Public News Service

In 2015, the Supreme Court extended marriage equality to all 50 states in Obergefell v. Hodges. A new survey reveals the vast majority of same-sex couples married for love while 75% said they also married for legal protections. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Majority of married same-sex couples say marriage equality threatened

Twenty years after Massachusetts became the first state to permit marriage equality, a majority of same-sex married couples say it had a profound …

More than 75% of Massachusetts mothers with infants also work. For those who rely on child care facilities, the majority require parents to supply a week's worth of diapers at a time or find alternative care. (Adobe Stock) <br />

MA diaper distribution program helps families make ends meet

Supporters of a federal pilot program to distribute diapers to low-income families in Massachusetts hope to build upon its success. More than 1 …

The Greater Boston Food Bank reports one in three households in Massachusetts experienced child-level food insecurity in 2022. That means a child was hungry, skipped a meal or did not eat for<br />a whole day because there wasn't enough money for food. (Adobe Stock)

Stalled Farm Bill puts pressure on MA food banks

Massachusetts food banks are struggling to keep up with demand as the Farm Bill remains stalled in Congress. The bill is renegotiated every five …

There were 45 book challenges in Massachusetts in 2022 affecting 57 titles, however no books have been banned in the state, according to the American Library Association. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Legislation aims to classify book bans as federal civil rights violations

New federal legislation would classify discriminatory book bans as violations of federal civil rights law. The Books Save Lives Act would ensure …

Massachusetts had almost 5,000 fewer early educators, on average, in 2021 than before the COVID-19 pandemic, with roughly one in three child-care centers unable to serve their full capacity statewide, according to a report from The Boston Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

MA family child care providers ease shortage, seek greater state backing

Advocates in Massachusetts say increasing the pay of smaller, family child care providers could help ease the shortage and provide economic benefits …

Wages for low- and middle-income workers in Massachusetts have not risen substantially since the late 1970s, while wages for upper-income workers have increased fourfold, making it difficult for<br />people with low incomes to cover basic needs, according to to a study by MassBudget. (Adobe Stock)<br />

MA 'baby bonds,' expanded tax credits aim to end racial wealth divide

Legislation introduced in Massachusetts aims to reduce the racial wealth gap by creating a statewide "Baby Bonds" program. It is a publicly-funded…

The Massachusetts community action agency Citizens for Citizens prepares to distribute the first shipment of diapers and other necessary supplies to low-income families through the federal government's first diaper distribution pilot program. (MASSCAP)

Diaper Pilot Program Aims to Keep Families Healthy, Working

Massachusetts groups will be part of a new federal pilot program to help low-income families ensure they have the diapers they need to keep both babie…

The 2023 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows 31% of Latino children and 18% of African-American children in Massachusetts live in poverty, compared to 7% of white children.<br />(Adobe Stock)

MA Part of Growing State Movement for Expanded Tax Credits

Massachusetts is on track to become the eighteenth state this year to enact targeted tax credits to help alleviate childhood poverty. New polling …

Families receiving advanced Child Tax Credit payments were nearly three times more likely to catch up on rent after falling behind early in the pandemic, according to the group Children's HealthWatch. (Adobe Stock)

MA Lawmakers Work to Enhance Tax Credits for Working Families

As state lawmakers in Massachusetts debate the final details of tax legislation, community groups are urging them to include refundable tax credits …

Rates of severe maternal morbidity for people with disabilities -- including intellectual, vision, and mobility-related disabilities -- were found to be significantly higher between 2011 and 2020 than those for people without disabilities, according to the Department of Public Health. (Adobe Stock)

Report Shows Steep Decline in MA Maternal Health

Racial and gender inequities in Massachusetts have contributed to a steep decline in maternal health, according to a new report. The Department of …

The child care crisis is costing the American economy $122 billion a year in lost earnings, productivity and tax revenue and putting great stress on parents, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Inaccessible, Unaffordable Child Care Hurts MA Families

Massachusetts ranks first in the nation for education and children's health but a lack of quality child care poses great challenges for families…

Research shows children who live in households that receive the Earned Income Tax Credit have better school performance, greater college enrollment and increased work and income in adulthood. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Push for 'Tax Fairness' with Expanded Child Tax Credits

As Massachusetts lawmakers work to finalize tax-relief measures, advocates for low-income families are calling for an expansion of tax credits proven …

Fewer than half of transition-age young people received one or more of the federally funded foster-care services meant to prepare them for success as adults between 2013 and 2021, according to a report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Fewer Youth Transition Out of MA Foster Care System

The number of children transitioning out of the foster care system has dropped significantly in Massachusetts, according to a new report. The number …

Community action agencies help families with housing assistance in Massachusetts, where a critical shortage of affordable rental homes often forces low-income households to forgo other necessities<br />such as healthy food and medical care to pay the rent. (Adobe Stock)

Community Action Month Honors Agencies Across Commonwealth

Community action agencies in the Commonwealth are working with state lawmakers to ensure funding of their work to alleviate poverty continues…

Elementary students who spend more than two hours a day on screens are more likely to have emotional, social and attention problems, while students who have screens in their bedrooms tend to perform worse on academic tests than do those who do not. (Adobe Stock)

Screen-Free Week Challenges Families to Power Down, Reconnect

Starting today, families throughout Massachusetts will swap their digital entertainment for the annual challenge of "Screen-Free Week." The global …

Data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows Massachusetts has four counties in the top 20 list of most expensive places for child care, including Middlesex and Norfolk counties, where families pay more than $26,000 annually in child care expenses. (Adobe Stock)

MA Bill Would Let Candidates Use Campaign Funds for Child Care

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill to allow candidates seeking state or local office to use campaign funds for child care. Child care is …

Nearly 60% of Massachusetts' incarcerated population is Black - but Black residents make up less than 20% of the Commonwealth's population, according to the Democracy Behind Bars Coalition. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Bills Aim to Restore Vote for People Incarcerated for Felony Convictions

Lawmakers in the Commonwealth are considering legislation to restore voting rights for people incarcerated on felony convictions. One bill would …

Roughly 30,000 individuals across the Commonwealth access the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites, resulting in $60 million in tax credits for taxpayers each year. (Adobe Stock)

Bill to Expand Tax Credits Draws on Children's Health Data

A bill to increase tax credits in the Commonwealth is backed up by research showing the credits lead to better nutrition for working families and bett…

Callers to the newly launched Abortion Legal Hotline at 833-309-6301 can leave specific call-back or messaging instructions and someone will call or message that person back within two to three business days to gather information about the caller's legal questions. (Adobe Stock)

MA Launches Free Legal Advice Hotline Regarding Abortion Care

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office has announced the launch of a new hotline for abortion-care providers and people seeking confidential lega…

Cambridge parent and Baby University graduate Shirley Elliott learned about her daughter Asira's emotional, physical and cognitive-linguistic growth in the course, setting her up for success in school and later in life. (Elliott)

'Baby University' Offers Life Skills, Community to New Parents in Need

Parenting was challenging even before the COVID pandemic, but a unique program in Cambridge teaches new parents the skills they need to nurture their …

A University of Massachusetts study showed an uptick in sports betting in recent years is due partly to the increase in states that allow it, from 10 in 2019, to 30 in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Kids' Exposure to Sports Betting a Risky Gamble in MA

Young people in the Commonwealth were already exposed to sports betting even before it was made legal last month. So, what will Massachusetts do to …

In a new Harvard Graduate School of Education study, more than half of fathers report they're getting to know their children better. (digitalskillet1/Adobe Stock)

Report: Pandemic Brings Fathers and Children Closer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- As families deal with the stresses of working and parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Harvard Graduate School of …

Groups that promote unity and social harmony are encouraging Americans to find ways to connect despite social distancing. (#WeavingCommunity)

Online Campaign Aims to Weave Community During COVID-19 Crisis

BOSTON -- A new online campaign called #WeavingCommunity aims to confront the social crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their website…

The phones have been ringing at the Massachusetts State House, and frustrated parents on the other end of the line have convinced their lawmakers some big changes are needed in kids' health care. (Daderot/Wikipedia)

Massachusetts House to Vote on Child Health-Care Bill

BOSTON – The Massachusetts House votes today on sweeping legislation that aims to make it easier for young people and their families to navigate…

Despite rallies and demonstrations, Massachusetts workers are slated to lose time-and-a-half pay once their contracts expire under a new state law. (UFCW)

Food and Commercial Workers Angry About Losing Time-and-a-Half Pay

BOSTON — There's mixed reaction over legislation signed by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker last week, which raises the state's minimum wage to …

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is hearing this week from his counterparts in more than 20 states. (Wikimedia Commons)

Mass. AG to Sessions: Stop Draconian Border Policy

BOSTON – A coalition of state attorneys general, including Maura Healy in Massachusetts, sent a letter on Tuesday to U.S. Attorney General Jeff …

Massachusetts has a large number of job opportunities for veterans compared with many other states. (rawpixel.com)

Vets Do Better in Mass., NH, Maine Than Most Other States

BOSTON – While Memorial Day was a day to honor military veterans, barbecue, shop for sales, or maybe take a motorcycle ride, some vets are …

Experts say in-person family visits with people who are in jail or prison help reduce recidivism. (Boardhead [CC BY-SA 3.0)]/Wikimedia Commons)

MA Criminal Justice Bill Aims to Protect In-Person Jail Visits

BOSTON – Maintaining contact with family is important to the wellbeing of people who are incarcerated, and a bill in the state legislature …

Parents and educators who are concerned about high-stakes testing are expected to give their side to lawmakers at a hearing tomorrow (Tuesday) in Boston. (Pinterest)

"Rethinking" MA High-Stakes Testing

BOSTON -- Educators, parents and others concerned about public education will be testifying before legislators Tuesday to show their support for a …

The Trump administration statement that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program will remain in force is welcome news for thousands of young people in Massachusetts, but immigrant advocates say more needs to be done. (A. Ameny/Flckr)

DACA Decision Called "Band-aid" Fix, Not Solution

BOSTON -- On the campaign trail, a key promise on immigration from candidate Donald Trump was that he would revoke the Deferred Action for Childhood …

A national model program, the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative is being credited for a major drop in the number of young people being held in secure detention in Massachusetts. (Department of Youth Services)

MA Drops Number of Youth in Secure Detention

BOSTON — The number of Bay State kids being held in secure detention while awaiting court dates has dropped by more than 50 percent over eight y…

Animal-rescue advocates in New England are putting the word out ahead of the Easter holiday; rabbits should not be impulse purchases. (E. Hartman).

Solid Reasons to Stick to Chocolate Bunnies, Avoid Impulse Pet Purchases

BOSTON – A real, live bunny may seem like a cute, cuddly Easter gift for a little one, but animal-welfare groups are cautioning Bay Staters to …

A new report credits Massachusetts for being ahead of the curve in closing down many youth detention centers. (Juvenile In Justice).

Report: Wrong Place for Bay State Kids is Behind Bars

BOSTON – Massachusetts is up to speed in following many of the recommendations set forth in a new report that recommends closing youth prisons i…

Massachusetts' high school graduation rate is just over 86 percent, but only 69 percent for students with disabilities. (Boston Public Schools)

MA Could Do More to Help Special-Needs Students Graduate

BOSTON - It's graduation time, and the Commonwealth is doing better than average in terms of high school graduation rates except in one major area…

Women lawmakers are taking the lead on a bill pending at the State House that would ensure doctor-patient confidentiality when it comes to insurance companies' explanation of benefits. (Scholars Strategy Network)

MA Women Patients Shine Light on Doctor-Patient Confidentiality Issue

BOSTON - A legislative effort led by women involves doctor-patient confidentiality. Shauna Shames, an assistant professor of political science at …

A new report says child care costs are out of reach for many families in the Bay State and the nation. (ChildCareAware)

Access Wanting in Bay State Pre-K

BOSTON – Wading through the paperwork involved in getting government help to pay for child care can be overwhelming to already overworked parent…

Whether it is riding to work, the store or just for fun, Bay Staters have plenty of riding opportunities during National Bike Month. (Mike Clifford)

Plenty of Reasons for Bay Staters to Pedal During National Bike Month

BOSTON - It's National Bike Month, offering plenty of opportunities for folks in Massachusetts to press their feet to the pedals and get on the road…

A Boston nonprofit is ditching the fancy banquet tables in favor of soapboxes Tuesday night in an event that will focus on patient-centered care. (National Institutes of Health)

Nonprofit Tosses Fancy Banquet Tables in Favor of Speaker Soapboxes

BOSTON - Forget the banquet table with expensive flowers and a fancy meal. A major Boston nonprofit is replacing that with soapboxes for speakers to …

Drink up! Older Americans, especially men, and certain ethnic groups need to drink more water to stay healthy, according to the CDC. (Mike Clifford)

CDC Advice: Most Folks Need to Drink More Water

BOSTON - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has followed up on a study done about a decade ago that looks at whether Americans are drinki…

Five percent of kids in Massachusetts grow up missing a parent who is incarcerated and a new report examines what can be done to make the experience less traumatic for children. (Matt Crampton)

69,000 Commonwealth Kids with Parents in Prison

BOSTON - About 69,000 children in the Commonwealth are growing up with a parent who is or has been incarcerated, and a new report says that can have …

The future of mandatory minimum sentencing is now in the hands of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. (Swampyank/English Wikipedia)

Test Case Tackles Commonwealth's Mandatory Minimum Sentences

BOSTON - It is now up to the state's highest court to determine whether a judge in a drug case can impose a sentence lower than the mandatory minimum…

Boston ranks 11th out of 36 cities in a study of how ready they are to accommodate a surge in numbers of electric vehicles on the road. (frankh/Flickr)

Boston in Top Third of Electric Vehicle-Ready Cities

BOSTON - Gas prices are pretty low right now, so there hasn't been a big uptick in interest in electric vehicles, but economists think that will …

Spring flowers are blooming with seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, affects more than 35 million people in the United States. (Anita Martinz)

Medical Advice: How to Handle Spring Allergies

BOSTON - It's the beginning of April, which means flowers are blooming, pollen is plentiful, and allergy sufferers are feeling the itchy effects…

A Boston-based children's advocacy group has filed a complaint against the

Consumer Watchdog: "Your Baby Still Can't Read" Despite Product's Claim

BOSTON - A Boston-based children's advocacy group says a video learning series is back at it again, making "unfounded claims" about infants' ability …

Logan Airport workers rally today in support of a bill getting a State House hearing to boost airport workers' pay to $15 an hour. (SEIU)

Rally, Hearing Today: $15 Hourly Wage for Logan Airport Workers

BOSTON - A measure to boost Logan Airport workers' wages to $15 an hour comes up for a hearing today at the State House and some of those workers will…

Police should be called to Peck School in Holyoke less often as the result of a settlement with the school district that also calls for reducing the use of restraints on students with disabilities. (Jeff Joniec)

Goal: Fewer Restraints, Cop Calls at Holyoke School

HOLYOKE, Mass. - It is an agreement that should mean fewer students ending up in restraints and fewer cops being called to respond to discipline …

The Commonwealth is an expensive place to retire, ranking near the bottom at 48th in the nation for affordability in a new report. But the state scores better on quality of life and health care. (Mike Clifford)

MA Lags in Affordability, Ranks Better for Quality of Life

BOSTON - Massachusetts is near the back of the pack in a new survey that ranks the Commonwealth at 48th among states when it comes to retirement and a…

Boston tops the list of cities with the highest income inequality in the nation, says the Brookings Institute. (Henry Han/Wikimedia Commons)

Boston Ranks First for Income Inequality

BOSTON - The city of Boston ranks first in the nation for income inequality, according to a new study. The research from the Brookings Institute …

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MA: Family/Father Issues