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11:00am House Session, Informal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

Must-Reads
MASSACHUSETTS

Businessman, Trump ally Michael Minogue enters 2026 GOP race for Mass. governor » MassLive

How the government shutdown led to more elderly patients in Mass. hospitals » WBUR

Nearly 250 patients at top Mass. hospitals say they were abused by a renowned doctor. Why wasn’t he stopped sooner? » BostoN Globe

‘Your struggle doesn’t negate your humanity’: State Representative David LeBoeuf opens up on coping with alcoholism » Boston Globe

Seth Moulton leads Ed Markey among Mass. Democrats likely to vote in 2026 midterms, poll finds » Boston Herald

The real danger facing the T » Commonwealth Magazine

Boston Mayor’s Blowout Victory Jolts CEOs Seeking New Direction » Bloomberg

Mass Save was redesigned to better reach low-income residents. But there’s a problem. » Boston Globe

Massachusetts politicians warn of shutdown impacts » Greenfield Recorder

A Boston judge issues a blistering warning over free speech under Trump » Axios

Governor Healey, AG Campbell criticize Trump administration for close to $7 million in cuts to public safety funds » Boston Globe

NATIONAL

Elizabeth Warren on why Democrats had to shut down the government » Vox Media

Government shutdown enters Day 2. Are mass firings of federal employees imminent? » NBC Boston

GOP has to resist Dems on Obamacare subsidies in shutdown fight, ex-Veep Pence says in Boston » MassLive

We asked 1,000 Americans who they blame for the shutdown » Washington Post

White House Uses Shutdown to Maximize Pain and Punish Political Foes » New York Times

White House to begin firing federal workers within a "day or two" » Axios

Hassett says Congress doesn’t need to pass Trump’s farmer bailout » punchbowl

The “Moral Monsters” Among Us » The Bulwark

The “Department of War” Is Designed to Fight American Citizens » The Bulwark

Lawmakers expect shutdown to drag on for at least a week » The Hill

"(T)he shutdown is not really about health insurance. Democrats could have backed the GOP’s seven-week funding extension, while still holding out for their preferred health care policies in negotiations over a long-term budget ... In truth, the shutdown was born out of the interaction between three related, big-picture developments in American politics, none of which concern the details of fiscal policy: Trump is subverting constitutional governance; Democratic donors, activists, and highly engaged voters view Trump as an authoritarian menace; The Senate’s outdated rules force Democrats to choose between actively abetting right-wing policy or shutting down the government."

Th Vox's Eric Levitz

Levitz argues the shutdown wasn’t really about health care, but deeper forces: Trump’s attacks on constitutional norms, Democrats’ view of him as authoritarian, and Senate rules that left shutdown as their only real leverage.

News By Category
Beltway Politics

Seth Moulton leads Ed Markey among Mass. Democrats likely to vote in 2026 midterms, poll finds » Boston Herald

Lucas: Biden’s autopen makes the ‘Presidential Walk of Fame’ » Boston Herald

Opinion: We need more cracks in MAGA armor » Boston Globe

Editorial: Hillary pours more gasoline on incendiary political rhetoric » Boston Herald

The federal government isn’t the only thing shut down in Washington. So are bipartisan budget talks. » Boston Globe

Battenfeld: Erika Kirk’s Turning Point USA struggling to stay on track » Boston Herald

Business

Fenway Park alcohol kiosks raise fan experience, compliance questions » NBC Boston

South Station tower close to landing anchor tenant: JPMorgan » Boston Globe

Mechanics Hall highlights financial health, upgrades and new leadership at annual meeting » Worcester Telegram

Karen Holmes Ward wraps up at WCVB after 44 years of community connection » Bay State Banner

GBH launches $225 million campaign after President Trump and Congress defunded public media » Boston Globe

Ousted Market Basket CEO Demoulas demands old job back in court filing » NBC Boston

As public media’s federal funding officially ends, GBH CEO announces new fundraising campaign » WGBH

Artie T. fights back: Fired Market Basket chief calls removal 'invalid' in lawsuit » Boston Business Journal

Artie T. fires back: Former Market Basket CEO countersues company after firing » Boston Herald

Top-50 Mass. law firm Dalton & Finegold adds another acquisition » Boston Business Journal

Cannabis & Psychedelics

O’Brien cites 'deeper sense of purpose' in first meeting back as chair of CCC » Boston Business Journal

Pot boss returns to Cannabis Commission, will review all decisions » Boston Herald

Reinstated CCC Chair O’Brien pledges smarter rules, equity in “new beginning” » State House News Service

Education

New England schools are failing — and ‘nobody seems to care » Boston Globe

Systemic failure resulted in committee appointees and elected officials not being sworn in » Plymouth Independent

UMass Boston files plans for nursing building, lays out its hopes for additional developments » Dorchester Reporter

Northampton mayoral, at-large candidates speak at high school forum » Daily Hampshire Gazette

Editorial: Massachusetts is failing its students if it can’t boost MCAS scores » Boston Globe

Trump administration asks colleges to sign ‘compact’ to get funding preference » Boston Globe

Defending DEI, state urges schools to dig-in » Bay State Banner

Charter bills spark debate over funding, school choice » State House

New England schools are failing — and ‘nobody seems to care’ » Boston Globe

Environment

House Climate, Sustainability Committee Visits South Berkshire » iBerkshires

Federal

Federal government shutdown closes visitors center at Cape Cod National Seashore » Cape Cod Times

No law enforcement role for military in US cities, ex-Veep Pence says in Boston stop » MassLive

Federal shutdown closes Massachusetts offices, national parks, tourist sites » WGBH

Moulton deferring salary during government shutdown » Marblehead Current

R.I. judge blocks Trump administration’s attempt to cut $233m in grants to ‘sanctuary’ states » Boston Globe

Government shutdown impacts Massachusetts: Landmarks closed in Boston, bathrooms locked in Salem » WCVB

Gaming

Controversy over wagering limits may lead to rulemaking » State House News Service

Health Care

Some Massachusetts doctors are sending patients to New Hampshire for imaging. Here’s why. » New Hampshire Bulletin

‘It’s a no-brainer’: Democrats try to re-create past Obamacare wins in fraught shutdown battle » Boston Globe

MGB leaving some Medicare Advantage primary care networks, affecting 19,000 patients » Boston Globe

Crystal Jaramillo Launches Perinatal and Postpartum Health Foundation, The Cord » Revere Journal

Plan would bring birthing center to former Coca-Cola bottling plant in Worcester » Worcester Telegram

Takeda lays off 137 Mass. workers as it halts cell therapy work » Boston Business Journal

Frustrated supporters keep pushing on insulin access bill » State House News Service

DOJ Gives Massachusetts Health Care Enforcement a Booster Shot » JD Supra

Housing

Déjà vu for these South Shore residents who will again face MBTA zoning vote » Patriot Ledger

WMass housing advocates collecting signatures for rent control ballot item » MassLive

Human Services

DiDomenico Continues the Fight for Low-income Families » Everett Independent

‘Your struggle doesn’t negate your humanity’: State Representative David LeBoeuf opens up on coping with alcoholism » Boston Globe

Massachusetts veterans argue they deserve more from state definition » Boston Herald

Federal agency says it will investigate Mass. gender-identity policy for foster families » Worcester Telegram

Immigration

Worcester councilors reject formal agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement » Worcester Telegram & Gazette

ICE officers to attend Super Bowl after Bad Bunny announcement, says Lewandowski » The Hill

Lawsuit aims to stop taxpayer information sharing with ICE » WGBH

‘Everyone is on edge’: As ICE encounters increase, federal officials warn of assault charges » Boston Globe

24 weeks in, protests outside of Boston ICE field office persist despite federal crackdown » Boston Globe

Worcester woman who was detained by ICE on Eureka Street has been granted asylum » Worcester Telegram

Worcester City Council passes resolution barring police from assisting ICE » WGBH

ICE activities in New Bedford, Fall River unaffected by shutdown. What's open and closed. » South Coast Today

Judiciary

Advocates rally for reform on Wrongful Conviction Day in Massachusetts » WCVB

Senators back push to have more young adults treated in juvenile court system » State House News Service

Governor's Council wastes no time confirming two to District Court » State House News Service

Labor

Red Sox front office, Fenway Park workers fight over alcohol: ‘We have nothing to hide’ » Boston Herald

Legislative

6 Mass. lawmakers take free trip to Israel amid ground offensive in Gaza » Boston.com

‘Your struggle doesn’t negate your humanity’: State Representative David LeBoeuf opens up on coping with alcoholism » Boston Globe

Local Government

Pembroke Select Board Approves $467,000 Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles » South Shore News

Frank Baker says he'll bring 'balance' if he returns to Boston City Council » WBUR

Amherst DPW workers, town enter mediation over expired contract » Daily Hampshire Gazette

Andrea Sanchez: the city worker who questioned longevity pay for pols » The New Bedford Light

Framingham MA flag brought home for display at local history center. Here's why » The Metro West Daily News

State of the City Remains Strong Even as Dark Economic Clouds May be on the Horizon » Watertown News

Politics

TX: Is James Talarico the Answer to Democratic Prayers? » New York Times

VA: Spanberger holds 10-point lead over Earle-Sears in Virginia: Poll » The Hill

Pope Leo wades into US controversies on military, abortion, immigrants » Boston Globe

MA GOP orchestrates coup against TPUSA candidate at Plymouth Republican Town Committee meeting » JohnFGately.com

Brockton elections director in hot water over Rodrigues endorsement letter. What happened? » The Enterprise

Here's what Massachusetts politicians are saying about the government shutdown » Worcester Telegram

GOP mega-donor Michael Minogue launches campaign for governor of Massachusetts » Boston Herald

‘Faith, heart, and the grit to serve’: GOP megadonor Mike Minogue launches campaign for Mass. governor » Boston Globe

Government Shutdown 2025: How Mass. pols reacted » MassLive

Governor's race draws another GOP challenger » CNHI

Education to be highlighted at this year’s annual Hispanic Heritage Breakfast » El Mundo

Public Health

Western Mass leaders praise public health overhaul » Daily Hampshire Gazette

Former medical device exec Michael Minogue joins Mass. governor's race » NBC Boston

Boston City Council backs recovery campus to relieve Mass and Cass drug market strain » Boston Herald

Cullip: Public health turning into public harassment » Boston Herald

Public Safety

Mass. man aboard Gaza aid flotilla arrested by Israeli forces after boats are intercepted, activists say » Boston.com

Police chiefs sound alarm over 'disturbing rise in rhetoric,' cite rising political threats » NBC News

Patrissi: Shifting focus to domestic violence prevention » Boston Herald

Public Safety Secretary Terrence Reidy exits Healey administration » Boston Herald

Reproductive Rights

Fewer women cross state lines for abortion in 2025, suggesting more pill use, study suggests » Boston Globe

Utilities

What's up with offshore wind in New England? Here's a map » WBUR

Home-heating gas bills are set to hit peak-season rates. How expensive will it be? » Boston Globe

Editorial: Mass Save, stop shortchanging needy communities » Lowell Sun

Healey, lawmakers decry Liberty Utilities’ proposed gas rate hikes » WPRI.com

Press Releases

$11M for New Housing in Hyannis » MassDevelopment

$300K Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Grant Fuels Initiative to Grow Cyber Resilience and Specialized Workforce Throughout the Region » UMass Lowell

Cindy Fitzgibbon, Ro Dooley Webster to be inducted into the prestigious Silver Circle by NATAS » WCVB

Healey-Driscoll Administration Invests Over $5.5 Million to Strengthen Public Safety Across Massachusetts » Mass. Office of Grants and Research

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.1 Million to Protect Coastal Water Quality and Restore Habitat » Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches $2.5 Million Employer Child Care Innovation Fund » Mass. Executive Office of Education

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $7.5 Million in Grants for Trail Improvements Across the State » Mass. Department of Conservation & Recreation

Governor Healey Issues Statement on Two-Year Anniversary of October 7th Attack » Office of Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll

AG’s Office Secures Court Order Preventing Two Waste Management Companies from Dumping Solid Waste into Blackstone Wetlands » Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell

Office of Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll » Federal Funding Dashboard Update Shows Trump’s Billions of Dollars in Cuts to Massachusetts

Department of Public Health’s Tewksbury Hospital and Tewksbury Police Department Strengthen Partnership to Enhance Safety and Security » Mass. Executive Office of Health and Human Services

State Fire Marshal, Fire Chiefs Make Statewide Push on Expired Smoke Alarms » Mass. Department of Fire Services

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $7.4 Million to Train and Place Over 1,100 Workers in Industries Statewide » Mass. Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $2.6 Million to Protect Massachusetts Nonprofits from Extremist Violence » Mass. Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

Healey-Driscoll Administration Declares October “Massachusetts Cranberry Month” » Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

Governor Healey Supports Blue Star Family License Plate Legislation » Massachusetts State Police

Cynobacteria Bloom in Charles River Expands » Charles River Watershed Association


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