GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

Massachusetts lawmakers are preparing for an impending federal shutdown Wednesday if Congressional Democrats and Republicans don’t reach an agreement on a vital funding bill.

The Justice Department is ramping up its efforts to root out health care fraud, expanding a regional strike force into Boston.

On The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the state of freedom of speech in western Mass., where $2.5 million in state funds went, and the impacts of a potential federal government shutdown.

If federal lawmakers can't reach a deal on a stop-gap spending plan by the end of this month, the government will shut down. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D -Springfield, said it is hard to be optimistic about a deal being reached during this Trump Administration.

A few dozen people along the main road in West Springfield, Mass., carried signs defending free speech and the constitution. They're hoping for higher turnout next weekend.

We speak with author Hannah Moushabeck of Interlink Publishing about the 2nd annual Read & Resist event, learn about a new theater work at Double Edge Theatre and McGovern with Rep. Jim McGovern.

On The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss changes to the MassWildlife board, how an aerial survey may solve New England's pyrrhotite problem, why school districts in the Berkshires are eyeing regionalization, and what happened at the Massachusetts Democratic Convention in Springfield.

An Appeals Court judge late Wednesday said Goldberg was not likely to succeed in her appeal and denied the treasurer's request to block O'Brien from returning to her job as CCC chair while the appeal played out. With that stay denied, Goldberg said Thursday she informed the attorney general's office that she does not want to press the appeal any further.

One-term incumbent Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra is slated to square off against challenge Jillian Duclos in November's general election. They were the top-two vote getters in Tuesday's preliminary election.

The Trump administration has moved quickly and decisively to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Mass. lawmakers are signaling its continued use in the Commonwealth.