Latest Massachusetts state government News
Fire destroys motel, buildings in Massachusetts beach town
SALISBURY, Mass. (AP) — A coastal Massachusetts motel and four other buildings were destroyed early Monday when strong winds pushed massive flames through the structures. The fire at Michael’s Oceanfront Motel in Salisbury was called in just before 2 a.m., according to the State...
Bill would allow adoption of younger sibling, uncle or aunt
BOSTON (AP) — A bill that would let people adopt a younger brother, sister, uncle or aunt has been approved by the Massachusetts Senate. Currently, Massachusetts is one of only two states that prohibits adoption by close relatives. Supporters of the legislation say...
Bill would make it easier for homeless to get state IDs
BOSTON (AP) — A bill approved by the Massachusetts Senate would make it easier for people who are homeless to obtain a state ID. Under current state law, a person experiencing homelessness who wants to obtain a Massachusetts identification card is faced with costly fees and...
Gov. Baker issues new orders to ease pressure on hospitals
BOSTON (AP) — Curtailing unnecessary emergency department visits and letting qualified physician assistants practice independently are some of the new steps announced Friday by Gov. Charlie Baker to help make sure hospitals can serve those in need of acute care in the face of continuing staffing...
Massachusetts closes 3 unlicensed COVID-19 testing sites
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts public health officials have ordered three COVID-19 testing sites in the state to close because they did not have a license to operate in the state and people tested at the sites have complained about slow test turnaround times. The state Department of...
Navient settles predatory student loan claims for $1.85B
BOSTON (AP) — Navient, a major student loan collecting company, agreed to cancel $1.7 billion in debt owed by more than 66,000 borrowers across the U.S. and pay over $140 million in other penalties to settle allegations of abusive lending practices. The $1.85 billion deal with 39...
Human, drug trafficking are priorities for state US attorney
BOSTON (AP) — Pursuing human, drug and gun trafficking cases and being more of a visible presence in the community will be among new U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins' priorities as she takes helm as the top federal prosecutor in the state, she said Thursday. The...
Gov. Baker defends COVID-19 response during latest surge
BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker defended his administration’s recent COVID-19 response, including his resistance to allowing schools to return to virtual learning, during a hearing before Massachusetts lawmakers Tuesday. The Republican said school classrooms are the best place...
Massachusetts orders 26 million rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts can expect to receive 26 million rapid antigen COVID-19 tests over the next three months, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday. Baker said the state has placed an order with iHealth to supply Massachusetts with the tests. The agreement allows for shipments to...
Rollins is 1st Black woman to be Massachusetts' US Attorney
BOSTON (AP) — Boston's former top prosecutor was sworn in Monday as the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, becoming the first Black woman to serve as the top federal prosecutor in the state. Rollins took the oath of office in a private ceremony in the Boston federal courthouse after...
