9:00am Executive Office of Health & Human Services Public Hearing, Via Zoom

10:00am Executive Office of Public Safety & Security Public Hearing, Via Microsoft Teams

11:00am Early Education and Care Economic Review, Virtual Hearing

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

12:00pm Constitutional Convention, Constitutional Convention

1:00pm Division of Medical Assistance Public Hearing, Via Zoom

1:00pm Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Public Hearing

5:00pm Racial Inequities in Maternal Health Commission, Virtual Hearing

Editorial: Michelle Wu for mayor » Boston Globe

Jan. 6 Protest Organizers Say They Participated in ‘Dozens’ of Planning Meetings With Members of Congress and White House Staff » Rolling Stone

Are lobbyists trying to gut Biden’s budget? No one knows – and that’s the problem » The Guardian

FL: Gov. Ron DeSantis Offers Bonuses To Anti-Vax Cops To Come Work In Florida » HUFFPOST

Sen. Joe Manchin wants to restrict who gets the child tax credit. These West Virginians may pay the price if he gets his way. » Washington Post

Mass. is the only state to see unemployment increase in September » Worcester Business Journal

In letter, Tenet CEO responds to elected officials, defends decision on replacement nurses » Worcester Telegram

NJ: Should Murphy be worried? Race against Ciattarelli tightening, gov says: I’m running a ‘paranoid’ campaign. » NJ.com

Why Biden is flailing » CNN

Workers became more willing to go on strike during the pandemic, citing burnout, being underpaid » Boston Globe

RI: 'Prison gerrymandering' alleged, debated anew ahead of new political maps » The Associated Press (AP)

FL: Senate President blasts Florida Surgeon General for his ‘unprofessional’ actions » Florida Politics

In Major Shift, NIH Admits Funding Risky Virus Research in Wuhan » Vanity Fair

NY: It’s His Town Now » New York Magazine

She made history as the first Black female mayor popularly elected in Mass. Now, she’s the underdog in her reelection bid. » Boston Globe

Chelsea, a city hit hard by COVID, has become a vaccination standout » Boston Globe

Mass. lawmakers relax decades-old rule to allow public retirees to work more while getting pensions » Boston Globe

Incumbent-first law is unique to Massachusetts » Commonwealth Magazine

Is Kyrsten Sinema Ready to Listen to Elizabeth Warren? » Mother Jones

Worker Bonuses, UI Relief Highlight ARPA Bill » State House News Service

Mom and son have labor of love to save a folksy general store, a switchboard that connects neighbors » Boston Globe

In global shipping crisis, Port of Boston deliveries are getting passed over » Boston Globe

Maine college invests in once-struggling mill town, hoping rising tide will lift both » Boston Globe

Opinion: Let Medicare negotiate lower drug prices » Boston Globe

City Council candidate Kendra Hicks calls her experience with rent problems part of larger affordable housing issue » Boston Globe

A look inside the jail space that could become a Mass. and Cass unit » Boston Globe

As counties’ contracts with ICE dwindle, lawmakers’ bills try to clarify relationship » Boston Herald

After a traumatic journey, Afghan immigrants on humanitarian parole cope with uncertainty » Boston Globe

In Maine and across the country, vaccine mandates are creating conflict with defiant workers » Boston Globe

State's unemployment rate edges up slightly » The Eagle Tribune

Briefings: Mapmaker, Mapmaker Make Springfield a Map » Western Mass Politics and Insight

Boston to challenge Census count, claiming more residents, Janey says » Boston Herald

Democratic candidates for governor to visit North Quabbin » The Recorder

The one when Michelle Wu opens a café — and finds a passion for trying to make government work » Boston Globe

Charles V. Ryan Jr., legacy is inspiring public service (Editorial) » MassLive

LETTER: Feeney is the Voice We Need in District 3 » Framingham Source

Opinion: The people push to be heard loud and clear through ballot initiatives » Boston Globe

The one when Michelle Wu opens a café — and finds a passion for trying to make government work » Boston Globe

‘A dream my father thought was literally impossible.’ For Annissa Essaibi George, the run for Boston mayor she promised her dad » Boston Globe

Wu, Essaibi George rake in campaign donations in final stretch » Boston Globe

At-large race taking shape as a contest for two spots » Dorchester Reporter

Many, but not all, Berkshire police officers carry Narcan. This bill could make it universal » Berkshire Eagle

‘What happens to all these kids?’ - Dozens of Mass. state workers face termination over religious beliefs, COVID vaccine mandate » MassLive

More than 600 Boston employees remain on leave over vaccine mandate — with more enforcement coming » Boston Herald

Chelsea, a city hit hard by COVID, has become a vaccination standout » Boston Globe

Study examines alarming upward trend in Black youth suicide » Boston Herald

Treatment Bill Pitched to Address Opioid Epidemic » State House News Service

‘Alarming trend’ of firearms at Logan checkpoints » Commonwealth Magazine

‘A place of reflection and solace’: Worcester dedicates memorial to firefighters who died serving city » WHDH

Officials to clear homeless camp at Mass and Cass, epicenter of opioid crisis » Boston Herald

New study finds little effect from Massachusetts gun control measures on violent crimes » Boston Herald

Mass. State Police union hammers Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID vaccine mandate, says move puts ‘lives at risk’ » MassLive

Efforts underway to disperse encampments at Mass. & Cass » Boston Globe

Annual State Financial Report Late Again » State House News Service

Mass. lawmakers relax decades-old rule to allow public retirees to work more while getting pensions » Boston Globe

MEMA Director Phillips Departing Next Friday » State House News Service

Voting by mail? Do it before Tuesday, or risk your vote going uncounted » Boston Herald

House Plan Invests $3.65 Bil Across Massachusetts » State House News Service

MBTA has a bad plan for electrification » Commonwealth Magazine

Free transit had benefits but may not be sustainable, Worcester study concludes » WBUR

Social Media Spotlight

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GBH News How Will Boston's Next Mayor Address The City's Massive Wealth Divide? CBS Boston Keller @ Large: Poll Finds Minimal Support Of 'Defund The Police' Movement In Boston WCVB Channel 5 Boston OTR Segment 1: Boston Mayoral Candidate Michelle Wu

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Podcast Spotlight

National Conference of State Legislatures Our American States: Supreme Court Update | OAS Episode 144 Crooked Media Pod Save America: Offline: Jia Tolentino on the Internet’s Endless Stage

9:00am Executive Office of Health & Human Services Public Hearing, Via Zoom

10:00am Executive Office of Public Safety & Security Public Hearing, Via Microsoft Teams

11:00am Early Education and Care Economic Review, Virtual Hearing

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

12:00pm Constitutional Convention, Constitutional Convention

1:00pm Division of Medical Assistance Public Hearing, Via Zoom

1:00pm Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Public Hearing

5:00pm Racial Inequities in Maternal Health Commission, Virtual Hearing

9:00am The Play for Sports Betting in Massachusetts hosted by SHNS, Via Zoom

9:00am Executive Office of Health & Human Services Public Hearing, Via Zoom

10:00am Civil Service Law and Personnel Administration Rules, Virtual Hearing

10:00am Joint Committee on Public Service, Public Hearing

10:00am Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts & Cultural Development, Public Hearing

10:30am Joint Committee on State Administration & Regulatory Oversight, Public Hearing

11:00am Future of Work Commission, Mary Dooley College Center, Elms College

11:00am Joint Committee on Financial Services, Public Hearing

11:00am Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, Public Hearing

11:00am Joint Committee on Housing, Public Hearing

12:30pm Governor Charlie Baker on GBH's Boston Public Radio, 89.7 FM or wgbh.org/news

1:00pm Executive Office of Health & Human Services Public Hearing, Via Zoom

Birthdays: Rep. Paul Donato

10:00am Commission on Structural Racism in the Massachusetts Probation Service, Virtual Hearing

10:00am League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Lobby Day, Via Zoom

11:00am Senate Session, Full Formal Session

1:00pm Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Correctional Facilities of the Commonwealth, Virtual Hearing

1:00pm Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity, Public Hearing

2:00pm Department of Environmental Protection Public Hearing, Via Zoom

2:00pm Joint Committee on Environment & Natural Resources, Public Hearing

7:00pm Department of Environmental Protection Public Hearing, Via Zoom

Birthdays: Rep. Paul McMurtry

9:00am Joint Committee on Public Health, Public Hearing

10:00am Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Public Hearing

11:00am House Session, Full Formal Session

11:00am Senate Session, Informal Session

Birthdays: State Senator Marc Pacheco

9:00am Joint Committee on Public Health, Public Hearing

10:00am Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, Virtual Hearing

10:00am Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, Public Hearing

10:00am Joint Committee on Judiciary, Public Hearing

12:00pm House Session, Full Formal Session

5:00pm Close of Comment Period for Department of Housing & Community Development Regulatory Changes, Submission via mail or email

2024 ‘State of the Air’ Report Reveals Most ‘Hazardous’ Air Quality Days in 25 Years » American Lung Association

Environmentalists and Youth Group Sue Maine for Failure to Act on Climate Change » Conservation Law Foundation

Senate President Spilka Pledges "Comprehensive Climate Bill" In Senate » American Council of Engineering Companies of Mass.

NEW VIDEO: Maura Healey's Embattled Secretary of Transportation » MassFiscal Alliance

MMA webinar reviews digital equity planning and programs » Mass. Municipal Association

Pressley, Warren Celebrate $1M Secured for Black Economic Council of Massachusetts » Office of Congressman Ayanna Pressley

Southcoast Health Recognized by the White House for Sustainability Efforts » Southcoast Health

House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Protect America’s National Security, Support U.S. Allies, Surge Humanitarian Aid to Gaza » Office of Congresswoman Lori Trahan