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Today on Beacon Hill

10:00am Department of Revenue Public Hearing, Via Webex

7:00pm A Celebration of Democracy and A Commitment to Accountability hosted by Progressive Massachusetts, Via Zoom - link upon RSVP

2020 year-end campaign finance reports due

Birthdays: Rep. Donald Berthiaume Jr., Rep. Brian Murray

“The divisions in our country, which the president — let’s face it — purposely created, have created tremendous damage to our country. And that’s why I hope to never see him again.”

Former Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican

On President Donald Trump, as he exits the White House today.

News By Category
Beltway Politics

Mass. Native Behind US Capitol's ‘Field of Flags' » NECN

After inauguration, the Biden administration will transition to official government Twitter accounts — minus the followers » Boston Globe

Howie Carr: Operation Warp Speed need to cure TDS » Boston Herald

Joe Biden prepares for inauguration amid pandemic, security concerns » Boston Herald

Trump vows his movement is ‘just beginning’ in farewell address » Boston Herald

Massachusetts politicians to attend Biden’s inauguration despite security, coronavirus threats » Boston Herald

Opinion: A martial presence in Washington, ironically » Boston Globe

Opinion: The other Jan. 6 rallygoers: unwelcome presence or guilt by association? » Boston Globe

Biden promised to return normalcy. It’s a tall order » Boston Globe

Opinion: Biden needs to take steps to heal the country, not just mouth the words » Boston Herald

Yellen runs into GOP resistance to ‘act big’ call for stimulus » Boston Globe

President Trump leaves office with legacy of chaos » Boston Globe

With unshakable faith in government, Biden prepares to be sworn in as the 46th president » Boston Globe

GOP at a crossroads: Will Republicans break up with Trump, or embrace him further? » Boston Globe

As vice president, Kamala Harris will have a role unlike any of her predecessors » Boston Globe

Biden to sign flurry of executive actions in first hours of presidency » The Hill

Business

State Street to cut 1,200 jobs as no-layoff pledge expires » Boston Business Journal

US Chamber of Commerce endorses tougher plan to fight climate change » Boston Globe

Here’s the economy Biden is inheriting » Boston Globe

State Street to eliminate 1,200 jobs in 2021 after avoiding layoffs last year » Boston Globe

Life science developer lands big site near Assembly Row » Boston Globe

Law firm Womble adds ex-Providence mayor in Boston » Boston Business Journal

Education

Coalition led by Holyoke officials press Baker to vaccinate educators earlier » Gazette Net

Return to classrooms is top priority of Brockton’s new City Council chief » Boston Globe

Environment

As Massachusetts looks to dramatically reduce carbon emissions by 2050, can Gov. Baker and the legislature find common ground? » The Republican

Health Care

Boston hospitals and churches honoring lives lost to coronavirus in national memorial » Boston Herald

Housing

The Boston-area housing market roared through December » Boston Globe

Labor

Massachusetts restaurant workers hope Biden-Harris administration will usher in recovery » Boston Herald

Local Government

South Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade canceled again due to coronavirus » Boston Herald

Analysis: The Shadow Trump Cast over Springfield » Western Mass Politics and Insight

Politics

Mass. political scientist, author accused of secretly working for Iran » Boston.com

Boston ‘Straight Pride Parade’ organizer jailed, Natick politician free following arrests for US Capitol siege » Boston Herald

Galvin calls for celebration of democracy on Inauguration Day » Boston Globe

In Swampscott, Governor Baker's Home Becomes A Political Target » WGBH

Public Health

Fenway Park to open as mass vaccination site; pharmacies to give shots by appointment » Boston Herald

Elon Musk donates $5 million for coronavirus research in Boston » Boston Globe

Andrea Campbell: Boston's Communities of Color Have 'Never Gotten Out Of The Red' With COVID-19 » WGBH

Worcester Begins Coronavirus Vaccinations At Homeless Shelters » WBUR

Mass. reports 2,567 new confirmed coronavirus cases, 45 new deaths » Boston Globe

Four-Point Plan Broadens Access Points for COVID-19 Vaccine » State House News Service

U.S. coronavirus deaths surpass 400,000; Massachusetts coronavirus cases rise 2,567 » Boston Herald

State’s deliberate approach on vaccines frustrates some seniors » Boston Globe

Massachusetts adds Fenway Park as mass vaccination site » Boston Business Journal

Public Safety

A Mayor Called Sue(d): The Oral Test of a Springfield Police Commission Dispute » Western Mass Politics and Insight

Utilities

After years of protests, a glimmer of hope for opponents to the Weymouth gas compressor » Boston Globe

Job Board
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Recipe of the Week

Ingredients

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons/255 grams total salted butter (2¼ sticks), cold (room temperature if you're using a handheld mixer), cut into ½-inch pieces (see note)

½ cup/100 grams granulated sugar 

¼ cup/55 grams light brown sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

2 ½ cups/325 grams all-purpose flour

6 ounces/170 grams semi-sweet or bittersweet dark chocolate, chopped (not too fine; you want chunks, not little shards)

1 large egg, beaten 

 Demerara sugar, for rolling 

 Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Directions

Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, beat the butter, both sugars and vanilla on medium-high till it’s super light and fluffy (3 to 5 minutes for a stand mixer; 6 to 8 for a hand mixer). Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl and, with the mixer on low, slowly add the flour, followed by the chocolate chunks, and mix just to blend. If necessary, knead the dough with your hands to make sure the flour is totally incorporated. At this point, the dough should be smooth and feel like Play-Doh with no pockets of flour.

Divide the dough in half, placing each half on a large piece of plastic wrap. Fold the plastic over so that it covers the dough to protect your hands from getting all sticky. Using your hands, form the dough into a log shape; rolling it on the counter will help you smooth it out, but don’t worry about getting it totally perfect. (Don't be afraid to make them compact. Shortbread is supposed to be dense. That's part of why it's so good.) You can also do this using parchment paper, if you prefer, but plastic wrap is easier when it comes to shaping the log. Each half should form a 6-inch log, 2 to 2¼ inches in diameter. Chill until totally firm, about 2 hours.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush the outside of the logs with the beaten egg and roll them in the demerara sugar (this is for those really delicious, crisp edges).

Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each log into ½-inch-thick rounds (if you hit a chocolate chunk, slowly saw back and forth through the chocolate). If the cookies break or fall apart, just press them back together — the dough is very forgiving. Place them on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart (they won’t spread much). Sprinkle with flaky salt. Bake until the edges are just beginning to brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating them all.



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