Support for Common Core’s Fuzzy Math Doesn’t Add Up

By: Sandra Stotsky – December, 2013 Unless high school students can prepare for a calculus course in grade 12 or as college freshmen, they are unlikely to become science, engineering, or mathematics majors. Common Core doesn’t let them. James Milgram’s analysis in Lowering the Bar makes that very clear. Interestingly, Jason Zimba, the lead writer […]

New Hampshire School Choice Scholarship Act: Good for Students and Parents

By: DJ Bettencourt – December, 2013 The vast majority of Granite Staters know from experience that New Hampshire public schools offer an outstanding education for most students. But while many flourish in their assigned school, some students need a different educational environment. Every child learns differently, and all children hold within themselves their own particular […]

Now the Real Healing Begins!

Now the Real Healing Begins!

By: Peter Larocque – December 2013 Almost four years ago at the inauguration and installation of Mayor William Lantigua which had the atmosphere of a coronation of a king, the posture and disposition of his administration was unveiled. Then, State Representative Lantigua entered the auditorium from the back and walked through the crowd of loyal […]

Mass. State Trooper “Neko” Gets Extra Protection With Donation from Pomerleau Family

Mass. State Trooper “Neko” Gets Extra Protection With Donation from Pomerleau Family

By: Tom Duggan – December, 2013 The Family of Walter and Gabe Pomerleau donated a $1,000 bulletproof vest for the Massachusetts State Police K9 unit through a non-profit organization called Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog. Massachusetts Vest A Dog works to raise money and resources to support Massachusetts’s police dogs by providing bullet proof K9 vests, equipment, training […]

Firefighter Sullivan, Detective DeLano Honored by Methuen Exchange

Firefighter Sullivan, Detective DeLano Honored by Methuen Exchange

By: Tom Duggan – December, 2013 The Methuen Exchange Club presented Methuen Police Detective John Delano with their Police Officer of the Year Award at their annual dinner banquet last month. Late last winter, Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon assigned Detective Delano to head up an investigation into 15 robberies in the area. After a […]

Legislature Moves Forward on Hefty and Charged Issues

  By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – December, 2013 Thus far this session, the Massachusetts Legislature continues to make progress on several issues of public interest. House and Senate legislation is moving forward which pertains to on-line voter registration and early voting in Presidential elections; welfare reform; increasing the state’s minimum wage; reforming the […]

President Obama’s Dreadful Legacy: A Record of Calculated Partisanship and Missed Opportunities

President Obama’s Dreadful Legacy: A Record of  Calculated Partisanship and Missed Opportunities

By: Kenneth Willette – December, 2013 As we reach the conclusion of President Obama’s fifth year in office, it is only fair at this critical juncture to assess the full extent of his domestic and foreign affairs record. The Obama record is one of repeated examples of cold and deliberate partisanship and missed opportunities for […]

What is the Mass Commission Against Discrimination?

By: Attorney Timothy Stark – December, 2013 The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (commonly referred to as the “MCAD”) was established to enforce M.G.L. c. 151B, often referred to as “The Fair Employment Practices Law.” The MCAD is a part of the Executive Branch of the Massachusetts state government. If an employee believes they have suffered […]

The Paying Attention! Radio Program with Tom Duggan, December 28, 2013

The Paying Attention! Radio Program with Tom Duggan, December 28, 2013

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN TO HOUR 1 CLICK TO DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN TO HOUR 2 Not our traditional year end show on Paying Attention but with Paul Murano taking yet another Saturday off we were treated with a guest co-host; film and record producer Daryl C. Silva, who just released his second movie on […]

The Paying Attention! Radio Program with Tom Duggan, December 21, 2013

The Paying Attention! Radio Program with Tom Duggan, December 21, 2013

CLICK TO LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD HOUR 1 CLICK TO LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD HOUR 2 Kate Riley of Lawrence Mayor-elect Dan Rivera’s transition team came in to chat about the inauguration of the new mayor. Tom and Paul also talked about Phil Roberts and the gay mafia in the media. Voter ID and MORE Tom also […]

Remembering Slain Woburn Police Officer Jack Maguire

Remembering Slain Woburn Police Officer Jack Maguire

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufvGhzcOp-Q&feature=youtu.be&w=280&h=220] MORE PHOTOS By: Tom Duggan – December 26, 2013 Dozens of friends, family and former colleagues of slain Woburn Police Officer Jack Maguire gathered for a candle light vigil in the Kohl’s parking lot Thursday evening on the spot where Jack lost his life three years to the day. A procession of Woburn Police […]

A Peek at Santa’s List – Tom Duggan’s Notebook

A Peek at Santa’s List – Tom Duggan’s Notebook

  Given that we have confidential informants in Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole, we were able to get an advanced copy of Santa’s Christmas list and it’s pretty obvious from what we can see, who has been naughty and who’s been nice. Here is what Santa is planning on leaving under the tree for […]

The challenge of Growing Wages, Jobs and our Small Business Economy – IN YOUR CORNER with Senator Ives

The challenge of Growing Wages, Jobs and our Small Business Economy –  IN YOUR CORNER with Senator Ives

By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives – December, 2013 At the end of this year’s legislative session, the Senate took up a bill to increase Massachusetts’ minimum wage rate from the current $8.00/hr. to $9.00 in 2014, with automatic increases to $10 in 2015 and $11 in 2016. These increases would also be tied to the […]