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

In Hingham, a welcome to (well-heeled) black residents

Local effort wants racial, but not economic, diversity

Trump made gains in urban areas of Mass. 

Despite statewide shellacking, president narrowed margins in cities

Parents frustrated, concerned with pandemic school year, poll finds

Hybrid model draws especially negative views 

Union urging ‘no confidence’ votes in ed commish Riley

MTA dials up heat over state push for in-person learning

Mass GOP jumps on unfounded election ‘fraud’ bandwagon 

Party chairman seeks donations to help Trump fight ‘funny business’ 

Baker really is a RINO

Latest jab at Trump and national Republicans underscores gulf with his party

Biden trumps Trump

Veteran Democrat elected 46th president; Harris will be first woman VP  

One place Trump gained in Mass.: heavily Latino cities 

Pattern fits national bump in Latino vote for Republican president 

Race in doubt, polling in the cross hairs

No cakewalk for Biden -- or pollsters 

Blue wave rolls across state 

Democrats hope for down-ballot gains to add to lopsided dominance in Legislature

Shots fired — at cars and the media

Back Bay gunfire draws coverage that’s rare in other Boston neighborhoods

For Catholic schools, class is in session — and in person 

Boston parochial schools appear to have reopened safely this fall. Why can’t public schools, Baker asks?

Biden’s lead has supporters…worried

Polling and politics down the homestretch

Could exam school admissions changes have unintended consequences?

Even some supporters question rush to approve revamp

Coalition to press state ed leaders on vocational school admissions

Groups say selective entry standards unfairly exclude poor and minority students

The COVID body count continues

Higher Mass. death rate defies simple explanation

Republican challenger struggles for foothold in ‘purple’ Andover-based rep district

Democrat who ousted GOP state leader Lyons two years ago enjoys big cash advantage

Boston to consider awarding exam school seats by neighborhood

School committee will consider major shift in entry standards 

Biden the clear choice (say newspaper editorials)

In race with few undecideds, endorsement impact probably limited

Debate is the latest norm Trump shatters

President anything but presidential in first face-off

July 1, 2019

Michelle Wu’s personal path to politics

Mayoral candidate saw the ways government matters at ground level

City Councilor Andrea Campbell announces run for mayor of Boston

Addressing ‘generational inequities’ will be campaign theme

Fitchburg pinning revival hopes on arts and culture

One-time mill city looks ahead in effort to rekindle past vitality

A term limit solution to SCOTUS circus?

Sensible idea but might not end partisan warfare on court picks

Proposed Roxbury pot shop stirs debate 

Some argue it’s not what the neighborhood needs 

Nov. 26, 2019

Report says $500 million in state education funding goes to most affluent communities

Business groups urge shifting aid from wealthier to poorer school districts

Baker looks to leverage bail controversy

Administration wants to expand ability to hold defendants before trial 

June 1, 2020

Markey trounces Kennedy in Senate primary

Veteran pol steamrolls challenger from state’s storied political family

For Methuen police chief, a rich story

Top cop earns more than most big-city chiefs -- and says he deserves more 

In 4th Congressional District, echo of another race for a Kennedy seat 

Will progressive voters coalesce around 1 candidate?