Norfolk DA’s office, State Police still in headlines after months of controversies

Since two high-profile murder cases made headlines months ago, the Norfolk County District Attorney‘s office and Massachusetts State Police have been thrust into a searing spotlight.

The DA’s office has been at the epicenter of both the Karen Read murder trial and the investigation into the death of Sandra Birchmore. As a result, community calls for the DA of more than a decade, Michael Morrissey, to step down haven’t quieted. 

His seat isn’t up for reelection until 2026, but what’s been brewing in the DA’s office is igniting another early flame. On Tuesday, another person filed to run for Norfolk County district attorney: Committee for Public Counsel Services trial attorney Jim Barakat. Barakat is the third of three Democrats who have filed paperwork, alongside defense attorney Craig MacLellan and attorney Djuna Perkins. 

The most recent filing comes just a few days after news broke that the Norfolk County DA’s detective unit is getting a new leader — the unit’s lead in the Read case was already suspended without pay — and that Morrissey’s longtime spokesman left his post, replaced with a veteran news reporter.

Barakat, a lifetime defense attorney, told MASSterList the run is something he’s been thinking about for quite some time. The headlines aren’t the reason behind his run, but he said the way the DA has recently handled cases made him think even more about who the DA’s office may be protecting. Barakat added that it’s “disturbing when it seems like it’s a priority to help law enforcement over women and children in your community.”

It’s only 2024. Given the potential for power shifts, court decisions and community reaction over the next two years, the race for Norfolk DA likely won’t get any less packed. 

As for some additional context: it has been about two weeks since Col. Geoffrey Noble was sworn into office as the MSP’s new leader. With Noble, a retired New Jersey lieutenant colonel and the agency’s first permanent leader since February, comes hope for some who want the agency to address its flailing reputation. — Ella Adams

Climate bill headed to the floor; eco dev, hospital bills still in limbo

Negotiators filed a compromise climate bill on Monday night, and it will emerge for a Senate vote on Wednesday after months of negotiation. Along with increasing electric vehicle infrastructure, speeding up the permitting and siting of clean energy infrastructure, and making more families eligible for discounted utility rates, the bill would also enable Massachusetts to buy nuclear power from a New England facility and count it toward emissions reduction requirements.

As for other bills in play: on Tuesday, House Speaker Ron Mariano referred to complications in negotiations about the hospital oversight and prescription drug bills that are “still being discussed” — and have been, since a breakdown in negotiation occurred on Aug. 1 at the end of the formal lawmaking session. Mariano did, however, say that a deal on the economic development bond bill is “close” and that he hopes it will emerge in the next two weeks before the election. Senate President Karen Spilka separately said that eco dev is “close.” — State House News Service

Candidates for Cape and Islands state Senate seat have three different plans

Incumbent Sen. Julian Cyr is being challenged by two others for the state Senate seat for the Cape Cod and Islands. Christopher Lauzon, a Republican from Barnstable, and Joe van Nes, an unenrolled candidate from West Tisbury, are running to unseat Cyr, a Democrat from Provincetown. The Cape Cod Times’ Zane Razzaq breaks down the candidates’ different backgrounds and the top three issues they want to address in the district, as well as how they plan to do that if elected. — Cape Cod Times

Ballot question spending is on the rise. But if they pass, will lawmakers change them anyway?

Monday served as another ballot question campaign financing deadline — and numbers just keep rising. At the top of that list is the almost $9.7M brought in by the campaign supporting Question 2, which would eliminate the MCAS as a high school graduation requirement. The opposition campaign to Question 5, which would increase the minimum wage for tipped workers, has outraised and outspent the campaign supporting the question by hundreds of thousands of dollars. And the campaign supporting Question 4, which would legalize some psychedelics, has spent nearly $6.5M while its opposition has reported just $28 in spending through Oct. 15.

If voters pass ballot questions that have large Beacon Hill opposition come Nov. 5, like Questions 1 and 2, leaders of both legislative chambers did not rule out altering the questions in response. The Legislature technically has the last say on ballot question matters regardless of whether they’re passed by the voters. — State House News Service | Boston Globe

Up to 40,000 patients to see impacts as negotiations break down between hospitals and insurer

Point32Health, Massachusetts’ second-largest insurer and the owner of Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, was not able to negotiate a new contract with Boston Children’s Hospital and UMass Memorial Health in Worcester, and is now at an impasse with Tenet Healthcare. As a result, at least 22,000 Bay Staters (and up to 40,000) will soon lose access to their primary care doctors and specialists — an especially difficult reality at a time when the state is still reeling from the Steward Health Care saga and when there’s already a shortage of primary care doctors in Massachusetts. — Boston Globe

Bourne OKs archeological study at Burying Hill 

Bourne residents at Monday’s town meeting voted to spend $50K for an archeological study at Burying Hill — enabling Herring Pond Wampanoag tribal citizens to probe the site, which is considered an important historic and cultural resource for members. The Cape Cod Times’s Rachael Devaney reports that the town overwhelmingly approved the application for Committee Preservation money submitted by the Tribe that will enable the citizens to go through with the process. — Cape Cod Times

Steamship Authority scaling back rate hike

Earlier this month, the SSA said it would be raising rates across the board to offset a deficit in next year’s budget created largely by payroll increases. At an Oct. 15 board meeting, however, the SSA’s treasurer and comptroller shared that his office had adjusted the budget by about $2M, which shows one-way passenger tickets increasing by only about half of what was originally proposed. — MVTimes

Beloved Buttonwood Park Zoo elephant entered into hospice care

The Buttonwood Park Zoo announced on Tuesday that Ruth, one of the zoo’s two beloved Asian elephants, has entered hospice care due to her advanced age and chronic medical conditions. The 66-year-old elephant, who is on multiple daily pain medications and other pain management therapies, is one of the oldest elephants in professional care, according to BPZoo, which says the median life expectancy for female Asian elephants is 47. The director of zoological services called Ruth “a true icon in New Bedford” and said they anticipate an outpouring of support from those who love Ruth. — The Herald News

Andover schools hires Connecticut consulting company for help with redistricting

Andover Public Schools, which is in its early stages of redistricting for the 2025-2026 school year, has hired research data company Dillinger Research and Applied Data, of Woodstock, Connecticut, to help evaluate existing and projected enrollment and aid in redrawing school boundaries, the Eagle Tribune’s Angelina Berube reports. The move comes after the new West Elementary School opened in August following two years of construction. Officials have said the redistricting process will include community input, and there will be an informational session Thursday night. — The Eagle Tribune

Pittsfield Licensing Board looking into allegations against Nissan of Pittsfield

A car dealership in Pittsfield is facing allegations of unpaid car loans and missing titles that have been a nightmare for some customers. The Eagle’s Greg Sukiennik reports representatives from the Nissan of Pittsfield are scheduled to appear at the city’s Licensing Board’s meeting on Oct. 28. The dealership’s new manager says he was brought in by the owners to resolve problems that allegedly took place under previous management and to restore the business’s reputation. Pittsfield Police Lt. Marc Maddalena said his investigation into the situation is “still ongoing.” — Berkshire Eagle

Worcester Housing Authority recognized as ‘high performer’ for 10th straight year

The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has recognized the Worcester Housing Authority as a “high performer” for a 10th straight year, according to the Telegram & Gazette. The annual review of the authority measures four key areas including physical, financial, management and capital fund. The authority, which oversees more than 3,000 units in the city, received a score of 90 percent on its evaluation. The CEO of the authority said this success is a testament to the team’s unwavering commitment and to Worcester residents who take pride in their community. — Telegram & Gazette

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