NEWS
CommonWealth Beacon cracks open the stories, personalities, and political machinations that impact residents across the state.
Explore sharp, thoughtful reporting that explores local dust-ups, statewide legislative trends, transformative court rulings, and policies that shape life in Massachusetts.
Transportation secretary gives ‘unfiltered’ take on challenges
The secretary said speeding is a problem on Massachusetts roadways because law enforcement officials aren’t writing enough citations.
As state leans in on artificial intelligence, AG Campbell waves a yellow flag
Attorney General Andrea Campbell says AI has tremendous potential, but warns it has “shown to pose serious risks to consumers, including bias, lack of transparency or explainability, implications for data privacy, and more.”
Half of state residents support legalizing teachers’ strikes
State leaders do not seem inclined to change state law to legalize teachers’ strike, but half of Massachusetts residents favor such a move compared with 34 percent who are opposed to a change.
Antisemetic incidents surge in New England
Rabbi Ron Fish, ADL New England’s interim region director, called the data “simply stunning.”
After long delay, cannabis social equity fund starts up
The Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund was signed into law in 2022 to steer a portion of marijuana tax revenues to “entrepreneurs from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement.” The fund sat empty for many months, largely because of the way the law was drafted.
In Milton dispute, AG Campbell will work with the town, but ‘the state trumps’
Only two towns – Milton and Holden – are considered “non-compliant” by the state, with Milton the only town to deliberately blow past its deadline to submit a zoning plan earlier this year.
Mass. residents say ‘immigration/migrants’ top issue facing state
Sixty-seven percent of those polled said the migrant situation was either a crisis (28 percent) or a major problem (39 percent).
Advocates say guaranteed basic income programs work
Advocates for guaranteed basic income gathered at the WBUR CitySpace on Wednesday for a United Way-sponsored event to discuss pilot programs across the Greater Boston area, the challenges in implementing them, and what the future holds.
Political Notebook: Worcester envy turns to relief | Another Mariano missile | Doughty off to Argentina
Fifteen years ago, Worcester looked at Boston with jealousy as cranes dotted the capital city’s skyline, adding new office towers. But now, with more and more people working from home post-pandemic, jealousy has given way to relief.
Health Policy Commission wary of Steward-Optum deal
“I think the underpinning piece is what happens to patients, and what happens to the small community hospitals out there in terms of their ability to stay viable and to provide care,” said commissioner Barbara Blakeney. “The impact of this is just mind-bogglingly complex and potentially harmful.”
Healey, House at odds on low-income fare cost
The MBTA says it needs between $27 million and $30 million to give low-income riders a half-off fare discount, but the House budget plan, despite throwing a record amount of money the T’s way, ponies up only $20 million.
Mass. residents conflicted on MBTA Communities Act
The poll seems to show a version of “NIMBY” thinking among residents, with most people supporting the broad goal of creating more housing, but a significant number of responders wary of having that housing forced on individual communities.
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