned positive reviews during its inaugural run in Massachusetts, but lawmakers have so far been hesitant about implementing the voter convenience for this year's primary elections -- hi…

News Briefs: Mass. Senate approves funding for opioid prevention services; Mass. Senate provides funding for Berkshire FLYER; Mass. Senate to review small bridge repair regulations » the Berkshire edge Sen. Adam G. Hinds, D-Pittsfield, has announced that the Massachusetts Senate Thursday adopted his amendment No. 1150 to the fiscal year 2019 state budget, providing $150,000 in funding to support op…

Pension and a paycheck? State may loosen ‘double dipping’ rules » Boston Globe

WBUR Poll: Ballot Questions On Sales Tax Rollback And 'Millionaire's Tax' Maintain High Support » WBUR Support remains strong for two ballot questions that could be put to Massachusetts voters this fall, and each of them could drastically change the state's tax structure. …

Poll: Massachusetts Wants the Millionaire's Tax » Boston Magazine

Baker talks about approach to fee increases » The Salem News

See inside the MBTA's newest boat, the Glory » The Republican MBTA and state transportation officials on Wednesday christened a new catamaran, a 150-passenger addition to the public transit agency's fleet of ferries.…

At last! Longfellow Bridge between Boston, Cambridge reopens Thursday » WCVB After five years of construction, the Longfellow Bridge finally reopened Thursday at 5 a.m.…

Longfellow Bridge Reopens After $300 Million Reconstruction Project » NECN After five years of a major reconstruction project, traffic resumed Thursday morning on the Longfellow Bridge.…

Mattapan trolley report delayed again » Commonwealth Magazine A CONSULTANT’S REPORT on what to do with the MBTA’s Mattapan trolley line has been delayed again, pushed back until the end of this year.…

Baker: Offshore wind energy to feature 'terrific pricing' » South Coast Today Massachusetts electric ratepayers will be pleasantly surprised when they find out what their electric bill is going to look like once wind energy generated south of Martha’s Vineyard comes online, G…

Social Media Spotlight

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wgby Regulating Sports Betting with Rep. Joseph Wagner | Connecting Point | May 30, 2018 MassLive See inside the MBTA’s newest ferry, the Glory WGBH News Boston Harbor Barrier Wall

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Dylan Fernandes @RepDylan Senator Joe Boncore @joeboncore Jeffrey Sanchez @jeffrey_sanchez

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Podcast Spotlight

WGBH News Boston Public Radio: Gov. Baker: Convicted Rapist Wayne Chapman's Case Highlights A Systemic Legal Problem Boston Herald Morning Meeting: Mary Connaughton Pioneer Institute's Director Of Government Transparency Boston Herald Morning Meeting: State Sen Barbara L’Italien WPKZ 105.3FM/AM1280 The K-Zone: State Representative Stephan Hay Mass Climate Action Network The Climate Minute: Can a seawall protect Beantown?

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