Politics

The Massachusetts State House. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

State senate approves redrafted redistricting plan

The lead architect of the Senate's redistricting plan said it doubles the number of the 40 districts where a majority of residents are non-white -- from three to six --...

WBUR News

3 hours ago

A child peeks out from the voting booth as voters mark their ballots during early in-person voting, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in Cambridge, Mass. (Elise Amendola/AP)

100,000 Bostonians won't be able to vote in the mayoral election. I'm one of them

We love Boston. We pay taxes and volunteer, writes Chetan Tiwari. But are we true Bostonians?

Cognoscenti

4 hours ago

Paid leave is dead. That's too bad, Biden’s gender-neutral policy was the right one

In the U.S., fathers are recognized for playing an important role in child care, writes Rich Barlow. The president's paid family leave plan, which would have built on that reality,...

Cognoscenti

4 hours ago

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (L) and gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Virginia's governor's race and what it reveals about America's political future

The race for Governor of Virginia may be the most important political contest of the year. We look at Virginia’s governor’s race and what it says about the political parties...

On Point

9 hours ago

Doctors, politicians and advocates stood outside of the Suffolk County Jail Wednesday to oppose plans to build a makeshift courtroom and addiction treatment center inside the facility. (Deb Becker/WBUR)

Doctors and advocates criticize plan for addiction treatment at Suffolk County Jail

With a new courtroom and treatment facility soon to be operating at the Suffolk County jail, several doctors and political leaders are joining together to oppose the plan.

WBUR News

Oct 27, 2021

The gold dome of the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Beacon Hill approaches redistricting deadline for future House races

We get the latest update on redistricting on Beacon Hill.

Radio Boston

19:03Oct 27, 2021

Boston mayoral candidate Michelle Wu greets with supporters at Readville Station in Hyde Park. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Catching up with mayoral candidate Michelle Wu

We are taking time this week to sit down with both Boston mayoral candidates to ask them our questions, and yours. And we start with Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu.

Radio Boston

23:31Oct 27, 2021

Boston City Councilor and mayoral candidate Michelle Wu takes your questions

Plus, we get a crash course on redistricting, and hear how the recent nor'easter impacted one local community and what the cleanup effort will take.

Radio Boston

Oct 27, 2021

Democrats scramble to agree on spending before Biden's 2nd overseas trip

There's still a lot of arm-twisting going on in Congress to finalize Biden's social spending plan.

Here & Now

10:52Oct 27, 2021

What to expect from the COP26 climate change conference

COP26 is a pivotal moment in the struggle against climate change. The conference starts next week in Glasgow, Scotland.

Here & Now

03:47Oct 27, 2021

Senate Democrats propose billionaire tax plan to help pay for social spending bill

The proposal includes a 15% minimum corporate tax on large corporations that declare more than $1 billion in profit.

Here & Now

04:49Oct 27, 2021

Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol following a rally with President Trump on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Rolling Stone report links Congress, White House to Jan. 6 protest organizers

The report is based on the allegations from two of the rally's organizers, who are also communicating with House investigators.

Here & Now

05:45Oct 27, 2021

The author pictured with her father, Bob Mermell, and her dog, Isabella, in 2017. (Courtesy Jesse Mermell)

We’re lucky to have paid leave in Mass. But when a loved one gets sick in another state, it’s not enough

There’s a reason polling on public support for paid family and medical leave is always through the roof, writes Jesse Mermell. It does a lot of good, for a lot...

Cognoscenti

Oct 27, 2021

About 50 correction officers are suspended over state's COVID vaccine mandate

The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union (MCOFU) said about 50 officers were suspended since the state vaccine mandate went into effect on Oct. 17.

WBUR News

Oct 27, 2021

Boston weighs creating commission to study Black reparations

A City Council hearing order states that the city needs to present a “common understanding of the city’s history with slavery.” It says reparations can take other forms than direct...

WBUR News

Oct 27, 2021

A room under construction, which Sheriff Steve Tompkins said will serve as a mobile courtroom inside the Suffolk County jail building. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

New court could be operating in Suffolk County jail as early as next week

While the Trial Court says judges could start hearing cases as early as next week, the state public defender agency said it opposes the creation of a new court inside...

WBUR News

03:18Oct 27, 2021

Election Day at Hollis-Brookline High School in Hollis. Bill Kotelly was voting. (Allegra Boverman/NHPR)

What it would take to pass meaningful voting rights legislation in America

Senate Republicans have used the filibuster to block major voting rights legislation twice this year. Meanwhile, at least 19 states have enacted 33 laws that make it harder to vote....

On Point

47:04Oct 27, 2021

Squash and pumpkins on display at Brookdale Fruit Farm in Hollis, N.H. (Anthony Brooks/WBUR)

Oh my gourd! Talking all things pumpkin ahead of Halloween

Plus, the latest news on booster shots, mask mandates, and the final week before the Boston mayoral election.

Radio Boston

48:33Oct 26, 2021

Boston mayoral race: Candidates hit Election Day home stretch after final debate

Election Day in Boston's historic mayoral race between City Councilors Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George is just one week away.

Radio Boston

10:35Oct 26, 2021

A 'right to repair' movement is underway in the U.S.

Legislation to make it easier to repair your smartphone or washing machine — instead of replacing it — is now pending in 27 states.

Here & Now

05:31Oct 26, 2021

BBC Newshour

State senate approves redrafted redistricting plan

100,000 Bostonians won't be able to vote in the mayoral election. I'm one of them

Paid leave is dead. That's too bad, Biden’s gender-neutral policy was the right one

Virginia's governor's race and what it reveals about America's political future

Doctors and advocates criticize plan for addiction treatment at Suffolk County Jail

Beacon Hill approaches redistricting deadline for future House races

Catching up with mayoral candidate Michelle Wu

Boston City Councilor and mayoral candidate Michelle Wu takes your questions

Democrats scramble to agree on spending before Biden's 2nd overseas trip

What to expect from the COP26 climate change conference

Senate Democrats propose billionaire tax plan to help pay for social spending bill

Rolling Stone report links Congress, White House to Jan. 6 protest organizers

We’re lucky to have paid leave in Mass. But when a loved one gets sick in another state, it’s not enough

About 50 correction officers are suspended over state's COVID vaccine mandate

Boston weighs creating commission to study Black reparations

New court could be operating in Suffolk County jail as early as next week

What it would take to pass meaningful voting rights legislation in America

Oh my gourd! Talking all things pumpkin ahead of Halloween

Boston mayoral race: Candidates hit Election Day home stretch after final debate

A 'right to repair' movement is underway in the U.S.