CommonWealth Beacon

Massachusetts voters legalized adult-use cannabis in 2016 but face a regulatory disparity where cannabis retail lacks the strict oversight applied to alcohol and tobacco. The Cannabis Control Commission has prioritized industry expansion over public safety, failing to address issues like THC potency inflation until external reports forced action.

Massachusetts lost 60% of its reporters between 2013 and 2023, creating news deserts in many areas outside Boston and lower-income regions. The article discusses efforts to address these gaps through hyperlocal newsrooms and explores challenges in Spanish-language media, public funding models, and geographic disparities in news coverage.

Ten Massachusetts communities pledged to go fossil fuel free starting in 2024, but gas companies are spending $100 million on infrastructure upgrades in these areas. The state's Gas System Enhancement Plan (GSEP) faces scrutiny for high costs and limited benefits, while gas companies argue they are legally obligated to serve customers who still use gas.

A coalition of doctors in Massachusetts argues that increasing primary care funding to 15% of total healthcare spending will improve specialty care by ensuring specialists handle appropriate cases. The proposed legislation aims to strengthen primary care without increasing overall healthcare costs, addressing a growing shortage of primary care clinicians.

Ten Massachusetts communities adopted 'fossil fuel free' policies banning gas hookups in new construction and major renovations. Despite these efforts, utilities Eversource and National Grid spent $100 million upgrading gas infrastructure in nine of these communities since the policies were enacted, primarily to replace leaky pipes under the state's Gas System Enhancement Plan.

A new poll of 850 Massachusetts homeowners reveals high overall satisfaction with homeownership in Gateway Cities despite significant financial challenges, including housing affordability pressures, risk of foreclosure, and disparities in homeownership rates among racial groups. Gateway City homeowners face higher costs for home repairs and competitive markets, with non-white and lower-income residents disproportionately affected.