THE MASS BRIEF

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Good morning, Massachusetts. Coffee's on. Let's get into it.

The Lead

Lindsay Clancy is back in court, and the retrial question is wide open.

Lindsay Clancy appeared in Plymouth Superior Court on Tuesday for the first time since a mistrial was declared Sept. 4 in the killing of her three children in Duxbury. It was a busy hearing that resolved very little. Her lawyer, Kevin Reddington, renewed a motion asking Judge William Sullivan to find her not guilty before any retrial, arguing prosecutors never conclusively proved she committed the killings. Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham called that "laughable," pointing out that the defense stipulated at trial to physical evidence establishing her culpability. Sullivan took the motion under advisement.

The real action comes Nov. 2, when Sullivan will hear a batch of additional defense motions, including a request to dismiss the murder charges and a request for a "limited inquiry" into the lone juror who reportedly held out for conviction. He told both sides to come ready to talk about a possible retrial date. Prosecutors, meanwhile, want a gag order on Reddington, citing the "carnival atmosphere" of the first trial. That, too, is under advisement.

The key unknown is what Plymouth District Attorney Tim Cruz will do. Outside court, he told WBZ his office has not decided whether to retry the case but is proceeding as though a second trial is coming, and will wait to see how the pending motions play out. Retrial, reduced charges, or a plea are all still on the table, and Nov. 2 is when the picture should start to sharpen.

Full story at Boston Globe →

What Else You Should Know

Healey holds a comfortable lead, with Trump looming over everything. A new CommonWealth Beacon/MassINC poll has Gov. Maura Healey at 54 percent to Republican Mike Minogue's 32 among likely voters. Minogue has put more than $15 million of his own money into the race, yet 16 percent of voters still haven't heard of him, and he's underwater among independents. Affordability remains the governor's soft spot. CommonWealth Beacon →

Voters look ready to keep legal weed and the 2024 gun law. The same poll shows 61 percent opposing Question 8, which would end recreational marijuana sales, and 70 percent backing Question 9, which would keep the state's sweeping firearms law. The other seven ballot questions are much closer to coin flips. CommonWealth Beacon →

Deaton takes another shot at a Senate seat. Republican John Deaton, who lost to Elizabeth Warren by 20 points two years ago, is challenging Sen. Ed Markey, and even his supporters are skeptical. He's lent his campaign $1 million and is pitching himself as independent of Trump, and of both parties. He admits the path is "uphill, and narrow." Boston Globe →

Advocates say Healey's closeout budget doesn't fix the SNAP call-center mess. The governor's supplemental budget includes $26.6 million to keep 78 new Department of Transitional Assistance hires and add 10 more. The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, which sued Sept. 21, says that's not enough. Its complaint alleges the DTA phone line disconnected 74 to 81 percent of calls in early 2026, and SNAP caseloads have dropped 18 percent since August 2024. Boston Globe →

A new Sagamore Bridge moves closer to reality. MassDOT has issued a request for proposals for a design-build team for the new bridge, with a preliminary cost above $1.6 billion. Whoever wins must sign a project labor agreement with the region's building trades. Bids are due May 2027, with construction expected to begin in winter 2027. Boston Globe →

Healey visits a New Bedford firehouse she wants to save. Fire Station 9, built in 1934, was slated to close as part of the city's response to a $32 million deficit. The supplemental budget would send New Bedford $1.3 million that Mayor Jon Mitchell has pledged to use to keep it open. "Public safety is job one in government," Healey said. CommonWealth Beacon →

Lawrence may be headed for a mayoral recall. A month after a federal pandemic-fraud indictment, Mayor Brian DePeña now faces a 15-count state indictment for allegedly secretly recording two City Hall employees and posting the footage online. Two city councilors expect a recall effort, though neither is ready to back one. GBH News →

Worth Your Attention

• Oct. 1: Dangerousness hearing for Roxbury shooting suspect Jermaine Blackman, who allegedly fired a ghost gun at a stopped driver. Boston Globe →
• Oct. 5: Jury selection begins in federal court for the trial of former Stoughton detective Matthew Farwell, accused of killing Sandra Birchmore. It's expected to run about 20 days, without live-streaming cameras. Boston.com →
• Nov. 9: Hanover special town meeting, where voters will weigh doubled first-offense water fines ($100) and a pension prepayment of up to $2 million. South Shore News →

Track all bills →

Yesterday's Biggest Contributions

Data from the MA Office of Campaign & Political Finance

Full hearing schedule →

Recent filings with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance:

Candidates

• Diego Leonardo — House, 16th Essex — Filed: 9/28/2026
• Emily Doran (Democratic) — City Councilor, Somerville — Filed: 9/28/2026
• Raymond Boutin (Democratic) — City Councilor, Lowell — Filed: 9/28/2026

PACs

• Recall Mayor Brian Depena Political Action Committee — N/A, N/A — Filed: 9/24/2026

Ballot Question Committees

• Coalition for Responsible Cannabis Policy — N/A, No office — Filed: 9/23/2026

OCPF →

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