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Today on Beacon Hill

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

"The superintendent let me know there had been eight veteran deaths between Wednesday and Sunday without any public notification, without any notification to my office, and also just no notification to the state government that oversees this facility in the first place,"

Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse

The Soldiers' Home in Holyoke which has had 13 veterans die in recent days, 6 of which had COVID-19.
News By Category
Beltway Politics

Markey ‘wins’ state Dem convention » Commonwealth Magazine

Business

Senators urge U.S. airlines to issue ticket refunds after bailout » Reuters

Boston Medical Center, Atrius Health detail plans to furlough staff » Boston Business Journal

17 grants awarded by Andover Cultural Council » The Andover Townsman

Manufacturing a coronavirus defense: companies like L.L. Bean transition to medical gear production » Boston Globe

Citing coronavirus, construction unions urge a statewide halt to building projects » Boston Globe

Danaher completes acquisition of GE Healthcare’s Life Sciences division » Boston Globe

Gov. details how hotels, short-term rentals across state can be used » WCVB

The state asked for manufacturers' help fighting COVID-19. Hundreds of hands went up. » Boston Business Journal

‘Without the assistance of the state, we’re not going to survive’ » Boston Globe

Thousands of businesses flood Baker administration with inquiries over ‘essential’ list » Boston Globe

Coronavirus Crackdown: Mass. Hotels & Airbnbs Not Allowed ‘For Vacation Or Leisure’ » CBS Boston

Massachusetts Restaurant Owners Say They Can’t Get By on Takeout and Delivery Alone » Eater

Baker Reversed Course on Gun Shop, Range Openings » State House News Service

Cannabis & Psychedelics

Marijuana businesses and advocates are pushing for ‘essential’ status in Mass. Here’s why. » Boston.com

Education

Education board grants emergency powers to commissioner » The Herald News

City councilors, parents, educators blast state overhaul of Boston schools » Boston Globe

Virtual graduations are a point of contention for some colleges » Boston Business Journal

Boston Councilors: Fight Virus, Address Schools Later » State House News Service

UMass students graduate early and online to fight coronavirus » WHDH

Federal

Early divisions as Congress weighs next help for economy » Boston Globe

More Help Is Likely on the Way for States and Localities and the Coronavirus-caused Recession – including an Obscure Source of Federal Aid for Muni Bonds » Governing

Supporters rally around Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe » Cape Cod Times

Mashpee Wampanoag 321 acres of tribal land decision in question » News 22 WWLP.com

Health Care

Coronavirus Updates For Western New England: 13 Dead At Holyoke Soldiers' Home » New England Public Radio

Employees Unions At Holyoke Soldiers' Home Say Staff Were Denied More PPE » New England Public Radio

In new letter, Massachusetts Nurses Association makes 9 requests to Charlie Baker » Boston.com

Cambridge biotech seeks OK for coronavirus test that delivers results in 15 minutes » Boston Globe

Nursing home halts residents’ move after a positive COVID-19 test, families say » Boston Globe

Preparing for a surge in cases, Mass. recruits retired doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists » Boston Globe

Newly minted doctors march toward front lines to battle coronavirus » Boston Globe

Community hospitals in Massachusetts particularly hard hit in coronavirus pandemic » Boston Globe

Harvard doctor says limited coronavirus supplies due to lack of centralized standards » Boston Herald

Worcester’s DCU Center being transformed into 250-bed field medical station » WHDH

'It Didn't Have To Get That Bad': Veteran Service Officer Says Problems At Holyoke Soldiers' Home Go Way Back » WBUR

Boston Medical Center furloughs 10 percent of its workforce as part of cutbacks across the health care industry » Boston Globe

Wilmington Nursing Home Converting to COVID-19 Facility » State House News Service

A critical number that is so hard to pin down: Are Massachusetts hospitals on track to being overwhelmed by coronavirus patients? » Boston Globe

Cape Cod Hospital plans to shutter Falmouth maternity unit » Boston Business Journal

Data Center: Mass. Bed Capacity Not Enough to Handle Virus Peak » State House News Service

Housing

Tenant activists, labor groups urge speedy legislation on eviction pause » Dorchester Reporter

Senate Panel Backs Housing Security Bill 15-0 » State House News Service

Where do homeless go when advised to stay home? Attleboro area lawmakers back bill to address problem » The Sun Chronicle

Emergency Housing Bill Slow to Take Shape » State House News Service

Human Services

Cambridge to open CRLS gym to shelter homeless » Wicked Local Cambridge

With no students on campus, city’s gym facility will become homeless shelter during virus crisis » Cambridge Day

Insurance

Blue Cross, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts waive patients’ out-of-pocket payments for COVID-19 » Boston Globe

Judiciary

Mass. High Court Considers Releasing Some Prisoners To Prevent COVID-19 Outbreak » WBUR

Labor

40 percent of Mass. residents expecting financial hardships » Commonwealth Magazine

Mass. Building Trades union calls for statewide construction shutdown » Boston Business Journal

Legislative

Task force to address issues Massachusetts faces during virus outbreak » News 22 WWLP.com

Political Notes: Vieira stands in for colleagues during coronavirus crisis » Cape Cod Times

Area legislators happy with stimulus package » Athol Daily News

Local Government

In New Bedford, Mitchell Mindful of “Real Soft Spot” » State House News Service

Politics

Another virus cost: corruption trials join sports on sideline » Boston Herald

State and county candidates face hurdles to get signatures » Cape Cod Times

Our View: An opportunity to rethink our local elections » The Sun Chronicle

Public Health

Opioid deaths down for 2nd year » Gloucester Times

Baker extends state shutdown until May 4 » Commonwealth Magazine

Virus notes: Franklin emerges as hotspot » Commonwealth Magazine

Accusations swirl at Holyoke veterans hospital, mayor says coronavirus outbreak was kept secret even as death toll rose » Boston Globe

This Map Shows the Total Number of COVID Cases in Each Massachusetts County » Boston Magazine

Distancing is our 'single greatest weapon' says Gov. Baker » WCVB

Shutdowns and stay-at-home orders may be slowing spread of coronavirus, new data show » Boston Globe

Should you wear a mask during coronavirus? Experts are split. » Boston Herald

Mass. reports 33 new coronavirus-related deaths, 868 new cases » Boston Globe

Holyoke Mayor: For Half A Week, Soldiers' Home Deaths Were Not Reported To State Or City Officials » WBUR

Worcester's DCU Center Will Become 250-Bed Field Hospital For Stable COVID-19 Patients » WBUR

‘Just complete chaos’: Soldiers’ Home staff cite dangerous conditions fueling COVID-19 outbreak » Gazette Net

He served his country on dangerous ground for 40 years. The Holyoke coronavirus outbreak took his life. » Boston Globe

Rob Gronkowski, Camille Kostek donate 10,000 masks to Boston Medical Center » Boston Globe

COVID-19 Now Present in Both State Veterans' Homes » State House News Service

2nd Massachusetts veterans home reports COVID-19 death » The Associated Press (AP)

Mass. reports 33 new coronavirus-related deaths, 1,118 new cases » Boston Globe

Public Safety

Wendy Murphy: The pandemic is no excuse to free predators » Boston Herald

In Boston, arrests continue to dip as pandemic rages on » Boston Globe

State Government

Massachusetts Soldiers’ Home payroll report » Boston Herald

Governments Ramp Up Communications as COVID-19 Accelerates » Governing

Coronavirus tragedy at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home puts spotlight on Charlie Baker » Boston Herald

Rep. Paul Mark: Census Day is here, make it count » Gazette Net

Mass. Census Response Rate Above Average » State House News Service

Gov. Baker Addresses State From Field Medical Station In Worcester » WBUR

Transportation

COVID-19 Could Impact Enforcement Of Mass. Hands-Free Driving Law » New England Public Radio

Feds Extend $1 Bil “Lifeline” to Public Transit Systems » State House News Service

A petition is calling for closing the bridges to Cape Cod. Only year-round residents and select personnel should be allowed, it says. » Boston.com

Petition to close Cape bridges to visitors draws support » Cape Cod Times

Travel Drops 76% At Boston Logan Airport Amid Coronavirus Outbreak » WBUR

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Recipe of the Week

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 ounces pancetta or thick bacon (about 4 slices)
  • 1 teaspoon plus 11/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5 ounces baby spinach
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 5 cups whole milk
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups (8 ounces by weight) grated Gruyère cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 pound macaroni or gemelli pasta, cooked

Directions

In a medium-size skillet over medium-low heat, cook the pancetta or bacon in 1 teaspoon of olive oil, flipping halfway through, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels, leaving the fat in the skillet. Crumble the pancetta or bacon into small pieces and set aside.

Bring the skillet back up to medium-high heat. Cook the spinach in the reserved fat, stirring, until just wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in half of the crumbled pancetta or bacon, reserving the remaining half. Set aside.

Make the cheese sauce:  In a medium-size saucepan, warm the butter and remaining 1½ tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the flour and stir to make a paste (called a roux); cook, stirring, until the roux is golden in color, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk, and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring, until thickened. Season with the nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. Off the heat, add the two cheeses and whisk until smooth. Stir in the spinach/pan-cetta mixture.

Preheat your oven to 375° and set a rack to the middle position. Pour the cooked pasta into a 9x13-inch (or 14- to 16-cup) baking dish. Add the cheese sauce; stir to combine. (The dish can be made up to this point several hours ahead of time; cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before baking.)

Additional Notes:

This dish can be made several hours ahead of time; cover and refrigerate until ready to cook. Be sure not to add the topping until you’re ready to bake the casserole.

For the topping:

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a small bowl, stir together the cheeses, panko, pepper, and remaining crumbled pancetta. Sprinkle over the pasta mixture and bake until the top is browned and the sauce bubbling, 45 to 50 minutes.

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