Our weekly news roundup begins on Beacon Hill, with the allegations in The Boston Globe that Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg’s husband, Bryon Hefner, groped or kissed men with ties to the Statehouse.
Hefner allegedly used his position to strike fear in these men to cover his actions. Rosenberg recused himself from what is being described as an independent investigation into what happened, and on Friday said Hefner is entering treatment for alcoholism.
Also, district attorneys from around the state announced they’ll dismiss thousands of convictions involving evidence tainted by former state drug lab chemist Sonja Farak, who pleaded guilty in 2014 to charges of stealing cocaine from the state crime lab. She also admitted to tainting drug samples by using them herself while on the job. District Attorney David Sullivan -- who covers Hampshire and Franklin County and the town of Athol -- said he’ll dismiss every case Farak touched.
We wrap in Holyoke, where the city council recently adopted a state law that targets people who solicit cars on public roads with the intent of soliciting or selling something. They can now can be fined up to $50. This is related, notably, to panhandling from the median strip. Not everyone who lives in Holyoke agrees the law is a good idea.
GUESTS:
- Dave Eisenstadter, editor at The Valley Advocate
- Ron Chimelis, columnist with The Springfield Republican
