What You Need to Know About Fibromyalgia ~ THE DOCTOR IS IN

What You Need to Know About Fibromyalgia ~ THE DOCTOR IS IN

  By: Dr. Rami Rustum – July, 2016 Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder marked by widespread, unexplained pain in the muscles and joints. It’s not a disease. It’s a syndrome, which is a collection of symptoms that occur together. Although many people think of it as an arthritic condition due to the symptoms, it’s not […]

Tom Duggan’s Notebook – July, 2016

Tom Duggan’s Notebook – July, 2016

Reggie Autumn Craft & Vendor Fair to be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Greater Lawrence Technical School Andover, MA. We are looking for interested crafters and vendors interested in participating inthefair. Spaces are $25.00. For more information and an application please contact SOuellette@glts.net or CLewis@glts.net. OVERHEARD: At a recent high school scholarship night […]

The Truth About Narcan – Chief Talks Openly About Downsides of Narcan

The Truth About Narcan – Chief Talks Openly About Downsides of Narcan

By: Tom Duggan – July, 2016 From talking to police chiefs all over The Valley, it’s become increasingly clear that use of the new drug narcan is causing some unintended consequences. Narcan is a drug administered to someone who has died of a heroin overdose and brings them back to life. While most police chiefs […]

Bump Audit Shows MCAD Not Doing Their Jobs

Bump Audit Shows MCAD  Not Doing Their Jobs

An audit released by Massachusetts Auditor Suzanne M. Bump today found the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) has not been completing investigations into claims of discrimination in the timeframe required by state regulations and its investigators have not been completing the required monthly minimum number of cases.  “Massachusetts has been a leader in addressing discrimination […]

Getting the People’s Business Done

Getting the People’s Business Done

By: State Representative Linda Dean Campbell – July, 2016 The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently passed important legislation for workers, for our communities, and protections for transgender individuals. Facing an unexpected decline in capital gains, we also passed a budget on time – unlike many states throughout the country. I will have more on the […]

The Perkins Predicament in Lowell ~ THE PULSE

The Perkins Predicament in Lowell ~ THE PULSE

By: John MacDonald – July, 2016 The reality of UMass Lowell and its significant impact on the City of Lowell has hit hard lately. UMass Lowell recently purchased Perkins Park Residences and Lofts for a reported $61.5 million dollars , a purchase that has infuriated much of the residents in Lowell, the City of Lowell […]

Disparity in Health Care Costs and Services

Disparity in Health Care Costs and Services

By: State Representative Lenny Mirra – July, 2016 Here’s why you should care, and care A LOT, about health care costs: Massachusetts has the highest healthcare costs in the world. No place else spends what we spend per capita on health care and it affects every part of our lives. We’re in the process of […]

MA Attorney General Says She’s Not Banning Guns, Changing Laws

MA Attorney General Says She’s Not Banning Guns, Changing Laws

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy denied reports that she is “banning guns” or  overstepping her authority saying she is neither creating a new law or taking away 2nd amendment rights. Healey appeared on 980WCAP’s morning show with Teddy Panos and Leslie Boder to talk about attending her first national convention but the talk quickly turned […]

The Proverbial Hobson’s Choice

The Proverbial Hobson’s Choice

By: Jeff Katz – July, 2016 The first time I voted in a Presidential election, I was able to vote with a completely clear conscience and with a degree of pride. I was young, but I was sure that my vote would count and that my choice would continue to work hard to strengthen America. […]

Free English Language Program for Adult Learners Starts this Fall at NECC in Lawrence

Free English Language Program for Adult Learners Starts this Fall at NECC in Lawrence

Free English classes for adult English language learners, who want to further their education or employment opportunities, will be offered at Northern Essex Community college beginning in September. This 16-week program is for English language learners who would like to explore careers in health care, technology, engineering, or advanced manufacturing. The goal of the program […]

Lawrence Man Sentenced for Cashing $146,000 in Stolen Tax Refund Checks

Lawrence Man Sentenced for Cashing $146,000 in Stolen Tax Refund Checks

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced last weekin U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with receiving fraudulent U.S. Treasury checks. Rolfi Espinal, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release and restitution of $13,500.  In April 2016, he pleaded guilty […]

Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor Wins Award for Accountability Practices

Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor Wins Award for Accountability Practices

(WASHINGTON, JULY 19, 2016) — AGA has awarded its prestigious Einhorn-Gary Award to the Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor (OSA) for its contributions to furthering government accountability. The OSA’s audits of state government’s programs, departments, agencies, authorities, contracts, and vendors, and advanced data analytics capabilities, have helped identify areas of inefficiency and fraud in […]

Restaurant Company to pay $210,000 for Failing to Pay Workers for Training

Restaurant Company to pay $210,000 for Failing to Pay Workers for Training

2,500 Bloomin’ Brands Employees Who Were Not Paid for Required Trainings will Receive Restitution  BOSTON – A national casual dining restaurant company has agreed to pay $210,000 in restitution and penalties to resolve allegations that it failed to pay more than 2,500 Massachusetts workers for required trainings in violation of state law, Attorney General Maura […]

POWERBALL JACKPOT REACHES $422 MILLION

POWERBALL JACKPOT REACHES $422 MILLION

 BRAINTREE, MA (JULY 25, 2016) – The Powerball jackpot for the Wednesday, July 27 drawing is an estimated $422 million. The cash option on the prize is an estimated $291 million. The $422 million jackpot is the game’s highest since a $429.6 million jackpot that was hit 23 drawings ago on May 7.  Earlier this […]