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New from CommonWealth Beacon |
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Political Notebook: The whirlwind surrounding the federal budget freeze has experts struggling to figure out next steps given that the state's 2026 budget relies on $16 billion in federal funds to cover a variety of costs. Gintautas Dumcius has the story.
Opinion: We know what works in reading instruction. It's time to use it in all schools across Massachusetts, writes Jillian Geraghty, a literacy coach at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Boston.
Opinion: The deterioration in the quality of public education in Massachusetts had been underway for nearly a decade by the time the pandemic hit. Even if we were to recover pandemic learning losses, the Commonwealth would still be a far cry from its public education heyday in the first decade of this century, argue Charles Chieppo and Jamie Gass.
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February 10, 2025 |
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By COMMONWEALTH BEACON STAFF |
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We are six weeks into 2025 and already we have one of the most high profile mayors races in the country taking shape here in Massachusetts – the mayor's race here in Boston. Josh Kraft, the son of billionaire Patriots owner Robert Kraft, officially announced his candidacy for the top spot in city hall. He's hoping to unseat Mayor Michelle Wu, the first woman of color to be elected to the position.
In his first speech as a candidate, Kraft sharply criticized Wu for not listening to her constituents and failing to deliver on her campaign pledges from four years ago: implementing fare-free public transit, fixing the public schools and reinstating rent control. Wu responded, "I'm a little surprised that someone who's never even voted for mayor or city councilor before in Boston feels like he's ready to lead the city."
In this episode of the Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon Editor Laura Colarusso talks with reporter Gin Dumcius about the contours of the race.
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More from CommonWealth Beacon |
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BIG ASTERISK: Massachusetts 4th and 8th grade students placed first in the nation in math and reading on the most recent national assessment. But, as Michael Jonas reports, the scores don't tell the whole story.
OPINION: Information and reliable, disciplined messaging are crucial to counter the chaos threatening our democracy, argues Joyce Linehan. Those opposing Donald Trump's administration, she says, should be holding a daily press briefing at the same time every day to counter the disinformation coming out of Washington.
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What We're Reading |
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OPIOIDS: Massachusetts communities have been slow to use their opioid settlement funds, spending just 6% of the $91 million received. (WBUR)
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EDUCATION: Public school districts in Massachusetts – including Brookline, Ashby and Natick – are facing large budget shortfalls and another year of potentially deep cuts thanks to inflation and other rising costs. (The Boston Globe)
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WASTEWATER: State Sen. Mark Montigny and state Rep. Chris Markey have filed a bill to create a commission to study options for South Coast wastewater projects. (The New Bedford Light)
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NIH: Harvard and MIT are among the universities targeted by the Trump administration's cuts to NIH overhead spending. (Boston Business Journal)
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IMMIGRATION: The Trump administration is not renewing temporary protected status for about 350,000 Venezuelans living in the United States after fleeing violence and other safety risks. Venezuelans in Boston are scrambling to find a way to stay in the country. (WBUR)
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