Latest Massachusetts state government News
Karen Read asks Massachusetts high court to dismiss two charges
BOSTON (AP) — Lawyers for Karen Read have filed an appeal with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court over a judge’s refusal to dismiss two of the three criminal charges against her. Read, 44, is accused of ramming into her Boston police officer boyfriend John O’Keefe with...
Harvard reports slight decline in Black students in wake of affirmative action ruling
BOSTON (AP) — There was a slight decline in the number of Black students in Harvard University’s freshman class, the first admitted since a Supreme Court ruling struck down affirmative action in higher education. The impact of the ruling is still coming into focus at selective...
Civil rights activist Sybil Morial, wife of New Orleans' first Black mayor, dead at 91
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Sybil Haydel Morial, a civil rights activist, widow of New Orleans’ first Black mayor, Ernest “Dutch” Morial, and mother to former Mayor, Marc Morial, has died at age 91. Her family announced her death Wednesday in a statement issued by the National Urban...
Massachusetts strikes down a 67-year-old switchblade ban, cites landmark Supreme Court gun decision
Residents of Massachusetts are now free to arm themselves with switchblades after a 67-year-old restriction was struck down following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 landmark decision on gun rights and the Second Amendment. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision on...
Massachusetts governor signs $58 billion state budget featuring free community college plan
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed a nearly $58 billion state budget bill Monday that includes a plan for free community college and allows the Massachusetts Lottery to move some of its products online. The spending plan will also pay for literacy programs for...
Massachusetts bill would require businesses to disclose salary range when posting a job
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts businesses with 25 or more employees would be required to disclose a salary range when posting a job under a bill approved by state lawmakers Wednesday, The legislation would also protect a worker's right to ask their employer for the salary range for a...
Superstorm Sandy group eyes ballots, insurance surcharges and oil fees to fund resiliency projects
LONG BRANCH, N.J. (AP) — A 2% surcharge on property insurance policies, mandatory fees on the oil and gas industries, and holding a public referendum are ways a public-private group formed in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy recommends to pay for projects to protect New Jersey from the next big...
Bill would ban sale of reproductive and gender affirming care locations gathered from cellphones
BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts House unanimously approved legislation Wednesday that would ban companies from selling cellphone location data collected during visits to reproductive and gender-affirming care clinics. Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano said the goal is to...
Massachusetts Senate approves bill to expand reliance on renewable energy
BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts Senate approved a bill Tuesday aimed at expanding the adoption of renewable energy in a bid to help Massachusetts meet its climate goals, including reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Supporters say the proposal will help lower...
