Government & Politics

With a planned start in June and completion expected by the end of September 2026, the study seeks to find ways to reconnect neighborhoods divided by the construction of the highway in the mid-20th century.

On the same day the U.S. House approved a sweeping package of tax relief and funding cuts that could impact state finances, the Massachusetts Senate approved an annual state budget that presses ahead with a sizable spending increase.

DPH’s request comes after the state agency deemed Framingham Union’s NICU an essential service following the hospital’s April announcement that it planned to shutter its 12-bassinet unit by June 10.

After nearly 90 minutes of debate about financial burdens on patients, pharmaceutical industry lobbying, and legislative process, the Senate voted 34-5 to attach to the budget policy reforms authored by Health Care Financing Committee Co-chair Sen. Cindy Friedman.

The board of education voted 8-1 on Tuesday to approve new interim regulations overhauling the state's competency determination (CD) requirements for high school graduation — a temporary move to create uniform graduation standards after use of the MCAS exam was struck down by voters in the fall.

The state will close its remaining motel and hotel shelters this summer, Gov. Maura Healey announced Monday, as the governor and lawmakers have imposed restrictions on the emergency housing system over the past year and family enrollment has declined.

Ashland saw the largest estimated percentage growth of any Central Massachusetts community.

It was the fourth straight month that both the labor force and the unemployment rate grew.

“Power is the ability to get people to listen to you, even when you're mostly just talking about beer.” - Sam Hendler, Hendler Family Brewing

Story by Jon Weaver, CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives