Massachusetts News & Current Events

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a rule classifying "buy-build-shoot" kits as "firearms" under the Gun Control Act. (Herr Loeffler/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

MA Lawmakers, Advocates: Steps Needed to Tackle Ghost Guns

Groups advocating for gun safety are raising awareness about the issue of ghost guns in Massachusetts. Ghost guns are untraceable firearms with no …

Around 40% of young people who've experienced care will experience homelessness. (Brian/Adobe Stock)

MA Group: Campus-Based Supports Needed for Former Foster Youth

May is National Foster Care Month, and groups that serve foster youths and families say improvements are needed for outcomes and to reduce …

Sheriffs in Massachusetts are responsible for more than half the state's incarcerated population. (Mark Sardella/Flickr)

MA Campaign: Do You Know Who Your Sheriff Is?

Fewer than one in five Bay State voters can correctly name their local sheriff, according to a recent survey. To fill that knowledge gap, the …

Nearly 70% of voters who identify as Independents oppose overturning the decision in Roe v. Wade, according to a January poll by Marquette University Law School. (JP Photography/Adobe Stock)

Groups: MA Should Protect Abortion Patients, Providers From Other States

Groups are calling on Massachusetts to pass legislation protecting patients and providers from other states' restrictive abortion laws in the event th…

Many people going through childbirth have found at-home births to be more positive experiences than hospital-based births. (AntonioDiaz/Adobe Stock)

Report: MA Needs to Reduce Barriers to Community Births

A new report found care provided in community birth settings, whether at home or in what are known as birth centers, can improve maternal health …

A study from UMass Amherst shows allowing voters to register on Election Day increases turnout for Black and brown voters and first-time voters. (Ajay/Adobe Stock)

MA Groups to Lawmakers: Keep Election-Day Voter Registration in VOTES Act

Massachusetts lawmakers are finalizing the VOTES Act, a bill aimed at increasing access to the ballot box. It includes mail-in voting and extended …

UMass Amherst is the state's largest public university campus and has the most debt. (Wikimedia Commons)

Increased Student Fees to Pay Off MA Campus Debt Raise Alarm

Public higher-ed students, staff and faculty are shedding light on the growing problem of campus debt held by state colleges and universities…

PFAS are used to make many products water-resistant, including raincoats. (Maksim Ksenofontov/Adobe Stock)

Scorecard Ranks Retail, Apparel Companies on PFAS Policies

Groups advocating for an end to the use of Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals," ranked various retail …

A report from Massachusetts' Future of Work Commission recommends investing in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives statewide. (Office of Sen. Eric Lesser)

Report: MA Needs Greater Investment in Workforce Training

A new report finds technology is changing many industries in Massachusetts, and the state needs to upgrade its workforce development capacity to …

According to the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Education Support Professionals make up one-third of the education workforce. (Adobe Stock)

MA Educators: Support Professionals Need Living Wage, Job Security

Labor groups are spotlighting the critical role that education support professionals play in Commonwealth public schools, and they're advocating for …

Research shows students benefit from having a variety of educators with diverse backgrounds. (twinsterphoto/Adobe Stock)

MA Teachers Union Backs Bill to Increase Diversity Among Educators

Groups are pushing for alternatives to the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), which they say can be a barrier to greater teacher …

Eliminating a burdensome retirement benefit pre-funding requirement could save the U.S. Postal Service $5.65 billion per year. (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

Workers: Postal Service Reform Act First Step to Shore Up Agency

Congress has passed a bill to help shore up the U.S. Postal Service, and it's now on to President Joe Biden for a signature. Amid mail slowdowns…

The 2020 census overlooked 0.24% of the U.S. population, compared with 0.01% in 2010. (Antwon McCullen/Adobe Stock)

Report: Census Undercounted BIPOC Communities, Young Children

A new analysis of the 2020 census finds that Latino, Black and Native American populations were statistically significantly undercounted. …

The labor union 32BJ SEIU's Security Division represents 35,000 officers across the Northeast, including 3,000 in Massachusetts. (32BJ SEIU)

Hospital Security Officers Urge Fellow New England Workers to Organize

CORRECTION: These workers are the first security officers in Rhode Island to join 32BJ SEIU. An earlier version incorrectly stated they were the …

Children from low-income families, kids in foster care, homeless children and those in families receiving public assistance are eligible for Head Start or Early Head Start. (Teran/Adobe Stock)

Program Aims to Provide Trauma-Informed Care Training for Early Educators

A program in Massachusetts aims to provide training on trauma-informed care for early educators. It's called Readying Educators and Developing Young …

Massachusetts residents stood in solidarity with Ukraine last Friday at the State House. (Emma Friedlander)

MA Groups Call for Protections from Deportation for Ukrainian Residents

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition is among the groups urging the U.S. to take in as many Ukrainian refugees as possible…

Medical aid-in-dying bills have been introduced in 12 states this legislative session. (Aepatt Journey/Adobe Stock)

MA Lawmakers Urge Colleagues to Pass End-of-Life Options Act

According to a new poll, more than half of voters across the nation are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports medical aid in dying…

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority charges $1.70 to ride the bus, and $2.40 to take the subway. (Wikimedia Commons)

Transit Coalition: MBTA Riders Need Low-Income Fare Option

Advocates for equitable public transit are urging the Legislature to take action on free buses and low-income fares. At last week's Massachusetts …

A total of 385 hate crimes were reported in Massachusetts in 2020, and advocates note that's an undercount. (Sam Cheng/Adobe Stock)

MA Groups: Local Hate-Crime Enforcement Needs Beefing Up

This week marks two years since the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, and the three men convicted for his murder have now been found guilty of …

Boston City Councilors Julia Mejia and Tania Fernandes-Anderson have brought forward a proposal for reparations for Black Bostonians. (Wikimedia Commons)

Boston City Council Considers Reparations Commission

A proposal brought to the Boston City Council would create a commission to study the legacy of slavery and the ongoing inequities Black people face in…

More than half of Massachusetts residents making less than $100,000 a year are somewhat or very worried about affording prescription drugs. (amenic181/Adobe Stock)

MA Groups: More Transparency Needed Around Prescription Drug Costs

Prescription-drug costs have skyrocketed in recent years, and a bill before the Massachusetts General Court aims to rein them in. The proposal would …

The final payments for people who receive a 2021 Child Tax Credit will be included in this year's income-tax returns. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

Report: Pandemic Policies Reduce Poverty in Massachusetts

A new report shows financial supports made available in the pandemic have led to a direct reduction in poverty in Massachusetts. From expanded …

Massachusetts has 351 local public health departments, one for each city and town, with budgets that vary widely based on the local tax base. (Dragana Gordic/Adobe Stock)

MA Groups: State Funding Needed for Local Health Departments

Groups advocating for public health in Massachusetts urged Gov. Charlie Baker and the General Assembly not to cut funding for the Public Health …

Tax preparers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) are guaranteed to be IRS-certified. (RomanR/Adobe Stock)

Tax-Prep Help Available for Low-to-Moderate-Income MA Families

With tax season underway, Massachusetts groups are raising awareness about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), an IRS-sponsored …

Wealthier suburbs of Boston have higher vaccination rates for younger children than do poorer areas of the Commonwealth. (Suriyawut/Adobe Stock)

MA Educators, Parents: Schools Need Comprehensive COVID Protection Plan

Parents, educators and school nurses are calling on Gov. Charlie Baker to take steps toward a comprehensive state-run COVID-19 protection plan…

A bill before the General Assembly would mean wood-burning power plants can no longer be categorized as renewable. (Andrei Merkulov/Adobe Stock)

MA Groups: Time is Now to End Biomass Subsidies

Proposed legislation would end subsidies for wood-burning power plants in Massachusetts by removing biomass as an eligible fuel source for the Commonw…

Construction companies, law firms and health-care companies are among the top contributors to sheriffs' political races, according to a new report from Common Cause. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)

Report: Keep Special Interests Out of Sheriffs' Elections

A new report recommends changes to the way political campaigns are paid for, analyzing contributions to local sheriffs' races in 11 states, including …

In this week's University of Massachusetts poll, 58% of the Americans polled said they support making Election Day a holiday. (Lamar Carter/Adobe Stock)

MA Groups Urge Voting Rights, Democracy Reform

Community groups have held vigils across Massachusetts this week to call for voting and democracy reform on the anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol …

The price of beef and veal in the last year has skyrocketed 20%. Fruits and veggies cost 4% more. (kucherav/Adobe Stock)

Food Insecurity in MA Compounded by Supply-Chain Issues, Inflation

Supply-chain issues, inflation and job loss during the pandemic have put many families' food security at risk. In Massachusetts, food insecurity …

Just 2.3% of plumbers in the United States are women. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Pay Equity Coalition: With Job Creation, Increase Access for Women

Many backers of the bipartisan infrastructure package hail the number of jobs it's supposed to create - an average of 1.5 million jobs annually for 10…

The Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary of Education has until February 2022 to review an application for a new charter school in New Bedford. (Olesya Shelomova/Adobe Stock)

Hearing Today on New Bedford Charter School Proposal

NEW BEDFORD, Ma. -- The state holds a public hearing today on a new charter school to serve New Bedford and Fall River students, and advocates for …

Brockton, the only majority Black city in Massachusetts, got a new Senate district this cycle. (Floki Photos/Adobe Stock)

MA Group: Transparent Redistricting Leads to Authentic Representation

BROCKTON, Ma. -- New congressional and legislative voting district maps for the next decade of elections have been signed into law, and advocacy …

One in 30 teens ages 13 to 17 experience some form of homelessness without a parent or guardian during a year. (Taylor Pecko-Reid/Flickr)

"Path to Help" Campaign: Resources for Homeless MA Youth

BOSTON -- The holidays can be a tough time for many young people who have aged out of foster care or don't have a stable home situation, and …

The federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Massachusetts runs from Nov. 1 to April 30. (pololia/Adobe Stock)

Stay Warm This Winter with Fuel Assistance, Weatherization Programs

GLOUCESTER, Ma. -- As cold weather moves in, agencies are working to make sure Massachusetts residents know how to apply for fuel assistance and …

Old electronics can be sold, donated or recycled instead of thrown out to reduce waste. (Mihail/Adobe Stock)

Consumers Advocate: Give Experiences, Refurbished Gifts This Holiday Season

BOSTON -- This holiday season, consumer advocates are urging Commonwealth residents to consider giving gifts that don't require purchasing anything…

Across the United States, there are nearly 600 federally recognized Indigenous tribes. (Wikimedia Commons)

MA Indigenous Communities Gather in Plymouth for Day of Mourning

PLYMOUTH, Mass. - While many non-Native Americans sit down with their friends or families for a holiday meal tomorrow, some Indigenous communities in …

The Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust is the neighborhood Land Trust for 23 towns in northern and central Massachusetts. (Wikimedia Commons)

Anthology Spotlights Value of Land Trusts Across Northeast

NORTHFIELD, Ma. -- Land trusts across the Northeast have partnered with poets this year for the first edition of "Writing the Land," an anthology to …

Retired Navy Capt. Thomas G. Kelley hails from Boston and is among the 66 still living Medal of Honor recipients. (Wikimedia Commons)

Medal of Honor Museum to Pay Tribute to Recipients, Including 66 Still Living

BOSTON -- Americans from former presidents to friends and family of military service members are marking Thursday's Veterans Day holiday by spotlighti…

Pumpkin seeds germinate best in soil that is between 80 and 85 degrees. (encierro/Adobe Stock)

Naturalist: Recycle Jack-O-Lanterns, Use Pumpkin Seeds as Birdfeed

BOSTON - Now that Halloween has passed, groups recommend recycling leftover jack-o-lanterns, rather than sending them to landfills. Pumpkins are 90% …

The legislative committees on redistricting have yet to put out congressional maps. (Christian Pauschert/Adobe Stock)

Groups Hope New Maps Can Bring More Reflective Diversity to MA Politics

FALL RIVER, Ma. -- The redistricting process in Massachusetts is well under way, with the Senate expected to vote soon on new maps for the next …

Four post offices in Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland and New York are offering payroll and business checking services. (eqroy/Adobe Stock)

USPS Changes Have MA Postal Workers Worried About Agency's Future

WORCESTER, Mass. - Post offices across Massachusetts and the nation are implementing service changes in an effort by the agency to cut costs…

Representatives from Indigenous groups that worked with acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey to establish Indigenous Peoples Day in the city joined her for the declaration signing. (City of Boston)

Communities Urge Recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day Across MA

BOSTON -- The city of Boston has declared today Indigenous Peoples' Day for the first time, and a bill before the General Assembly would make that …

The Worcester city manager has announced school resource officers will be removed by the end of the year, following Easthampton's example from earlier this year. (Jazmine/Adobe Stock)

Report: More Student Support Needed to End School-to-Prison Pipeline

BOSTON -- With the new school year in full swing, a new report from the Sentencing Project outlines key steps Massachusetts and other states could …

In the last month, women took unpaid leave from work to care for children at roughly 1.8 times the rate of men, according to Census Bureau data. (shangarey/Adobe Stock)

Affordable Child Care Helps MA Families Get Back to Work

HOLYOKE, Mass. - With the school year in full swing for Massachusetts K-through-12 students, many parents are seeking early-childhood education and …

In the Spring 2021 MCAS exams, 46% of students in grades 3 through 8 scored "Meeting Expectations" or higher, down from 52% in 2019. In math, the "meeting expectations" score dropped from 49% in 2019 to 33% this year. (number1411/Adobe Stock)

MA Groups Urge New Framework for Standardized Testing

BOSTON - Educators, parents and union leaders say Massachusetts needs a major overhaul of its standardized testing for students. The most recent …

According to The Pew Research Center, liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans are more likely to have heard about "cancel culture" than their more moderate peers. (Adobe Stock)

MA College Course Explores Holding People Accountable with Respect

By Sonali Kolhatkar for Yes! Media. Broadcast version by Lily Bohlke for Commonwealth News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

Six hundred people in Massachusetts died of illnesses related to air pollution in their communities last year alone. (Andrei Murkulov/Adobe Stock)

MA Groups Push Bill to Stop Clean-Energy Subsidies for Woody Biomass Plants

SPRINGFIELD, Ma. -- Groups working to reduce air pollution are testifying at a hearing today to urge state lawmakers to prevent wood-burning biomass …

Massachusetts officials expect roughly 1,000 Afghan refugees will be resettled in the Commonwealth. (jinnifer douglass/Adobe Stock)

A Call for Transparency in Resettlement of Afghan Refugees

BOSTON -- Advocates for human rights and civil rights in Massachusetts are urging more transparency and clear information on plans to resettle Afghan …

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