MA boosts high degree attainment rate but students question affordability Massachusetts remains a national leader in educational degree attainment, according to a new report.

The latest data from Lumina Foundation showed 63% of residents hold a college degree or other credential compared to the national average of nearly 55%.

Ginette Saimprevil, executive director of the nonprofit Bottom Line Massachusetts, which advises low income and first generation students, said the state benefits from the sheer number of postsecondary institutions but affordability puts many schools out of reach.

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MA community action agencies aim to restore antipoverty funds Community action agencies in Massachusetts are asking state lawmakers to boost antipoverty programs as federal aid remains in limbo.

Gov. Maura Healy chose not to fund the agencies' line item in her proposed budget, putting critical services for people coping with food and housing insecurity at risk.

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Expanded tax credits, free tax service help MA families get ahead Community action agencies in Massachusetts called the state's expanded tax credits "powerful antipoverty tools" and they are offering free tax prep services to help families get ahead.

The state's Earned Income Tax Credit grew to 40% of the federal rate last year, while the Child and Family Tax Credit is now $440.

Clare Higgins, executive director of Community Action Pioneer Valley, said it means more money in working peoples' pockets, helping them pay for child care, transportation, diapers and rent.

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MA educators cite chaos, fear following Trump’s directives Massachusetts educators say President Donald Trump's threat to pause all federal grant programs has created instability for schools and their students.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the order and it was later paused by the White House, but not before affecting child care and Head Start payments in the state and sowing doubt about the future of school meals.

Jessica Tang, president of the American Federation of Teachers-Massachusetts, said she heard from families and school staff worried about their health care and job security.

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Educator pay, medical leave top MA teachers union legislative priorities Establishing minimum salaries for educators and school staff will be a top priority for the Massachusetts Teachers Association this legislative session.

The union is backing a bill to ensure K-12 support staff receive a minimum salary of $55,000 a year, while teachers would earn a minimum of $70,000.

Union President Max Page said pay raises could reduce the number of bargaining campaigns across the state.

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MA company ends production of genetically modified Atlantic salmon Conservation groups are celebrating the end of a Massachusetts-based biotech company's pursuit of bringing genetically altered Atlantic salmon to market.

AquaBounty was the first company to get regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration to sell a genetically modified animal for human consumption in 2015, but it faced continuous legal challenges and consumer pushback.

Dana Perls, food and technology senior program manager with Friends of the Earth, said people just don't want to eat it. ...(Read More)

Southeast Asian refugees in MA fear deportation, seek Biden pardon Southeast Asian refugees at risk of deportation in Massachusetts are asking President Biden to pardon them before he leaves office.

Deportations skyrocketed under the first Trump administration with removals of Cambodians up nearly 300%.

Kevin Lam, campaign coordinator for the Southeast Asian Freedom Network, said many Vietnam War refugees lacked the resources to apply for citizenship and risk being separated from their families once again. ...(Read More)

Federal funds boost climate-focused MA transportation projects Massachusetts will benefit from more than $100 million in new federal funding for various transportation projects.

Neighborhoods divided by busy roadways in Somerville, Mattapan and Pittsfield will be reconnected with new street-level pathways while more than 400 new electric-vehicle charging ports will be installed statewide.

Quentin Palfrey, director of federal funds and infrastructure for the Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance, said funds will also improve more than 50 high-risk rail crossings.

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Rightward shifts in solid blue MA ignite Democrats’ ‘listening tour’ Massachusetts Democrats hope a virtual "listening tour" will help clarify voters' rightward shift in last year's election.

While Vice President Kamala Harris easily won the deep-blue state with more than 60% of the vote, President-elect Donald Trump improved his 2020 results by roughly four percentage points, flipping dozens of towns he previously lost.

Steve Kerrigan, chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, said it is time for the party to regroup.

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Boston gun violence memorial reveals people behind statistics CORRECTION: The next stop for the exhibit is the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, not the Detroit Institute of Arts. (1:30 p.m. MDT, Jan. ...(Read More)