Happening today:
10 a.m. | Gov. Maura Healey attends the Rand-Whitney Container ribbon cutting. | 160 Shrewsbury Street, Boylston Sq, Boylston
12:30 p.m. | Incoming Housing Secretary Ed Augustus joins Gov. Maura Healey announcing winners of the Affordable Rental Housing Awards. | 733 Broadway St., Lowell
2:30 p.m. | Gov. Maura Healey attends the FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City Brand Unveil with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and other officials. | Big Night Live, 110 Causeway Street, Boston
10:30 a.m. | Boston Mayor Michelle Wu tours BAGLY's (Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth) new location to announce Pride 2023 events. | 28 Court Square, Downtown
How much does timing matter for endorsements, especially after a candidate has already all but won the race?
Costas Panagopoulos, head of Northeastern’s political science department and editor of American Politics Research has argued that “endorsements can make a difference primarily at the edges, and in very close races.”
But in Boston’s uncontested 9th Suffolk District race, candidate John Moran has seen two endorsements trickle in the weeks since the Democratic primary, where he was also uncontested after a sole challenger dropped out.
The Massachusetts & Northern New England Laborers’ District Council and the Boston Teachers Union both threw their support behind Moran.
It’s not sway that the likely soon-to-be freshman state representative needs, but “connection” with voters on what issues matter to him and where he stands in the debate on contentious topics like abortion (pro) and bucking the MCAS. On standardized testing, Moran says “There’s more than one way to measure abilities.”
Early endorsements from Planned Parenthood and the Victory Fund “helped me gain some confidence in communicating what I believe in,” Moran told MASSterList.
He’s currently backed by 10 groups and 14 elected officials. He faces no Republican challenger in the May 30 special election to replace Jon Santiago, whom Healey tapped for Veterans’ Services Secretary.
Backing from labor unions can help build momentum while interest groups can serve as a Beacon for voters getting to know new candidates, Moran said.
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Fall from grace: US Attorney Rachael Rollins accused of election meddling and more in scathing DOJ report
Days before her planned resignation from her post as U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, a DOJ report into ethics violations by Rachael Rollins found she leaked information to a journalist in an effort to influence a local election, lied to investigators and improperly attended a fundraiser with First Lady Jill Biden, according to two scathing federal reports released Wednesday.
Here’s a timeline of the investigation.
State of disrepair: Public housing stock falling apart as advocates push for more cash from Beacon Hill
State-funded public housing is home to 70,000 Bay Staters, but advocates say those apartments are under threat as they fall into a state of disrepair compounded by underfunding. They say $9 billion is needed for the next fiscal year and in a bond bill for housing to bring the units into acceptable condition, reports Andrew Brinker for The Boston Globe. But lawmakers have only proposed $107 million for yearly operating costs of the state’s more than 240 local housing authorities, roughly $70 million short of what public housing leaders say is needed.
Amherst school administrator refuses to resign amid alleged mistreatment of LGBTQ students
Following allegations some counselors at the Amherst’s middle school mistreated LGBTQ students, including failing to support students who were bullied and misgendering trans students, a top administrator is refusing to step down, reports Adam Frenier for NEPM. The teachers union for the Amherst schools recently took a vote of no confidence against Superintendent Michael Morris and the assistant superintendent for diversity and human resources, Doreen Cunningham, citing a “toxic” workplace.
Ollie’s law would regulate dog care facilities in honor of labradoodle
After the tragic death of labradoodle Ollie, who was attacked at his doggy daycare, a bill would create a set of statewide standards through the Department of Agricultural Resources and set up a publicly-accessible registry of dog care facilities so pet owners can research whether a location has a poor safety track record, writes Sam Doran for State House News Service.
Black candidates stay put in Dorchester council race with election maps in limbo
Two Black candidates vying for Dorchester’s District 3 seat are staying put following a ruling by a federal judge that blocked a new redistricting map for the Boston City Council, reports Avery Bleichfeld for Bay State Banner. Councilors are redrawing election maps and finagling district lines again after the judge ruled they placed too heavy an emphasis on race in redistricting in the last go. District 3 has been devoid of leadership of color since its creation in 1983.
Prostitution decriminalization push on Beacon Hill exposes deep divide
A push to decriminalize — and even legalize — prostitution in Massachusetts has exposed a deep divide among sex workers and activists about how far that decriminalization should go, Sam Drysdale reports for State House News Service. One bill would repeal criminal penalties for sex workers, and another filed by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa seeks to entirely legalize the sex trade.
Mask off: COVID fears return for immunocompromised Bay Staters as hospitals unmask
Some Bay Staters are worried about their risk of COVID exposure in hospitals, where they are no longer tracking hospital-acquired infections or masking up, Sarah Betancourt of GBH reported. The public health emergency spelled the end for those and other pandemic measures including insurance-covered telehealth appointments, free vaccinations and free COVID-19 tests.
Middleboro student sues district after gender message deemed inappropriate
A Middleboro student who was sent home twice for violating the middle school’s dress code is suing the district, claiming his First Amendment rights to free speech are being infringed. Liam Morrison was sent home for wearing a shirt that first said “There are only two genders,” and later was amended to read “There are censored genders.” School officials say the shirt’s message violates policy because it targeted a protected class of students.
Sarno says he’ll seek sixth term as Springfield mayor
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno has officially launched his re-election bid, touting the city’s successes under his leadership and the need to continue work on issues such as crime, development and housing affordability. MassLive’s Jonah Snowden reports Sarno will be seeking a sixth term but unlike in recent elections already faces a bevy of challengers, including two city councilors and state Rep. Orlando Ramos.
New Bedford has not met legal burden to withhold records of alleged police misconduct
The city of New Bedford failed to meet the legal burden required to withhold public records requested by a local news outlet, the state supervisor of records has ruled. The New Bedford Light had asked for records related to possible police misconduct and the city rejected the request based on the need to protect personal privacy. The state’s rejection of that argument means city leaders now have 10 days to respond.
Dig it: ARPA funds mean free trees for Fall River property owners
Property owners in Fall River can get free trees planted in their front yards thanks to $100,000 worth of American Rescue Plan Act funds. Dan Medeiros of the Herald-News reports the city’s Tree Warden will review requests for plantings and make a determination based in part on a ‘tree equity score’ that favors neighborhoods with fewer existing trees.