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Charlie Baker

Western Mass Officer Suspended Over Alleged $87K Workers' Comp Fraud: Police Western Mass Officer Suspended Over Alleged $87K Workers' Comp Fraud: Police
Western Mass Officer Suspended Over Alleged $87K Workers' Comp Fraud: Police The agency responsible for policing standards has suspended a man who was an officer in Connecticut and Massachusetts and who lives in Massachusetts after he was charged with illegally receiving nearly $87,000 in workers' compensation benefits while working in Connecticut.  Matthew Hubbard, age 55, of Agawam in Hampden County, was one of four officers suspended by Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training.  Hubbard had worked as a corrections officer at a Connecticut prison and claimed he was hurt responding to a call on Aug. 7, 2020, the Connecticut Division of…
Maura Healey Becomes First Female, Openly Gay Governor Of Massachusetts Maura Healey Becomes First Female, Openly Gay Governor Of Massachusetts
Maura Healey Becomes First Female, Openly Gay Governor Of Massachusetts Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey toppled Geoff Diehl to become the state's first female and openly governor following weeks of heavy campaigning.  The two barnstormed across Massachusetts in recent days leading up to the election on Tuesday, Nov. 8, but the race was never close.  Democrat Healey held a double-digit lead over the former longtime Republican politician for months leading up to Tuesday's vote. In the end, she collected about 63 percent of the vote while Diehl won around 35 percent, CBS Boston reports citing projected results from the Associated Press.  We did it…
UNPRECEDENTED: MBTA Will Shut Down Orange Line For 30 Days To Make Critical Repairs UNPRECEDENTED: MBTA Will Shut Down Orange Line For 30 Days To Make Critical Repairs
Unprecedented: MBTA Will Shut Down Orange Line For 30 Days To Make Critical Repairs The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Board (MBTA) announced Wednesday, Aug. 3, that it plans to shut down the Orange Line, one of its busiest commuter rails, to perform critical infrastructure repair. Gov. Charlie Baker said the shutdown will begin on Aug. 19 and resume on September 19. This is the first time the MBTA has shut down an entire line, Baker said. The MBTA board unanimously voted to spend as much as $37 million to hire A Yankee Line, a shuttle bus company, to ferry stranded Orange Line passengers. The buses will be free to ride. The company has worked with the tran…
Massachusetts Inches Closer Toward Legalizing Sports Betting: Report Massachusetts Inches Closer Toward Legalizing Sports Betting: Report
Massachusetts Inches Closer Toward Legalizing Sports Betting: Report Massachusetts is one signature away from becoming the 31st state to legalize sports gambling thanks to an overtime compromise between state leaders, reports said. Coincidentally, it could be here before the NFL season starts next month.  Legislators in Boston approved the betting bill early Monday morning, Aug. 1, hours after the midnight deadline. Speaker of the state House Ron Mariano tweeted that his team and Senate leadership had struck a deal after nearly a year of arguments.  I am proud to announce that the Sports Betting Conference Committee has reached an agreement on legislatio…
'Happy Hour Bill' Leaves Sour Taste For Mass Bars, But Patrons Say Cheers 'Happy Hour Bill' Leaves Sour Taste For Mass Bars, But Patrons Say Cheers
'Happy Hour Bill' Leaves Sour Taste For Mass Bars, But Patrons Say Cheers It's 5 o'clock somewhere, well, just not in Massachusetts, but that could change soon with legislation that would bring back happy hour. Though, not everyone is smiling.  The Massachusetts Senate last week approved an amendment to an economic development bill that could allow bars to sell cheaper drinks to thirsty patrons when they get off work, CBS Boston reported. The state killed happy hour in 1984 when legislators banned the practice after a spike in drunk driving car crashes.  Currently, bars and restaurants can't change the price of alcohol for promotional purposes…
GoFundMe Created For Man Accused Of Killing K9 Frankie In Central Mass Standoff GoFundMe Created For Man Accused Of Killing K9 Frankie In Central Mass Standoff
GoFundMe Created For Man Accused Of Killing K9 Frankie In Central Mass Standoff The father of the man who police say killed a Massachusetts State K9 officer named Frankie before turning the gun on himself has started a GoFundMe to pay for his son's funeral.  Matthew Mack committed suicide Monday, July 26, after an hours-long standoff with police and SWAT team members, Massachusetts State Police said. During the siege, the 38-year-old shot and killed the 11-year-old Belgian Malinois as the dog and his handler moved in to arrest him, police said. No one else was injured.  Moses Mack, Matthew's father, said in a GoFundMe campaign that his son struggled with mental issues…
Massachusetts Protects Abortion Rights In Response To Roe V. Wade Ruling Massachusetts Protects Abortion Rights In Response To Roe V. Wade Ruling
Massachusetts Protects Abortion Rights In Response To Roe V. Wade Ruling In response to the US Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade, Gov. Charlie Baker has signed an executive order protecting people's abortion rights in Massachusetts.  “The Commonwealth has long been a leader in protecting a woman’s right to choose and access to reproductive health services, while other states have criminalized or otherwise restricted access,” Baker said in a release. “This executive order will further preserve that right and protect reproductive health care providers who serve out of state residents."  Earlier report: Supreme Court Strikes Down Roe Vs. Wade, E…
Mass Senate Approves Bill Allowing Undocumented Immigrants To Get Driver's Licenses Mass Senate Approves Bill Allowing Undocumented Immigrants To Get Driver's Licenses
Mass Senate Approves Bill Allowing Undocumented Immigrants To Get Driver's Licenses The Massachusetts Senate has voted to override Governor Charlie Baker's veto on a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, sources say.  The bill, known as the Work and Family Mobility Act, was passed by a 32-8 vote on Thursday, June 9; a day after it passed through the House. It will become law in July 2023.  #breaking Mass Senate has voted 32 - 8 to override @MassGovernor veto on bill to allow driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. The bill becomes law. It goes into effect in July, 2023 #wcvb — Sharman Sacchetti (@SharmanTV) June 9, 2022 The …
COVID-19: Masking Decision Now Up To School Districts As Massachusetts Mandate Expires COVID-19: Masking Decision Now Up To School Districts As Massachusetts Mandate Expires
Covid-19: Masking Decision Now Up To School Districts As Massachusetts Mandate Expires With the statewide mask mandate expiring for students in Massachusetts schools, the decision on whether to send children to class with a facial covering now falls on parents and local school districts. As of Monday, Feb. 28, the statewide COVID-19 mandate in schools ended, leaving the decision to individual schools, most of which are opting to ditch the masks. The mandate had been in effect since last August and has been extended three times as new variants of the virus caused several separate spikes of new infections. Related story - COVID-19: School District In Western Mass Rescind…
COVID-19: School District In Western Mass Rescinds Mask Policy COVID-19: School District In Western Mass Rescinds Mask Policy
Covid-19: School District In Western Mass Rescinds Mask Policy Mask-wearing will soon be an option for students and staff in a Western Massachusetts school district. In Hampden County, Westfield Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski announced that the district’s School Committee voted to rescind its mask policy, effective as of Monday, Feb. 28. As of Feb. 28, mask-wearing will be voluntary for students and staff, including all extracurricular activities and athletic events. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker previously said that the state would be lifting mask requirements as of Feb. 28, though it would be up to individual school districts and local…
COVID-19: Massachusetts School Mask Mandate Update Announced COVID-19: Massachusetts School Mask Mandate Update Announced
Covid-19: Massachusetts School Mask Mandate Update Announced Massachusetts Gov. Charlie announced that he's recommending the state school mask mandate be lifted, following the lead of neighboring states that have already announced similar measures. Beginning on Monday, Feb. 28, the requirement that students, teachers, and staff wear masks inside Massachusetts schools will be rescinded, the governor announced, touting the state’s improved COVID-19 data. "Our kids have had to put up with a lot of disruption, a lot of time alone, and has suffered a real learning loss over the past two years. There's no debating those points, no matter where you stand," …
Numerous Crashes, Spinouts Reported, State Police Say, Urging Motorists To Stay Off Roads Numerous Crashes, Spinouts Reported, State Police Say, Urging Motorists To Stay Off Roads
Numerous Crashes, Spinouts Reported, State Police Say, Urging Motorists To Stay Off Roads Motorists in Massachusetts are being encouraged to stay off the roads as the ice storm has led to multiple crashes across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts State Police responded to numerous crashes and spinouts caused by the flash freeze conditions, officials said, advising that residents should "stay off the roads if possible, and take it slow if not.” According to police, shortly before 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 4, troopers responded to a fatal crash involving a tractor-trailer in Middlesex County on Route 495 in Chelmsford. Dozens of other crashes were also reported, according to po…
State AG Announces Run For Governor State AG Announces Run For Governor
State AG Announces Run For Governor Massachusetts’ top law enforcement official is set to make a run at the state’s top office. Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey, age 50, announced on Thursday, Jan. 20 that she will be launching a campaign to run for the governor of Massachusetts, replacing outgoing Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. 
“We need a governor who sees everyone, who can bring people together, and who can harness our tremendous potential as a state,” Healey stated. "That’s the kind of campaign we're going to run, and it’s the kind of governor I will be." The two-term AG, who was elected as the first openly gay …
Baker Won't Seek Reelection Baker Won't Seek Reelection
Baker Won't Seek Reelection Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker will not seek a third term in office in 2022, according to an announcement made by his administration. Baker, age 65, a moderate Republican who first took office in January 2015, announced on Wednesday, Dec. 1 that he and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito opted not to run in 2022 following “several months of discussions with (their) families.” “This was an extremely difficult decision for us,” they wrote in a letter to constituents. “We love the work, and we especially respect and admire the people of this wonderful Commonwealth.” Baker first ran for governor in 2010…
Baker Is Nation's Second-Most Popular Republican Governor, New Survey Says Baker Is Nation's Second-Most Popular Republican Governor, New Survey Says
Baker Is Nation's Second-Most Popular Republican Governor, New Survey Says Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker earned top marks as he ranked as the second most popular top lawmaker in the country, according to a newly released survey from Morning Consult. In the new survey, which polled the number of voters in each state who approve the job performance of their governors, Baker was the most second most popular governor, behind only Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, earning a 72 percent approval rating. The survey conducted by Morning Consult, a technology platform that focuses on data collection, included daily interviews of residents with more than 5,000 registered voters p…
COVID-19: Massachusetts National Guard Activated To Test Students For Virus COVID-19: Massachusetts National Guard Activated To Test Students For Virus
Covid-19: Massachusetts National Guard Activated To Test Students For Virus Hundreds of members of the Massachusetts National Guard have been activated to help support the testing of Kindergarten through 12th-grade students across the Commonwealth. Gov. Charlie Baker issued an order on Tuesday, Oct. 12 enlisting up to 450 members of the state’s National Guard to help support two missions. The Governor’s orders activate up to 200 members of the Guard to support COVID-19 testing in K-12 schools throughout the Commonwealth and up to 250 members to offset potential staffing shortages at the Department of Correction (DOC). “We are grateful that the National Guard has …
Massachusetts Calls On National Guard To Assist In School Bus Driver Shortage Massachusetts Calls On National Guard To Assist In School Bus Driver Shortage
Massachusetts Calls On National Guard To Assist In School Bus Driver Shortage Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is calling in the cavalry to help the state with transporting students to class at the beginning of the new school year. Baker announced that he is activating as many as 250 Guard members to assist with school transportation as the country contends with a massive bus driver shortage that left some districts scrambling to get students to class. 
“We asked a bunch of communities if they'd be interested in having Guard people drive vehicles for them, especially the smaller buses," Baker said in a briefing this week. "A bunch of communities said if y…
COVID-19: Massachusetts District Quarantines Two Classrooms Right After School Starts COVID-19: Massachusetts District Quarantines Two Classrooms Right After School Starts
Covid-19: Massachusetts District Quarantines Two Classrooms Right After School Starts The new year got off to a false start for some schools in Massachusetts that are contending with new COVID-19 cases. The Melrose School District in Middlesex County is reporting seven confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in the district among adults and students, forcing some students and staff who were considered close contacts to quarantine. In Melrose, the new outbreak impacted at least two classrooms, though Gov. Charlie Baker said that returning to remote learning is not an option following a lost year for many students. “Schools have a certain number of days baked into their calendar t…
New Sick Leave Benefits Now Available To Massachusetts Residents New Sick Leave Benefits Now Available To Massachusetts Residents
New Sick Leave Benefits Now Available To Massachusetts Residents Massachusetts has entered a new step of the state’s paid family and medical leave program, which will now allow area residents up to three months of paid time off to care for a loved one. Beginning this week, Massachusetts employees can apply to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a family member that may be suffering from a serious health condition. The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act was passed in 2018 as part of a package of workplace reforms reached between the state Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker. At the start of January, paid leave benefits expanded to allow resident…
Baker Backs Biden Push For Death Penalty In Boston Marathon Case Baker Backs Biden Push For Death Penalty In Boston Marathon Case
Baker Backs Biden Push For Death Penalty In Boston Marathon Case Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is backing the Department of Justice and President Joe Biden as they seek to reinstate the death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. This week, the Department of Justice encouraged the Supreme Court to reinstate the death penalty for Tsarnaev, calling it "one of the worst” acts of terrorism in the US since the Sept. 11 bombings. Though Biden has publicly opposed capital punishment, his administration threw its support behind the DOJ, which filed a 48-page brief to overturn a previous decision from a lower court that vacated Tsarnaev’s dea…
COVID-19: Newly Unveiled 'Mass VaxMillions' Lottery Will Include Five $1M Winners COVID-19: Newly Unveiled 'Mass VaxMillions' Lottery Will Include Five $1M Winners
Covid-19: Newly Unveiled 'Mass VaxMillions' Lottery Will Include Five $1M Winners Massachusetts residents who got a COVID-19 shot will now have a shot to win $1 million as part of the state’s new “VaxMillions” lottery. The new program will give away five cash prizes of $1 million for eligible Massachusetts residents 18 and older who receive the vaccine, and five $300,000 scholarship grants to anyone between the ages of 12 and 17 who are fully vaccinated. The drawings will be conducted by the Massachusetts State Lottery. “The Massachusetts State Lottery is proud to join Gov. Charlie Baker and the Department of Public Health to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of…
COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of Massachusetts Residents Who Have Been Vaccinated, Other New Data COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of Massachusetts Residents Who Have Been Vaccinated, Other New Data
Covid-19: Here's Percentage Of Massachusetts Residents Who Have Been Vaccinated, Other New Data Nearly 80 percent of eligible adults in Massachusetts have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as the state begins plans to ramp down mass vaccination sites in the Commonwealth in the coming weeks to concentrate on certain communities. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said that more than 4.3 million people have received at least a first dose, with nearly 3.7 million adults already fully vaccinated as the state begins to increase its targeted community-based vaccine efforts to reach the remaining populations. A total of 7,891,577 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administe…
Prominent Western Mass Restaurant Owner Dies At Age 59 Prominent Western Mass Restaurant Owner Dies At Age 59
Prominent Western Mass Restaurant Owner Dies At Age 59 A prominent Western Mass restaurant owner has died at the age of 59, surrounded by family.  Andy Yee, a partner of the Bean Restaurant Group, which includes restaurants such as the Student Prince In Springfield, the White Hut, in West Springfield, and Johnny's Tavern in Amherst, died on Thursday, May 27. "It is with great sadness that we announce that our brother, Andy Yee passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2021," the family said on the White Hut's Facebook page. "Anyone who knew Andy knew that his laugh was contagious, his personality bigger than life, and he was always bursting with pr…
COVID-19: Here's How Many Massachusetts Residents Are Fully Vaccinated, Other New Data COVID-19: Here's How Many Massachusetts Residents Are Fully Vaccinated, Other New Data
Covid-19: Here's How Many Massachusetts Residents Are Fully Vaccinated, Other New Data Massachusetts reached a new milestone in its quest to administer COVID-19 vaccines to millions of eligible adults before the summer. The commonwealth has now vaccinated more than 3.5 million people, as the total who are fully vaccinated hit 3,520,075 since the pandemic began, up nearly 40,000 from the previous day. By comparison, it took the state until Friday, March 19 to hit the one million vaccine benchmark, and less than a month to hit two million on Saturday, April 17. The state reported more than three million approximately two weeks ago. A total of 7,634,963 COVID-19 vaccine doses h…
COVID-19: Massachusetts Announces Date It Will Start New CDC Mask Guidance COVID-19: Massachusetts Announces Date It Will Start New CDC Mask Guidance
Covid-19: Massachusetts Announces Date It Will Start New CDC Mask Guidance The light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel is fast approaching in Massachusetts. Gov. Charlie Baker announced that any remaining COVID-19 occupancy limits or restrictions will be lifted beginning Memorial Day Weekend, effective as of Saturday, May 29. Baker made the much-anticipated announcement on Monday, May 17 during a COVID-19 briefing. Restrictions will be lifted for all industries, as well as indoor and outdoor gathering limits. Health officials in Massachusetts said that they will be adopting the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for mask-w…
COVID-19: Massachusetts To Launch Program To Get Workplaces Vaccinated COVID-19: Massachusetts To Launch Program To Get Workplaces Vaccinated
Covid-19: Massachusetts To Launch Program To Get Workplaces Vaccinated A new program is coming to Massachusetts to help employers get their employees vaccinated for COVID-19. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced the state’s new Employer Vaccination Program, which will provide two options to more easily vaccinate groups of employees during the latest phase of vaccinations. Beginning on Monday, May 17, employers can request a block of appointment at any of Massachusetts’ mass vaccination sites. To expedite the registration process, employers will also be able to help register employees for their appointments or can provide a link to employees to sign up du…
COVID-19: Here's How Many Have Now Been Vaccinated In Massachusetts COVID-19: Here's How Many Have Now Been Vaccinated In Massachusetts
Covid-19: Here's How Many Have Now Been Vaccinated In Massachusetts Massachusetts reached a new milestone in its quest to administer COVID-19 vaccines to millions of eligible adults before the summer. The commonwealth crossed three million vaccinations on Tuesday, May 11, as the total who are fully vaccinated hit 3,005,473 since the pandemic began, up from 2,962,937 the previous day and less than 2.7 million a week prior. By comparison, it took the state until Friday, March 19 to hit the one million vaccine benchmark, and less than a month to hit two million on Saturday, April 17. A total of 6,849,573 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Massa…
COVID-19: Mass Vaccination Sites Now Accepting Walk-Ins COVID-19: Mass Vaccination Sites Now Accepting Walk-Ins
Covid-19: Mass Vaccination Sites Now Accepting Walk-Ins In a major change to the state's vaccination strategy, vaccine seekers will be able to receive COVID-19 shots without an appointment. The new policy started Monday, May 10, at six mass vaccination sites across the commonwealth, including at the Eastfield Mall, at 1655 Boston Road, in Springfield, Gov. Charlie Baker said. Barker said last week he hopes the change will make it easier for residents to get access to a COVID-19 vaccine. The mall will offer the walk-in vaccinations seven days a week. Identification and insurance information is not required.  For those who don't want to wai…
COVID-19: Here's How Many Massachusetts Residents Have Now Gotten At Least One Vaccine Dose COVID-19: Here's How Many Massachusetts Residents Have Now Gotten At Least One Vaccine Dose
Covid-19: Here's How Many Massachusetts Residents Have Now Gotten At Least One Vaccine Dose Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has almost reached his administration’s goal of vaccinating more than four million residents in the Commonwealth. Baker said that Massachusetts is on track to meet its goal of vaccinating 4.1 million people by early June, with the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that 3.9 million people have been fully or partially vaccinated as of Monday, May 3. An additional 180,000 Massachusetts residents are also scheduled to receive their first dose within the next week. Baker also announced that the state is prepared to expand…
COVID-19: Here's When Massachusetts Bars Will No Longer Have To Serve Food COVID-19: Here's When Massachusetts Bars Will No Longer Have To Serve Food
Covid-19: Here's When Massachusetts Bars Will No Longer Have To Serve Food Massachusetts bar patrons will soon be able to raise a glass without raising a fork courtesy of new COVID-19 guidance provided by state lawmakers. Beginning on Saturday, May 29, the mandate requiring establishments serving alcohol to also serve food will be lifted as Massachusetts continues its recovery from the holiday wave of the virus. Bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries will officially be allowed to reopen regardless if they serve food on site or partner with a food truck for the day to fulfill the state requirement. As of May 29, those those facilities will be un…
COVID-19: Here's When Massachusetts' Outdoor Mask Mandate Ends, What It Means COVID-19: Here's When Massachusetts' Outdoor Mask Mandate Ends, What It Means
Covid-19: Here's When Massachusetts' Outdoor Mask Mandate Ends, What It Means Massachusetts is set to become the latest state to adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) new guidance on mask-wearing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Charlie Baker announced this week that beginning on Friday, April 30, the state will be lifting the outdoor mask mandate and will begin relaxing other pandemic-related restrictions that were put on businesses early in May. As of April 30, masks will no longer be required outdoors as long as social distancing can be maintained. Anyone who is fully vaccinated will be permitted to walk, run, hike and bike outdoors alone or w…