Michael Jonas

Executive Editor, CommonWealth

About Michael Jonas

Michael Jonas has worked in journalism in Massachusetts since the early 1980s. Before joining the CommonWealth staff in early 2001, he was a contributing writer for the magazine for two years. His cover story in CommonWealth's Fall 1999 issue on Boston youth outreach workers was selected for a PASS (Prevention for a Safer Society) Award from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency.

Michael got his start in journalism at the Dorchester Community News, a community newspaper serving Boston's largest neighborhood, where he covered a range of urban issues. Since the late 1980s, he has been a regular contributor to the Boston Globe. For 15 years he wrote a weekly column on local politics for the Boston Sunday Globe's City Weekly section.

Michael has also worked in broadcast journalism. In 1989, he was a co-producer for "The AIDS Quarterly," a national PBS series produced by WGBH-TV in Boston, and in the early 1990s, he worked as a producer for "Our Times," a weekly magazine program on WHDH-TV (Ch. 7) in Boston.

Michael lives in Dorchester with his wife and their two daughters.

About Michael Jonas

Michael Jonas has worked in journalism in Massachusetts since the early 1980s. Before joining the CommonWealth staff in early 2001, he was a contributing writer for the magazine for two years. His cover story in CommonWealth's Fall 1999 issue on Boston youth outreach workers was selected for a PASS (Prevention for a Safer Society) Award from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency.

Michael got his start in journalism at the Dorchester Community News, a community newspaper serving Boston's largest neighborhood, where he covered a range of urban issues. Since the late 1980s, he has been a regular contributor to the Boston Globe. For 15 years he wrote a weekly column on local politics for the Boston Sunday Globe's City Weekly section.

Michael has also worked in broadcast journalism. In 1989, he was a co-producer for "The AIDS Quarterly," a national PBS series produced by WGBH-TV in Boston, and in the early 1990s, he worked as a producer for "Our Times," a weekly magazine program on WHDH-TV (Ch. 7) in Boston.

Michael lives in Dorchester with his wife and their two daughters.

Stories by Michael Jonas

Will voters judge Walsh on schools?

Mayoral races rarely turn on education

Haverhill may scrap all at-large city council

Mayor to propose mix of district and citywide seats in bid to promote broader representation

Walsh and the new ‘be bold’ imperative 

Mayor looks to lead with restless council on his heels

Walsh calls for big boost in school spending

Commits $100 million in anticipation of new state aid

Mass. teacher diversity falling short

Disparities start early in the pipeline, says new report

Is the value of two-parent households overrated?

Harvard researcher hits a culture-war nerve

Casinos continue sluggish performance

Plainridge Park records worst full month since opening

Can Hampshire College be saved?

New president Ed Wingenbach is convinced it can be

Riding high on 1-vote win for City Council

Julia Mejia calls her election a victory for ‘regular folks’

Joe “One-Term” Biden for president?

It’s the question hanging over the former VP’s run

Atrius Health reaching back to its managed roots

Provider group bullish on “value-based” care models

Resistance to housing a never-ending saga

State keeps spinning its wheels as problem grows

SJC faces tricky constitutional challenge in indigent defense case

High court must reckon with clash of fundamental principles

Nov 26, 2019

With education bill-signing, cheers and challenges 

State now must maintain funding and ensure it’s well spent 

recorded Nov. 21, 2019

Is Walsh preparing to go ‘bold’ on transportation?

Mayor cites LA’s $120 billion commitment as a model

Employer policies add to roadway gridlock

Little movement by political leaders to change car culture

Sept 19, 2019

Agreement reached on ed funding bill 

Legislation directs $1.5b in new aid, restores state oversight from original proposal

A Patrick run lands locally with a thud

Little hometown love for possible presidential run

July 1, 2019

Boston voters turn left

Showdown over shortage of lawyers for poor heading to SJC

Springfield case spotlights challenges with low pay

DeLeo-Kaufman tale pulls back curtain on Beacon Hill ways

Speaker denies a heavy hand, but that’s often how power works

Sept 19, 2019

Education bill hinges on accountability tussle

Role of state in overseeing spending at issue 

Loopy coverage says more about media than Legislature

Citizen bill to ban ‘bitch’ utterance gets undue attention

House unveils education bill — minus controversial Senate amendment

Restores state education commissioner authority over district plans

Does Warren have plan for Medicare-for-All questions?

Health plan cost and tax details threaten her momentum

A caution on hiking ‘regressive’ gas tax

Report says any increase should be accompanied by measures to cushion blow

Correia declares victory in retreat

Fall River mayor defiant in the face of indictments, election drubbing

Kennedy still struggling to frame Senate run 

Challenger brings passion; less clear on argument for taking on Markey  

Tackling traffic, fixing the T, and saving the planet

Innovation economy attempting to take on the challenge

July 1, 2019

Wu calls for abolishing Boston Planning and Development Agency

Vows to lead citywide effort to mobilize support for change