By Bob Katzen

“We are proud of the Lexington team for once again representing Massachusetts so well. These students are putting environmental science into practice – working together to understand complex challenges and develop solutions. Their success reflects the strength of environmental education in Massachusetts and the promise of the next generation of environmental leaders.”
— Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, on Lexington High School’s Envirothon Team earning fifth place at the 2026 National Conservation Foundation Envirothon in Starkville, Mississippi. The annual competition brings together top high school Envirothon teams to demonstrate their knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management.
Continue reading THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL →

Rep. Francisco Paulino (D-Methuen) was in federal court last week and pleaded “not guilty” to 11 counts brought against him for pandemic benefit fraud. According to United States Attorney Leah Foley, Paulino faces eight counts of wire fraud and three counts of unlawful monetary transactions. He is due back in court on October 7th. He is charged with fraudulently obtaining over $700,000 in COVID unemployment insurance benefits and small business loans and using the proceeds to buy real estate and loan money to clients of his mortgage business, before he was elected to public office.
Continue reading REP. FRANCISCO PAULINO PLEADS “NOT GUILTY” TO PANDEMIC BENEFITS FRAUD →

By Bob Katzen

Last week marked ten years since former Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a bill protecting animals. Known by many as the “Hot Car Law,” the measure prevents animal suffering and death by ensuring animals can be rescued from hot or cold cars, limiting the time dogs spend on a tether and increasing enforcement of prior prohibitions on keeping dogs in cruel conditions.
Continue reading PROTECT ANIMALS IN HOT CARS →

By Bob Katzen

The Healey Administration announced that 30 Massachusetts nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist or extremist violence, will receive nearly $3.5 million in federal funds for security improvements.
Continue reading $3.5 MILLION TO PROTECT NONPROFITS →

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey announced $15.3 million in Commercial Conversion Tax Credit Initiative awards to support five projects that will transform vacant or underutilized commercial properties into 856 new rental homes in Boston, Dedham, Springfield, Westford and Worcester.
Continue reading $15.3 MILLION TO CONVERT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INTO 856 NEW HOMES →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved a measure that would annually establish June 16 as Domestic Workers’ Rights Day to honor all domestic workers who work in private homes and in recognition of Massachusetts’ historic enactment of basic labor standards in the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights.
Continue reading DOMESTIC WORKERS’ RIGHTS DAY (H 3417) →

By Bob Katzen

A new law that would ban the use and sale of DEHP, a toxic chemical which is commonly added to plastic intravenous bags and tubing and linked to breast, liver, lung and testicular cancer took effect on August 25. The bag ban would begin on January 1, 2030, while the tubing ban would begin on January 1, 2035.
Continue reading TOXIC MEDICAL DEVICES (H 5550/S 3106) →

By Bob Katzen

Here are the 2026 roll call attendance records of local representatives through August 28. The attendance records are based on 154 roll calls.
Continue reading 2026 HOUSE ATTENDANCE RECORDS THROUGH AUGUST 28 →

SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville is seeking six new volunteer members to join the Somerville Commission for Women (SCW). If you’re passionate about advocating for the wellbeing and equity of women and gender minorities in our community, this is a great opportunity to make an impact.
Continue reading Join the Somerville Commission for Women →

Obituary
Walter E. Kaminsky – Of Somerville, formerly of Reading passed away at home on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Reading, he was the beloved son of the late Walter J. and Helen (Marszalek) Kaminsky.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Walter E. Kaminsky →

Obituary
George E. Hartnett- A longtime resident of Somerville, passed away in the comfort of his own home on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

Born, raised and educated in Somerville, he was the beloved son of the late Dennis J. Hartnett and Maryann (Dineen) Hartnett.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering George E. Hartnett →

Survey open through Sunday, September 27
Attend the 9/16 open house or 9/17 virtual meeting

SOMERVILLE—Do you have opinions on Davis Square? Of course you do. Now it’s your chance to share them by taking the new Davis Square Neighborhood Plan Survey before it closes on Sunday, September 27, or by joining upcoming events. All Somerville community members and visitors are encouraged to take the survey, and all are invited to attend an upcoming open house or virtual meeting as well.
Continue reading Help Shape the Future of Davis Square: Feedback Sought for New Neighborhood Plan →

Enjoy wellness resources, fitness demos, children’s activities, free snacks, and more

SOMERVILLE—Join us for an afternoon of movement, wellness, and connection. The City of Somerville’s Veterans’ Services department invites local veterans, first responders, their families, and community members to the fifth annual Veterans Health and Wellness Day on Saturday, September 12, at Lincoln Park (290 Washington St.) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Continue reading Fifth Annual Veterans Health and Wellness Day Sept. 12 →

Obituary
Assunta Pasqualina Iacobucci, lovingly known to many as “Lina”, passed away in the peace and comfort of her home in Somerville on August 25, 2026, she was 91. Born and raised in Toro, Campobasso, Italy she was the cherished daughter of AnnaMaria (Fracasso) and Guiseppe Nardozza. The beloved wife of the late Emidio “Tony” A. Iacobucci, they married in Italy and immigrated to the United States, settling in Somerville to raise their family. Together they celebrated 60 years of marriage before his passing in 2015.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Assunta Pasqualina Iacobucci →

SOMERVILLE—The City of Somerville’s Veterans’ Services department invites community members to a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 11, at 6 p.m. in Davis Square to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and honor all victims as well as first responders, workers, and volunteers who rushed to the scene to save lives or to later help carry out the dangerous cleanup.
Continue reading Somerville Hosting Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Ceremony to honor lives lost and those who served →