United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent two letters to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin expressing concern with the inadequate oversight provisions of a new $600 billion loan program to bail out thousands of mid-sized businesses and a new $850 billion program to bail out …

A Dominican national previously residing in Lawrence was sentenced yesterday for Social Security fraud, aggravated identity theft, and benefits fraud. Jose Miguel Baez, 43, was sentenced via videoconference by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to two years and one day in prison and two years of supervised release. …

By Katie Lannan State House News Service A bill that hospital representatives said would provide urgently needed new legal protections to health care professionals working in unprecedented situations during the COVID-19 crisis passed the state Senate on Thursday. Based on legislation Gov. Charlie Baker filed last week, the bill (S …

The Baker-Polito Administration today outlined its ongoing comprehensive strategy to address homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Administration also announced additional support for foster families and a new emergency order authorizing the creation of emergency childcare sites. Comprehensive Steps To Address Homelessness: The Baker-Polito Administration recognizes that the challenges of …

Massachusetts Coronavirus Update On April 17, the Massachusetts Public Health Department reported that the state added 2,221 more positive cases of COVID-19 bringing to total to 34,402. This is a decrease from Thursday’s 2,263 reported cases. 159 new COVID-19 related deaths were reported since yesterday, up from 137, bringing the …

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the distribution of approximately 200,000 respirator masks for all local law enforcement officers and firefighters to ensure they have the protective equipment during the COVID-19 crisis. These FDA-approved respirator masks will be distributed to all local law enforcement officers, including sheriffs and college and university …

Mayor Jon Mitchell’s office reported six additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Bedford Friday afternoon, bringing the total positive cases in the city to 180, up from 174 yesterday. The total COVID-19 related deaths in New Bedford is now at eight. Mayor Mitchell reported one new COVID-19 related death on …

Governor Charlie Baker on Thursday filed legislation to help the Commonwealth more effectively combat diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, including arboviruses like Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), by authorizing a coordinated, proactive, statewide approach to mosquito control activities. The legislation, An Act to Mitigate Arbovirus in the …

Why does Massachusetts have 25% more COVID-19 related deaths than California, a state with nearly 6 times the population? California officials credit early social distancing with making a major difference. As of Wednesday, Massachusetts reached 1,108 COVID-19 related deaths compared to California’s 889. The statistics are similar to total cases, …

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the population in jails and prisons across the state must be reduced to protect prisoners from COVID-19. As a result, about 30 individuals in Bristol County correctional facilities had their bails reduced or extinguished and are now back out in the community instead …