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CommonWealth Beacon's Jennifer Smith is joined by Senator Jo Comerford to discuss higher education policy, including the free community college measure in the state budget, as well as the full range of programs that support students, and the role of higher education in economic development and public life.

Doubling down on higher education This week on the Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon's Jennifer Smith is joined by Massachusetts Sen. Jo Comerford to discuss higher education policy, including the free community college measure in the stat

NEW REPORT: Adults with limited English skills comprise one-tenth of the commonwealth’s workforce. This makes English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) services key to the Massachusetts economy. Produced in partnership with the UMass Donahue Institute, this study catalogs the potential benefits of increasing public investment in ESOL and offers guidance on how Massachusetts can develop an actionable strategy to make high-quality ESOL services broadly available to residents throughout the state. This report was made possible by the support of Eastern Bank.

Massachusetts Needs an Actionable Strategy to Expand ESOL Services - MassINC This study catalogs potential benefits of increasing public investment in ESOL services in Massachusetts and how the state can develop actionable strategies

CommonWealth Beacon's Bruce Mohl is joined by Alicia Barton, CEO of Vineyard Offshore, to discuss the Vineyard Wind 1 and 2 projects, and the challenges facing offshore wind development. https://buff.ly/4dcjCtW

Listen to the latest from The Horse Race and follow for the latest insights on Massachusetts politics and polling 🎧

Episode 310: Tripping Polls This week on The Horse Race, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Bhaamati Borkhetaria talks to Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith about the ballot measure proposing to legalize medical psychedelic drugs in Mas

Our newest report explores small business lending services provided by federally certified Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) and state-certified Community Development Corporations (CDCs). Read Community Capital for Small Businesses here:

Community Capital for Small Businesses - MassINC Prepared in partnership with P2 Advisors, this new study explores small business lending services provided by federally certified Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) and state certified Community Development Corporations (CDCs). Through a survey of 22 CDFIs and CDCs, we find these org...

ICYMI: Our latest Gateway Cities Journal gives our take on the long overdue attention to school integration in Massachusetts and how are primed to lead on this critical issue.

Follow the lead of Gateway Cities on school integration - MassINC Follow the lead of Massachusetts Gateway Cities on school integration. Gateway Cities leaders have long sought to increase integration in public schools...

This week's Codcast: CommonWealth Beacon's Jennifer Smith talks to Amy Schectman, President and CEO of 2Life Communities, about the challenges of providing supportive and community-based housing for low-income elders.

Join MassINC, UMass Donahue Institute & English for New Bostonians on 7/24 for a conversation on how the Commonwealth’s ESOL delivery system can respond strategically to the growth in immigration, labor market change, and new modes of instruction coming out of the pandemic. Click here to learn more and RSVP: https://buff.ly/3W7z1Vx

New week, new Codcast 🎙️ Congressman Seth Moulton talks to CommonWealth Beacon's Bruce Mohl about his support for the proposed Rail Link that would allow trains to run between Boston's North and South Stations, and why he believes it would revolutionize travel across all of Massachusetts.

Moulton explains "transformative" Rail Link This week on the Codcast, Congressman Seth Moulton talks to CommonWealth Beacon's Bruce Mohl about his support for the proposed Rail Link that would allow trains to run between Boston's North and Sout

New Codcast: John McDonough of the TH Chan School and Paul Hattis of the Lown Institute are joined by Lauren Peters, executive director of the MA Center for Health Information and Analysis. They discuss the center's role in informing public policy discussions, its involvement in the Steward saga, and significant trends in MA health care. Listen here

Massachusetts health care by the numbers This week on The Codcast, John McDonough of the TH Chan School and Paul Hattis of the Lown Institute are joined by Lauren Peters, executive director of the MA Center for Health Information and Analysi

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The Download Take the Bay State’s pulse with CommonWealth Beacon’s daily newsletter, the Download. Every morning, we curate the top stories, analyses, and opinions on CommonWealth Beacon and across the Massachusetts media landscape, featuring an original piece of reporting each day.

The increasing diversity of students in Massachusetts makes growing a diverse educator workforce a critical policy goal for the Commonwealth. 's Educators on the Hill Day showed that teachers want inequitable barriers removed

We were proud to see over 100 education leaders at our Educators on the Hill Day this week. Advocating for the Educator Diversity Act was the primary purpose of the event, and our policymakers got to hear firsthand the difference diverse educators make in our students and families lives.

Read the full press release here: https://hubs.la/Q02BS3rD0

The power of was on full display at a Northern Essex Community College ceremony celebrating over 500 high schoolers graduating with 8,000+ college credits combined. "Early College gave us the tools to be successful in all areas of our lives" shared one student.

Ceremony Honors NECC's Early College Students - Northern Essex More than 500 graduating seniors from 22 local high schools earned college credits in addition to their high school diplomas this year as participants in Northern Essex Community College’s Early College Program.

Great news! Schools in Western Massachusetts including receive a major boost with new EPA grants for electric school buses. Learn more

Federal funds heading to Amherst, Holyoke for purchase of more than two dozen electric school buses School districts in Amherst and Holyoke are well on their way to transporting students to and from school in buses that run entirely on clean energy.The two districts were among 17 in Massachusetts to secure portions of $42 million in federal funding...

🚨 We're hiring!🚨 is seeking a mission-driven Editor with a passion for local government, digital media, and rigorous public service journalism to lead the next phase of growth and impact for the organization. More details here: https://buff.ly/4e59bcQ

🚌 Sunday bus service for in SE Mass is now permanent! Thanks to New Bedford, Fall River, and other munis voting to approve. State budget $$ could make free fares and other long-term service expansions possible. Read more: https://buff.ly/4b19KS4

New Bedford, Fall River say they support extra funding for permanent Sunday SRTA bus service - The New Bedford Light New Bedford and Fall River say they support extra funding for permanent Sunday bus service in SRTA’s next budget. But free fares could soon end.

This week's Codcast: CommonWealth Beacon's Jennifer Smith is joined by Jen Healy, rural transit program manager for the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation, to talk about the role and kinds of micro-transit across state transportation systems.

Microtransit and rural accessibility This week on The Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon's Jennifer Smith is joined by Jen Healy, Rural Transit Program Manager for the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation, to talk about the place o

Sign up for our newsletters to stay informed on the latest MassINC happenings, report releases, events, and Gateway Cities Journal editions ✉️ https://buff.ly/3I6ke6x

Help us select this year's Innovators for the 12th Annual Innovation Institute Awards & Summit! 🏆 Nominate individuals or programs that are making a positive impact on housing in Gateway Cities. Submit nominees here:

12th Annual Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards & Summit: Innovation Award Nomination Form This year marks the 12th anniversary of MassINC's Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards & Summit, a conference aimed at sharing best practices among Gateway Cities and celebrating individuals, organizations, and businesses that exemplify the innovative spirit of these regional hubs. We're looki...

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Listen to the latest The Horse Race episode for a special farewell to cohost Lisa Kashinsky, local reactions to Biden's border decision, and new state polling.

Episode 306: Lisa's Last Rodeo This week on The Horse Race, Lisa Kashinsky bids farewell to Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith before riding off into the sunset of national election coverage. But along the way, they discuss Massachus

ICYMI, last week's Journal offers hot takes on economic development, the housing bond bill, and the Student Opportunity Act https://buff.ly/4aWpIwN
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Like the Celtics, Gateway City legislators are working to finish strong - MassINC As the Celtics quietly steeled themselves for the final stage of the banner 18 quest, legislative activity on Beacon Hill reached a crescendo this week. The budget process moved to conference committee, the housing bond bill got its first floor votes, and the joint committee on economic development....

JOB OPPORTUNITY: is seeking an outstanding, mission-driven Editor with a passion for local government, digital media, and rigorous public service journalism to lead the next phase of growth and impact for the organization. More details here: https://buff.ly/4e59bcQ

Are you subscribed to 's daily newsletter, The Download? Sign up here to stay informed on the latest happenings in Massachusetts politics and civic life. https://buff.ly/41V8hKn

We're gearing up for the 12th Annual Innovation Institute Awards & Summit and need your help finding nominees for the Innovation Award. If you know individuals or programs making a positive impact on housing in Gateway Cities, let us know!

12th Annual Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards & Summit: Innovation Award Nomination Form This year marks the 12th anniversary of MassINC's Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards & Summit, a conference aimed at sharing best practices among Gateway Cities and celebrating individuals, organizations, and businesses that exemplify the innovative spirit of these regional hubs. We're looki...

Exciting news for City of Springfield, MA - Office of Communications! Rep. Richard Neal's $41M boost to Union Station's streetscape is a significant investment in revitalizing the area's infrastructure and community spaces.

Streets near Union Station get $4M rehab Work beginning in 2025 is meant to spur visits and private investment in the city.