Massachusetts Daily Intel delivers daily, independent coverage of the news, politics, and stories shaping Massachusetts https://substack.com/@massachusettsintel?r=5ja179&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=stories&shareImageVariant=lighthttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muxzqduwpc24Yolanda Cellucci, a well-known Massachusetts fashion designer and philanthropist, has died at 9108 Sep 2026 02:59 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muxzqduwpc24https://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muxzplr5gs24Schools in Springfield, Massachusetts, will be closed on Tuesday after what school leaders called a "cyber incident." Superintendent of Schools Sonia Dinnall announced the closure Monday, saying that a cyber incident interrupted the service of some systems necessary for essential school operations.08 Sep 2026 02:59 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muxzplr5gs24https://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muuticlrss2fMassachusetts State Police are welcoming its 93rd cadet class on Oct. 26 after delaying an originally scheduled June start date amid ongoing efforts to address the independant findings of a review over the death of a recruit 2 years ago. The review cited an “overly punitive environment.”06 Sep 2026 20:29 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muuticlrss2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muu7aut5ps2uOne of the country’s most politically influential unions appears to be at odds with itself over New Hampshire’s Senate race, a seat both parties are watching closely.06 Sep 2026 14:27 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muu7aut5ps2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muu743mntk2uBoston is trying to plant more trees at the same time that property owners and residents cleared roughly 120 acres of urban forest from residential land, where officials often have little say over the fate of the trees.06 Sep 2026 14:24 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muu743mntk2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mus3k3aj5k2dA 70 year old Mass resident has tested positive for West Nile virus, the state’s sixth case so far this year, announced by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The man was likely exposed in a part of Suffolk County outside of Boston.05 Sep 2026 18:15 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mus3k3aj5k2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muppu32i3k27Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will retry the Lindsay Clancy case.04 Sep 2026 19:41 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muppu32i3k27https://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muplupdsp22oA judge has declared a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy case after jurors deadlocked for days. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court also rejected a last-minute defense appeal seeking to keep deliberations going by having a juror removed. Will update.04 Sep 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muplupdsp22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mupklgrtss2cCuraleaf, one of the nation’s largest cannabis companies, opened its first Boston store today, and many in the area of their new stores are saying a large retailer is cannibalizing competitors and equity. Curaleaf has a $2.6B market valuation & 160 stores in 15 states.04 Sep 2026 18:07 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mupklgrtss2chttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mupbvisvws2bGov. Maura Healey’s camp is taking the line that challenger Mike Minogue is “too MAGA for Massachusetts.” Trump received about 37% of the Massachusetts presidential vote in 2024, though that doesn’t necessarily mean a MAGA identification04 Sep 2026 15:31 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mupbvisvws2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mupbpuwfwk2bA judge has ordered the Massachusetts State Police Department to release records on how they use Flock cameras, just as many communities are turning the tracking cameras off and some municipalities have reported misuse, including recently in New Bedford.04 Sep 2026 15:28 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mupbpuwfwk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3munna46lf22dNational Geographic has just named Rockport “the most iconic New England town you’ve never visited,” adding the seaside town is “the blueprint for coastal New England charm.”03 Sep 2026 23:49 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3munna46lf22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3munhhsshek2dGov. Healey is condemning President Trump after the fed gov again denied disaster aid for communities hit by the Feb. ‘26 blizzard. FEMA had determined Mass. incurred about $45 million in eligible costs, exceeding the threshold for assistance. Trump overruled federal agencies to block the aid.03 Sep 2026 22:06 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3munhhsshek2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3munhba3oss2dA Mass. native is organizing a group buy of the MBTA’s iconic Red Line seat fabric. After he requested public records, sent emails, and posted on Reddit, he figured out how to turn a personal project into a group order of 180 yards of Red Line fabric03 Sep 2026 22:02 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3munhba3oss2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mundqgjtcs2dAnti-abortion activists in Mass have launched a bid to suspend/repeal a law expanding access to later-term abortions, setting up a potential ‘28 ballot fight afrer Democrats have been strengthening reproductive rights protections since the SCOTUS overturned the constitutional right to abortion.03 Sep 2026 20:59 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mundqgjtcs2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mundiwr2yk2dThe Trump admin again asked the Supreme Court Thursday to allow mail-ballot restrictions before November’s midterms, after a Boston judge blocked Trump’s executive order for two weeks. The justices previously allowed the plan to proceed but haven’t ruled on legality.03 Sep 2026 20:55 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mundiwr2yk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mumzksdg5s2xIf you could, do us a favor and throw us a free subscribe on substack so we can grow coverage for midterms and more. We appreciate your support! https://substack.com/@massachusettsintel?r=5o8ozp&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=stories&shareImageVariant=image03 Sep 2026 17:57 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mumzksdg5s2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mumpkcjyks2zThe T plans to start construction early next year on a rail yard for its electrified trains at Widett Circle, a 24-acre South Boston site it bought for $255 million in 2023 for overnight storage. It’s part of the plan to increase commuter rail service.03 Sep 2026 14:57 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mumpkcjyks2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mumf46ffok25As part of the PROTECT Act of 2026, signed by Gov. Maura Healey on Aug. 5, 2026, the Commonwealth has enacted a provision requiring employers to notify employees when they receive an ICE Notice of Inspection or other request to review I-9 employment eligibility verification forms/ records03 Sep 2026 11:51 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mumf46ffok25https://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mumey7ppvs25State Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, a three-term legislator, won the open State Senate race for retiring incumbent Pat Jehlen. She was supported by many progressive organizations, including Medford for Palestine, Somerville for Palestine and Our Revolution Cambridge, and in Feb. she was calling03 Sep 2026 11:48 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mumey7ppvs25https://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mumesbpgl22577.5% of Massachusetts Legislature Seats are uncontsted this November showing how legislative races were effectively decided after the September primaries. 155 primary winners are facing no major party opponent in November03 Sep 2026 11:45 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mumesbpgl225https://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mukwsehop22n👇02 Sep 2026 22:02 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mukwsehop22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mukwqiigok2nSuffolk Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins has been acquitted by a jury on two counts of extortion. Prosecutors alleged Tompkins used his office to pressure cannabis company Ascend Wellness for $50K in stock, then later demanded his money back after the stock tanked.02 Sep 2026 22:01 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mukwqiigok2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3mukacekvbk2mGenerational change was on the ballot but failed to convert in yesterdays primary as all of the incumbent federal Democratic lawmakers held off their challengers02 Sep 2026 15:19 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mukacekvbk2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muivuloead2jBill Simmons is under review by the Mass Gaming Commission after admitting he used his daughter’s boyfriend as a betting proxy to place wagers for him in Massachusetts. Simmons, a prominent sports betting advocate, disclosed the practice on his podcast.02 Sep 2026 02:40 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muivuloead2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muivb5dhul2jSeth Moulton has conceded telling Markey that he “has his full support”.02 Sep 2026 02:29 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muivb5dhul2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muiuklhnjt2j🚨 MASS. DA PRIMARY UPDATES: Suffolk County: Kevin Hayden leads Linda Champion, 51.8%–26.5%, with 5.38% reporting. Norfolk County: Djuna Elizabeth Perkins narrowly leads Adam Deitch, 28.2%–27.6%, with 34.93% reporting.02 Sep 2026 02:16 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muiuklhnjt2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/massachusettsintel.bsky.social/post/3muiui2j52d2jMA-06 UPDATE: With 51.48% of precincts reporting, Dan Koh leads the Democratic primary with 43.0% (22,543 votes), followed by Tram Nguyen at 29.9% (15,682), John Beccia at 12.0% and Jamie Belsito at 7.9%.02 Sep 2026 02:15 +0000at://did:plc:a2rrbx3amzcidcrnfjs4npc3/app.bsky.feed.post/3muiui2j52d2j