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

Did Charlie Baker win last week’s state primary? 

Two-term governor is leaving, but his moderate politics have staying power  

A tough night for Wu, Warren, and progressive insurgents 

Voters gravitate toward more moderate Democrats

Nov. 18, 2021

Miranda wins five-way primary for Roxbury-based state Senate seat

Two-term state rep vows to be a voice for young people 'struggling to survive and thrive'

Campbell wins Democratic nomination for AG

Driscoll lands LG spot, DiZoglio prevails in auditor's race, Galvin cruises to renomination 

Liss-Riordan’s self-funding in AG’s race hits $9.3 million

Campbell slams effort to ‘buy’ the election 

Campbell opens lead in new poll of AG’s race

Race remains close -- and volatile -- with lots of voters still undecided

Records call sexual assault claim against Arroyo ‘unfounded’ 

Officials concluded no crime occurred, but didn’t say allegations were not true 

Reading and math scores plummet amid pandemic

Historic declines confirm heavy toll of learning disruption

Endorsements taking center stage in race for DA, attorney general

Wu, Warren, Markey rescind backing of Arroyo  

Palfrey quits AG’s race, endorses Campbell

Cites one-time rival’s ‘lived experience’

Parent satisfaction with Boston schools is falling, new poll shows

Decline underscores the challenge facing new superintendent

What’s the truth on Arroyo in Suffolk DA’s race? Does it matter?

Vennochi, Kadzis wonder why progressives seem so incurious

Edwards cuts an independent path 

East Boston senator breaks with progressives on dangerousness law, DA’s race

Arroyo pushes back on sexual assault allegations

Suffolk DA's race turning into a mudslinging slugfest

New higher ed commissioner will face big challenges 

State is backsliding after gains in raising attendance and grad rates 

The non-race for Massachusetts governor

What does it mean when an election seems over before it starts?  

It’s Peake performance vs. reform agenda in Cape Cod race 

Challenger Stanton points to lack of transparency in House 

A loud lament over the latest gambling embrace by state leaders 

Lawrence’s Les Bernal says we’re just expanding state-sanctioned exploitation

State education board raises MCAS graduation requirements

New standards, opposed by teachers unions and almost 100 legislators, take effect with class of 2026

Boston is hemorrhaging school-aged kids

Fewer children are changing the city – for the worse, says Will Austin

A liberal showdown in Brookline

Vitolo touts pragmatism, while Fernandez looks to challenge status quo

Tompkins challenger says he shouldn’t moderate DA debate

Should Suffolk sheriff preside over candidate forum while a candidate himself?

3 Democrats make the case for being Maura Healey’s No. 2

Few sparks in lieutenant governor debate

In AG debate, Dems play their hands 

3 candidates try to work their advantages 

Ex-senator Tran sues Healey over criminal charges of stealing a constituent’s gun

Former GOP senator, now vying for Congress, says AG engaging in political prosecution

Baker’s dangerousness bill divides DA candidates

Prosecutors are on the frontlines in detention proceedings

Lawmakers reach agreement on abortion legislation

Legislators overcome divide on language expanding right to terminate later-term pregnancies

Could looming MCAS change be last gasp for ed reform era? 

Healey backs anti-testing movement and now has teachers union endorsement

Fitchburg aims to drive back to the future

Reconfiguring Main St., arts initiative, new housing all pieces of revitalization puzzle 

Wu walked fine line in superintendent pick

New mayor wanted her own school leader, but never publicly tipped her hand