Governor Healey Nominates Judges to Serve on Juvenile Court and Boston Municipal Court

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    

March 11, 2026 

  

CONTACT:   

Jacqueline Manning, jacqui.manning@mass.gov, 617-823-8307 

 

 

Governor Healey Nominates Judges to Serve on Juvenile Court and Boston Municipal Court 

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey nominated Michelle Licciardi to serve as an Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court and Kristin Michaud to serve as an Associate Justice of the Juvenile Court. Both nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation. 

  

“I am proud to nominate Michelle and Kristin to serve as Associate Justices. With decades of legal experience, they bring the knowledge, judgment and steady temperament that our judicial system depends on," said Governor Maura Healey. "I am confident they will approach the bench with integrity and care, and that they will work every day to ensure that justice is administered thoughtfully and fairly for everyone who comes before them." 

  

“I am excited to work with the Governor’s Council to advance these nominees and help ensure that our residents continue to have thoughtful, fair, and highly qualified judges serving on our courts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 

The mission of the Juvenile Court is to protect children from abuse and neglect, to promote opportunities for children to reside in safe, stable, permanent family environments, to strengthen families, to rehabilitate juveniles, and to protect the public from delinquent and criminal behavior. The Juvenile Court Department has jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters including delinquencies, youthful offender cases, care and protection matters and children requiring assistance cases. It has 42 judges, including the Chief Justice, sitting in over 40 courthouses. For more information about the Juvenile Court, visit its homepage. Governor Healey has previously nominated 13 judges to the Juvenile Court: Jamie Bennett, Jennifer Currie, Andrew Don, Tiffanie Ellis-Niles, Mary Gallant-Cote, Nibal Raheb, Andrew Hoffman, Audrey Murillo, Jeannie Rhinehart, Benjamin Mann, LaKeshia Parker Small, Fabiola White and Karin Wilinski.  

The Boston Municipal Court Department serves the City of Boston and the Town of Winthrop, handling both criminal and civil matters while maintaining a commitment to the rule of law, and protecting human dignity through respect, compassion, correction, and the fair resolution of cases. The Boston Municipal Court Department has 30 judges in 8 court divisions. For more information about the Boston Municipal Court, visit its homepage. Governor Healey has previously nominated six judges to the Boston Municipal Court: Rebeca G. Figueroa, Vanessa Vélez, Steven S. Kim, Connor Barusch, Nicholas Brandt, and Dana Pierce. 

About the Nominees: 

Michelle Licciardi is an experienced trial lawyer who has practiced law in the Commonwealth for over 27 years. For the past 22 years she has run a solo practice focused on criminal defense and a wide array of civil litigation matters. Since 2004, she has also served as a Bar Advocate representing indigent clients in criminal matters in the Juvenile, District, Boston Municipal, Superior, and Appeals Courts. From 2001-2003, she served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, where she represented the Commonwealth at all stages of criminal prosecution in the District Court. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Suffolk University and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. 

Kristin Michaud has served as an Assistant Clerk Magistrate at the Somerville District Court since July 2021. In this role she conducts probable cause hearings, reviews and issues arrest and search warrants, and presides over small claims, civil motor vehicle infractions, and municipal ordinance matters. She also serves as Chair of the Somerville District Court Education Committee. From 2009-2021, Attorney Michaud was a private attorney and mentor on the Children and Family Law Panel, representing children and parents in care and protection, children requiring assistance, and guardianship proceedings in the Juvenile and Probate and Family Courts, and serving as a Guardian ad Litem in Juvenile Court proceedings. From 2006-2009, Attorney Michaud served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office where she prosecuted a wide range of cases in the District and Juvenile Courts. Prior to earning her law degree, she served for four years as a Victim Witness Advocate at the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, where she assisted victims and witnesses in navigating the complexities of the court system. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Fairfield University and Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law. 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Civic Learning Week, Highlights MA250 “Bold Stories, Bright Legacies” Student Initiative

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Civic Learning Week, Highlights MA250 “Bold Stories, Bright Legacies” Student Initiative

K-12 students invited to submit creative projects highlighting Massachusetts revolutionaries; 

top submissions to be displayed at the State House

 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey has declared March 9-13, 2026, as Civic Learning Week in Massachusetts, reaffirming the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to high-quality civics education and student engagement.  

 

As part of Civic Learning Week, the administration is also highlighting the “Massachusetts Revolutionaries: Bold Stories, Bright Legacies” project, a MA250 a statewide student engagement opportunity connected to Massachusetts’ commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.  

 

“Massachusetts has always played a central role in the story of our democracy,” said Governor Healey. “Civic Learning Week is about ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education that prepares them to think critically, get involved in their communities, and make their voices heard.” 

 

“Strong civic education helps students understand not just how government works, but how they can contribute to their communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, initiatives like MA250’s ‘Bold Stories, Bright Legacies’ invite students to connect our revolutionary history with the responsibilities of citizenship today.” 

 

Through the Massachusetts Revolutionaries: Bold Stories, Bright Legacies initiative, K–12 public school students across Massachusetts are invited to submit creative projects that tell the story of the most important revolutionary in Massachusetts history. Students are encouraged to conduct research and use their talents — from essays and poetry to artwork, video or multimedia presentations — to bring their chosen revolutionary’s story to life. Selected top submissions will be displayed at the State House. 

 

“Students across Massachusetts are taking part in hands-on civic learning experiences that challenge them to research, collaborate and propose solutions to real-world issues,” said Acting Education Secretary Amy Kershaw. “Through Civic Learning Week and the MA250 initiative, we are empowering young people to see themselves as active participants in shaping the Commonwealth’s future.” 

 

“In Massachusetts, we want students to be prepared for college, careers and civic life,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “DESE supports Massachusetts Civics Projects Showcases and Student Government Day to teach civic engagement and discourse, and I'm glad to see MA250 call attention to the importance of civic learning." 

 

In developing their projects, students are encouraged to consider questions such as:  

·       How do you define ‘revolutionary’? How does your featured revolutionary meet that definition? 

·       What are the different ways to revolutionize a society? What does a revolution look like in technology, politics and government, society, and beyond? 

·       Who are the revolutionaries whose stories haven’t been as widely told? If your revolutionary is widely known, what made them so famous? Are there any “new” parts of their story that you can tell? 

·       How does knowing about your chosen revolutionary help us understand who we are as Massachusetts today, and where we should go in the future? 

 

"Ever since 2018 and the introduction of new state standards in Social Studies, Massachusetts has been a national leader in civic education,” said Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Democratic Knowledge Project Director Danielle Allen. “It's terrific to see the Healey-Driscoll administration elevating that leadership and tapping into the remarkable talents of our students to energize our storytelling about democracy."

Governor Healey Highlights Recent Wave of Business Expansions Bringing Thousands of Jobs to Massachusetts

Governor Healey Highlights Recent Wave of Business Expansions Bringing Thousands of Jobs to Massachusetts 

Recent company expansions and relocations reinforce Massachusetts’ leadership in innovation and economic growth 
 

BOSTON - During her address to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Forum on Wednesday, Governor Maura Healey will highlight a wave of recent business expansions and investments across Massachusetts that are bringing with them thousands of jobs and strengthening the state’s leadership in innovation, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and life sciences. 

Recent announcements from global firms and homegrown companies across multiple industries show continued momentum in Massachusetts’ innovation economy, with businesses choosing to expand and invest in the state’s talent, research institutions and collaborative business environment. 

“Massachusetts is where companies come to build the future,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We have the best talent in the world, unmatched research institutions and an innovation ecosystem that helps businesses grow and compete. Companies are choosing Massachusetts because they know this is the place to innovate, create jobs and lead the next generation of industries. But we know that residents and businesses alike are facing headwinds driven by high costs and President Trump’s policies, and that’s why we’re continuing to work every day to make Massachusetts more affordable and competitive.” 

“These announcements show that companies across industries continue to choose Massachusetts as the place to innovate, grow and create jobs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re proud to partner with businesses, universities and workers across our state to support economic growth and ensure Massachusetts remains a global leader in innovation – and we’re going to keep doing everything we can to maintain this positioning.” 

“These announcements show the breadth of Massachusetts’ economy, from innovative technology and life science companies to businesses that serve our communities every day,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Companies from across the globe are investing here because of our world-class talent, our strong business environment, and the partnerships that help businesses grow. We’re focused on making sure companies of all sizes can continue to expand and create jobs across the state.”  

Governor Healey will highlight this momentum during her remarks to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, where she will discuss the state’s economic competitiveness, investments in innovation and workforce development, and efforts to lower costs for residents and businesses.   

While recognizing that the state faces headwinds, including high costs, Governor Healey will also highlight the many competitive strengths that Massachusetts has, starting with its world-class talent. Last year, Massachusetts students ranked number one among states on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) — often called the Nation’s Report Card – and just recently, College Board announced that Massachusetts students earned the highest scores on Advanced Placement (AP) exams last year and broke the all-time record for the highest percentage of graduates who scored 3 or higher on an AP exam. 

Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis also shows that Massachusetts led the nation in real Gross Domestic Product (GD) growth on a percentage basis through the first three quarters of 2025, which is the most recent data available. 

Several recent announcements represent significant new job growth in Massachusetts. Major global companies are also making substantial investments in advanced manufacturing and research in Massachusetts: 

• P&G Gillette recently announced plans to establish its Grooming Headquarters and Technical Innovation Center in South Boston, representing a $1 billion investment. The facility will support 750 permanent jobs, while construction of the new campus is expected to generate hundreds of additional jobs for members of the building trades. 
• GE Aerospace announced a $42 million investment in its Lynn facility to upgrade sites producing defense engines and components, strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base. 
• Global veterinary specialty care company Dechra will relocate its global headquarters from the United Kingdom to Boston. 
• Boston-based wearable technology company Whoop announced plans to add more than 600 new jobs, primarily in Boston, as it continues to expand its operations and workforce. 
• Massachusetts-based grocery chain Big Y announced plans to open six new stores across the state, representing a $50 million capital investment and creating approximately 750 full and part-time jobs. 

The state continues to see strong growth in advanced manufacturing and life sciences as well: 

• VulcanForms, a metal additive manufacturing company founded at MIT, recently secured $220 million in financing and plans to open a third factory in Devens, adding more than 100 new jobs. 
• Medical technology company TransMedics is expanding its presence at Assembly Innovation Park in Somerville, leasing nearly 500,000 square feet of lab space and acquiring additional land to support the company’s continued growth. 
• Biotech company Stoke Therapeutics also recently signed a lease for 98,500 square feet in Waltham, where it will relocate and expand its headquarters later this year. 
• Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, recently announced an expansion of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Norton. 
  
  

Massachusetts is also continuing to attract investment from companies developing the next generation of artificial intelligence technologies. Anthropic, Lovable and xAI have recently established a presence in Massachusetts and begun hiring locally, further strengthening the region’s growing AI ecosystem. 

Massachusetts companies are also receiving global recognition for their innovation. A record number of Boston-area firms were recently named to the LexisNexis Top 100 Global Innovators list, including Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Moderna, Flagship Pioneering, Orna Therapeutics and SharkNinja. 

Together, these recent announcements represent thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in private investment, reinforcing Massachusetts’ position as a global hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. Massachusetts continues to attract companies from around the country and the world that are looking to grow, innovate and access the state’s highly skilled workforce.  

Ché Anderson Named Chair of Mass Cultural Council by Governor Healey

Ché Anderson Named Chair of Mass Cultural Council by Governor Healey

Worcester leader will guide the state arts agency's governing Council and oversee search for next Executive Director

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey has designated Worcester resident Ché Anderson as Chair of Mass Cultural Council, the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency. In this role, Anderson will lead the Agency’s governing Council and help guide the organization as it strives to bolster the Massachusetts cultural sector.   “I’m grateful to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor for the opportunity to serve,” said Chair Anderson. “The Commonwealth’s cultural assets, from the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston and Old Sturbridge Village to Elevated Thought and MASS MoCA, are among the strongest in the nation. I look forward to helping amplify our core belief that culture is essential to the health and vitality of Massachusetts, and to advancing transformational change across our creative ecosystem that strengthens the livability of every Commonwealth community.” Anderson has served with distinction on the Council as both the Worcester County representative for more than four years, as well as co-chair of the Advancement Committee over the last eighteen months. First appointed by former Governor Charlie Baker on May 17, 2021, he was reappointed to a second term by Healey on February 29, 2024. "Arts and culture are central to what makes Massachusetts such a vibrant place to live, work and visit,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Ché Anderson understands the power of culture to bring people together and strengthen communities. I’m excited to see him lead Mass Cultural Council as it continues supporting artists and cultural organizations across Massachusetts."   Mass Cultural Council, the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, is governed by a 19-member board of citizens known as the governing Council.   As directed by state law, governing Council members are appointed by the Governor to staggered three-year terms. They are private citizens who demonstrate scholarship or creativity in the arts, humanities, interpretive sciences, or local arts, and who represent communities across every county in Massachusetts. The Governor also appoints a Council Chair and Vice Chair, who serve at the Governor’s pleasure. The Chair serves as Mass Cultural Council’s Chief Executive Officer, with the responsibility of appointing the Executive Director, subject to the approval of the full Council. The Executive Director, in turn, leads the day-to-day operations of the Agency with support from the Senior Leadership staff team. While these roles provide essential leadership, the structure ensures that Mass Cultural Council’s mission, programs, and services continue without interruption, even as individuals rotate on and off the Council or new staff is hired. As Chair, Anderson will work closely with Council Vice Chair Jo-Ann Davis and Acting Executive Director David T. Slatery. Together, their first responsibility will be conducting a successful search for the Agency’s next Executive Director. "It was an honor and pleasure for me to have the opportunity to work so closely with our former Chair, Marc Carroll, and I look forward to forging a positive partnership with Ché," said Council Vice-Chair Jo-Ann Davis. "As we move through this transition, his perspective, commitment, and collaborative spirit will be invaluable as the Council continues to support the cultural sector and we begin the search for the Agency's next Executive Director."      “Ché Anderson has been an engaged and thoughtful member of the Council, and I’m pleased to welcome him into this leadership role,” said Acting Executive Director David T. Slatery. “Mass Cultural Council’s work is rooted in the idea that creativity strengthens communities and our economy alike. I look forward to partnering with Chair Anderson and Vice Chair Davis as we continue delivering the essential services and critical public investments of the Agency.”   Anderson succeeds Marc Carroll, whose exemplary leadership and service guided the Council as Vice Chair, Acting Chair and Chair for seven years.   About Chair Ché Anderson: Ché Anderson is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for City and Community Relations at the University of Massachusetts Medical School where he serves as a human bridge between the institution and external stakeholders. In his former role as Deputy Cultural Development Officer for the City of Worcester, he focused on public art, special events, and cultural equity. An avid lover of street art, Ché has led efforts to increase Worcester’s public art, most notably serving as co-founding Director of POW! WOW! Worcester, an annual placemaking festival that brings internationally acclaimed muralists, illustrators, and installation artists to Central Massachusetts to activate vacant and underused spaces, promote diversity, and stimulate dialogue in the City of Worcester. His recent endeavors include serving on the boards of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, United Way of Central Massachusetts, and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Opioid Settlement Funds Dashboard

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Opioid Settlement Funds Dashboard

 

New public tool allows residents to track how settlement funds are allocated and spent across Massachusetts

 

BOSTON (March 11, 2026) – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the launch of a public-facing dashboard that will allow users to track how opioid settlement funds are received, allocated, and spent across Massachusetts.

 

The Statewide Opioid Settlement Funds Dashboard, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), provides interactive access to comprehensive information on how these settlement funds are being stewarded for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery efforts across the state.

 

The launch of the dashboard coincides with the release of Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) state and municipal opioid settlement spending data.

 

“The Opioid Settlement Dashboard underscores our commitment to providing clear, accessible information to residents about how settlement dollars are being invested both at the state and municipal levels,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah, MD. “This tool allows for greater public awareness and input to continue informing decisions around how these critical resources are being put to use.”

 

“The launch of this dashboard is about more than simply providing data – it reflects the Department’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and fostering public trust,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Residents can feel confident in knowing that these once-in-a-generation funds are being managed strategically and equitably to address the devastating impacts of the overdose crisis in Massachusetts.”

 

Massachusetts is expected to receive $1 billion over 18 years as part of sweeping nationwide settlements with pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and retailers relating to allegations brought against them in connection with the opioid overdose crisis. The Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) was established in 2020 to receive and administer the state’s share of settlement funds.

 

Per the state-subdivision agreement, 40 percent of funds are allocated to municipalities, while 60 percent are allocated directly to the ORRF.  

 

The new dashboard allows the public to explore settlement funding by fiscal year; the state’s share through ORRF; and the local portion under Municipal Opioid Abatement Funds. It also includes key financial performance indicators, funds expended by region, spending categories, and project types. The dashboard will be updated annually.

 

Municipalities reported $107.7 million in available settlement funds in FY25, with more than $13.2 million spent during the fiscal year — the highest level of annual municipal spending since settlement funds began flowing to communities.

 

Many communities are still in the process of assessing local needs, engaging residents and people with lived experience, and identifying evidence-based approaches prior to spending funds to ensure strategic investments in sustainable programs that will have a lasting impact.

 

For the state’s share, ORRF received $40 million from opioid settlement payments in FY25. Combined with funds carried over from prior years, a total of $61 million in ORRF funds were spent in the fiscal year.

 

Through ORRF, a total of $13 million in multi-year Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership (Mosaic) grants were awarded last year to municipalities and their nonprofit partners, and community-based organizations to support substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programs. Mosaic is a collaboration created in 2024 between DPH/BSAS and RIZE Massachusetts to increase the equitable allocation of ORRF grants to small community-based organizations and municipalities.

 

Mosaic grants were awarded in three rounds to 56 recipients. The most recent round of awards was for $7.5 million over three years to eight community-based organizations offering support services to children and families impacted by the opioid crisis. Award recipients were:

 

· Cape Cod Children’s Place

· Enlace de Familias/Holyoke Family Network, Inc.

· GAAMHA, Inc.

· HALO Initiatives

· Learn to Cope, Inc.

· Martha’s Vineyard Youth Task Force

· New Beginnings Reentry Services

· Pathways for Children, Inc.

 

“The Mosaic grant-making program is just one example of the kind of investments the public can see and track on our Opioid Settlement Fund Dashboard,” said Deirdre Calvert, Director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. “We want families and communities, especially those hardest hit by the opioid crisis, to have a clear, accessible view of how settlement dollars are being strategically invested to make a measurable difference.”

 

To date, ORRF has received over $219 million in opioid settlement funds.

 

The ORRF Advisory Council is currently implementing a five-year spending plan (FY25-FY28) in alignment with its strategic priorities rooted in addressing disparities to ensure the fund is maximizing its impact in the state’s efforts to combat the overdose epidemic.

 

Explore the new dashboard and learn more about opioid settlement funding.