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By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON – Auditor Diana DiZoglio is returning to old fights in the new year, including reforming the use of non-disclosure agreements in state government, potentially suing the Legislature for defying a new voter law, and accusing top Democrats of retaliation by cutting her office’s role on a health care board.

By ALISON KUZNITZ

Concerned about negative public perception of the Legislature, House Speaker Ron Mariano pledged Wednesday at the start of the new session that his chamber will consider a “number of rules reforms” in February.He also warned his colleagues the state...

By GREG VINE

PETERSHAM – Voters are invited to kick off the New Year by attending a Special Town Meeting this Saturday afternoon.They’ll be deciding on a three-article warrant when the meeting gets underway at 2 p.m. at Town Hall. At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting,...

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Top Democrats needed a few extra months to reach agreements on major laws this session, but wrapped up business for the term with almost a day to spare and New Year’s Eve plans intact.The House and Senate adjourned their last meetings of the 2023-2024...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

Democrats who have been negotiating separate health care industry oversight and pharmaceutical drug reform bills for months announced Friday night that they resolved their differences and plan to put the bills up for votes next week in the final days...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – “What’s the purpose of having meters on Main Street?”That question, short and to the point, was posed to representatives of Athol’s Parking Benefits District Oversight Committee by Selectboard Vice Chair Brian Dodge at the board’s Dec. 17 ...

By SAMUEL GELINAS

WASHINGTON — The roller coaster ride last week over a down-to-the-wire congressional spending bill ended on a high note for U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, who expressed victory that some $220 million in federal money will soon be in the hands of New England...

By COLIN A. YOUNG and SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — At the midway point of her term in office, Gov. Maura Healey said last week she’s comfortable with what she’s gotten done and is more focused on implementing what she sees as “transformational” accomplishments than on pondering her next...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Details of a host community agreement between Athol and Hometown Harvest, LLC, were finalized by the Selectboard on Dec. 17.Hometown Harvest is a retail marijuana establishment with plans to set up shop at 243 Main St., once occupied by Elev8...

By SAMUEL GELINAS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden has been in the giving spirit. In the past month, he went out of his way and against his word by pardoning his son Hunter, followed by an announcement that he would be pardoning a list of 39 others, and granting...

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON – A new coalition of organizations is threatening to file a lawsuit in January to try to force the Legislature to comply with a new voter law giving the state auditor the authority to investigate the House and Senate.The Mass. Fiscal Alliance,...

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Backed by a federal grant, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) is in the process of developing its own Road Safety Action Plan to serve as a guide for future traffic safety investments.To inform the plan’s creation, officials with...

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – With the deadline for Community Preservation Act funding applications less than a month away, only one party has expressed interest.According to Community Preservation Committee Chair Peter Travisano, the Congregational Church is seeking...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON – U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, joined by a cohort of Massachusetts health leaders, declared Tuesday he will vote against confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary, saying Americans need a leader...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON – Attorney General Andrea Campbell plans to stay on the sidelines in the donnybrook between Auditor Diana DiZoglio and the Legislature, at least until the two sides wind up in a “legal dispute” if DiZoglio seeks to exercise her new auditing...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON – Tobacco and nicotine products would eventually become banned in Massachusetts, under a regulatory trajectory that a trio of lawmakers hope will become law next session.Sen. Jason Lewis and Reps. Tommy Vitolo and Kate Lipper-Garabedian...

By SAM DRYSDALE

After voters overwhelmingly cast their ballots to eliminate the requirement that high school students pass the MCAS exam in order to receive a diploma, the question of whether the state will pursue a new statewide standard in the exams’ place – and...

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

ATHOL — Adams Farm Slaughterhouse was recently awarded a Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) in the interest of lowering consumer costs and improving food security.Maintenance Manager Clare Barnes explained that Adams Farm received a grant of...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Town Manager Shaun Suhoski told Tuesday’s meeting of the Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee that Athol has been notified that the state intends to resurface Main Street [Route 2A] from the South Main Street Bridge to Athol High School.He...

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — Bay Staters should conserve water and avoid burning anything outdoors amid an “unprecedented” wildfire season that likely will not abate until significant rain — or seasonal frost — arrives, state and local fire officials said this...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

Massachusetts should slash its reliance on hotels and motels used as shelters, invest in rental assistance and rehousing support, offer more tailored resources for homeless families, and more clearly communicate policies, according to a draft report...