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By ZICHANG LIU

BOSTON — Not long after state Sen. Jo Comerford took office in 2019, a constituent reached out for help after they received a bill from MassHealth in the wake of a family member’s death.The state was seeking to recover expenses associated with caring...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — Westfield Sen. John Velis and Concord Rep. Simon Cataldo will lead the state’s new commission on combating antisemitism, which they say will set out to stamp out Massachusetts’ recent “ignominious reputation as a hub of antisemitic activity.”...

By CHRIS LISINSKI

The Healey administration’s budget chief is “cautiously optimistic” about the economic outlook for the year ahead, even though he expects lackluster tax collections to continue and sees “unavoidable deficiencies” on the horizon.Administration and...

By CAROLYN BROWN

Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Center for the Book, the state branch of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, announced the winners of its 24th annual Massachusetts Book Awards — and six authors from the Pioneer Valley were on the...

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Opponents of a major new gun law say they have collected a bit less than half of the signatures they need by early next month to suspend the measure until voters would potentially get a chance to decide its fate in 2026.A group of gun owners and...

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — With a scope of work laid out, the Select Board has approved a remediation plan for wetlands violations that occurred in the wake of emergency work done in July 2023.Speaking at a recent Select Board meeting, Police Chief and Emergency...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON — State housing officials kicked off outreach efforts on accessory dwelling units to municipal leaders Wednesday, as they prepare for zoning changes embedded in the Affordable Homes Act to take effect in February.Staff from the Executive Office...

By SAM DORAN

BOSTON — Paul Revere rode up Beacon Street blaring the news of rapidly approaching redcoats while Gov. Maura Healey trumpeted a message of her own, calling for Massachusetts to “show off our state over the next two years” as it prepares for center...

By NAOMI SCULLY-BRISTOL

A bill moving through Congress that prohibits federal agencies from procuring or obtaining any biotechnology equipment or service produced or provided by a “company of concern,” specifically five firms based in China, has drawn strong opposition from...

By Bob Katzen

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll call votes in the House or Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ roll call attendance records for the 2024 session through September 6.REPRESENTATIVES’ 2024 ROLL...

By SAM DORAN

BOSTON — As attorney general, Maura Healey lauded a bid to update the state’s wiretapping law and flagged it as “an important issue.” But since taking office as governor, Healey has been mum on the topic and the legislation she lobbied for has gained...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON — Three years after the state launched a registry of providers found to have abused individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, some advocates warn that too many workers are slipping through the cracks and staying employed in...

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — Deerfield is working with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to address a Wetlands Protection Act violation stemming from emergency work done in the aftermath of the July 2023 flooding.MassDEP issued a notice of...

By CHRISTINE HAMP

Who doesn’t love a good combo? Milk and cookies. Peanut butter and jelly. Bacon and eggs.But how about the combination of smart public health strategy with one of the largest agricultural events in the nation? That sounds like an excellent idea to...

By KELLEY BRYANT

Massachusetts is leading the charge in innovation with incubators supporting startups, drug manufacturers developing lifesaving treatments, and technology companies using AI for solutions in various sectors. Women in government are promoting...

By BOB KATZEN

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll call votes in the House or Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local senators’ roll call attendance records for the 2024 session through Aug. 30. The Senate has held 150 roll calls so...

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Students with cognitive disabilities and English language learners who are held back from a diploma due to the MCAS exam could stand to benefit the most from a ballot initiative that would “greatly diminish the state’s role as a gatekeeper to...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — More than a month since House and Senate Democrats failed to compromise on clean energy reforms that the industry and many advocates agree are essential to the transition the state wants to make, key trades associations urged lawmakers this...

By SAM DRYSDALE

After speculation surfaced on a national TV show last weekend, Gov. Maura Healey resolutely denied having any interest in serving as attorney general under a potential future President Kamala Harris administration.Healey has been actively promoting...

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON – Supporters of a ballot measure going before voters this fall say granting the state auditor the ability to investigate the Legislature would increase transparency and accountability for a body that they say is opaque. But a new study says...

By CHRIS LARABEE

SOUTH DEERFIELD – Months after two residents gathered more than 220 signatures, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will take a look at how it can improve the intersection of Routes 5 and 10, North Main Street and Mill Village...