Boston paused this morning to remember one of its own. A memorial service for former Congressman Barney Frank drew a who's-who of Democratic politics to Faneuil Hall, where Governor Maura Healey, Mayor Michelle Wu, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and former Senator Chris Dodd were among those celebrating the life of a man who spent more than three decades reshaping American politics from a Massachusetts congressional seat.

Frank, who died May 19 at 86, was many things: the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay, the co-author of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law that rewrote Wall Street rules after the 2008 crash, and a legislator whose wit was as sharp as his legislative instincts. Healey called him "brilliant and fearless," guided by a "deep moral seriousness." Wu called him "one of the most consequential figures in American history." High praise — and in Frank's case, hard to argue with.

What makes today's gathering notable isn't just the headliners. It's the moment. At a time when many of the causes Frank championed — LGBTQ+ rights, consumer financial protections, civil rights enforcement — are under pressure at the federal level, his legacy lands with particular weight. Massachusetts Democrats aren't just honoring a veteran politician today. They're reminding themselves what the job is supposed to look like.

All three major candidates for Massachusetts governor — incumbent Democrat Maura Healey and Republican challengers including former Abiomed executive Mike Minogue — have refused Boston Globe requests to release five years of personal tax returns. That's notable given that personal wealth and demands for government openness are central themes in this race, and Healey herself previously released returns when running for attorney general. Voters will have to decide how much that matters.

This is genuinely significant news: Massachusetts recorded 978 opioid overdose deaths in 2025, a nearly 27% drop from 2024 and the first time the number has fallen below 1,000 in over a decade. At the peak in 2022, more than 2,300 people died. State health officials credit expanded access to housing, harm reduction programs, and treatment — a reminder that evidence-based policy actually works when you fund it.

Massachusetts voters passed a ballot question in 2024 giving State Auditor Diana DiZoglio authority to audit the Legislature. The House last week passed a bill that would dramatically narrow that mandate, limit what documents auditors can see, and — here's the kicker — bar courts from compelling compliance. CommonWealth Beacon's editorial board calls it what it is: an anti-transparency bill dressed up as reform.

With the first matches at Gillette Stadium (temporarily rebranded "Boston Stadium") just days away, the Globe breaks down what commuters and ticket holders can actually expect: $80 pre-purchased train tickets required, trains departing Foxborough every 15 minutes after games, and a blocked-off section of Summer Street near South Station on match days. The bigger question — whether the MBTA can manage up to 20,000 fans per game without melting down — remains gloriously open.

With the federal Office for Civil Rights largely dismantled, parents and advocates are pressing Massachusetts to step up its own enforcement of school anti-bullying policies. Attorney General Andrea Campbell is aligning with that push, but researchers say bullying — particularly targeting kids of color, kids with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ youth — remains chronically underreported and under-addressed at the state and local level.

Fired Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the Karen Read case, sought an emergency delay Monday of his scheduled deposition in Read's wrongful death civil lawsuit, citing scheduling conflicts and personal circumstances. A judge is weighing how long to grant the delay. This comes one day after Read's legal team filed a misconduct complaint alleging inappropriate communications between investigators at both State Police and Canton PD.

Maine primary is tomorrow (Tuesday, June 9) — The Democratic Senate primary pitting populist newcomer Graham Platner against other candidates has tightened amid misconduct allegations; the governor's race is also on the ballot and may be closer than expected. Boston Globe →

Jury deliberations resume today in the Alvin Campbell Jr. trial — A Suffolk Superior Court jury is back at work deciding the fate of the AG's brother, who faces rape and kidnapping charges; jurors signaled Friday they were deadlocked on at least one count. WCVB →

Probable cause hearing today for former Plymouth officer — Former Plymouth police officer Samantha Pelrine and her husband Daniel Forand are in court today facing child rape charges stemming from alleged incidents in 2019 and 2020. WCVB →

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Yesterday's Biggest Contributions

Data from the MA Office of Campaign & Political Finance

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

Candidates

• Gary Gagnon (Unenrolled) — Sheriff, Franklin County — Filed: 6/4/2026
• Jose Candelario Gonzalez (Unenrolled) — House, 5th Hampden — Filed: 6/4/2026
• Stephen Foley (Unenrolled) — House, 5th Norfolk — Filed: 6/4/2026
• Luisa Cestari (Republican) — House, 5th Middlesex — Filed: 6/4/2026
• Alexander (Al) Ozonoff (Libertarian) — Auditor — Filed: 6/2/2026
• John Foy (Unenrolled) — City Councilor, Boston — Filed: 6/2/2026

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