Five years ago, Brockton could buy a fire truck for $631K. Now, the next two would cost more than $1M EACH, $2.3M total. Officials cite consolidation, reduced competition, demand and lingering supply-chain issues. Delivery times can stretch to 5 years.

The Sagamore Bridge replacement is moving full steam ahead. Mass has authorized $956M in federal funding, with another $371M expected in Oct., $1.327B total. The funding clears the way for the RFP stage, with 3 joint ventures competing for the project. The state expects to award the contract in ‘27.

After a stormy weekend, the Boston region isn’t done with the nor’easter yet. More rain and wind are expected Monday, though conditions should be less intense. Coastal flood advisories and flood watches remain in effect overnight, with drier, sunnier and warmer weather arriving Tuesday. Stay safe

🚨 Harvard University in Cambridge received a bomb threat Monday morning at Memorial Hall. The area around Memorial Hall and Science Center Plaza is being avoided, and Memorial Hall is closed until further notice. Cambridge police are assisting Harvard University Police with the response.

Boston is suing the Trump administration to recover $20 million in federal funding withdrawn last year. The money was earmarked for street upgrades in Roxbury, including roadway safety, traffic flow, public transit and accessibility along three major thoroughfares.

OMB's rare 'pocket rescission' targets refugee and housing programs nationwide as Massachusetts also absorbs a denied blizzard aid appeal #MaPoli #Massachusetts massachusettsintel.substack.com/p/federal-cu...

Federal Cuts Compound as Trump Administration Rescinds $1 Billion, Weeks After Denying Blizzard Aid

OMB's rare 'pocket rescission' targets refugee and housing programs nationwide as Massachusetts also absorbs a denied blizzard aid appeal

massachusettsintel.substack.com

BEING HEUMANN makes the smart decision of not being a cradle-to-grave biopic. Instead, it dramatizes and focuses on a particular period of Judy Heumann’s life: how she helped organize the 1977 Section 504 sit-ins. @ebertvoices.bsky.social buff.ly/Ykry0fw

Being Heumann review: Powerful message overcomes storytelling cliches

A film that wholeheartedly believes in the power of its story and message.

buff.ly

A nor'easter is moving in through the weekend, that means heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding possible. A few reminders to stay safe: secure loose outdoor items, avoid driving through flooded roads. Stay far away from downed power lines, and keep phones charged with flashlights ready.

Gov. Healey’s plan would redirect surplus capital gains revenue into a new health care fund and add money for food aid staffing as federal policy changes take effect. massachusettsintel.substack.com/p/healey-fil...

Healey files $2.24 billion spending bill to offset federal cuts to health care and food aid

Governor's plan would redirect surplus capital gains revenue into a new health care fund and add money for food aid staffing as federal policy changes take effect.

massachusettsintel.substack.com

Attorneys General are urging Congress to Regulate AI. Gov. Healey is doing the same. #MaPoli #Massachusetts #News massachusettsintel.substack.com/p/massachuse...

Massachusetts Joins States Urging Congress to Regulate AI as Beacon Hill Weighs its Own Rules

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell signed a 26-member coalition letter as Gov. Maura Healey presses lawmakers to add AI safety rules to a pending economic development bill.

massachusettsintel.substack.com

A possible nor'easter could bring heavy rain, strong winds, and power outages this weekend, and officials want residents to prepare now. Secure patio furniture, grills, and trash cans, test your sump pump, and make sure your generator is ready.

The Big E has canceled The Beach Boys' Sept. 24 show, the fair announced on Instagram. The lineup also included Marcy Playground, Fozzy, James McCarthy and Well Suited. Refunds will be processed automatically, with no action required. The Big E did not give a reason.

A potent coastal storm, possibly an early fall nor'easter, is expected to hit New England this weekend. Heavy rain, coastal flooding, and damaging winds could arrive late Friday and last through Sunday, with outages and flight delays possible at Logan and T.F. Green.

Massachusetts officials want ICE to explain apparent detentions in New Bedford this week. Mayor Jon Mitchell says at least eight people have been detained, and Gov. Maura Healey says locals report at least a dozen, including fathers. ICE has not confirmed or denied an operation.

Plymouth County's three commissioners have asked a judge to deny the county treasurer's request to block payment of the new county administrator's $185K salary, arguing that state law leaves the treasurer no discretion to withhold a claim already approved respectfullyno.substack.com/p/plymouth-c...

Plymouth County Commissioners Urge Judge to Reject Treasurer’s Bid to Block Administrator’s Pay

Board says the pay fits inside an approved appropriation, while two eliminated positions covered the cost

respectfullyno.substack.com

👇👇 massachusettsintel.substack.com/p/states-sue...

States Sue to Stop $1.4B in Payments to Cancel Offshore Wind Leases

Eight East Coast attorneys general argue the Trump administration is misusing a taxpayer-funded settlement account to pay developers to abandon wind projects and invest in fossil fuels instead.

massachusettsintel.substack.com

If you bought certain generic drugs from May 2009 to December 2019 you may be eligible to claim compensation. A federal judge has preliminarily approved a plan to pay consumers from about $96.5 million in settlements with drugmakers accused of fixing prices.

Gov. Maura Healey said she is filing legislation to suspend the state's gas tax for two months, cutting 24 cents a gallon off gas and diesel. Prices have climbed since the Iran war began, and AAA says diesel hit a record $6.52 Tuesday, with gas at $4.47.

Massachusetts' 2026 MCAS results show no rebound. The share of 10th graders meeting expectations in English fell 6 points for the second straight year, to 45%, down from over 60% five years ago. Grades 3–8 held roughly flat, and the slump hit nearly every type of district.

A new audit from State Auditor Diana DiZoglio found the Mass. Dept. of Unemployment Assistance broke state laws and missed federal standards from 2022 to 2024. It cites poor customer service, delayed payments, weak complaint tracking, and scarce in-person help at regional offices.

Massachusetts just missed the cut in WalletHub's 2026 Happiest States ranking, landing at No. 13. Hawaii took the top spot, followed by New Jersey, Utah, Idaho, and Maryland. The report weighed emotional and physical well-being, work environment, financial security, and community life.

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has teamed up with 10 local chefs, including Row 34's Jeremy Sewall, to feature local flounder on their menus all September. The campaign aims to boost demand for a fish whose prices have been depressed. (We’re here for it. Flounder is delicious.)

A strengthening coastal storm could bring soaking rain, strong winds, and rough surf to Massachusetts Friday through Sunday. Forecasters expect 1 to 2 inches of rain inland and up to 5 inches along the coast and Cape Cod. High winds are expected to bring issues. Plan accordingly.

Massachusetts has eradicated the Asian longhorned beetle in Shrewsbury, state officials announced Friday. The town is now out of the Central Mass. quarantine zone, following Holden last year. Crews have removed at least 30,000 trees since the beetle was found in 2008.

Former President Barack Obama is coming to the North Shore on Monday to speak with students and guests at Salem State University. The sold-out event is part of the Salem State Series, which brings nationally recognized leaders, authors, and public figures to campus.

AG Campbell announced on Sept. 15 that Mass had settled with debt collector Judgment Acquisitions Unlimited, Champion Funding Inc., and owner. The deal wipes out about $52M in debt for more than 6K consumers and permanently blocks Metcalf & his companies from running a debt collection business in MA

Massachusetts employers cut 7,100 jobs in August, the second straight monthly decline, according to federal data released Friday. July's losses were revised to 4,000 jobs.

Massachusetts has confirmed its eighth human West Nile virus case of 2026, a woman in her 30s exposed in Middlesex County. State health officials said seven of the eight cases are tied to Middlesex and Suffolk counties, where transmission risk remains high.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission began public meetings Sept. 17 on one of its largest regulatory overhauls yet. Testing protocols, medical marijuana licensing and agent training are on the table. It's the commission's third regulatory round of 2026.

In honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the USA flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag will be flown at half-staff today. The third Friday in Sept. is commemorated as National POW/MIA Recognition Day since its inception in 1979 through a proclamation signed by Pres. Jimmy Carter.