A Brockton firefighter walks past protective gear at Station 1. (Steven Senne/AP)

Massachusetts moves to phase out PFAS from firefighter gear

Gov. Maura Healey signed a new law that will ban the sale of any firefighting jackets, pants, shoes, gloves and helmets that contain the cancer-linked chemicals, beginning in 2027.

How should Boston spend $2 million? Today's the deadline to send in ideas

The deadline to submit ideas in Boston's first-ever citywide participatory budgeting process is midnight on Thursday. Here's a look at what others have proposed — and how you can get...

What to expect as Boston ramps up its Bluebikes station expansion

This fall, Boston plans to begin installing new Bluebikes stations in several downtown neighborhoods — including Beacon Hill, Chinatown and the North End — as part of a larger plan...

Mass. community colleges — newly tuition-free — are bracing for a spike in new students

After Massachusetts eliminated tuition for those over the age of 25 last year, the state’s 15 community colleges saw enrollment spikes that put a strain on staff. Now, with community...

'One in a series of bumps': FDA says more research necessary before approving MDMA therapy

The Food and Drug Administration has ordered further study — and an additional clinical trial — to show the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy as a treatment for post-traumatic...

Tips to make the most of this weekend's Massachusetts sales tax holiday

This weekend, Aug. 10-11, Massachusetts is giving shoppers a break from the state's 6.25% sales tax (with some restrictions). Want to make the most of the two-day holiday? Here are...

How Tropical Storm Debby will impact New England, from flight delays to possible flooding

After drenching the Carolinas, Tropical Storm Debby is headed toward New England. Here's a look at the timing of storm and how travel may be affected this weekend.

7 must-knows about Massachusetts' big new housing law

Gov. Maura Healey signed a $5 billion redraft of the housing bond bill into law this week. State House leaders say it’s “the largest housing investment” in Massachusetts history and...

3 ways job market jitters are reverberating in Massachusetts

Following the worst day for S&P 500 stocks in nearly two years, economic analysts say there are some economic warning signs in Massachusetts.

An infectious disease expert's take on this summer's COVID uptick in Mass.

Massachusetts is now among 19 states with “very high” levels of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data shows the amount of the virus detected in...

Boston's plan to shift property taxes floundered on Beacon Hill. Now what?

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s home rule petition to temporarily shift more of the city’s property tax burden onto businesses failed to get State House approval before the end of formal...

The MBTA's new contactless fare readers are now live. Here are some dos and don'ts

You can now go CharlieCard-free on the MBTA. The new “Tap to Ride” system lets riders use credit cards, phones and even smartwatches to directly pay fares on buses and...

Mass. lawmakers reach final day of session — with a lot on the to-do list

House and Senate lawmakers are hoping to reach compromises on a number of bills — including on housing, climate change, broker's fees, economic development, veterans reform and more.

4 major policy changes in the new Mass. state budget, from child care to free community college

Tuition-free community college for all Massachusetts residents, assistance for child care providers and fare-free buses are all included in the $58 billion state budget signed Monday by Gov. Maura Healey....

Local Coverage

Jul 30, 2024

Carney Hospital in Dorchester. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

What should I do if Steward is closing my hospital?

Steward Health Care announced Friday it plans to shutter Dorchester's Carney Hospital and the Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer "on or around Aug. 31." Gov. Maura Healey's office has...

Local Coverage

Jul 29, 2024

Matt Dexter serves an ice cream cone from a Boston Frosty truck on a hot summer day. (Joe Difazio for WBUR)

The Mass. ice cream trail has arrived. Here's what to know

Massachusetts officials have revealed the new statewide ice cream guide, featuring just over 100 different shops, stands and dairy farms — from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. Check out the...

Local Coverage

Jul 26, 2024

The Charles F. Hurley Building, viewed from New Chardon Street in Boston. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

A brutalist Boston landmark gets a new redevelopment plan — with a focus on housing

Gov. Maura Healey is taking a second shot at redeveloping Boston's Charles F. Hurley and Erich Lindemann buildings. Here's what to know about the updated vision.

Local Coverage

Jul 25, 2024

A photo of a job posting website. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Mass. may soon require more pay transparency in job postings and workplaces

Massachusetts lawmakers have reached a deal on a salary transparency bill aimed at giving jobseekers more insight into how much money they should expect to make when applying for a...

Local Coverage

Jul 24, 2024

An MBTA Red Line train barrels down the tracks on its way to Braintree station in 2015. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

MBTA to close part of Red Line for 24 days this September — with plans for future 50 mph trains

The MBTA will close the Red Line’s Braintree branch for 24 days this September. In addition to removing slow zones, the agency hopes to lay “the groundwork” for their goal...

Local Coverage

Jul 19, 2024

A glass tip jar, left, appears next to a point-of-sale payment system screen displaying tip options at a coffee shop in Waitsfield, Vermont. (Carolyn Lessard/AP)

Tipped minimum wage question heads to November ballot after opponents withdraw challenge

The effort to raise the tipped minimum wage in Massachusetts to $15 an hour will be on the November ballot after all, after opponents withdrew their objection to some of...

Local Coverage

Jul 18, 2024