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Opinion

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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
  • 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Priorities for the lame duck Congress

    James T. Brett Updated: November 25, 2024

    After a long and brutally divisive election season, Congress now returns to Capitol Hill for the final weeks of the 118th Congress, often referred to as the lame duck session. After an historically unproductive two years, the to-do list remains long.

    James T. Brett Updated: November 25, 2024
  • Opinon

    Viewpoint: My friend Frank Carroll

    James O’Brien Updated: November 11, 2024

    In late October, we saw the passing of Francis R. "Frank" Carroll, a favorite son of Worcester and one of its truly outstanding citizens.

    James O’Brien Updated: November 11, 2024
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Do you need to fear retirement?

    Hamilton Soriano Updated: October 14, 2024

    People are viewing retirement as a chance for new experiences and new opportunities, rather than a time to simply wind down. But if you’re going to make the most of your retirement, which could last two or even three decades, you need to be

    Hamilton Soriano Updated: October 14, 2024
  • Opinion

    Viewpoint: Interest rate reduction signals shift in post-COVID economy

    Sara Johnson and Brooke Thomson Updated: September 30, 2024

    The U.S. and Massachusetts economies are shifting from the post-COVID period of rising prices, a white-hot employment market, and giddy consumers to one of slowing growth and rising unemployment.

    Sara Johnson and Brooke Thomson Updated: September 30, 2024
  • Editorial Cartoon

    A Thousand Words: Unemployment rate plateaus

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: September 30, 2024

    Mass. unemployment rate decreased in August to 4.5%, but the state rate remains higher than the national average of 4.6%.

    Ramón L. Sandoval Updated: September 30, 2024