WriteWhale

Why the T can’t escape its recurring budget crises. And why it doesn’t have to be this way. - The Boston Globe Experts point to changes in taxes, tolls, RMV fees as possibilities to fund the MBTA's budget.

Driving in Massachusetts is heavily subsidized, costing taxpayers billions, yet roads get little scrutiny. Our Harvard study shows Crossrail would save riders billions and support housing. It’s time to rethink how we spend on transportation. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/10/m...

Officials urge vaccination after 7th child dies from the flu in Mass. this flu season - The Boston Globe More than 250 adults have also died from flu-related causes, officials said.

A seventh child has died from influenza-related causes in Massachusetts. The state's public health commissioner said last month that there is a "simple, effective, and available way to address these concerns: vaccines."

In the face of efforts to erase parts of US history, Massachusetts must take a stand As the federal government creates gaps in the record, we can support organizations filling the voids with voices from the past and present who speak to the core values of the Declaration of Independence...

ICYMI: In the face of efforts to erase parts of US history, Massachusetts must take a stand #OPINION

If we are going to stave off the scourges of authoritarianism globally, our politics need to center the working class.

Don’t Let Trump Fool You. The Economy Is Bad, and He Is to Blame. The Trump administration’s efforts to distract from the bad economy just divert attention from one dumpster fire to another.

The economy couldn’t be better for the wealthy & well-connected—and Epstein-class billionaire donors are making more than ever.

But most of us are struggling to pay for groceries, rent, and healthcare. Thanks to this rigged economy, we’re getting screwed.

👇👇

AOC: "Extreme level of wealth inequality leads to social instability and drives authoritarianism, right-wing populism, and really dangerous domestic internal politics. That is a direct outcome of the failure of democracies over decades to deliver."

German Officials Needle Trump at Munich Security Conference Friedrich Merz, the chancellor of Germany, said that under President Trump, the United States’ claim to global leadership “has been challenged, and possibly squandered.”

Friedrich Merz, the chancellor of Germany, said that under President Trump, the U.S.’s claim to global leadership “has been challenged, and possibly squandered.” "The culture war of the MAGA movement is not ours,” he said.

@worcestermainfo.bsky.social
#Worcester #CentralMA

1st Annual North Hadley Asparagus Days: A New Spring Festival Rooted in Valley Agriculture - Hilltown Families The North Hadley Asparagus Days festival makes its lively debut at the North Hadley Sugar Shack, uniting local food, farmers, vendors, and music in a joyful celebration of the region’s agricultural ro...

Mark your calendars for the 1st annual North Hadley Asparagus Days, making its debut at the North Hadley Sugar Shack, uniting local food, farmers, vendors, and music in a joyful celebration of the region’s agricultural roots. #asparagus #westernmass

Senator Ed Markey at work

Thousands of Kids!

“Trump’s DHS is detaining thousands of immigrant children across the country in horrifyingly cruel conditions.

Kids are being separated from their families, their schools, and their communities.

This is heartbreaking and unacceptable.”

#Massachusetts
Senator
Ed Markey

I am calling on ICE to immediately release Seamus Culleton. It is appalling that Seamus has remained in detention for 5 months in dire conditions, away from his family. As a spouse of a U.S. citizen with strong Massachusetts ties, there is no justification for keeping him detained. Release him now.

MA governor on ICE: “I support them” Maura Healey declines to end state’s partnership with ICE

#Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who is up for reelection this year, will forcefully criticize ICE and the Trump administration—what she won't do is stop working with them.

My latest for @lukeoneil47.bsky.social's Hell World.

#mapoli

Congressman Moulton is excited to announce he will be joined at this year's State of the Union by Marcelo Gomes da Silva, an 18-year-old high school student from Massachusetts. moulton.house.gov/news/press-r...

A black-capped chickadee perches on a snowy branch facing away from the camera to show its wing and tail feathers. But its head is tilted right to show the black cap that goes down to its eyes and beak.

My state bird, the black-capped chickadee, counts as an #EverydayBird in Massachusetts. #BirdOfTheDay #birds #chickadees #backyardbirds #birdphotography #EastCoastKin #nature 🪶

Opinion | ICE Is on a Dark Path. Congress Must Act Now. Congress must stand firm against President Trump’s assault on the rule of law.

In @nytopinion.nytimes.com

Too often over the past year, the Department of Homeland Security’s behavior has been lawless, the editorial board writes. “The current crisis isn’t just a test of the balance of powers. It’s a test of the Bill of Rights.”

Donald Trump promised to “rapidly bring down costs.” Instead, Massachusetts families have seen prices skyrocket. Here are the details:

The couple married on the field during Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show had invited the Puerto Rican singer to their wedding, but instead received an invitation to appear onstage with him. Bad Bunny served as a witness and signed the couple's marriage certificate.

Read more: nyti.ms/4km2bf4

It was joyful

Of all life's blessings, none are cheaper or more easily dispensed than smiles. Let us not, then, be too chary of them, but scatter them freely as we go; for life is too short to be frowned away. ~Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1873

Good game, Governor Healey! I'm looking forward to enjoying some Massachusetts seafood and coffee.

I love the humor and tradition

‘Absolute hell’: Irishman with valid US work permit held by Ice since September Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record

‘He was carrying a Massachusetts driving licence and a valid work permit issued by the US government when he was pulled over by Ice on the way home from work in September.’

www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...

#BadBunny

Opinion | Now We Know What All Those People Got From Epstein He knew how to give self-important people what they thought they deserved.

In @nytopinion.nytimes.com

The latest Epstein files release shows how he won favor and friendships, Molly Jong-Fast writes in a guest essay. “It’s the record of what a global class of very privileged, accomplished and self-important people want to get gifted.”

Opinion | The Real Threat Isn’t Trump. It’s the MAGA Apparatus. The round table convenes to debate whether we need to worry about the midterms being free and fair.

In @nytopinion.nytimes.com

By loudly pushing to nationalize elections, Trump is “already laying the groundwork for claiming that every Republican loss is a fraud and needs to be overturned — or, if nothing else, just cause massive civil disruption,” Michelle Cottle says on “The Opinions.”

Man Pleads Guilty to Arson in 2019 Attack on Tennessee Civil Rights Center The man also pleaded guilty this week to a charge of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, Hezbollah.

A Tennessee man with ties to white supremacist groups pleaded guilty to arson in federal court on Friday for a 2019 attack that destroyed the offices of a social justice center connected to Rosa Parks and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., according to court records.

Calling all residents 55 and up! @agestrong.boston.gov is hosting free cost-saving clinics to help lower everyday expenses, from food to home repair.

Our next clinic is tomorrow at BCYF Paris 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Go to boston.gov/costsavings for more info and the full schedule.

A man in a stadium stands holding an American flag that says "APOLOGIES TO THE WORLD FOR OUR BAD BEHAVIOR, WE WILL FIX OURSELVES!" A headline reads: "At the Winter Olympics, Team USA Can't Escape The Politics at Home" Photo by Vincent Alban/The New York Times

Opposition to President Trump’s policies abroad and at home has followed the U.S. Olympic team to Italy, forcing athletes, coaches and American fans to respond to — or sidestep — the backlash. trib.al/sKjBCfN

Horrifying