Restaurant relief bill on move in the House
JUNE 2, 2020.....To-go cocktail sales, a cap on third-party delivery service fees and the waiver of penalties and interest for late meals tax payments are core components of a restaurant relief bill...
View ArticleProtests, virus leave state in 'balancing act'
JUNE 3, 2020.....Thousands of people congregating night after night to protest police brutality and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis poses a risk for the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Charlie Baker...
View ArticleTrump lifts commercial fishing ban in protected area
In an announcement cheered by the fishing industry and described as an "attack on our ocean" by opponents, President Donald Trump on Friday reversed a four-year-old decision by President Barack Obama...
View ArticleCORONAVIRUS TRACKER: Restaurants open for outdoor dining as phase 2 starts
JUNE 8, 2020.....For the first time in nearly three months, restaurants were allowed to host customers at outdoor tables, retail shops could open to customers, and a range of other businesses began...
View ArticleNew push on to fight mosquito-borne illnesses
Gearing up for what's expected to be another active summer for mosquito-borne illness in Massachusetts, a recently passed Senate bill looks to update the state's approach to mosquito control.The bill...
View ArticleSenate bill cements telehealth's place in care landscape
JUNE 18, 2020.....State senators plan to vote next week on a bill that aims to take lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and incorporate them as regular features of the state's health care...
View ArticleState universities say students will return in September
JUNE 18, 2020.....State universities in Bridgewater, Fitchburg, Framingham, Salem, Westfield and Worcester plan in September to bring students back to campuses, where they are scheduled to return to...
View ArticleProposed law would expand early voting in Watertown
Voters who are worried about contracting the coronavirus at polling stations would be allowed to mail their ballots to Watertown City Hall under a proposed measure.The state Senate unanimously approved...
View ArticleBaker: Virus looking for 'possibilities and opportunities'
JULY 1, 2020.....After state public health officials on Tuesday reported no new deaths for the day from COVID-19 for the first time since March, Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday cautioned against...
View ArticleHurricane Preparedness Week a reminder to residents to prepare, take precautions
FRAMINGHAM – Governor Charlie Baker has proclaimed July 12 - 18, 2020, to be Hurricane Preparedness Week in an effort to emphasize both the Commonwealth’s potential vulnerability to tropical storms and...
View ArticlePandemic carves hole in state's cultural sector
JULY 15, 2020.....The arts and culture sector, a major piece of the Massachusetts economy, will need hundreds of millions of dollars and multiple years to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19...
View ArticleReplacing state flag, seal on Senate agenda
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, JULY 16, 2020.....In a moment that spoke to the political charge permeating throughout the state amid debate over racial justice and pandemic impacts, three distinct rallies...
View ArticleBaker undecided on evictions, clear on need for masks
JULY 16, 2020.....Gov. Charlie Baker acknowledged Thursday he needs to make a decision "soon" on whether to extend a temporary ban on evictions and foreclosures, but did not indicate which way he's...
View ArticleCape COVID-19 cases return to mid-May levels
JULY 23, 2020.....Lawmakers and local officials from Cape Cod reminded the public to cooperate with contact tracing efforts and to maintain commitment to public health precautions after a slight uptick...
View ArticleRed Cross seeking volunteers
The American Red Cross is looking for more volunteers.The organization said in a recent call for volunteers that with a busy Atlantic hurricane season expected to peak soon and amid unprecedented...
View ArticleBusinesses, gatherings could be squeezed in COVID-19 response
AUG. 4, 2020.....Gov. Charlie Baker threatened Tuesday that he may cut the allowable gathering size below its current limit or revive restrictions on businesses if a slight jump in new COVID-19 cases...
View ArticleSchool committees face tough reopening decisions
AUG. 4, 2020.....State education officials are reviewing school districts' initial reopening plans and expect to issue guidance on athletics and extracurricular activities next week, Elementary and...
View ArticleMAP: Keep track of what schools in Massachusetts are deciding about how to...
School districts across of Massachusetts are deciding whether to bring students back into the classroom at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.Districts are required to announce their reopening...
View ArticleNew coronavirus effort targets communities with higher rate of cases and risk...
AUG. 11, 2020.....Gov. Charlie Baker launched a new colored-coded system to label cities and towns based of the severity of their COVID-19 infection rates on Tuesday, initiating a targeted approach to...
View ArticleParents protest for in-person classes
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, JULY 22, 2020..A small group of parents gathered outside the State House Wednesday, urging education officials to issue a metric-based approach to guide the reopening of local...
View Article