MAP: Find out what towns will or won't allow recreational marijuana, so far
Town-by-town, city-by-city residents of Massachusetts are deciding if they want to be able to drive to the corner store to buy marijuana.State officials delayed the implementation of the law legalizing...
View ArticleShort-term housing rentals targeted for taxes and regulations in Massachusetts
THE ISSUE: The emergence of short-term rentals through websites like Airbnb has raised concerns over safety and quality of life for some policymakers.NEXT STEPS: While some communities enact local...
View ArticleNew sewer concept would make energy, fertilizer from wastewater
THE CONCEPT: A new approach to wastewater treatment would use small, local facilities to clean water, generate electricity and produce fertilizer.NEXT STEPS: The town of Littleton has appropriated...
View ArticlePromise of free college circulating in policy circles, on campaign trail
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON: The governor and mayor of Boston will make a bipartisan pitch Tuesday for a tuition-free college program available to Boston residents, but a Democrat running for governor is...
View ArticleMEMA: Start of hurricane season is a reminder to prepare
June 1 marks the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season which runs through Nov. 30. While historically the majority of tropical storms and hurricanes that have impacted our region occurred...
View ArticlePOLL: Massachusetts cities, states poised to lead on climate policy
THE ISSUE: Many state and municipal leaders say cities and states are poised to take the lead on climate policy.THE CAUSE: President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will withdraw the United...
View ArticlePOLL: Massachusetts cities, states poised to lead on climate policy
THE ISSUE: Many state and municipal leaders say cities and states are poised to take the lead on climate policy.THE CAUSE: President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will withdraw the United...
View ArticleLow-income children face summer meals gap
While nearly 300,000 Massachusetts students get free or reduced-price lunches at school, it’s often a challenge to reach them during the summer."Low-income children are really at risk for hunger and...
View ArticleMAP: Find out which Massachusetts high schools may have to change mascots
Nearly 40 public high schools in Massachusetts may have to change their mascot and/or their logo if a bill being debated on Beacon Hill passes.The bill, proposed by state Sen. Barbara L’Italien, would...
View ArticleHigher tax rate, new opt-out method in pot law rewrite, State House sources say
Marijuana sales would be taxed at a maximum rate of 18.75 percent under legislation being developed by the House in preparation for a Thursday vote that would also alter the oversight and local control...
View ArticleUPDATED: Marijuana law rewrite criticized, DeLeo postpones debate (with...
House leadership-backed legislation overhauling the marijuana law approved by voters last year came under fire from multiple sides June 14, and by the end of the day, Speaker Robert DeLeo opted to push...
View ArticleUPDATED: 'Millionaire tax' makes it to the 2018 ballot (with interactive map)
For the second year in a row, Massachusetts lawmakers June 14 endorsed a proposal to extract an estimated $2 billion from the state's roughly 20,000 highest earners, setting up a 2018 ballot question...
View ArticleEmu accident in Abington sends owner to hospital
The victim was brought to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth after the emu accidentally scratched him, according to the owners.
View ArticleWater quality good at most Massachusetts beaches; Issues remain at some urban...
THE ISSUE: Although water quality is generally good at Massachusetts beaches, issues remain in some areas.THE IMPACT: An average of 4.9 percent of samples from marine beaches and 3.8 percent of samples...
View ArticleSTATE HOUSE NEWS: Senate sends 'amend and improve' bill to pot talks with House
The Senate on Thursday night approved a series of updates to the state's voter-passed marijuana legalization law, which supporters said closely align with the ideals of the ballot question but which...
View ArticleFarming takes root in the city
THE ISSUE: The state Department of Agricultural Resources is preparing to award grants to urban farming projects.THE IMPACT: In five years, the DAR has awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants for 51...
View ArticleBill targets consent for psychotropic drugs
THE ISSUE: Some patient advocates say current informed written consent regulations for prescribing psychotropic drugs don't go far enough.THE DETAILS: A House bill would require that consent forms also...
View ArticleSeniors frequently targeted for financial abuse
THE ISSUE: Senior citizens are often targeted by scammers and sometimes financially exploited by loved ones.THE IMPACT: According to some estimates, older Americans lose $36.5 billion annually to...
View ArticleMassachusetts Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester dies
BOSTON -- Longtime Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester died Monday evening after a short illness, the state's education board chairman announced at a Tuesday meeting."We...
View ArticleMassachusetts could join neighbors in banning handheld devices while driving
Massachusetts is poised Thursday to take one step closer to becoming the 15th state to ban drivers from using handheld cellphones while behind the wheel.The Senate plans to consider legislation that...
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