Train strikes have killed 4 statewide in the past month
THE ISSUE: Transit officials say there is a lack of public education and awareness of safety around train tracks.THE IMPACT: Train strikes killed 20 people statewide in fiscal 2017, a 150 percent...
View ArticleAnalysts project lucrative pot market in Massachusetts
THE ISSUE: Massachusetts is preparing for legal marijuana sales in 2018.THE IMPACT: According to some projections, the state could see $1.2 billion in pot sales and $240 million in tax revenue by 2021.
View Article10 indicted in alleged sex trafficking ring
Ten people have been indicted on human sex trafficking and other charges stemming from an investigation into an online escort service that allegedly sold women for sex in Braintree, Lexington, Newton,...
View ArticleSTATE HOUSE ROUNDUP: House bowls through budget veto overrides
A recap and analysis of the week in state governmentLine 'em up and knock 'em down. That's been the House's approach to Gov. Charlie Baker's budget vetoes since returning from summer recess.But if...
View ArticleGov. Baker on Vegas shooting: 'This could be anybody's kids including ours'
The deadly and devastating attack on concertgoers in Las Vegas late Sunday, which was the largest mass shooting in the country's modern history, hit home for Gov. Charlie Baker, who said he could...
View ArticleMore medical pot dispensaries offering home delivery in Massachusetts
THE ISSUE: Five medical marijuana dispensaries are now authorized to conduct home deliveries statewide.THE IMPACT: Patient advocates say people with debilitating conditions who live far from a...
View ArticleMassachusetts expands college transfer and discount programs
THE ISSUE: A program that gives financial incentives to students who transfer to a state university from a community college is expanding.THE IMPACT: While officials expect more students to...
View ArticlePot entrepreneurs in Mass. should get ready for a 'roller coaster' ride,...
Only a few hands went up in the Hynes Convention Center conference room Thursday morning when the session presenter asked how many attendees currently work with registered marijuana businesses. But...
View ArticleNew FBI data shows crime trends in Massachusetts cities and towns
THE ISSUE: Crime rates have declined in Massachusetts in recent years.THE IMPACT: Rates of crime in Massachusetts are considerably lower than national rates. Nationally, there was an increase in...
View ArticleLegal pot opponents urge Cannabis Commission to 'protect the people'
One year ago, the battle over whether marijuana should be legal for adults to use was raging in Massachusetts. Now that it's settled, the combatants are still engaged in a skirmish over how the legal...
View ArticleMassachusetts schools prepare for influx of Puerto Rican students
THE ISSUE: Weeks after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, large numbers of families may flee the island for the mainland United States.LOCAL IMPACT: Massachusetts, home to the fifth largest Puerto...
View ArticleEmployment a challenge for many with disabilities
THE ISSUE: People with disabilities face low employment rates.THE IMPACT: National Disability Employment Awareness Month is intended to educate employers about providing opportunities for workers with...
View ArticleCoding academy aims to boost access to tech jobs
THE ISSUE: A coding academy at the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts aims to increase access to technology jobs.THE IMPACT: Minorities are statistically underrepresented in the technology workforce.
View ArticleINTERACTIVE GRAPHIC: Find out how your school district did on the 2017 MCAS
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the 2017 MCAS scores on Wednesday, Oct. 18.Students in the third to eighth grades took what is being referred to as the...
View ArticleSummer-like weather brings drought back to Massachusetts
Drought has returned to Massachusetts after almost six months of sufficient hydration.Spurred by summer-like temperatures in October and consecutive months of abnormal dryness, the U.S. Drought Monitor...
View ArticleState leaders seek ideas on reducing vehicle emissions
THE ISSUE: Transportation is the state’s largest source of carbon emissions.THE IMPACT: State leaders are soliciting input on strategies to reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
View ArticleMBTA focuses on suicide prevention
THE ISSUE: Since July, trains have struck and killed 11 people in Massachusetts.THE IMPACT: The MBTA is working with suicide prevention organizations and other partners to identify ways to reduce...
View ArticleSTATE HOUSE ROUNDUP -- Alexa, buy property in Massachusetts
A recap and analysis of the week in state government.The Red Sox may be done for the season, but there were plenty of pitches being thrown around Boston as the Amazon wooing efforts officially got...
View ArticleState poised to sink more money into the Big Dig
It was forged a decade ago and filled with hundreds of millions of dollars. Now the state's transportation chief is looking to tap into a trust fund for Big Dig repairs.In 2008 contractors agreed to...
View ArticleSchools and students adjust to computer-based MCAS
Students across Massachusetts are not only adjusting to a new statewide standardized exam, but are also getting used to taking it without a pencil and paper.
View Article