9:00am Joint Committee on Public Health, Committee Hearing

11:30am Acupuncture Day, Grand Staircase, State House, Boston

Boston Fire continues to fail to reflect the community it serves, new data show » Boston Globe

The federal government may soon loosen restrictions on marijuana. Here’s how that could impact Massachusetts. » Boston Globe

Red flag law seldom used to confiscate firearms » The Eagle Tribune

Black Bostonians group calls for $15 billion in reparations for slavery, discrimination » Boston Herald

Here's why Taunton state Sen. Marc Pacheco said he's not running. What's next for him? » Taunton Gazette

How the Newburyport mayor became a regional lightning rod » Boston Globe

For Mayor Wu, zoning reform may be good policy — but it’s dangerous politics » Boston Globe

Healey goes on hiring spree at MBTA » Commonwealth Beacon

'Exceeding what was predicted.' Cape, Islands dedicated sewer fund stretched thin. » Cape Cod Times

U.S. Rep. Lynch: Financing deal is 'not enough' to keep all Steward hospitals open » WBUR

Should National Guard be deployed at Brockton High to 'prevent a potential tragedy'? » The Enterprise

John Deaton, crypto attorney and commentator, launches Republican bid against Elizabeth Warren » Boston Globe

NH: New Hampshire House bill would allow commercial marijuana sales at 15 state-licensed retail stores » WMUR

RI: Dentists warn of looming shortage 'superstorm.' Here's what's driving it. » The Providence Journal

NJ: Baraka says he’ll run for Governor in 2025 » New Jersey Globe

OH: Ohio Law Forces Transgender Candidate to Use Deadname on Ballot » New York Times

OH: What to know about Ohio's U.S. Senate primary » Axios

IL: Illinois considers law allowing medically assisted death » Axios

MI: Rep. Rashida Tlaib Endorses Protest Vote Against Biden In Michigan Democratic Primary » Vanity Fair

FL: Florida is one of 18 states to allow corporal punishment in schools. Will it change? » Orlando Sentinel

WI: New Wisconsin Legislative Maps Diminish G.O.P. Advantage » New York Times

TX: How Did Texas Slip Into the MAGA Abyss? » Vanity Fair

CO: Colorado lawmakers look to boost their own salaries » Axios

AZ: Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is almost out of time to launch a re-election campaign » Axios

Michigan progressives angry over Gaza urge voters to ditch Biden in primary » The Hill

Red states hopeful for a 2nd Trump term prepare to curtail Medicaid » Politico

Anti-Trump Burnout: The Resistance Says It’s Exhausted » New York Times

Biden Begins California Fundraising Swing After $42 Million Haul » Bloomberg

Climate change reversing gains in air quality across the U.S.: study » Axios

Teachers Are Missing More School, and There Are Too Few Substitutes » New York Times

Frozen embryos are children, Ala. high court says in unprecedented ruling » Washington Post

Here’s a Crash Course on State Comprehensive Privacy Legislation » MultiState

Don’t ask why Nikki Haley hasn’t dropped out. Instead, ask what does she want? » Boston Globe

Springfield Museums nears goal for Dr. Seuss license plate production » News 22 WWLP.com

The rise and fall of Drizly, one of Boston’s great startup stories » Boston Globe

TD Garden using AI-based security screening system » Axios

Vertex grew headcount 13% in 2023, plans for more hiring in 2024 » Boston Business Journal

In Boston’s Jean McGuire, a legacy of success in those she uplifted » Boston Globe

Battenfeld: Michelle Wu’s divisive decision to exclude thousands of kids from free museums » Boston Herald

‘Two different planets’: On university campuses, the Israel-Palestinian divide runs deep » Boston Globe

Editorial: Colleges should extend enrollment deadlines due to FAFSA delays » Boston Globe

Brookline considering eliminating Grade 9 honors English course » Boston Globe

Superintendent warns of 20 staff cuts in Amherst-Pelham regional schools » Gazette Net

Brockton School Committee members request National Guard aid to quell violence at the high school » Boston Globe

Editorial: Bungled FAFSA needs a fix » Boston Herald

Newton parents file class-action lawsuit, seek damages for teachers’ strike » Boston.com

Revamping literacy, with fewer school librarians » The New Bedford Light

Robbins: American universities have some explaining to do » Boston Herald

Brockton school board members not backing down from controversial National Guard request » The Enterprise

February fishing on the thin ice of a new world » Boston Globe

Management role: Forestry experts explain efforts to bolster forest health, climate resilience » Gazette Net

Info on ‘specific’ flood damage needed » Sentinel & Enterprise

FAA investigating Life Flight chopper emergency landing in Worcester » Worcester Telegram

Dracut selectmen hear ‘friendly 40B’ housing proposal » Lowell Sun

LifePath gets $125K grant to facilitate benefits enrollment » Gazette Net

New day shelter opens in Chelsea, as state shelters remain full » WBUR

Chelsea nonprofit to open as day shelter for migrants » NBC Boston

Springfield shelter system at capacity and homelessness expected to expand » MassLive

Cambridge officials press secretary of state to turn migrant shelter into 24/7 operation » Boston Herald

Opinion: Is concern for judicial ethics all that’s driving the controversy over Healey’s pick for high court? » Boston Globe

Afterschool programs can help clean energy sector meet workforce needs » Commonwealth Beacon

MTA exerts more power amid a wave of teacher strikes, generating praise and scorn » Boston Globe

New Boston city councilors barred by tradition of silence: ‘I can’t speak’ » Boston Herald

Amherst gets good budget news that could stave off cuts » Gazette Net

Former Agawam personnel director pleads guilty to tax fraud » MassLive

Swampscott seeking solid candidates for Solid Waste Advisory Committee » Lynn Daily News Item

More city-run pools ‘on track’ to be open in Boston this summer than in years past » Boston Herald

Elizabeth Warren highlights federal dollars shuttled to Massachusetts as Republican prepares challenge » Boston Herald

Area fire departments, including Foxboro, to receive nearly $160,000 to pay for equipment, safety gear » The Sun Chronicle

State trooper under investigation for fight with North Adams police sergeant last year » Berkshire Eagle

OTR: State auditor says Massachusetts governor shouldn't be exempt from public records law » WCVB

Expanding the Massachusetts Lottery online is bad, some say. What are their concerns? » The Metro West Daily News

Missed connections: Irregular timings can leave Nubian Station MBTA riders waiting and chasing buses » Boston Globe

Central Mass. driving school cries foul in early termination of 1-year contract with RMV » Worcester Telegram

No evidence Fiandaca did any work during transition » Commonwealth Beacon

Boston Chamber CEO talks new ways to fund the MBTA, including taxes » Boston Herald

Marlborough train station? A Mass. advocate is proposing a station for the MetroWest economic capital, but city officials don’t see it as a realistic option » Worcester Business Journal

Eversource, National Grid seek rate hikes to upgrade the grid to handle surge in electrification » Boston Globe

Social Media Spotlight

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GBH News Milton voted to defy state law and reject new housing rules. What now? WCVB Channel 5 Boston OTR: State auditor continues to push for audit of Mass. Legislature

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Podcast Spotlight

WBUR The Common: Immigration debate intensifies in Mass. Politics Wall St. Journal What's News: Capital One to Buy Discover in Credit-Card Shakeup

Pioneer Institute Study Finds Massachusetts Saw Four-Fold Loss of Income to Net Outmigration » Pioneer Institute

Small Business Saturday to Kick off Free Parking at Select Locations on Saturdays Through Dc. 28 to Promote Local Engagement » City of Worcester

The Mass Leads Act Gains Momentum: Extending Permits and Offering Protections for Developers » Bowditch & Dewey

MTA statement on implementing new high-school graduation requirement » Massachusetts Teachers Association

MMA webinar covers key legal issues related to holiday displays » Mass. Municipal Association

Resident Charged with Arson in Apartment Complex Fire » MA Department of Fire Services

Critical Drought Declared Across Massachusetts » MA Department of Fire Services

Healey-Driscoll Administration, UMass Lowell and Boston University Launch New Initiative to Advance Clean Energy and Build Geothermal Workforce » MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Granting State Recognition to Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe » Office of Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll

MSA Honors Individuals at 2024 Law Enforcement & Corrections Awards Ceremony » Mass. Sheriffs’ Association