Maura Healey

For the burgeoning life sciences hub that is Central Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey’s $3.5-billion Mass Leads Act economic development proposal looks to add fuel to fires.

With some exceptions, all new Executive Branch hiring between April 3 and June 30 will need to be approved by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance based on time-sensitivity and the importance of positions, the office said.

A handful of local officials warned lawmakers Tuesday that the wide-ranging legislation Healey filed takes too heavy a touch in certain areas, infringing on the local control that community leaders cherish and that opponents contend is often used to stall development.

The grants are part of the Training Resources And Internships Network, which is designed to address the skills development needs of long-term unemployed, underemployed, and new entrant adults in the state.

Justice Serge Georges ruled Monday that the case raises important questions that ought to be settled or else they will keep popping up, and ordered both sides to prepare for oral arguments before all seven justices of the high court in October.

As Massachusetts struggles with a workforce shortage that is being felt in industries around the state and country, Gov. Maura Healey's administration released a new plan Monday to "attract, retain and develop a future workforce."

It's tax season, and if you had somehow forgotten the conclusion to a 20-month storyline that began under former Gov. Charlie Baker, a brand-new ad should refresh the memory. 

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis wrote in 1913 that "sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants," and Bay Staters on both ends of the political spectrum agreed this week that Beacon Hill could stand to open the curtains quite a bit more.

Disability advocates are raising the alarm as House Democrats redraft the governor's spending plan, saying that under Healey's budget 6,000 people will lose access to services they need to live at home and maintain their independence.

Councilor Joseph Ferreira, a former police chief, said he still had "a lot of questions" and needed further investigation into potential "unknown ramifications" -- like ones that could pop up if the simple possession charge was coupled with another offense, or was a predicate offense to seek a greater sentence.