government Archives

THE MBTA’S REVOLVING DOOR

The MBTA pays former T workers millions to fix longstanding problems, but transit advocates say inside hiring isn’t getting riders or the system where they need to go.

DAN ATKINSON October 4, 2023

DOES A NEW GOVERNOR SIGNAL A NEW DIRECTION FOR THE MASS PAROLE BOARD?

“I know that if Sarah Coughlin is appointed to the Parole Board, she will be the people’s Parole Board member.”

JEAN TROUNSTINE September 18, 2023

CLOAK & RECORDS: MORE POST COMMISSION OMISSIONS

“If the same police departments issue press releases after arrests—not convictions—if they think that doing that makes the community safer, then why redact information about alleged abuses from police officers themselves?”

DAN ATKINSON September 14, 2023

TRAGEDY STILL LINGERS OVER LAWRENCE

A Merrimack Valley Natural Gas Explosion Time Capsule: Putting the extensive damage done in focus five years after a preventable fatal disaster disrupted northeast Massachusetts

CHRIS FARAONE September 13, 2023

IMPUNITY SERVICE

The state’s police oversight commission only publicizes cops who have been punished, but there’s a back door to discovering the dirty details of departments that let problematic officers linger “The public deserves to see allegations of police misconduct in real time, because officers have tremendous powers and responsibilities in our

DAN ATKINSON June 28, 2023

COORDINATED RESPONSE

Greater Boston bars and venues are grappling with a rise in involuntary drugged drinks, but procedures for addressing future incidents are in sight “When you raise awareness, if you even help prevent one person from getting drugged, then that’s a good thing.” Amidst a rash of incidents in which people

KENDALL POLIDORI May 24, 2023

“STATE OF GOOD REPAIR”

With the MBTA still very broken, agency lacks clarity in communications with contractors, commuters “We shouldn’t have to be backtracking and deciphering contract packages to figure out when the T will get work done.” The MBTA is preparing to pay contractors $72 million over the next two years to repair

DAN ATKINSON April 20, 2023

PARKS & CHECKS

Wasteful, Opaque Bookkeeping At Two City Of Boston Nonprofit Arms “The fund not only fails at being transparent and accountable in how it spends its revenue, it misses the opportunity to create financial reports to improve management of the fund.” Some improper accounting practices have been employed for a number

COLMAN HERMAN March 20, 2023

REDESIGNING UNION SQUARE’S SUBSTATION

Eversource hears from neighbors on future of electrical infrastructure within a changing urban landscape (Somerville Wire) – With its dazzling array of commercial and residential buildings currently under construction or in the pipeline, and its cutting-edge plans to rapidly decarbonize to address climate change, Somerville is going to need a

LINDA PINKOW December 14, 2022

"The New Digital Divide" by Free Press Pics is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Councilors consider how to improve internet access for all in Somerville (Somerville Wire) – Somerville’s leaders would like to ensure high-quality internet access for everyone in the city, but they’re unsure of how to get there. The City Council Public Utilities and Public Works Committee considered the question on Monday,

LINDA PINKOW December 7, 2022