Greater Worcester

While the impacts of the U.S. House GOP's tax and funding cuts legislation come into focus, the group that represents the state's hospitals said this week it is closely monitoring provider tax policy for potential changes that could make it even harder to finance care for patients on MassHealth.

Restaurant owners scrambling to turn profits amid rising food, labor and energy costs again turned to the Legislature Tuesday for some reprieve as they lobby to pass credit card surcharges onto their customers. Meanwhile, economic development groups that support minority businesses aired their worries on Beacon Hill about how the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies and tariffs are impeding their supply chain and customer base.

Supporters of the centers say closing them will undermine workforce readiness and leave nearly 500 residential students at the sites without a clear future. 

The first five months of 2025 have been a wild ride for the economy. How has your outlook changed for the rest of the year?

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.

Hometown Financial Group will soon acquire CFSB Bancorp, forming a nearly $6.9-billion entity.

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.

"We are thrilled to be part of writing the next chapter for this marquee property here in the city and to further our investment, literally and figuratively, in Worcester with this acquisition,” Dave Fontaine Jr. said in a press release issued Monday.