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Opinion

  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Don't let big cannabis crush small business

    Ruben Seyde, Kobie Evans, and Drudys Ledbetter Updated: March 24, 2025

    Three members of the Massachusetts Cannabis Equity Council argue the state should keep current limits on the amount of cannabis business licenses one person or entity can possess.

    Ruben Seyde, Kobie Evans, and Drudys Ledbetter Updated: March 24, 2025
  • Editorial Cartoon

    A Thousand Words: Falling business confidence

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: March 24, 2025

    In February, the Massachusetts Business Confidence Index fell 5.2 points, representing the largest over-the-month drop since the COVID pandemic. The Associated Industries of Massachusetts said the state's sudden confidence decline is due to

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: March 24, 2025
  • Opinion

    Guest column: Reawaken your courage

    Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham Updated: March 10, 2025

    Worcester, we must reawaken the traits of good leaders born during COVID. Employees and clients are feeling betrayed by organizations taking back commitments. Reawaken your courage, curiosity, commitment, conscientiousness, and empathy.

    Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham Updated: March 10, 2025
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: A love letter to my small business friends

    Julie Bowditch Updated: March 10, 2025

    To our city leadership: We plead with you to support these spaces and the humans behind them.

    Julie Bowditch Updated: March 10, 2025
  • Editorial Cartoon

    A Thousand Words: GOP healthcare cuts

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: March 10, 2025

    Republicans in Congress, along with the Trump Administration, have suggested $880 billion in cuts over the next 10 years to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which oversees Medicaid. Medicaid provides more than 70 million with

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: March 10, 2025
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Work together to shape AI

    Saiph Savage Updated: February 24, 2025

    Opportunities for AI in social good extend beyond health. Human-centered AI design utilizes deep learning to foster fair workplaces, enabling supervisors to address employee mistreatment while empowering workers to advocate for better wages and

    Saiph Savage Updated: February 24, 2025
  • Editorial Cartoon

    A Thousand Words: Center for Women & Enterprise lays off director

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: February 24, 2025

    In early February, Racquel Knight, director of Worcester-based Center for Women & Enterprise Central MA, was laid off along with the four other directors of New England's CWEs. Gaby King Morse, CEO and president of CWE, cited the President

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: February 24, 2025
  • Editorial Cartoon

    A Thousand Words: Cannabis commission suspends whistleblower

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: February 10, 2025

    On Jan. 6, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission placed Business Operations Manager Meghan Dube on paid administrative leave. Dube had spoken to WBJ regarding systematic issues within the agency, with her thoughts featured in WBJ's 

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: February 10, 2025
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Put higher ed in prisons

    James T. Brett and Michael K. Thomas Updated: February 10, 2025

    People often refer to support for justice-impacted individuals as a second chance at opportunity and employment. Such chances are critical to expanding work experience, skill development, and economic mobility.

    James T. Brett and Michael K. Thomas Updated: February 10, 2025
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Two types of philanthropy

    Tim Garvin Updated: January 27, 2025

    A cryptic e-mail arrived in my inbox in early November of 2020: “I support the efforts of a philanthropist who is interested in contributing to the United Way of Central Massachusetts. I was hoping to schedule a quick follow-up call to discuss next

    Tim Garvin Updated: January 27, 2025
  • Editorial Cartoon

    A Thousand Words: Coney Island's iconic upgrade

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: January 27, 2025

    Worcester hot dog restaurant George’s Coney Island announced it has embarked on a months-long endeavor to renovate to its iconic 85-year-old neon sign.

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: January 27, 2025
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Working without a contract? Nonprofits face impossible choices

    Ronald Waddell Updated: January 13, 2025

    Public funding delays, caused by legislative processes and bureaucratic inefficiencies, force organizations to operate without signed agreements, jeopardizing their ability to meet the needs of those they serve.

    Ronald Waddell Updated: January 13, 2025
  • Editorial Cartoon

    A Thousand Words: New healthcare oversight law

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: January 13, 2025

    Gov. Maura Healey signed an expanded hospital oversight bill on Jan. 8 in the wake of the closure of two Steward Health Care-owned hospitals, including Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer. Community and healthcare leaders pressured the governor to

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: January 13, 2025
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Key factors will fuel 2025 economic growth

    Satya B. Mitra Updated: December 23, 2024

    Central Mass. is well positioned for economic growth in 2025. Macroeconomic factors, namely declining interest rates and a reduction in the growth rate of inflation, suggest the national economy will trend upward in 2025.

    Satya B. Mitra Updated: December 23, 2024
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Worcester’s 2025 economic outlook: Brighter road ahead

    Marshall Sugarman Updated: December 23, 2024

    Worcester, New England’s second largest and fastest-growing major city, continues to benefit from a surge in both public and private investments. This growth is positively impacting residents and businesses across the city’s diverse community.

    Marshall Sugarman Updated: December 23, 2024
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Small businesses need better tax amnesty

    Luz Arevalo and Angela Divaris Updated: December 9, 2024

    Massachusetts is in the midst of a tax amnesty running from Nov. 1 to Dec. 30. Tax amnesties don’t come around often and don’t last long.

    Luz Arevalo and Angela Divaris Updated: December 9, 2024