Healey-Driscoll Administration Distributes More Than 5,000 Free Internet-Enabled Devices to Increase Connectivity Statewide

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

July 15, 2026  

  

CONTACT:  

Jacqueline Manning, jacqui.manning@mass.gov, 508-887-3916  

Emily Gowdey-Backus, gowdey-backus@masstech.org 

Jake Stern, stern@masstech.org 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Distributes More Than 5,000 Free Internet-Enabled Devices to Increase Connectivity Statewide 

Residents will be able to access laptops, tablets, desktops and more across 45 Massachusetts municipalities, community organizations and nonprofit organizations 

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), announced Wednesday the distribution of 5,063 internet-enabled devices to 45 organizations through the Connected and Online program, a statewide effort focused on expanding economic opportunity through increased digital access.  

The Connected and Online program is a $31.6-million initiative, funded through the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund, providing Massachusetts-based organizations with laptops, tablets and desktop computers to help residents access the internet. The program also provides support equipment such as braille keyboards to assist vulnerable populations.  

“The Connected and Online program opens doors for communities to access critical services and build relationships with their neighbors,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By partnering with trusted local organizations, we’re helping more people get online, access essential services and connect to new educational and economic opportunities.”  

“Every resident deserves the opportunity to succeed”, said Lieutenant Governor Kinm Driscoll. “By providing access to internet-enabled devices, Massachusetts residents can connect with loved ones, access health resources and advance their careers.” 

The Connected and Online program will aid Gateway Cities and rural communities alike by providing residents direct access to devices through lending programs or resources at publicly accessible locations. To date, the program has provided nearly 32,000 devices and more than 13,000 pieces of supportive equipment to hospitals, municipalities, nonprofits, public libraries, elder and youth aid groups, and workforce training organizations across the Commonwealth. 

 “Through the Connected and Online program, Massachusetts residents will be able to manage their health, schedule appointments and tap into other vital resources online,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “By making online resources easier to reach, residents will be able to focus on the goals that move their lives forward, whether it’s starting a business or earning a diploma.” 

This award announcement comes after MBI launched the distribution of nearly 27,000 devices through the Connected and Online program on Thursday, April 2, 2026, to more than 200 organizations across the state. 

“MBI is leveraging strong relationships with local and regional organizations to deliver digital devices for Massachusetts residents,” said MBI Program Executive Jody Jones. “The Connected and Online program is a statewide effort to expand access, increase digital skills training and, at its core, expand the ability to connect to the internet.” 

The complete award breakdown can be found on the MBI website. 

文協夏日野餐200餘人歡聚 預告9/20慶70週年

文協野餐會大合照。（周菊子攝）

        (Boston Orange周菊子麻州報導)大波士頓地區中華文化協會（GBCCA）的2026夏日野餐會，7月11日在會長吳德惠團隊鉅細彌遺籌備，會員們各顯才藝備菜，紐英崙中文夏令營（NECYSC）青少年志工傾力支援中，讓200多人歡度一午，期待起9月12日的文協70週年慶。

文協會長吳德惠（左二）和執行團隊的薩芝楠（左一），吳宇懷（右二）、陳韻潔
（後），以及2027會長李翠蘭（右一），執委嚴曉敏都是核心工作人員。（周菊子攝）

文協會長吳德惠還在會後報喜訊，包括失聯回歸的，當天共有3個家庭，6名個人加入成為文協會員，另有16人願意加入志工行列，為文協的傳承，奠下更堅實基礎。

文協前後任會長趙寧（左）和吳德惠合作無間。（周菊子攝）

文協麾下如今最大的分支“雲鶴社”，在野餐會後，一片好評，讚許會長陳玉瑛費心做了200個滷蛋，志工把西瓜切得幾乎每片都一樣大，還讓每個人都能吃到至少2片，李泓嘉從Lobster Work訂購回來的春捲，送到現場時居然還是熱騰騰的，所有的周到安排，都讓人窩心。

        出席眾人各顯才藝自製的佳餚，更是讓人讚不絕口。包括陳玉瑛的滷蛋，韓咪咪的仙草，劉建靖的涼拌黃瓜，鄭玉春的炒米粉和麵線，羅蘭的醃漬包心菜，劉瑋珊的芝麻桃酥，陳韻傑作的檸檬薄荷飲料，都讓許多人回味無窮，叨念著想要再嚐。

吳德惠執掌2026文協大旗。（周菊子攝）

        李翠蘭、嚴曉敏、薩芝楠、吳宇懷還攜手為出席者烹煮了玉米。

        文協執行團隊為將來辦活動有參考，特地製作了問卷，那天發出177份，收回100份，其中62%填寫者為70歲以上會員，對食物的滿意度高達97%，最偏愛的是仙草和滷蛋，春捲，涼拌黃瓜，炒米粉。

李翠蘭（右起），史美芳，周映秋等人合影。

        吳德惠會長指出，為鼓勵人填問卷，當天安排的抽獎，只有填表者才有資格參加，王豫靈、柯乃南、嚴安莉等人送出的禮物，竟因此全都花落年長會員手中。

由紐英崙中文夏令營主持的跨世代破冰遊戲，營長趙銓雄（Christopher Chiu）率領數十名青少年參加野餐會，當志工，為文協野餐會帶來的洋溢青春氣息，讓文協的年長會員們看著滿心歡喜。

陳濤和柯乃南、陳恒憲、林麗珠敘舊。（周菊子攝）

        文協雲鶴社創辦人龍俐麗，現任董事長楊哲修，文協國樂團創辦人潘台春及歐陽東美，北一女校友會創辦人趙小怡，文協合唱團2025團長徐宗玲，華人經濟發展協會董事長蔣宗壬，大波士頓急難救助協會會長林麗珠，波士頓京劇協會創辦人劉瑋珊，曾經出版短篇小說的胡世沛，這天也都夾雜在文協年度野餐會中和新朋舊友歡敘，好不愜意。

王豫靈抽出中獎者。（周菊子攝）

        文協會長吳德惠表示，活動舉辦順利，全靠執行團隊成員薩芝楠，吳宇懷，徐宗玲，陳韻潔等人，以及候任的2027會長李翠蘭，幹是李茜、嚴曉敏的傾力支持。接下來將為預訂9月12日舉行的文協70週年慶忙碌。歡迎有意加入志工行列者，發電郵到GBCCA.PRESIDENT@GMAIL.COM 。

雲鶴社創辦人龍俐麗（又）和李小玉都是醫師。（周菊子攝）

徐宗玲（左起）和姜銓、史先澍。（周菊子攝）

吳萍萍（左起）、趙小怡、薛正璇、Rose Lee。 （周菊子攝）

吳德惠和歐陽東美。（周菊子攝）

吳德惠播報中獎者號碼。（周菊子攝）

雲鶴社現任董事長楊哲修催大家拍合照。（周菊子攝）

劉靜春（右二）等人圍桌聚會。（周菊子攝）

吳國志（中向右）和吳渝、胡世沛夫婦。（周菊子攝）

文協會長吳德惠感謝身旁的小美女主持破冰遊戲。（周菊子攝）

波士頓僑務會議談“建構全社會防禦韌性” 重申1+6社群平台助僑社溝通

波士頓僑教中心新到任主任康雅雄（右起），敦請經文處處長廖朝宏，
僑務委員郭競儒、陳仕維昭開僑務會議。（周菊子攝）

  （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導）僑委會即將於10月19到23號舉辦年度會僑務委員會議。波士頓僑教中心為協助收集僑胞意見，7月11日下午在牛頓市會址召開「海外先期座談會」，邀得約30名僑務榮譽職人員及僑團代表出席討論。

出席僑務會議中人合影。（周菊子攝）

會議由7月6日抵達波士頓，接替已調赴休士頓前主任高家富的康雅雄主任主持，波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏和2名波士頓僑務委員郭競儒和陳仕維在主席台上聆聽意見。

波士頓僑教中心主任康雅雄7月6日到任。（周菊子攝）

康雅雄指出，115年僑務委員會議波士頓地區海外先期座談的主題為「建構韌性僑社，守護民主臺灣」，要協助僑社查察，在地緣政治風險升高之際，海外僑社的應變需求，如何保護民主價值，爭取國際話語權，能辨識出認知戰與資訊的正確與否，為維護民主台灣盡力。

康雅雄主任（右一）主持僑務會議。（周菊子攝）

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏在致詞時先報喜訊，指出台美雙邊貿易額創歷史新高，台灣已成美國第四大貿易夥伴，台灣在民主，人權等各項國際評比中也都名列前茅，然而在地緣政治的快速變化中，台灣面對的國際參與，軍事威脅，海外僑界滲透等挑戰也越來越烈，中國甫於7月1日宣佈的「民族團結進步促進法」，更是會對台灣產生一些不好的影響。僑委會發起，促請各僑團攜手成立「緊急應變中心組織」，相信能加強台灣僑胞們彼此之間的聯繫。

波士頓僑務委員郭競儒和陳仕維都說，大波士頓人才濟濟，希望集思廣益，多提意見，鼓勵年輕人參加僑界活動，攜手讓世界更加認識台灣。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏向僑胞介紹，康雅雄是新到任的波士頓僑教中心主任。
（周菊子攝）

陳仕維還表示，他來自香港。當初中國歡迎香港回歸時，曾經聲言要一國兩制，但「國安法」實施後，那基本上已不存在。如今的「民族團結進步促進法」，勢將打壓異己。這天雖然出席者來自傳統僑社的不多，但他十分希望能聽到建言，好帶回台灣，向僑委會反饋。

僑務委員郭競儒說明，10/19~23將回台灣參加僑務會議。（周菊子攝）

        康雅雄主任在會中放映了「建構全社會防禦韌性簡介短片」，闡述了僑委會的僑民，僑教、僑商等三大業務板塊，提醒僑胞，僑委會設有1+6社群平台，也就是改名為「僑新聞」，網址不變的OCAC News，以及臉書（Facebook），賴（Line），IG （Instagram），推特（Ｘ），油管（Youtube），希望僑民多加利用，並藉以查證資訊，抵制假新聞。

來自香港的僑務委員陳仕維稱中國發佈「民族團結進步促進法」，讓人憂慮打壓更嚴重。
（周菊子攝）

         康雅雄還說明，僑委會研擬「緊急應變作業指引」，是因為政府正在推動「全社會防衛任性」，希望整合僑社在地化資源，組織化任務分工，能夠自主應變後，這天出席座談的僑務榮譽職人員及僑團代表，發言十分踴躍。

        昭倫公所主席謝如鍵請僑教中心提供一份英文版的，行政院院會議案「中共施行“民族團結進步促進法”對台衝擊及政府因應對策」，以便散發給許多只懂英文的朋友。

波克萊台灣商會會長陳冠中以「台灣粉絲夜」已有1300人購票為例，指台灣僑社
訊息溝通，應找突破口。（周菊子攝）

麻州中部台灣鄉親會會長劉宗聖表示，今年5月，波士頓經文處長廖朝宏到春田市演講，向“世界事務協會”闡述台灣對美國很重要，能夠幫助美國及全世界，希望能從點到面的把台灣訊息帶到更多角落去。

新英格蘭中文學校協會會長馮文鸞提出，該會明年將承辦第54屆美東中文學校協會年會，面對經費壓力，希望各界支援。

劉宗聖稱許廖朝宏處長到春田市宣講台灣對美國很重要。（周菊子攝）

波克萊台灣商會會長陳冠中表示，他正在籌辦的紅襪隊芬衛球場「台灣粉絲夜」，已有1300人報名、買票，但他的感覺是，很多台灣人不在本地僑團的Line群組，或是臉書內，要接觸到那些人，可能得靠“口耳相傳”的人際傳播等其他方式。

        陳冠中也以他並不知道中文學校為辦年會，正在籌款的訊息為例，指陳台灣僑胞彼此間的訊息流通不足。

彭淑敏認為僑團消息交由僑教中心轉發，會更受重視。（周菊子攝）

曾任慈濟人文學校校長的彭淑敏提議，各僑團可把訊息傳達給波士頓僑教中心，由中心轉發，會讓僑團更重視來自其他僑團的訊息。馮文鸞則指出，台灣僑團之間存在「藍綠對立」的政治立場歧異問題，互傳消息有障礙。蘇鴻昌認為，儘管大家心中有台灣，但在國家認同上，應像新加坡華人只認自己是新加坡人那樣，先認自己是美國人，或許就可以更客觀的看問題。

波士頓台灣龍舟隊隊長邱偉哲（中）和台大校友會會長邱亮德（右）。（周菊子攝）

        會末還有許炳煌提出，僑務、外交人員在海外工作非常辛苦，建立人脈不易，理論上在地方上做得越久越好，近年卻頻頻出現任期未滿就調離狀況，讓人十分不捨。他希望政府能容許特例。

昭倫公所主席謝如鍵索要英文版的因應對策。（周菊子攝）

黎雯表示自己願全力協助。（周菊子攝）

馮文欒述說中文學校協會辦年會，籌募經費困難。（周菊子攝）

蘇鴻昌表示在美國的僑胞心懷台灣，但在國家認同上，應以美國為先。（周菊子攝）

林麗珠（左起）、鄭玉春、陳玉瑛出席會議。（周菊子攝）

許炳煌建議，做得好的外交、僑務人員一直做下去，在地僑胞都支持。（周菊子攝）

僑務促進委員李小玲（左一）也出席了會議。（周菊子攝）

紐英崙中華專業人員協會董事長鄭新霖（左起），僑務促進委員王月娥，
僑務顧問劉宗聖，臺玻玻表達性治療會會長林泓安出席會議。（周菊子攝）

You&Me樂團團長蔡佩珊（左）和中華民俗藝術工作坊團長蕭靖穎。（周菊子攝）

Legislature Creates New License Plate for Families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

Legislature Creates New License Plate for Families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

Special recognition would help immediate family honor their loved ones

(BOSTON—7/14/2026) The Massachusetts Legislature yesterday passed legislation to create a new special license plate to honor the memories of fallen law enforcement officers by offering a symbol of respect to their surviving spouses, parents, and children.

The bill—S.2903, An Act honoring Blue Star Families—directs the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to create a new Blue Star Families plate to help the family members remember their loved one in a visible way on their car. It would also create a Blue Star Family emblem for motorcycle plates.

“Every day, law enforcement officers across the Commonwealth put themselves between danger and the people they serve. These heroes left their families in the morning and never came home,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This bill won't erase these tragic and heartbreaking losses, but it will ensure their memory, and the memories of all our fallen officers, travel with the families who carry it every day. I’m grateful to Chair Rodrigues, Chair Crighton, and Senator Mark for their advocacy on this legislation, and to our colleagues in the House of Representatives for getting this to the Governor’s desk.”

“This bill is about recognizing the sacrifice made by the families of fallen law enforcement officers,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “By making license plates available to the spouses, parents, and children of law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty, Massachusetts is ensuring that the legacy of those who gave their lives in service to our communities is never forgotten. I would like to thank Chairman Arciero, Chairman Walsh, and our partners in the Senate for their work in getting this important bill to the Governor’s desk for her signature.”

“Honoring the law enforcement officers we have lost in the line of duty with the Blue Star Families plate is a meaningful way for their loved ones to carry on their memory,” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “I was proud to join my colleagues in voting for this legislation, and I am thankful to the entire law enforcement community, especially our Blue Star Families, for their sacrifices.”

“Blue Star Families have endured the unimaginable loss of a child, spouse, parent, or sibling in the line of duty,” said Representative James Arciero (D-Westford), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “While no symbol can fully express the gratitude owed to our fallen heroes and their loved ones, this legislation stands as a lasting commitment that their sacrifice and service will never be forgotten. Thank you to House Speaker Mariano, Chairman Michlewitz and Representative Walsh for their leadership on this bill to honor the Commonwealth's Blue Star Families.”

“The families of fallen law enforcement officers have sacrificed more than most of us can ever imagine,” said Senator Paul Mark (D-Becket), lead Senate sponsor of the bill. “This legislation is a meaningful way to honor their loved ones, recognize the burdens they continue to carry, and ensure the Commonwealth never forgets the service and sacrifice made in the line of duty.”

“Today we remember those law enforcement officers who have given their life in the line of duty,” said Representative Thomas P. Walsh (D-Peabody), lead House sponsor of the bill. “We honor their sacrifice through the memorial Blue Star license plate, and assure their families that we will never forget them.”

Under the legislation, the RMV would be required to make the plates available to Blue Star spouses, parents, and children without charge. The RMV would also be able to offer vanity plate registrations for Blue Star plates up to six characters in length.

The Blue Star Family license plates would join other special recognition plates currently offered by the RMV, including Gold Star Family plates for drivers with close family members who died as a result of their service in the armed forces.

Having passed the Legislature, the bill has now been sent to Governor Maura Healey for her signature.

Governor Healey Welcomes Scotland Traffic Cone to Massachusetts （State livestream)

Governor Maura Healey joins Mayor Michelle Wu, Massport CEO Rich Davey, Scottish officials and content creators Andrew Dobbie and Danny Campbell at Logan Airport to welcome the viral Boston traffic cone to Massachusetts.

波士頓公共圖書館基金會新增2名董事

Boston Public Library Fund Announces New Members of the Board of Directors  Two new members will enhance the Fund’s efforts to raise private resources for the Boston Public Library. 

BOSTON, July 14, 2026  — The Boston Public Library Fund (BPLF) today announced that two new board members joined the nonprofit’s work to support the Boston Public Library (BPL), ensuring that it remains a strong and vital resource for the residents of the City of Boston and the Commonwealth.

The new board members began their terms this summer:   

• Marta Garcia is a Principal in the Intellectual Property Litigation Group at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP and represents leading technology and life sciences companies in complex patent and intellectual property disputes. Marta is a longtime resident of Boston and is raising her young family here. As the first lawyer in her family, she cares deeply about education, mentorship, and public institutions.

• Preston F. “Skip” Kodak is Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Operations for the LEGO Group. Skip played a key role in establishing a transformative partnership between the LEGO Group and the Boston Public Library, which the company announced at the opening of its new US headquarters in May 2025. The two-year initiative will bring play-based learning opportunities to children and families across Boston. Skip is passionate and committed to advancing the needs of underserved children and families at risk. 

“We’re excited to expand our Board of Directors with two new members who are passionate about the BPL’s ability to empower individuals and families,” said BPLF Executive Director Paula Sakey. “They bring tremendous experience, and we’re delighted to have their expertise and insight.” 

Private support of the BPL plays an essential role in providing bold and innovative programs that address the broad needs of Boston’s communities. “On behalf of the Board, I want to express a warm welcome to our new members,” said BPLF Board Chair Jeff Hawkins. “Their work will help the Library accelerate its ability to create new ways to drive social and economic equity.” 

To learn more about the BPLF Board of Directors and read member bios, click here.   

Concerned Jewish Faculty & Staff Rejects Censorship of Student Art by the Public Schools of Brookline to “Protect” the Israeli Flag

Concerned Jewish Faculty & Staff Rejects Censorship of Student Art by the Public Schools of Brookline to “Protect” the Israeli Flag 

BROOKLINE, Mass.– Should we stop teaching students to respect different viewpoints if some parents are offended by them? That’s the message the Brookline public school district is sending with its new art show censorship policy. In the process, it offers a disturbing picture of how authoritarian policies travel around the world and are imposed in local communities.

After an exhibition on May 20 at the Florida Ruffin Ridley Elementary School, the right-wing social media account StopAntisemitism.org posted a snapshot of one student’s artwork to its 350,000 followers. It included several national flags, including those of Israel, Ukraine, Lebanon, Iran, Palestine, and the United States. One of two Israeli flags in the artwork had a wooden craft stick inserted through the middle. StopAntisemitism called the piece “a vile display,” neglecting to share the student’s accompanying note, which spoke of the need to raise awareness about “the horrible things going on” in the world.

StopAntisemitism.org was set up in 2018, and has targeted hundreds of individuals for expressing political opinions about Israel. Among them was the children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel after she voiced sympathy with young people in Gaza. It has been funded by the family foundation of Israeli-American real estate tycoon Adam Milstein, a top Republican donor who also gave thousands of dollars to the far-right group Accuracy in Media, which doxxes pro-Palestinian college students. StopAntisemitism’s focus on protecting the Israeli flag reflects draconian laws that were enacted in Israel over the past decade to control political expression, as well as the authoritarian views of President Trump and his supporters. 

Following the art show at Ridley, some Jewish and Israeli families told the school principal that they felt their “identity, heritage and community” were “targeted” by the student project. Hours later, the principal announced that the piece had been removed from the show, and that a formal investigation was being launched by the district’s civil rights coordinator under its antisemitism policy. An update by the principal reported that the investigation found no evidence of discrimination, but because the artwork was “reasonably perceived by Jewish and Israeli community members as invoking antisemitic tropes, and caused significant distress,” the district would create “a systemic review process to evaluate student work before public exhibition.”

But was the perception of antisemitism “reasonable”? This was disputed by many of Ridley School’s Jewish families. “Antisemitism is real,” two parents observed, “and we live with it. But when our ethnic and religious identity are conscripted into a foreign nationalism, real antisemitism becomes harder to see and harder to fight.” The school’s actions had normalized “the very kind of ethnic generalization that antisemitism traffics in.” The parents received no substantive reply from the principal.

At the request of several Brookline residents, Concerned Jewish Faculty & Staff contacted the district superintendent. Administrators, they wrote, were propagating “a false and dangerous stereotype that labels all Jewish people as ethnonationalists more devoted to Israeli imagery than to free speech. It unnecessarily invites legally suspect viewpoint discrimination. It avoids and indeed hobbles the kind of restorative discussion that is so badly needed. Such a policy will not lead to good pedagogical or political outcomes in Brookline.” 

Jewish parents and community members continued to write school administrators, defending the artwork and questioning the district’s shortsighted response. Who gets to decide, they asked, whether student expression is causing “pain” to members of one group or another, and that official intervention is necessary? They, too, were ignored.

Faced with the school district’s blanket refusal to engage, people aired their concerns in the local press. “The public schools should not be censoring their students and taking away their legal rights,” one Brookline resident protested. “Artwork provides opportunities to have open discussions, instead of ‘taking action.’” Another wrote: “Allowing political pressure to dictate student art boundaries fails to foster critical thinking. We must protect students’ rights to question symbols and power structures without censorship.”  “School and district leaders engaged in a common conflation,” observed another. “It should be acceptable to criticize Israel, as it is any country. Judaism is a religion and culture. Criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitic. Indeed, I am among the many Jews who believe that Israel is engaged in genocide against Palestinians. Israel’s behavior must be called out, and art is an excellent means to do so.”

CJFS rejects the creeping authoritarianism reflected by the new Brookline school district censorship policy. Pressure by right-wing influence campaigns and their wealthy donors protects nobody from antisemitism. Instead it harms our schools and communities, ignores the political diversity of the Jewish community and falsely associates us with the restriction of civil liberties. We call on the district to reverse its policy.

Governor Healey Launches Build for Mass, a First-of-Its-Kind Municipal Infrastructure Loan Program

 Governor Healey Launches Build for Mass, a First-of-Its-Kind Municipal Infrastructure Loan Program 

 New $75 million revolving loan fund will lower costs, accelerate local infrastructure projects and help communities maximize federal funding  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the launch of Build for Mass, a new $75 million revolving loan fund that will help cities and towns finance critical infrastructure, clean energy, climate resilience, and economic development projects. Administered by MassDevelopment, the state’s economic development finance agency, Build for Mass is the first municipal infrastructure loan program of its kind in Massachusetts, providing flexible, low-interest financing that helps communities move projects forward faster while maximizing available federal funding opportunities. 

Lieutenant Governor Driscoll announced the initiative at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission, an independent group that advocates for the interests of local governments in their relations with state and federal governments.  

"Cities and towns know what projects their communities need, but too often they face financial barriers that slow those projects down," said Governor Maura Healey. "Build for Mass gives communities another tool to repair aging infrastructure, lower energy costs, strengthen local economies and bring more federal dollars home to Massachusetts. We're making state investments go further while helping communities move important projects from the drawing board to construction without raising taxes or fees.” 

"As a former mayor, I know how difficult it can be to move important infrastructure projects forward when financing isn't readily available," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Build for Mass gives local leaders the flexibility they need to bridge funding gaps, keep projects on track and deliver results for their residents. It's another example of our administration working alongside cities and towns to solve real challenges." 

"Build for Mass gives communities a flexible new financing tool to move critical projects forward faster, from downtown revitalization to clean energy investments," said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. "By helping cities and towns bridge funding gaps and leverage federal resources, this program will strengthen local economies, create opportunities for businesses, and make Massachusetts more competitive for years to come." 

 "Build for Mass is the latest example of our Administration's commitment to using every available tool to deliver real benefits for Massachusetts communities," said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. "Nearly two years ago, Governor Healey established a state matching fund using interest from our strong Stabilization Fund--providing a flexible new method of unlocking additional investments in our cities and towns. Using these resources to seed Build for Mass is a strategic, sustainable way to make Massachusetts more resilient and more competitive." 

“Massachusetts communities are on track to receive federal funding to build clean energy, expand transportation, and fix our aging water infrastructure, but they need financing to support their projects in the meantime,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “That’s where Build for Mass comes in. Revolving loan funds are key to getting projects off the ground while keeping costs down. We’re excited to be a part of this innovative new fund and we’re looking forward to supporting the municipal leaders on the ground who need support realizing their ideas.”  

“Build for Mass is going to help us further drive down energy bills for our cities and towns – that means less tax dollars going towards high energy bills, and more funding flowing back into communities,” said Commissioner of Energy Resources Elizabeth Mahony. “By leveraging the revolving loan model, we’re going to get more geothermal and storage projects powering municipal buildings. Build for Mass will bring energy affordability, efficient buildings, and reduced power demand to our communities with these funds.” 

“When the Governor established the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office, we promised to implement a strategy that would help communities build projects they care about while maximizing federal investment in Massachusetts,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “In 2024, we made matching funds available to communities, launched new technical assistance programs for local governments, and now we’re making Build for Mass available statewide. Each of these initiatives have been a direct response to the needs voiced to us by local leaders across Massachusetts. At a time of increasing federal uncertainty, we are committed to advancing priority projects and Build for Mass will be key to this effort.” 

Prioritizing Gateway Cities and rural communities, Build for Mass will offer two low-interest revolving loan products: 

• The General Loan Program Provides low-interest loans that help municipalities bridge financing gaps for federally funded infrastructure projects, including neighborhood revitalization, seawalls, and other community improvements. 
• The Green Loan Program provides bridge financing for municipal clean energy projects that qualify for the federal Direct Pay program, enabling cities and towns to receive tax credit reimbursements for eligible projects. Qualifying projects include battery energy storage and ground-source heat pump systems that lower energy costs and improve energy efficiency. Build for Mass will operate as a revolving loan fund administered by MassDevelopment, which will oversee loan underwriting, servicing and compliance. As loans are repaid, the funds will be reinvested into future projects, creating a sustainable financing tool expected to support in multiple rounds of municipal infrastructure investments over the next 20 years. Applications are expected to open later in 2026.

"Build for Mass is a smarter way to use state dollars to get stuff done,” said Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. “This fund will help more cities and towns build critical infrastructure as well as provide a tax credit bridge loan to help communities and businesses take advantage of federal dollars to build energy saving battery storage and geothermal projects—locking in deep energy cost savings for decades to come while reducing harmful pollution.  It’s a win-win for pocketbooks and planet.” 

"As the state’s development finance agency and land bank, MassDevelopment has the tools and expertise to assist communities, businesses, and nonprofits as they advance economic development across the state,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “We are thrilled to deploy Build for Mass, which will help cities and towns access and leverage federal funding for critical clean energy and municipal infrastructure projects.” 

Build for Mass is funded through $50 million from the Commonwealth Federal Match and Debt Reduction Fund, established through legislation proposed by Governor Healey to help Massachusetts compete for federal funding.  The program also includes an additional $25 million from the Department of Energy Resources, in partnership with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, to support clean energy projects and lower long-term energy costs.  

Statements of Support 

Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director and CEO, Massachusetts Municipal Association:  

“Cities and towns are excited about the forthcoming Municipal Lending Program at MassDevelopment. This program is an excellent example of the Commonwealth’s leaders working in partnership to deliver innovative programming that will offer support for communities to secure the financing needed to address critical infrastructure projects. We applaud the Legislature and the teams at FFIO and MassDevelopment for launching this initiative, and look forward to the many projects this financing option will support.”  

Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch: 

"Coastal communities like Quincy are planning today for long-term climate-related impacts on our infrastructure. That means making significant investments in critical resilience projects that will better protect our residents, businesses, and public assets from increasingly severe weather. Securing affordable financing for these projects remains a major challenge, which is why Build for Mass offers such a promising new pathway to access the capital we need. I'm grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for investing in this innovative program and providing communities with new tools to tackle pressing problems." 

Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson: 

"For cities and towns like Gardner, lack of access to flexible financing is often a barrier to moving our most important projects forward. We're thrilled that Build for Mass will provide a new avenue for funding those projects, which may otherwise take longer to complete at a higher cost. Programs like this help capacity-constrained communities like mine make meaningful progress on the projects most important to our residents. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their continued leadership and innovation in bringing new resources to communities." 

Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra: 

"Northampton is committed to building infrastructure that not only meets the needs of our residents today, but also supports a cleaner, more sustainable future. Build for Mass will provide communities with an important new opportunity to finance these projects at a lower cost, helping us advance our clean energy and infrastructure goals. We sincerely appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration's leadership in creating this new tool for communities across the Commonwealth.” 

吳弭市長宣佈FIFA世界盃看球派對 7/14~19 在波士頓市府廣場還有4場

    （Boston Orange編譯）波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）13日宣佈波士頓市最後一輪免費、適合全家同樂的 FIFA 世界盃™戶外直播派對還有4場，將從14日到19日在波士頓市府廣場舉行。

    吳弭市長說，「這個夏天，波士頓展現出一個美麗、熱情、適合闔家同樂且包容所有人的城市形象，成為了美國最佳的外交大使」。波士頓市感謝道富集團（State Street）攜手合作，把最後幾場世界盃直播派對帶到市政廳廣場，延續這份慶祝熱潮，能充分發會波士頓作為主辦城市的效應，讓居民、在地企業，以及所有遊客有更豐富的享受。

    波士頓市府表示，這系列直播派對是吳弭市長致力把免費、以社區為基礎的世界盃活動推廣至波士頓各個社區的努力之一。

    直播派對詳細時間表

7月14日（星期二）

FIFA 世界盃™ 準決賽 - 法國 vs. 西班牙

地點：市政廳廣場（City Hall Plaza） | 美東時間下午 3:00

7月15日（星期三）

FIFA 世界盃™ 準決賽 - 阿根廷 vs. 英格蘭

地點：市政廳廣場（City Hall Plaza） | 美東時間下午 3:00

7月18日（星期六）

FIFA 世界盃™ 季軍賽

地點：市政廳廣場（City Hall Plaza） | 美東時間下午 5:00

7月19日（星期日）

FIFA 世界盃™ 冠軍賽

地點：市政廳廣場（City Hall Plaza） | 美東時間下午 3:00

    截至目前，波士頓市已在各個社區舉辦了 11 場社區直播派對，讓球迷們齊聚一堂觀賞比賽並慶祝這項國際盛事。早前，市府與 Big Night Entertainment Group 及 The Bowery Presents 合作，已舉辦過多場直播派對，為居民、家庭和遊客提供更多享受比賽與世界盃激情的機會。市府過往直播派對的照片可在此處瀏覽https://www.flickr.com/photos/bosmayorsoffice/。

    查詢最新資訊、市府直播派對的更多細節，以及波士頓各地免費直播派對的完整清單，請上市政府官網：www.boston.gov/watchparties。

    波士頓市府鼓勵居民與遊客在賽事期間以實際行動支持在地商家。歡迎透過市府的《社區商業指南》（Neighborhood Business Guide）尋找有播放賽事的在地店家，上網 boston.gov/summer 找更多夏季精彩活動。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES FINAL FIFA WORLD CUP™ WATCH PARTIES AT CITY HALL PLAZA

BOSTON - Monday, July 13, 2026 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced details for the City of Boston’s final slate of free, family-friendly FIFA World Cup™ watch parties, including the Semi Final matches, the Third Place Match, and the FIFA World Cup™ Final. These watch parties will bring residents, families and visitors together at City Hall to experience the final matches of the tournament and to celebrate Boston’s summer as a host city.

“This summer, Boston has become America’s best ambassador as a beautiful, welcoming, family-friendly city that is a home for everyone,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we enter the final stages of the FIFA World Cup, we are thrilled to collaborate with partners to keep the celebrations going and make the most of this opportunity for our residents, businesses, and all the visitors still enjoying summer in Boston. Thank you to State Street for helping us bring these final World Cup watch parties to City Hall Plaza, and for such strong leadership helping Boston shine throughout this summer."

The watch parties are part of Mayor Wu’s efforts to host free, community based World Cup programming to communities across Boston. The City’s watch parties are made possible in part by State Street.

Tuesday, July 14

FIFA World Cup™ Semi Final - France vs. Spain

City Hall Plaza | 3:00 p.m. ET 

Wednesday, July 15

FIFA World Cup™ Semi Final - Argentina vs. England

City Hall Plaza  | 3:00 p.m. ET

Saturday, July 18

FIFA World Cup™ Third Place Match 

City Hall Plaza | 5:00 p.m. ET

Sunday, July 19 

FIFA World Cup™ Final Match

City Hall Plaza | 3:00 p.m. ET

To date, the City of Boston has hosted 11 community watch parties across neighborhoods, bringing fans together to watch matches and celebrate the tournament. Previously, the City partnered with Big Night Entertainment Group and The Bowery Presents on earlier watch parties to provide more opportunities for residents, families and visitors to enjoy matches and share in the excitement of the World Cup™. Photos from the City’s watch parties are available here.

For the latest information and additional details on the City’s watch parties, and a list of free watch parties taking place across Boston, visit: www.boston.gov/watchparties.

Residents and visitors are also encouraged to support local businesses during the tournament. Find local businesses showing matches on the City’s Neighborhood Business Guide and additional summer programming at boston.gov/summer. 

BTBA第14屆年會請 Stephen Cho、Arlene Sharpe分享業界學界生技人職涯發展經驗

波士頓台灣人生物技術協會會長廖怡恩（右）和楊志祥（左）和即將於
9月調返台灣的科技組組長蔡孟勳。（周菊子攝）

         （Boston Orange周菊子麻州報導）波士頓台灣人生物技術協會（BTBA) 在7月11、12兩日，假哈佛大學舉辦第14屆年會，探討業界，學界的個人職涯發展，以及生醫領域的各種課題，吸引來自各州近300人出席。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏（第一排左四），科技組長蔡孟勳（左三），
波士頓僑教中心主任康雅雄都是BTBA年會嘉賓。（讀者提供）

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏，科技組組長蔡孟勳，以及新到任的波士頓僑教中心主任康雅雄都專程出席與盛，讚許BTBA本屆會長廖怡恩和楊志祥領導有方，率數十志工匯聚本地生醫人才交流經驗。

        2日會議的主講人，分別為百濟神州（BeOne Medicine）全球產品組合與專案管理資深副總裁Stephen Cho和哈佛醫學院免疫學系主任Arlene Sharpe。

        韓裔的Stephen Cho談「從實驗到企業組合策略：我的組合管理領導成長之路（From Experiments to Enterprise Portfolio Strategy: My Journey to Portfolio Management Leadership）」。

波士頓台灣人生物技術協會(BTBA）第14屆會長廖怡恩（左）和楊志祥（右）。
（周菊子攝）

        他描述了自己從科學家成為管理者，從學術界轉進企業界的個人職涯轉變過程，指出在進入一家新公司，或轉任新職位時，在第一個100天內應深入思考，自己想要達成什麼目標，核心專注點應該放在哪兒，如何為自己尋找「導師（Mentor）」或職場贊助人（Sponsor），建立人脈網路。

波士頓台灣人生物技術協會(BTBA）第14屆會長廖怡恩（左）和楊志祥（右），
感謝百濟神州全球產品組合與專案管理資深副總裁Stephen Cho出席主講。（周菊子攝）

        Arlene Sharpe談「T細胞共刺激：從發現到癌症免疫治療－我的科學研究歷程（T cell costimulation: From discovery to Cancer Immunotherapy, my Scientific Journey）」。

她透露自己會踏上科研這條路，竟是源於小學二年級做利馬豆（Lima Bean）實驗，得到校長寫信嘉獎，期許她將來得到科學研究藍絲帶（第一名）。

BTBA會長廖怡恩（左一）、楊志祥（右）和主持人廖庭尉（右二）
送感謝禮給哈佛醫學院免疫學系主任Arlene Sharpe。（周菊子攝）

讀大學時，她一度猶豫不決，該選科學還是人類學，但是大二夏天進Jack Strominger實驗室工作，體驗到“發現的喜悅”，從此就一頭栽進科研，又幸運遇到Bernard Fields，學會如何做一名嚴謹、獨立的科學家。

20年前，她和她的大學同學Rafi Ahmed 以及 Gordon Freeman 合作，發表了在「自然（Nature）」上被引用次數最多，首次證實PD-1是Ｔ細胞功能障礙核心因素的論文。

趨勢論壇：Spatial Omics and AI in Translational Medicine。（周菊子攝）

Arlene Sharpe表示，檢查點阻斷療法的成功，真正引領了癌症治療的範式轉移（Paradigm shift），生醫產業與學界的未來，絕對在於聯合療法（combination therapy），綜合考慮腫瘤的各種內在特徵，利用空間體學和AI方法來分析。目前的挑戰包括如何處理缺乏預先存在免疫反應的腫瘤。

趨勢論壇From Code to Clinic: Using AI to Improve Patient Outcomes。（讀者提供）

2場趨勢論壇，分別談「轉化醫學中的空間組學與人工智慧（Spatial Omics and AI in Translational Medicine）」和「從程式碼到臨床：用人工智慧改善醫療效果（From Code to Clinic: Using AI to Improve Patient Outcomes）」。

罕見病座談送紀念品給講者。（讀者提供）

        4場座談，題目分別為「將罕見疾病基因體學轉化為精準療法（Translating Rare Disease Genomics into Precision Therapies）」，「解碼基因傳遞：AAV、LNP 與 VLP 技術的策略比較 (Decoding Gene Delivery: Comparative Strategies in AAV, LNP, and VLP Technologies)」，「新型藥物模式：RNA幹擾、蛋白質降解與基因編輯的融合(Novel Drug Modalities: The Convergence of RNA Interference, Protein Degradation, and Genome Editing)」，「超越臨床：造福地球的生物技術(Beyond the Clinic: Biotechnology for the Planet)」。

        午餐圓桌會的7個主題，分別是1. 求職與面試指南，2. 履歷優化輔導，3. 從不確定到機會：職業轉型的思維模式，4. 建立你的首個 AI 智能體工作流程，5. 跨越鴻溝：學術界與產業界的溝通技巧，6. 化學、製造與控制（CMC）：職業路徑與產業洞察，7. 台灣學術界：現況與未來展望。

BTBA前會長杜荷州（中）是Novel Drug Modalities座談講者之一。（周菊子攝）

        主持座談的人包括波士頓經文處科技組組長蔡孟勳，中研院細胞與固體生物學研究所副研究員李宜靜（Yi-Ching Lee），圖策科技（Graphen Health）技術長梁景翔（Richard Liang），Leveragen 主任周嘉慶，禮來（Eli Lilly） 資深科學領導施毓桓（Yu-Huan Shih ），BTBA前會長暨Be Biopharma資深科學家及小組經理吳佩容等人。

姚俊臣（右）和楊志祥（左）主持Beyond the Clinic: Biotechnology for the Planet座談。
（周菊子攝）

        早餐會也有BTBA前會長邱亮源等人，各盡己力的駐守會場，分享經驗，有問必答的回答任何出席者的提問。

台美生技協會會長洪筱鈴（左起）和年會總朝張家華預告該會今年11月7, 8兩日年會。
（周菊子攝）

BTBA共會長，諾華（Novartis）資深科學家廖怡恩和百奧賽圖（Biocytogen）體內藥理科學家楊志祥在會末總結時，感謝數十名參與策劃及執行的志工們，頒發口頭報告獎給2名博士候選人，哈佛的胡金儒和東北大學的Hsin-Wen Liang。頒發最佳海報講給明尼蘇達大學的Chia-Ling Yu，西北大學Pin-Chi Hou，以及觀眾選擇獎Wisconsin-Madison大學Kevin Shih。

會議第一天，還送出紀念品，感謝紐英崙玉山科技協會會長許益祥等十幾名導師（Mentors）。

德州台灣生物科技協會代表說，該會今年年會也是11月7、8日那個週末。
（周菊子攝）

BTBA 2026的第14屆年會，在一天半之內，舉辦了2場主題演講， 2場趨勢座談，4場分論壇，以及邀得13名前輩分享經驗，分7個主題的午餐圓桌會，邀得21名專家現場回答提問的早餐會，內容十分豐富。

台美生技協會會長洪筱玲和2026年會總召張家華，以及德州台灣生物科技協會代表，這天都來出席會議，呼籲「台灣人支持台灣人」，並預告各自的年會日期，居然都是11月7、8兩日的這個週末，引發台下一片爆笑。

BTBA感謝擔任導師的許益祥（中）等人。（周菊子攝）

BTBA 2026年會口頭報告得獎人為胡金儒和Hsin-Wen Liang。

BTBA 2026年會最佳海報獎及觀眾選擇獎得主。（周菊子攝）

北一女校友許翠玲（左二）和吳杏玫（右二）特地出席，為學妹，
BTBA本屆會長廖怡恩打氣。（周菊子攝）

BTBA2026會長廖怡恩（右二起），楊志祥和本屆董事胡金儒，吳佩容，
羅維中，蔡明儒。（周菊子攝）