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 […]
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 […]
By: Bill Cushing – July, 2016 The Primetime Emmy nominations will be announced next week and every year I like to review the past year in TV and give my Emmy Wish List. There are always great performances that get overlooked each year. This is a list of performances and shows that I think really […]
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 […]
By: DJ Deeb – July, 2016 June proved to be a volatile month for both the City of Methuen budget and the Methuen Public Schools budget. Even though Mayor Steve Zanni proposed increasing the city budget by 6.25%, he initially proposed level-funding the schools. Faced with nearly $3 Million in new Federal Special Education mandates, […]
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 […]
By: Robin Desmet – July, 2016 July—a great month for fireworks, cookouts, beaches, and……TNR. What in the world is TNR? TNR stands for: Trap-Neuter-Return. After becoming aware of the number of cats roaming the alleys of Lawrence, and the number of kittens being born in unsafe conditions, I have developed both a fondness for feral […]
By: Celeste Begley – July, 2016 America’s more than 76 million baby boomers—those born between 1946 and 1964—are known for shaping new cultural trends in music, fashion, politics, the economy and everyday life. Think Beatlemania, bellbottoms and lava lamps or. Or, smiley faces, Barbie dolls and casual chic. Now this same trendsetting generation is shifting […]
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. […]
Welcome to July and the summer of 2016. YAYY! The month of July is considered to be the hottest month of the year. This occurs a month after the summer solstice. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year. Time will tell if July is the hottest month this year. In some years, […]
By: Kathy Runge – July, 2016 The soap operas have nothing on the Lawrence City Council. The meetings are filled with fabricated drama. The Budget Drama: During the first meeting to consider the budget, Councilor Maldonado said that because 95% of the residents of the city are low income, catering to middle class wishes, such […]
The Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved omnibus veterans’ legislation in June known as the Veterans H.O.M.E. Act. State Senator Katy Ives – July, 2016 Senate Bill 2325, “An Act Relative to Housing, Operations, Military Service, and Enrichment,” seeks to improve housing and employment opportunities for military veterans and their families. The bill allows municipalities to offer […]
By: Paul Murano – July, 2016 The more I live the more I come to realize how difficult it is for most people to distinguish between actions and the people who perform them – to judge behaviors but not persons.It is very common to hate those who do evil and love those who do good. […]
By: Dani Langevin – July, 2016 There is no doubt that the shooting at the Pulse dance club in Orlando is a tragedy. It is an act of hate, an act of homophobia, and an act of terrorism. I am saddened and sickened by it. I am also angry, yes at the shooter, but also […]
Perhaps the best speech at the pro police rally held in Methuen, Massachusetts was by 980WCAP’s John MacDonald who took the gloves off and called out those responsible for the deaths of police officers.