Greater Worcester

Rep. John Lawn of Watertown and Sen. Cindy Friedman of Arlington said the bills represent the Legislature's response to the ongoing fallout from the collapse of Steward Health Care and the ever-increasing health care costs consumers face.

The former Hope Lodge at 7 Oak St. in Worcester is set to see a new life as student housing, following a $950,000-purchase by an Oxford-based firm.

Franchi Brothers first opened for business in 1936 and is in its third generation of family ownership.

Thursday's action included three bills newly advanced by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Gov. Maura Healey has signed the addiction and substance use disorder bill that expands access to overdose reversal drugs, establishes licensure for recovery coaches, and limits legal liability for drug users and harm reduction workers who use drug-testing equipment.

Gov. Maura Healey on Monday signed an executive order aimed at boosting women's employment in the construction industry, and she celebrated the effort with what could be one of her final public collaborations with the Biden administration.

Central Massachusetts’ unemployment rates continued their upward trajectory in November for the second consecutive month after the region had begun to rebound from its year-long high in July.  

Holliston Town Administrator Travis Ahern has agreed to bring his experience in municipal government to the Cannabis Control Commission next year as its new executive director during a time of significant changes in the maturing industry, the agency announced Monday evening.

Adult hospital readmission rates in Central Massachusetts came in just below the state’s average in 2023.

Three Central Massachusetts universities have been awarded a share of $14 million in state funding to boost graduation rates for historically underserved students.