By Bob Katzen

“This spending plan supports a sector that has shown both incredible resilience and incredible need over the past two years. Through this plan we will see public dollars directed further and more broadly and equitably than ever before at a time when support is vital to the cultural sector’s recovery and growth.”

—Nina Fialkow, Chair of Mass Cultural Council on its $85.1 million budget to invest in the state’s cultural sector through a slate of grant programs and services bolstering cultural organizations, businesses, collaboratives and individual artists.

“Other non-traditional schools—including homeschoolers and even district-based virtual schools—can apply for a waiver and be granted permission to participate. But TEC Connections Academy (TECCA) Virtual School students cannot.”
— Pioneer Legal President Frank Bailey on its suit against the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) for prohibiting students at TECCA, a public virtual school, from playing on high school sports teams in the students’ home district.

“It has been my distinct pleasure to host this annual contest to bring attention to one of the most beautiful and varied crops here in Massachusetts. The quality and variety of the tomatoes on display here today speaks to the skill and ingenuity our hardworking farmers possess in growing these summertime favorites.”
—Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux announcing the winners of the state’s 37th Tomato Contest designed to increase awareness of locally grown produce. This year’s contest drew 95 entries from 18 farms across the state.

“My wife and I actually were sitting around looking at our ballot applications last night and taking a look at our calendars. We haven’t made a decision yet, but as I said before, I support the way we are doing mail-in in Massachusetts, which is the same way we did it during the election in 2020.”
—Gov. Baker on whether he and his wife Lauren will vote via mail, early in person or in person on September 6.