news Archives

MASS CRAFT DISTILLERS PETITION FOR “FIGHTING CHANCE” IN COVID ECONOMY

The petition asks officials to consider: excise tax relief for the alcohol used to make hand sanitizer; the ability to sell and ship products directly to consumers within the state; and the ability for bars and restaurants to sell cocktails with takeout food orders.

ERIC TWARDZIK April 25, 2020

LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES PUSH FOR MORE COVID-19 DATA FROM PRISONS

“It’s always helpful to have transparency in reporting data … Especially when we’re dealing with people’s health and safety, and when people are dying.”

SARAH BETANCOURT April 24, 2020

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC COULD CAUSE TROUBLED MASS COLLEGES TO CLOSE

From unique hurdles for New England institutions, to enrollment crises on the international and domestic fronts, to preexisting existential challenges, coronavirus may spell the end for some colleges and universities.

ARIELA SHAPIRO April 23, 2020

AN MBTA BUS DRIVER GETS BACK ON THE ROAD AFTER A TWO-WEEK QUARANTINE

“We should only be able to have seven passengers on the bus so they can keep that amount of distance between them. But that is not happening.”

IÑAKI ESTÍVALIZ April 22, 2020

THE DYSFUNCTIONAL MASS PAROLE BOARD’S INEVITABLE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

“Most prisons and many jails have done very little to reduce the population density that puts both incarcerated people and staff at grave risk.”

JEAN TROUNSTINE April 21, 2020

PANDEMIC FISH TALES FROM THE BAY STATE’S SINKING SEAFOOD INDUSTRY

“All these boats have supply, but nowhere to go.” “Our shellfish business died overnight.”

NATE HOMAN April 18, 2020

ACCESSIBLE RAPID RESPONSE TESTING ROLLED OUT IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR

“We did this based on our moral obligation and our mission because our focus is on addressing racial and ethnic disparities in health and in healthcare.”

JORDAN FRIAS April 16, 2020

GROCERY STORE WORKERS FACE FEARS, CORONAVIRUS, AND UNION-BUSTING

“I’m constantly having the recommended six feet violated. All of my coworkers and I, we are absolutely drained by the end of the day, because we are constantly trying to protect ourselves and reinforce that space.”

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN April 10, 2020

MEET THE CREW TURNING DORMS INTO SHELTERS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

For days, he and his crew had been converting dorm rooms into shelters for those experiencing homelessness while the predicted peak of coronavirus pandemic looms. “I felt like I needed to do my part to help, and this was my chance.”

NATE HOMAN April 7, 2020

INDEPENDENT BREWERIES PUSH CANS, NEW DISTRO MODELS DURING OUTBREAK

Tap rooms have been shut down, while businesses have had to adapt to a lack of foot traffic and extended stays. Many have embraced curbside pick-up and delivery, but that’s only produced a fraction of what many local operations need to continue.

DANA FORSYTHE April 5, 2020