Chris Van Buskirk
@bychrisvan.bsky.social
Covering Massachusetts state politics for WBUR | cvanbuskirk@bostonherald.com
State officials warned residents to keep off the roads Sunday and Monday and to stay indoors this weekend if possible, with a massive winter storm bearing down on Massachusetts and frigid temperatures already settling in across the region. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
Mass. officials urge residents to stay off the roads during winter storm this weekend
State officials warned residents to keep off the roads Sunday and Monday and to stay indoors this weekend if possible, with a massive winter storm bearing down on Massachusetts and frigid temperatures...
www.wbur.org
January 23, 2026 at 9:53 PM
State officials warned residents to keep off the roads Sunday and Monday and to stay indoors this weekend if possible, with a massive winter storm bearing down on Massachusetts and frigid temperatures already settling in across the region. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Chris Van Buskirk
If you want the short take on last night's Mass. state of the commonwealth, with reporting from inside the room, here you go - @wbur.org @bychrisvan.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
Healey puts affordability front and center during State of the Commonwealth address
Gov. Maura Healey had two points of focus during her State of the Commonwealth address Thursday night: lowering costs for residents and lowering the rhetorical boom on President Trump.
www.wbur.org
January 23, 2026 at 7:38 PM
If you want the short take on last night's Mass. state of the commonwealth, with reporting from inside the room, here you go - @wbur.org @bychrisvan.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
UTILITY BILLS: Gov. Maura Healey plans to spend $180 million as part of a plan to temporarily reduce electricity bills by 25%, and gas bills by 10%, for residential utility customers for the months of February and March. But there’s a catch. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
Healey plans to spend $180M to help reduce electric, gas bills for February and March
Gov. Maura Healey plans to spend $180 million to help temporarily reduce electricity bills by 25%, and gas bills by 10%, for residential utility customers for the months of February and March, her adm...
www.wbur.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:15 PM
UTILITY BILLS: Gov. Maura Healey plans to spend $180 million as part of a plan to temporarily reduce electricity bills by 25%, and gas bills by 10%, for residential utility customers for the months of February and March. But there’s a catch. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
HEALEY’S BIG SPEECH: Six political observers weigh in on what Gov. Maura Healey should say in her State of the Commonwealth address Thursday, amid debates around affordability, immigration and President Trump’s expanding use of executive authority. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
Here’s what 6 Mass. political observers want to hear in Thursday's State of the Commonwealth speech
Gov. Maura Healey is set to deliver her annual State of the Commonwealth address Thursday night, amid national debates around affordability, immigration and President Trump’s expanding use of executiv...
www.wbur.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:14 PM
HEALEY’S BIG SPEECH: Six political observers weigh in on what Gov. Maura Healey should say in her State of the Commonwealth address Thursday, amid debates around affordability, immigration and President Trump’s expanding use of executive authority. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
HEALEY REELECTION: Gov. Maura Healey officially launched her reelection campaign Tuesday morning by attacking President Trump over rising costs of living and federal immigration crackdowns in Massachusetts. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
Gov. Maura Healey launches reelection campaign by attacking Trump
Gov. Maura Healey officially launched her reelection campaign Tuesday morning by attacking President Trump over rising costs of living and federal immigration crackdowns in Massachusetts.
www.wbur.org
January 20, 2026 at 12:26 PM
HEALEY REELECTION: Gov. Maura Healey officially launched her reelection campaign Tuesday morning by attacking President Trump over rising costs of living and federal immigration crackdowns in Massachusetts. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
'ANTI-AMERICAN' - Gov. Maura Healey called on two airlines to stop chartering flights used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport people out of Massachusetts, saying the federal agency's tactics are “disturbing and anti-American.” #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
Healey calls on airlines to stop providing charter flights to ICE at Hanscom Field
Gov. Maura Healey called on two airline companies to stop providing private charter flights to federal immigration officials out of Hanscom Field, arguing the tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Cust...
www.wbur.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:18 PM
'ANTI-AMERICAN' - Gov. Maura Healey called on two airlines to stop chartering flights used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport people out of Massachusetts, saying the federal agency's tactics are “disturbing and anti-American.” #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
SHERIFF INVESTIGATION: Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro's investigation into county sheriff spending includes a probe into communications with top officials on Beacon Hill, according to a document reviewed by WBUR. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
Inspector general's probe of Mass. sheriffs’ spending includes communications with Beacon Hill
In his investigation of Massachusetts sheriffs, state Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro is probing a broad set of financial data, communications with top Beacon Hill officials and non-law enforcement ...
www.wbur.org
January 7, 2026 at 9:58 PM
SHERIFF INVESTIGATION: Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro's investigation into county sheriff spending includes a probe into communications with top officials on Beacon Hill, according to a document reviewed by WBUR. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
PAYING FOR WU'S PARTY: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu raised more than $1.1M in Dec. for her second inauguration. Local companies likely to have business before the city contributed tens of thousands of dollars to celebrate her reelection, data shows. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
Wu raises $1.1M from developers, businesses for inauguration
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu raised more than $1.1 million in donations for her second inauguration, with top companies that are likely to have business before the city contributing tens of thousands of d...
www.wbur.org
January 6, 2026 at 9:28 PM
PAYING FOR WU'S PARTY: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu raised more than $1.1M in Dec. for her second inauguration. Local companies likely to have business before the city contributed tens of thousands of dollars to celebrate her reelection, data shows. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
DEATON + MASSGOP: John Deaton, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, donated more than $346K to the MassGOP to pay off outstanding debts, just weeks after the party voted to give him a key endorsement in his campaign for elected office. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton pays off $346k in MassGOP debt
The Republican from Bolton donated more than $346,000 to the Massachusetts Republican Party to pay off outstanding debts weeks after the party voted to give him a key endorsement in his campaign for e...
www.wbur.org
January 5, 2026 at 11:04 PM
DEATON + MASSGOP: John Deaton, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, donated more than $346K to the MassGOP to pay off outstanding debts, just weeks after the party voted to give him a key endorsement in his campaign for elected office. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
VICTORY LAP: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will be sworn in for her second term Monday. The ceremony will give her a public victory lap and a chance to assure residents that she has plans to address a range of challenges like rising housing costs. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
What to watch for as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is sworn in for a second term
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will be sworn in for her second term on Monday morning at a Symphony Hall ceremony where she gets to take a victory lap while also looking to assure residents she has concrete...
www.wbur.org
January 5, 2026 at 1:26 PM
VICTORY LAP: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will be sworn in for her second term Monday. The ceremony will give her a public victory lap and a chance to assure residents that she has plans to address a range of challenges like rising housing costs. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2026/01...
DRAFTKINGS: DraftKings donated $50,000 in June to a nonprofit political advocacy group launched by Gov. Maura Healey to promote her housing policies, according to a report from the Boston-based sports betting giant to gaming regulators. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
DraftKings backed Healey’s political nonprofit on housing. Other funders are a mystery
DraftKings, the Boston sports-betting giant, donated $50,000 to a political advocacy group launched by Gov. Maura Healey to promote housing policies. It's a rare look at who's donating to this fund, a...
www.wbur.org
December 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
DRAFTKINGS: DraftKings donated $50,000 in June to a nonprofit political advocacy group launched by Gov. Maura Healey to promote her housing policies, according to a report from the Boston-based sports betting giant to gaming regulators. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
BALLOT Q SPENDING: The coalition of business groups behind a proposed 2026 ballot question to lower the state income tax, and another to trigger more frequent tax refunds, has so far shelled out $1.6M to gather the signatures for their campaigns. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
Massachusetts business groups have so far spent $1.6M in bid to lower the state income tax
A coalition of business groups has shelled out $1.6 million so far to advance two ballot questions to lower the Massachusetts income tax and trigger more frequent tax refunds when the state collects s...
www.wbur.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:23 PM
BALLOT Q SPENDING: The coalition of business groups behind a proposed 2026 ballot question to lower the state income tax, and another to trigger more frequent tax refunds, has so far shelled out $1.6M to gather the signatures for their campaigns. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
NORFOLK DA RACE: Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey's perceived missteps in the twice-failed prosecution of Karen Read and the initial investigation into the death of Sandra Birchmore have spurred four candidates to run for his job. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
Norfolk DA Morrissey’s controversial cases have spurred several rivals to run for his seat
Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey has fielded some of Massachusetts’ highest-profile cases in recent years — from the prosecution of Karen Read in the death of her boyfriend to the in...
www.wbur.org
December 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NORFOLK DA RACE: Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey's perceived missteps in the twice-failed prosecution of Karen Read and the initial investigation into the death of Sandra Birchmore have spurred four candidates to run for his job. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
GOLDBERG CHALLENGER: Elizabeth Dionne, a select board member in Belmont and a registered Republican, launched a campaign for state treasurer, making her one of the first candidates to formally challenge Democratic Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
Belmont Select Board member Elizabeth Dionne to run for state treasurer
Elizabeth Dionne, a select board member in Belmont and a registered Republican, launched a campaign for state treasurer Tuesday, making her one of the first candidates to formally challenge Democratic...
www.wbur.org
December 9, 2025 at 8:37 PM
GOLDBERG CHALLENGER: Elizabeth Dionne, a select board member in Belmont and a registered Republican, launched a campaign for state treasurer, making her one of the first candidates to formally challenge Democratic Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
MINOGUE CASH: Michael Minogue's personal contributions to his gubernatorial campaign in Oct. and Nov. exceed fundraising by his Republican rivals, and top the more than $2.8M Gov. Maura Healey has raised from donors over the previous 11 months. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
December 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM
MINOGUE CASH: Michael Minogue's personal contributions to his gubernatorial campaign in Oct. and Nov. exceed fundraising by his Republican rivals, and top the more than $2.8M Gov. Maura Healey has raised from donors over the previous 11 months. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
POLITICAL DEFENSE: Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins is accepting political donations to pay for his legal defense in a federal case in which he is accused of extorting a cannabis company, according to a filing with state campaign finance regulators. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
Suffolk Sheriff Steven Tompkins accepting political donations to pay for legal defense
Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins is eyeing political donations to pay for his legal defense in a federal case where he is accused of extorting a cannabis company, according to a filing with stat...
www.wbur.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:59 PM
POLITICAL DEFENSE: Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins is accepting political donations to pay for his legal defense in a federal case in which he is accused of extorting a cannabis company, according to a filing with state campaign finance regulators. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
MINOGUE MONEY: Michael Minogue, a former biotech executive running for governor of Massachusetts as a Republican, pumped another $2 million of his own cash into his campaign last month, records show. That comes after he gave his campaign $1.5 million in October. #mapoli
December 5, 2025 at 6:37 PM
MINOGUE MONEY: Michael Minogue, a former biotech executive running for governor of Massachusetts as a Republican, pumped another $2 million of his own cash into his campaign last month, records show. That comes after he gave his campaign $1.5 million in October. #mapoli
GOP BATTLE LINES: Beacon Hill Republicans are starting to throw their support behind the party’s candidates for governor, as the three contenders jockey for support more than eight months out from the primary election. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
Mass. lawmakers hope early endorsements of GOP candidates for governor drum up support
The three Republicans vying to challenge Gov. Maura Healey are jockeying for endorsements, a year ahead of the election.
www.wbur.org
December 4, 2025 at 5:34 PM
GOP BATTLE LINES: Beacon Hill Republicans are starting to throw their support behind the party’s candidates for governor, as the three contenders jockey for support more than eight months out from the primary election. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
RENT CONTROL: Supporters of the rent control ballot question campaign, dubbed “Keep Massachusetts Home,” say their effort pits working-class residents struggling to afford housing against corporate landlords, who consistently raise rents. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
Rent control supporters say ballot question pits struggling residents against corporate landlords
Housing advocates are advancing a ballot question for next year's election that would overturn Massachusetts’ decades-long ban on rent control. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the measure would be bette...
www.wbur.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:18 PM
RENT CONTROL: Supporters of the rent control ballot question campaign, dubbed “Keep Massachusetts Home,” say their effort pits working-class residents struggling to afford housing against corporate landlords, who consistently raise rents. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
NATURE BALLOT Q: Nature groups say a proposed ballot question for next year’s election could raise more than $100 million to help preserve natural areas and create more outdoor recreational spaces in Massachusetts, including trails and parks. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
Nature groups say ballot proposal would tap $100 million from Mass. sales tax for conservation
A coalition of more than 60 conservation and nature groups say a proposed ballot question for next year’s election could raise millions to help conserve natural areas and create more outdoor recreatio...
www.wbur.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:25 PM
NATURE BALLOT Q: Nature groups say a proposed ballot question for next year’s election could raise more than $100 million to help preserve natural areas and create more outdoor recreational spaces in Massachusetts, including trails and parks. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
MIGRANT PROTECTIONS: Immigrant rights advocates called on Beacon Hill Democrats Tuesday to pass a trio of policies they argued would bolster protections for migrants who are being targeted for deportation. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/11...
Immigrant groups want Beacon Hill to bolster protections for migrants in Massachusetts
Immigrant rights advocates called on Beacon Hill Democrats Tuesday to pass a trio of policies they argued would bolster protections for migrants who are being targeted for deportation amid a push by P...
www.wbur.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:24 PM
MIGRANT PROTECTIONS: Immigrant rights advocates called on Beacon Hill Democrats Tuesday to pass a trio of policies they argued would bolster protections for migrants who are being targeted for deportation. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/11...
GOP GOV PRIMARY: Michael Minogue, a wealthy former biotech executive running for gov, told me he does not " identify with a party," but also argues there are " two parties and you had to pick." More in a lengthy Q&A. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/11...
We asked, they answered: GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue
WBUR sat down with gubernatorial candidate Michael Minogue to discuss immigration, his strategy for taking on Healey, his past support for President Trump and the White House’s focus on Massachusetts.
www.wbur.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:24 PM
GOP GOV PRIMARY: Michael Minogue, a wealthy former biotech executive running for gov, told me he does not " identify with a party," but also argues there are " two parties and you had to pick." More in a lengthy Q&A. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/11...
MASSGOP BACKS DEATON: John Deaton secured a key endorsement Thursday from the Massachusetts Republican Party in his bid for U.S. Senate, giving him an edge over potential primary rivals despite losing his last Senate run. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/11...
John Deaton wins early MassGOP endorsement in Senate race
The attorney and cryptocurrency advocate secured a key endorsement from the state Republican Party, giving him an edge over potential primary rivals.
www.wbur.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:13 PM
MASSGOP BACKS DEATON: John Deaton secured a key endorsement Thursday from the Massachusetts Republican Party in his bid for U.S. Senate, giving him an edge over potential primary rivals despite losing his last Senate run. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/11...
BALLOT QUESTIONS: Ballot questions about rent control, all-party state primaries and funding for water and nature conservancy are among those expected to clear a major hurdle Wednesday to advance toward the 2026 ballot. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/11...
Ballot questions on rent control, all-party primaries and legislative stipends expected to move forward
Ballot questions about rent control, all-party state primaries and funding for water and nature conservancy were among those expected to clear a major hurdle Wednesday to advance toward the 2026 ballo...
www.wbur.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM
BALLOT QUESTIONS: Ballot questions about rent control, all-party state primaries and funding for water and nature conservancy are among those expected to clear a major hurdle Wednesday to advance toward the 2026 ballot. #mapoli www.wbur.org/news/2025/11...
TAIWAN TRIP: The Taiwanese government paid thousands of dollars to fly New England lawmakers to Taiwan for a multi-day visit this month that included a stay at a five-star hotel in Taipei and meetings with top officials, according to an ethics filing and lawmakers. www.wbur.org/news/2025/11...
Taiwanese government paid thousands for New England lawmakers to visit
In his ethics filing, state Sen. Adam Gomez said the trip promoted the interests of Massachusetts because the state “shares a mutual interest with Taiwan on trade, investment, and innovation.” State l...
www.wbur.org
November 17, 2025 at 2:10 PM
TAIWAN TRIP: The Taiwanese government paid thousands of dollars to fly New England lawmakers to Taiwan for a multi-day visit this month that included a stay at a five-star hotel in Taipei and meetings with top officials, according to an ethics filing and lawmakers. www.wbur.org/news/2025/11...