Politics
Dark money pours into Massachusetts politics
WBUR found a rise of dark money groups trying to sway local elections and influence policy. The nonprofits can raise and spend unlimited money from undisclosed donors. Watchdogs warn about...
Boston judge gives ICE a deadline to justify detaining 13-year-old Everett boy
An attorney for the boy's family says ICE transferred him to Virginia last week without his family, lawyer or a court knowing.
Can a Maine oyster farmer defeat Sen. Susan Collins and save the Democrats?
In the few weeks since announcing his run for Senate, political outsider Graham Platner is drawing big crowds and raising lots of money. But Maine's incumbent, Republican Sen. Susan Collins,...
Why all eyes are on the race for the fourth and final at-large Boston City Council seat
Former Boston City Councilor Frank Baker finished fifth in the September preliminary, trailing incumbent City Councilor Henry Santana by 4,400 votes for the fourth and final spot. Here's a look...
What's the next frontier of housing reform in Mass.? A state commission has some ideas
In a new report, Massachusetts' Commission on Unlocking Housing Production is calling for a ban on single-family zoning, no more parking minimums and reduced lot size requirements, among other ideas...
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Carnevale reelected to lead MassGOP for second term
Amy Carnevale secured a second term as Massachusetts Republican Party Chair on Saturday, winning over challenger Jimmy Davidson.
Why can't Mayor Wu get a win on Beacon Hill?
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu needs buy-in from State House lawmakers to pass her most ambitious housing policy proposals. And so far, she doesn’t have it.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley is calling on Biden for more sweeping pardon action
While some members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation have criticized Biden's pardon of his son Hunter, Pressley is focusing on pressuring the president for pardons of a different kind.
When should we expect election results in Massachusetts?
National outlets are cautioning that it could take days to make a call in what polls have shown to be a historically tight presidential race. But we may have most...
How to register to vote in Massachusetts if you're homeless
Massachusetts residents should use the address of their “primary residence" to register to vote. For those experiencing homelessness, that can be anywhere from a shelter to a park.
Who are the spenders behind (and against) the Massachusetts ballot questions?
Several Massachusetts ballot questions are shaping up to be expensive, competitive contests. Here's a quick breakdown of the people and groups financially backing the campaigns for and against each measure.
Disapproval of Massachusetts State House jumps in new poll
Results released Tuesday from a new WBUR/CommonWealth Beacon poll found 47% of registered voters in Massachusetts said they disapprove of the job the state Legislature is doing, compared to 42%...
Ahead of pivotal fall, Mass. poll finds majority support for MBTA Communities Act
A new WBUR/CommonWealth Beacon poll found 50% of registered voters in Massachusetts believe the MBTA Communities Act is “good policy,” versus 31% who said it’s not. Broken down by party...
The Mass. Legislature’s formal session ended over a month ago. How are they passing bills?
In the past month, the House and Senate have passed several major policy packages during informal sessions. Some experts say the increased activity during informal sessions is part of a...
New Hampshire's state primary Tuesday features 2 contentious Democratic races
Democrats are hoping to win New Hampshire governor’s office for the first time in a decade. Meanwhile, the open race for the 2nd Congressional district is perhaps the state’s most...
A look at the incumbents who lost in this year's Mass. state primary
From the State House to the Governor's Council, several Massachusetts office-holders lost their reelection bids at the primary stage Tuesday, an unusual trend in a state where incumbents typically enjoy...
3 races to watch in this week's sleepy Massachusetts state primary
Massachusetts state primary is on Tuesday, Sept. 3. And while there may not be as much high-profile action as years past, there are a few contests to keep an eye...
How to deal with those relentless political texts
Political campaigns are eager to inspire donations through frequent texts. But for most people, the bombardment is just annoying. Here are some tips to make them stop.
Why Mass. is seizing one formerly Steward-owned hospital — but not two others
Friday’s news offered no new hope for Carney Hospital in Dorchester or Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer. “Somebody has to pay to continue to operate these hospitals,” Gov. Maura...
A timeline of the Massachusetts shelter crisis — and Healey's changes to the system
Gov. Maura Healey has instituted a series of restrictions on Massachusetts Emergency Assistance shelter system – capping the total number of people housed and how long they can stay. Here's...