New FBI data shows crime trends in Massachusetts cities and towns
THE ISSUE: Crime rates have declined in Massachusetts in recent years.THE IMPACT: Rates of crime in Massachusetts are considerably lower than national rates. Nationally, there was an increase in...
View ArticleLegal pot opponents urge Cannabis Commission to 'protect the people'
One year ago, the battle over whether marijuana should be legal for adults to use was raging in Massachusetts. Now that it's settled, the combatants are still engaged in a skirmish over how the legal...
View ArticleMassachusetts schools prepare for influx of Puerto Rican students
THE ISSUE: Weeks after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, large numbers of families may flee the island for the mainland United States.LOCAL IMPACT: Massachusetts, home to the fifth largest Puerto...
View ArticleEmployment a challenge for many with disabilities
THE ISSUE: People with disabilities face low employment rates.THE IMPACT: National Disability Employment Awareness Month is intended to educate employers about providing opportunities for workers with...
View ArticleCoding academy aims to boost access to tech jobs
THE ISSUE: A coding academy at the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts aims to increase access to technology jobs.THE IMPACT: Minorities are statistically underrepresented in the technology workforce.
View ArticleLegislator assists in hurricane relief
State Rep. William Driscoll traveled to Florida last weekend to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Irma.
View ArticleINTERACTIVE GRAPHIC: Find out how your school district did on the 2017 MCAS
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the 2017 MCAS scores on Wednesday, Oct. 18.Students in the third to eighth grades took what is being referred to as the...
View ArticleSummer-like weather brings drought back to Massachusetts
Drought has returned to Massachusetts after almost six months of sufficient hydration.Spurred by summer-like temperatures in October and consecutive months of abnormal dryness, the U.S. Drought Monitor...
View ArticleState leaders seek ideas on reducing vehicle emissions
THE ISSUE: Transportation is the state’s largest source of carbon emissions.THE IMPACT: State leaders are soliciting input on strategies to reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
View ArticleMBTA focuses on suicide prevention
THE ISSUE: Since July, trains have struck and killed 11 people in Massachusetts.THE IMPACT: The MBTA is working with suicide prevention organizations and other partners to identify ways to reduce...
View ArticleState poised to sink more money into the Big Dig
It was forged a decade ago and filled with hundreds of millions of dollars. Now the state's transportation chief is looking to tap into a trust fund for Big Dig repairs.In 2008 contractors agreed to...
View ArticleSchools and students adjust to computer-based MCAS
Students across Massachusetts are not only adjusting to a new statewide standardized exam, but are also getting used to taking it without a pencil and paper.
View ArticleMassachusetts AG among 17 opposing concealed gun permit bill
A federal proposal that would require states to recognize concealed handgun permits issued in other states has come under fire from attorneys general in Massachusetts and 16 other states.
View ArticleMEMA ADVISORY: Storm impacts and lingering strong winds through Monday
Conditions will slowly improve early this morning as wind and rain subsides from Rhode Island into central and eastern Massachusetts. Winds currently are strongest along the east coast and in southeast...
View ArticleMEMA: Utilities work to restore power to more than 120,000 in wake of storm
Winds to pick up Tuesday, temperatures to drop overnight making outages a concern.
View ArticleLegislative leaders say they've dealt with sexual harassment complaints
The leaders of the House and Senate both acknowledged Monday that their offices have received complaints of sexual harassment occurring at the State House, but neither man would go so far as to blame a...
View ArticleMore than 31,000 still without power due to Sunday's storm
MEMA reported 31,300 outages as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, mostly in the Merrimack Valley and Essex County.
View ArticleWITH POLL: 5 things to consider about Massachusetts changing time zones
Turning the clock back in the fall could become a thing of the past in Massachusetts. A special commission created by the state Legislature voted Wednesday to adopt a report recommending that moving...
View ArticleAgritourism trend brings weddings, concerts and more to farms
Many farmers in Massachusetts are increasingly discovering a new source of revenue and exposure.
View ArticleINTERACTIVE GRAPHIC: ADL data shows Massachusetts 3rd in nation for...
Massachusetts ranks third in the nation the number of anti-Semitic incidents so far in 2017, a number that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) says is up 44 percent from 2016.The ADL states there were 117...
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