Suicide prevention text lines open new doors to help
THE ISSUE: An increasing number of young people in crisis are finding help and support through suicide prevention text lines.THE IMPACT: Suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death nationally...
View ArticleExpanded deer hunt approved in Blue Hills
Now in its third year, the hunt will take place in November and early December
View Article2018 ballot questions take first step
Will Massachusetts slash its sales tax? Should employers offer paid family leave? What about a $15 minimum wage?Those are among the 21 potential ballot questions Massachusetts voters could decide next...
View ArticleDoctors advocate for immunizations as more parents claim exemptions in...
THE ISSUE: A small but increasing number of parents have exempted their children from vaccination requirements.THE IMPACT: Doctors say immunizations are important to prevent the spread of diseases.
View ArticleEconomics professors endorse push for $15 minimum wage in Mass.
As activists ramp up their push to raise the minimum wage again, economists from many of the state's public and private universities are rallying to the cause, supporting a $15 an hour minimum wage as...
View ArticleRetailers plan to press forward with 5 percent sales tax ballot question
Retailers plan to gather signatures and move forward with a potential 2018 ballot question reducing the sales tax to 5 percent and instituting an annual sales tax holiday, the News Service has...
View ArticleSchool association seeks background-check reforms
THE ISSUE: Background checks for school employees don’t include reports of abuse or neglect of disabled adults.THE IMPACT: While there are no known incidents involving school employees with records of...
View ArticleMBTA, Keolis and Transit Police partner to raise awareness during Rail Safety...
Educational initiatives planned ahead of and throughout the week to educate public.
View ArticleSchools bring new focus to social-emotional learning
THE ISSUE: Some educators say focusing on social-emotional learning can better prepare students for future success.THE IMPACT: Nine Massachusetts school districts have joined a new program to develop...
View ArticleMassachusetts sending help to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico
Baker-Polito administration outlines relief plan.
View ArticleMassachusetts pols raise immediate concerns with Trump tax overhaul
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, SEPT. 28, 2017......President Donald Trump is newly pitching a massive federal tax code overhaul as a middle-class tax cut that would level the playing field for American business,...
View ArticlePublic officials draw ire over social media posts; Incidents shine light on...
THE ISSUE: Several local public officials have drawn controversy over social media posts.THE IMPACT: When considering disciplining employees over inflammatory statements, public entities must consider...
View ArticleTrain strikes have killed 4 statewide in the past month
THE ISSUE: Transit officials say there is a lack of public education and awareness of safety around train tracks.THE IMPACT: Train strikes killed 20 people statewide in fiscal 2017, a 150 percent...
View ArticleAnalysts project lucrative pot market in Massachusetts
THE ISSUE: Massachusetts is preparing for legal marijuana sales in 2018.THE IMPACT: According to some projections, the state could see $1.2 billion in pot sales and $240 million in tax revenue by 2021.
View Article10 indicted in alleged sex trafficking ring
Ten people have been indicted on human sex trafficking and other charges stemming from an investigation into an online escort service that allegedly sold women for sex in Braintree, Lexington, Newton,...
View ArticleGov. Baker on Vegas shooting: 'This could be anybody's kids including ours'
The deadly and devastating attack on concertgoers in Las Vegas late Sunday, which was the largest mass shooting in the country's modern history, hit home for Gov. Charlie Baker, who said he could...
View ArticleDriscoll to hold district office hours on Friday
State Rep. Bill Driscoll will hold district office hours in Milton and Randolph on Friday.
View ArticleMore medical pot dispensaries offering home delivery in Massachusetts
THE ISSUE: Five medical marijuana dispensaries are now authorized to conduct home deliveries statewide.THE IMPACT: Patient advocates say people with debilitating conditions who live far from a...
View ArticleMassachusetts expands college transfer and discount programs
THE ISSUE: A program that gives financial incentives to students who transfer to a state university from a community college is expanding.THE IMPACT: While officials expect more students to...
View ArticlePot entrepreneurs in Mass. should get ready for a 'roller coaster' ride,...
Only a few hands went up in the Hynes Convention Center conference room Thursday morning when the session presenter asked how many attendees currently work with registered marijuana businesses. But...
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