Governing  

 

 

Government

Three Former Mass. Probation Officials Indicted on Fraud


By Sarah Birnbaum
A former commissioner and two deputies pleaded not guilty to charges of seeking favors in exchange for hiring job applicants sponsored by state lawmakers. (AP photo)
WGBH Local News

Insurance Claims & Lemon Cars Top List of Consumer Complaints


By Sarah Birnbaum
Thousands of callers contacted the state's Office of Consumer Affairs last year to lodge complaints. See which five top the list.
Animals

Could You Hurt This Dog?


By Toni Waterman
State lawmakers are weighing a bill that would make it illegal for pet owners to leave their dogs tied up outside for more than eight hours or overnight.
WGBH Special Reports

From The WGBH Vault: Trying Times


By WGBH News
Kevin White's tenure as mayor was a time of tumultuous race relations in Boston. These exclusive WGBH videos show key moments when White, who died Friday, tried to negotiate those tensions. 
Governing

Deval Patrick Talks 'Three Strikes' And Tim Murray


By Adam Reilly
Among the highlights from the governor's interview on "Greater Boston": why he doesn't like the idea of people seeing his itemized cell phone records and what he wants in a "three-strikes" law.
WGBH Local News

An Interview With Paul Cellucci


By Emily Rooney
The former governor talks about how he's feeling three years after being diagnosed with ALS. Watch the full interview online now.
Presidents

Listening In At The End Of JFK's Life


By WGBH News
On Tuesday, the JFK Library and Museum released the final 45 hours of Kennedy's secret White House recordings for anyone to hear and download.
State of the Commonwealth

Health Care Costs, Community Colleges Top Governor's Address


By Sarah Birnbaum
We have full text and audio of this year's State of the State, in which Gov. Deval Patrick called for stronger community colleges, lower health care costs and passage of the three-strikes bill.
War & Conflict

Lt. Gov. Murray: Hire Vets!


MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY
By Will Roseliep
Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said that hiring veterans isn't a question of charity: It's good for business.
Election 2012

Conroy Endorses Warren After Leaving Senate Race


WARREN GRILLED AT DEMS DEBATE
By Adam Reilly
Wayland State Rep. Tom Conroy called Elizabeth Warren "a very strong candidate" in the race for Senate — a race he left on Dec. 12.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Can Gingrich Win New Hampshire?


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Adam Reilly
With the N.H. primary just around the corner, how much of a threat does Newt Gingrich’s recent surge in the polls pose to Mitt Romney’s presidential hopes? Adam Reilly of WGBH's "Greater Boston" went north to find out.
Commentary

Frank Not 'The Gay Congressman'


MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW
FRANK ON REDISTRICTING, COMING OUT AND HIS PLANS
By WGBH News
One observer said Barney Frank set an example for young LGBT politicians because he was open about his sexual orientation but it didn't define him.
Commentary

Dukakis On Gridlock, Influence And His 1988 Campaign


BARNEY FRANK TALKS TO WGBH NEWS
By Jordan Weinstein
WGBH News takes a critical look at the changing political landscape with former Mass. Gov. and past presidential candidate Michael Dukakis.
Election 2012

'Obamacare' Is 'Romneycare,' Economist Says


By WGBH News
An MIT economist who helped craft President Barack Obama’s affordable care act told WGBH News that like it or not, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is the “hero of national health care reform.”
Local Politics

Transgender Bill Passes House Despite Republican Opposition


By Sarah Birnbaum & Wires
Republicans voiced their opposition, but a bill designed to protect the rights of transgender people in the workplace passed the Mass. House Tuesday.
Boston

Seniors Rally For Social Security


By Cristina Quinn
A crowd of 3000 took center stage at the Wang Theatre to rally against the Congressional supercommittee’s proposed cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Boston

Election A 'Game-Changer' For Boston Communities Of Color


CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW: PRESSLEY IN THE STUDIO
By WGBH News
Incumbent Ayanna Pressley countered all predictions by topping the ticket for the Boston City Council At Large race. It's a sign, some political observers said, that the city's minorities have real power.
LOCAL NEWS

Police Say Conditions Were Icy At Lt. Gov. Car Crash Site


By Sarah Birnbaum
The preliminary Mass. State Police report on Lt. Gov. Tim Murray's Wednesday-morning crash backed up Murray's claim that ice caused him to lose control of the car.
POLITICS

Olver And Khazei Faced Likely Defeat, Analysts Say


WGBH NEWS: KHAZEI DROPS OUT; OLVER TO RETIRE
By WGBH News
The state's redistricting plan will likely combine the western Mass. and Worcester Congressional regions — and experts think that made long-time Rep. John Olver choose retirement over running for re-election.
POLITICS

Jill Stein Pulls Obama From The Left


"GREATER BOSTON": JILL STEIN AT HOME
By Sarah Birnbaum
A former Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate is seeking the Green Party's nomination for president, vowing to challenge President Barack Obama from the left on jobs, foreclosures and health care.
CAMPAIGN CHECK-IN

Council Candidates Weigh In On Activism And Education


CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW: BOSTON COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, PART 1
CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW: BOSTON COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, PART 2
By WGBH News
Schools and community activism topped the list for three Boston City Council At-Large candidates in a radio roundtable at WGBH.
American Experience

Jimmy Carter


WATCH
American Experience looks at Jimmy Carter's rapid ascent in politics, dramatic fall from grace and unexpected resurrection.
Local Politics

$30.5 Budget Plan Includes Deep Cuts

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick unveiled a lean budget Wednesday. The $30.5 billion spending plan includes deep cuts in human services and other state programs.  
Local Politics

Two Mass. Prisons May Close


By Adam Reilly
You'd expect the closure of two state prisons to be big news, but the possibility leaked in Wednesday in remarkably low-key fashion. After the governor's press conference on his 2012 budget,  Administration and Finance Secretary Jay Gonzalez mentioned two coming prison shut-downs.
Boston

Turner Sentenced To Three Years In Prison


By Jess Bidgood and Sarah Birnbaum
Ex.-City Councilor Chuck Turner has been sentenced to serve three years in prison after his conviction on corruption charges in October.
Local Politics

Senate Bill Outlines Proposed Parole Reforms

By Sarah Birnbaum
A bipartisan group of Massachusetts senators is calling for reform of the state's parole system following the fatal shooting of a Woburn police officer, allegedly by a violent career criminal out on parole.
Local Politics

Despite Scrutiny, Jeff Perry Gets Top Police Job


LISTEN: MORE FROM THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Sean Corcoran
Jeffrey Perry has a new job. The former state representative ran unsuccessfully on the GOP ticket for the 10th Congressional District -- and now he'll be the Special Sheriff for Barnstable county, months after his law enforcement record was scrutinized during the campaign.
Government

Council Digs Into Duffly At SJC Confirmation Hearing

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Nominee Fernande Duffly got a bumpy reception at her confirmation hearing on Wednesday.   DUFFLY'S SJC NOMINATION BREAKS RACIAL BARRIER
Local Politics

At The State House, Lawmakers Reflect On Security

By Sarah Birnbaum
Flags are flying at half-staff outside the State House in observation of the attempted assassination of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords as lawmakers reflect on their own security concerns. LAWMAKERS WEIGH SECURITY, ACCESSIBILITY
Government

Tsongas: Shooting Puts Democracy At Risk


MASS. CONGRESSMEN REACT TO SHOOTING
By Jess Bidgood
When Rep. Niki Tsongas learned Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had been shot while meeting with constituents in Tuscon, she was holding a similar meeting of her own. Now she's worried about what happens when people don't feel safe meeting with their representatives.
Local Politics

Mass. Congressmen Hope For Giffords' Recovery


By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts colleagues of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords are expressing shock and sadness after she and nineteen others were shot in Tuscon this weekend.
Local Politics

State House, Senate Kick Off Session


WATCH LIVE: GOV. PATRICK'S INAUGURATION
By Sarah Birnbaum
The governor is awaiting the formal start of his second term with his inauguration Thursday afternoon — but for Massachusetts' legislators, the year has already begun.
Local Politics

Gov. Patrick Opens His Second Term


HEAR THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS
By Jess Bidgood
It's official: With the completion of his inauguration ceremony, Gov. Deval Patrick's second term has begun. Patrick's inaugural speech touted the successes of his first administration and called on the state to approach its economic challenges with a mixture of optimism and a willingness to make difficult choices.
BEACON HILL

Mass. GOP Says They'll Make A Mark On New Session


By Sarah Birnbaum
Wednesday begins a new legislative session on Beacon Hill.  As Gov. Patrick swears in the members of the 187th Massachusetts Legislature, the chamber will look a little less blue than in recent years.
Local Politics

Gov. Will Cut Legislative Salaries

By Phillip Martin
There is little opposition to Gov. Deval Patrick's plan to shrink the paychecks of the state's legislators -- except for some lawmakers and watchdogs who say the cuts aren't big enough.
Local Politics

Judge Hears Extra Testimony Against Wilkerson


By Sarah Birnbaum
During what was meant to be sentencing day for former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, a U.S. district judge heard testimony from a developer who said she solicited bribes from him. The prosecution hoped this would increase Wilkerson's sentence -- but the judge didn't seem convinced.
Local Politics

SJC Nomination Breaks Another Racial Barrier


By Sarah Birnbaum
Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday nominated appeals court judge Nan Duffly to be the next associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Duffly is Asian-American. 
Local Politics

Representatives Line Up For Redistricting Battle


MASS. WILL LOSE 1 CONGRESSIONAL SEAT
By Phillip Martin
Members of Massachusetts'  10-person congressional delegation are staking claims to their seats after the news that the state will only have nine seats when this term is over. 
Local Politics

Mass. Loses Congressional Seat


AFTER CENSUS, A RESHAPED U.S. POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
By Jess Bidgood
The state of Massachusetts will lose one congressional seat as the seats in the 435-member House are reapportioned to reflect population changes shown by the 2010 Census. 


City Council Roundup

Big Changes For City Council As Year Ends


By Jess Bidgood
The race for Chuck Turner's empty seat on the Boston City Council begins as the body's president ends his term and a new member settles in. 
Government

Mass. Tax Revenue Will Grow -- But Not Enough

By Sarah Birnbaum
Economists are predicting Massachusetts revenue will grow by as much as $700 million next year, a 5 percent gain over 2010.
CUTS PREDICTED AS MASS. FACES $2B GAP
Local Politics

DeLeo: Casinos Will Be On The Docket

By Sarah Birnbaum
House Speaker Robert Deleo says casinos are on the agenda in the upcoming legislative session after a bill failed at the last minute this past summer.
WGBH SPECIAL REPORT: THE LAST RESORT
Local Politics

Intriguing, Intense Race Gives Patrick Second Term


By Phillip Martin
WGBH's senior reporter Phillip Martin took a look at some of the highlights of the 2010 gubernatorial contest that produced last night’s results.
Government

Ireland Confirmed As State's Chief Justice


SJC CHIEF CONFIRMATION HEARING FOCUSES ON PROBATION
By Jess Bidgood
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has a new chief justice. Rodrick L. Ireland, previously the court's senior associate justice, was unanimously confirmed for the position early Wednesday afternoon
Local Politics

Capuano: 'Where Is The Compromise?'

Rep. Michael Capuano is criticizing President Obama for what he says was the failure to play hardball with Congressional Republicans on a tax deal announced Tuesday.
HEAR THE INTERVIEW
Government

State Leaders Push Plans For Probation Dept. Reform

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Governor and top lawmakers say they will reform the state's troubled probation department in the new year -- with parallel plans coming from both the Legislature and the Judiciary.
SJC ORDERS DISMISSAL OF PROBATION COMMISSIONER
LAWMAKERS ON THE HOT SEAT AFTER PROBATION REPORT
Local Politics

Brown Supports Repeal Of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'


By Jess Bidgood
Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown -- the lone Republican in the state's Congressional delegation -- supports the repeal of military's so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
Government

Probation Center Stage At SJC Chief's Confirmation Hearing


By Sarah Birnbaum
The Governor's Council is making its final considerations on State Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee Roderick Ireland after Ireland fielded questions during a confirmation hearing Wednesday.
Local Politics

Patrick: Probation Dept. Is Isolated Problem


WATCH THE SHOW
By Adam Reilly
Patrick is defending the right of elected officials to recommend people for jobs in state government -- even though that practice is at the center of the Probation Department controversy.
Local Politics

Brown Pushes For Pro-Business Policies Over Breakfast


By Sarah Birnbaum
Sen. Scott Brown, Massachusetts' lone Republican Congressional delegate, advocated for pro-business policies and job creation at a Boston Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Monday.
CRITICAL MASS: ADAM REILLY ON POLITICS

Coakley Gets An Opponent


By Adam Reilly

One of the biggest surprises of this year's MA elections was that--despite Scott Brown's win over Martha Coakley in that hugely hyped US Senate election earlier this year--the state GOP couldn't get anyone to run against Coakley for the AG's job this fall. Until now.

CRITICAL MASS: ADAM REILLY ON POLITICS

No Free Pass For Coakley

By Adam Reilly

One of the biggest surprises of this year's MA elections was that--despite Scott Brown's win over Martha Coakley in that hugely hyped US Senate election earlier this year--the state GOP couldn't get anyone to run against Coakley for the AG's job this fall.

CRITICAL MASS: ADAM REILLY ON POLITICS

What The MA Primaries Mean

Massachusetts didn't provide much electoral drama on primary night, but we did offer a test case in whether anti-Washington sentiment can fuel Democrats as well as Republicans. And the answer seems to be: not really.

Economy

Rough Waters: Port Clyde


By Rachel Gotbaum

Rachel Gotbaum profiles the historic fishing village of Port Clyde Maine--one of only three commercial groundfishing ports left in the state and where a group of fishermen are determined to save their fishery by trying some unorthodox ways of doing business.

The hits and the highlights from WGBH

Stay in the know about upcoming shows, special events, discounts, and more!
See a sample »