Governor Maura Healey is running for reelection on cost of living — that's been the central pitch from day one — but she's refusing to leave abortion rights at the door. In a new Boston Globe interview, Healey made an argument you'll be hearing a lot more: that abortion access isn't just a social issue, it's an economic one. Women who can't access reproductive care face real financial consequences, she argues, and that framing lets her thread a needle — speaking to voters anxious about their wallets while also holding ground against two Republican opponents who both claim they wouldn't change Massachusetts law, but whom Healey clearly doesn't trust to protect it.

It's a savvy move, and it's not accidental. Massachusetts has become a major destination for abortion care from out-of-state patients since the Dobbs decision, and federal rulings threatening mail-order abortion pills put this state squarely in the crossfire of national policy fights. Healey has been vocal on that front — press conferences, public statements, the works. The question is whether the framing lands with voters who are still primarily worried about rent, groceries, and childcare.

What happens next: Her Republican challengers will almost certainly push back on the framing and try to redirect every conversation to kitchen-table costs. Watch for polling on whether the "abortion is economic" argument cuts through, or whether Healey needs to sharpen her cost-of-living message further as the race heats up.

U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin didn't mince words this week, using nearly every page of a 30-page ruling to torch ICE for what he called a "complete disregard" of the truth, the Constitution, and basic human decency in the case of an Ecuadorean woman with epilepsy. Sorokin ordered ICE to leave her alone permanently, pay all her legal costs, and document to senior Boston ICE leadership exactly why the court lost faith in them. That's not a slap on the wrist — that's a judge putting consequences on paper.

A 58-year-old man died Saturday afternoon after driving his Jeep Cherokee around a lowered crossing gate at the Grove Street crossing in Braintree, directly into the path of an oncoming MBTA commuter rail train. Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan confirmed all safety warnings were active at the time. The incident disrupted Kingston and Fairmount line service for hours and is now under investigation by Transit Police and the Norfolk District Attorney's office. Crossing safety remains a persistent and deadly problem across the commuter rail network.

The flagship state university has partnered with American Campus Communities — one of the country's largest student housing developers — to overhaul its residential facilities in phases, keeping students on campus throughout construction. The move comes as the Pioneer Valley faces the same housing crunch squeezing the rest of Massachusetts, and as UMass enrollment keeps climbing. Chancellor Javier Reyes says the plan will preserve affordability while modernizing dining, retail, and living spaces.

After two years of negotiations and a two-day strike, Lesley University's 82 core faculty members unanimously ratified a new contract this week, winning higher minimum salaries, two percent annual wage increases retroactive to January 2025, and new course-size limits. Meanwhile, the mood at Harvard and MIT is considerably less celebratory — graduate student workers at both Cambridge institutions are planning pickets at upcoming commencement ceremonies as their own contract talks stall.

A new opinion piece in CommonWealth Beacon digs into last week's landmark desegregation lawsuit filed on behalf of students from Boston and several Gateway Cities. The authors push back on fears of mandatory busing, noting the plaintiffs are largely seeking more magnet and vocational schools — and argue the real fix may require revitalizing urban neighborhoods themselves, not just reshuffling students between districts. Worth reading if you care about education equity in Massachusetts.

The Scituate School Committee voted unanimously to move toward making Interim Superintendent Dr. Tom Raab the permanent hire, citing his dual expertise in school finance and building operations and the trust he's built over two years in the district. An independent consultant's evaluation backed up what the committee already knew — sometimes the right person is already in the building.

Memorial Day Monday — If you're planning to be outside, plan around the rain: StormTeam 5 is tracking steady showers Sunday through Monday afternoon, with temps stuck in the low 50s and wind gusts near 25 mph. Get your outdoor time in early or reschedule. WCVB →

Hingham School Buildings Review — The Hingham School Committee and School Building Committee are actively weighing capital improvement decisions — including roof replacements and HVAC upgrades — based on a recent structural assessment showing the district's buildings have "very good bones." If you're a Hingham resident, watch for budget implications coming to town meeting. South Shore News →

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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

• Tony King (Democratic) — Senate, Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol — Filed: 5/19/2026
• Margie Palladino (Democratic) — Governor's Council, 3rd District — Filed: 5/18/2026

OCPF →

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