星期五, 4月 04, 2025

華埠居民擬請波士頓牌照局嚴審一日性娛樂牌照 警察提醒:謹防金光黨

波士頓華埠居民會在華人前進會的會議室開月例會。
            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓華埠3月份發生槍擊案,至少1人受傷,警察稱食肆逾時營業,居民們表示將要求波士頓市牌照局在發放一日性娛樂牌照前,嚴格審查。波士頓警察局提醒居民,遇事應撥打911電話,以留做將來要求增加警力證據。

波士頓市A1區警察黃天輝 (Frank Wong)。
波士頓市華埠居民會42日在華人前進會會址舉行月例會,現場逾20人,網上約18人參加會議。議程只有警察報告,以及活動預告。

波士頓A1區警察黃天輝 (Frank Wong) 在會中報告了3宗案件。在槍擊事件外,他還報告了華埠牌樓前仍有人銷贓,10年前的金光黨類案件,再次發生。華埠民眾應加強警戒心。

華埠土地信託會主任駱理德認為一日性娛樂牌照應嚴審。
第一宗是322日凌晨3點半,警方接獲911報告,泰勒街9號發生槍擊事件,有人受傷。警察趕到現場時,因大門深鎖,等不到人開門,無奈破窗而入,只見滿地是血,接著在報案者所說的3樓找到餐廳經理及警衛,被帶到屋後,見到身有多處槍傷,情況嚴重的受害者,並立即送醫。

警察抵達時,嫌犯已逃離現場,但黃天輝說警察握有嫌犯的照片,知道要搜捕的是誰,目前正在繼續調查。

警官黃天輝還表示,根據市府發出的一日性娛樂牌照,營業活動應於凌晨2點結束。但警察抵達時,已是凌晨3點半,室內卻仍然播放著音樂。

黃光野查問營業時間,促請警方提供警察報告。
他指出,把餐廳當作夜總會來經營,把不應該來的群眾帶進波士頓華埠,才會發生這種事件。他說,據他所知,泰勒街9號曾發生過不只一次這類事故,但波士頓華埠民眾無人報案,警察也只能在有事故發生時,才過來處理。

波士頓市警察局A1區警長Rich Driscoll這晚也特地從網上參加會議,但未露面。他說明,龍鳳餐廳是在拿到一日性娛樂牌照下營業,警方現已針對嫌犯發出帶捕令,這一事件對社區安全已無威脅。他強調華埠居民不應面對槍擊案威脅,至於營業許可證這事,得由牌照局決定。

波士頓市議會市議員愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)的助理盧善柔在會中表示,費連市議員一向關注、維護社區安全,上任以來一直致力為社區民眾發聲,當初龍鳳酒樓有意申請一年期的娛樂牌照時,費連議員辦公室就基於社區民眾意見,拒絕協助。


一名住在必珠街,說普通話的婦女表示,這條街上經常有非洲裔男子在凌晨兩、三點,甚至四點,還大聲喧嘩,拍照,唱歌,或打架,吵得讓人沒法睡,卻不曾見過警察在這時段來華埠巡邏。他們怕一旦報警,被認出來,會遭報復,所以也一直沒報案。

黃天輝回應表示,波士頓事警察局一直人力不足,每個巡邏班次只有14人,旦需要巡邏的面積卻很大,在巡邏一事上,確實力有未逮,華埠民眾不打911電話報案,警察在無事故,案件記錄的情況下,也很難要求上級增派人手。

華埠土地信託會主任駱理德在會中提議,要求波士頓牌照局將來在發放牌照時,查察申請者有無違反規定記錄。

華埠牌樓附近有人銷贓事件,黃天輝表示,在警方加強取締後,這類事件已減少,但仍然有人在販售偷來的牛排、雞豬肉等食品,希望民眾能夠加強宣傳,沒人買之後,就不會再出現這類銷贓事件。

黃天輝另外報告,316日早上,一名婦女在華盛頓街上遇人探問醫生姓名,然後有人加入談話,表示認識這名醫生,然後3人一同朝波士頓廣場方向邊走邊聊。在3人走到波士頓廣場時,這名男性醫生出現,並依之前聊天取得的訊息,稱婦女家人所患疾病要消除,必須藉由金錢、珠寶做法,這名婦女不由自主地聽從這幾人的話,回家去取來金錢、珠寶,交給這幾人做法。這名婦女事後覺得不對勁,319日才報警。

黃天輝表示,至少10年前,他就曾經聽說過這類案件,沒想到現在又再發生。希望民眾各自小心,提醒彼此,別跌落陷阱。

當晚預告事項有2,一為419日下午13點,在佐佐木 (Sasaki)辦公室2樓,將舉辦社區設計工作坊,徵詢民眾對華埠菲利普廣場未來景觀意見,一為紐約中領館將來到波士頓為民眾辦理健在證,為60歲以上民眾換發護照和中國籍兒童旅行證等服務。這一服務從早上9點半下午2點,45日在波士頓市黃氏宗親會的會址 (70 Beach St, Boston, 6/F,  02111)46日在昆士市新星藝術學校(392 Hancock St., Quincy),需事先預約。

星期四, 4月 03, 2025

麻州政府在預算審聽會中提議以13億元支持MBTA營運

Healey-Driscoll Administration Testifies in Support of Proposals to Improve Education and Transportation Across Massachusetts 

Governor Healey proposed $1.3 billion in Fair Share funding for MBTA, regional transit, pre-k access, early literacy, special education, career tech programs 

MA House Chair Aaron Michlewitz (Right) at theJoint Committee Ways and Means hearing.
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today testified in support of Governor Maura Healey’s Fiscal Year 2024 Fair Share Surplus Supplemental Budget, which proposes historic investments in education and transportation. The $1.3 billion proposal would support the MBTA, regional transit, pre-k access, early literacy, special education and career technical programs across the state. 

Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz.(front right) presented at the hearing.
“Our administration is committed to improving quality of life across the state by improving roads, bridges and public transportation and making sure Massachusetts continues to have the best schools in the nation – from early education to K-12 to higher education,” said Governor Maura Healey. “At a time when the Trump Administration is trying to take us backwards on so many fronts and cancelling essential federal funding left and right, it is so important that Massachusetts stands strong for our communities and makes these investments that will have a positive impact on everyday life. We’re grateful for the Legislature’s careful consideration of our proposal.” 

“Our cities and towns deserve the resources to maintain safe roads, improve public transportation, and provide world-class educational opportunities for our students,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “Our Fair Share proposal will ensure that local communities aren’t left to shoulder the costs alone, especially as they are increasingly being abandoned by the federal administration. We are committed to working with our municipal partners to make these investments where they are needed most.” 

The combined impact of the Governor’s House 1 budget proposal for FY26 Fair Share revenues and the supplemental budget for surplus Fair Share revenue from FY24 is an approximately 50 percent-50 percent split between Fair Share resources dedicated to transportation and education.  

In January, the Governor unveiled her House 1 proposal and Fair Share supplemental budget, along with her plans to make historic transportation improvementsreform the Chapter 90 program for municipalities, and modernize public higher education campuses through the BRIGHT Act

“By strategically investing in transportation and education, we are laying the foundation for a more competitive, resilient economy,” said Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz. “Along with our FY26 budget proposal, our supplemental budget bill for FY24 excess Fair Share maintains our commitment to fiscal responsibility while making transformative improvements to systems and infrastructure across Massachusetts. We are grateful for the Legislature's ongoing partnership as we utilize Fair Share funds to strengthen our state for generations to come.” 

The Fair Share Surplus Supplemental Budget includes:  

Transportation Investments 

  • $400 million for the Federal Transit Administration reserve to protect and maximize federal funding.   

  • $300 million to replenish the MBTA’s stabilization reserve, ensuring fiscal health and operational stability. 

  • $67 million to continue the MBTA Income-Eligible Fare Relief Program, providing affordable access for transit for low-income riders. 

  • $25 million for the Winter Resilience Assistance Program, helping municipalities prepare for and respond to extreme weather.  

  • $25 million for the Regional Transit Authority workforce initiatives, including the CDL cost assistance and targeted training to address staffing shortages.  

  • $17.5 million to support MassDOT’s workforce and project delivery capacity, ensuring we can deliver on our commitments efficiently and effectively.  

  • $10 million for MicroTransit and Last-Mile Innov ation Grants, spurring creative local solutions to transportation access. 

“From fixing potholes to expanding public transit, Fair Share funding is making travel safer, more efficient, and more reliable for residents across the Commonwealth,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “This is about improving quality of life, strengthening connections between communities, and ensuring Massachusetts remains a national leader in sustainable transportation.” 

Education Investments 

  • $100 million for early education and care capacity building, family access and affordability, and workforce supports, as well as support for implementation of the Early Education and Child Care Task Force recommendations.  

  • $50 million to expand universally accessible, affordable preschool access through the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI), enabling current grantees to add more classrooms and affordable seats, as well as allow new communities to join, with a focus on gateway cities and long-term goal for children to have access across all cities and towns. 

  • $32.5 million for the administration’s “Reimagining High School” initiative, to deepen investments in early college, innovation career pathways, career technical education programs and My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) planning tool to prepare students to thrive in college or a career when they graduate high school. 

  • $25 million for an early literacy high dosage tutoring initiative to help accelerate literacy growth for 10,000 students in kindergarten through grade 3, with 1st graders prioritized, complementing the more systemic, long-term improvement work being supported under Literacy Launch. 

  • $30 million for Adult Basic Education/English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) literacy services to serve an additional 10,000 learners to address the growing waitlist for ESOL literacy services, launch an ESOL for Work and Career Access Credential and support Digital Literacy Training Services to support students in leveraging technology. 

  • $75 million to add 3,000 new career technical education (chapter 74 program) seats across comprehensive and career technical education high schools. 

  • $150 million for the special education circuit breaker to address increased special education and transportation costs for nearly all cities and towns in the state. Together with the Governor’s FY26 budget, special education circuit breaker is funded at $682 million, a 24% increase from last year and full funding of the account. 

“These important Fair Share investments – from pre-k access to pathways to higher education – are setting up the foundations for students to realize their dreams. We believe this proposal is the right one to meet this moment, helping our early education and care programs and schools address some of the most pressing equity gaps in education. I want to thank the Legislature for their continued partnership, especially at a time when the federal government is working to dismantle educational access for our most vulnerable students,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.  

The Healey-Driscoll Administration remains committed to ensure Fair Share funding is allocated efficiently and equitably to maximize its impact across the state. As the legislative process continues, the Administration looks forward to working with stakeholders at all levels to deliver these critical investments.   

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $1.2 Million in Grants to Support Playful Learning in Preschool through Third Grade

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $1.2 Million in Grants to Support Playful Learning in Preschool through Third Grade 

7 school districts to participate in second cohort of DESE’s Playful Learning Institute pilot, accessing professional development and coaching 

 
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that it is awarding $1.2 million in grants to seven school districts to incorporate playful learning strategies into preschool through third grade classrooms. The funding will provide professional development and coaching to district and school leaders, classroom educators and other specialists on how to use play as an effective instructional approach that leads to deeper learning and more equitable access to learning while also supporting students’ physical, social and emotional development. 

“We are committed to helping our youngest students have a strong foundation for success as they begin their educations,” saidGovernor Maura Healey.Guided play has been proven to improve students language development, skills needed for mathematics, and physical and emotional health. This funding will help make sure that our teachers have the training and resources they need to incorporate these strategies in the classroom.” 

“We are grateful to the district and school leaders and to the preschool through third grade educators who are partnering and innovating to improve supports for our youngest students through play-based learning,” saidLieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “A high-quality education contributes to students’ academic success and ability to build healthy relationships with their peers and teachers.”   

These awardees will participate in the second cohort of Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Early Learning Team pilot of the Playful Learning Institute. The first cohort included five schools where district educators and leaders created an action plan focused on the implementation of playful learning/instructional practices. DESE is working with NORC at the University of Chicago to evaluate the impact of the Playful Learning Institute.  

“Play-based learning provides young children with engaging experiences that support their cognitive and social-emotional development. These grants will help provide our schools, from Northampton to Fall River, with funding to create environments that reflect the ways in which young children learn,” saidEducation Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.  

Here is a sampling of feedback DESE received from the first pilot: 

“Students are excited and motivated. Students are engaged in activities that are supporting many areas of need.” – Teacher 

“Kids love studios from Playful Learning Institute because it gives them voice and choice. They are motivated to learn, collaborate, play, and produce.” – Teacher 

“Students are highly engaged during the playful learning practices…students are using more vocabulary and language across their day and centers.” – Administrator 

“[English Learner] children are not always picking the activity that is the less language-dense necessarily. And that is really an interesting takeaway for me…it’s expanded use of oral language rehearsal for these kiddos. Those things I suspected could be barriers…[have] really been quite the opposite. It’s really increased access and equity for those students.” – Administrator 

The following recipients receive $175,000 each for grant activities: 

  • Amesbury Public Schools 
  • Fall River Public Schools 
  • Lowell Public Schools 
  • Newburyport Public Schools 
  • Northampton Public Schools 
  • Norwood Public Schools 
  • Revere Public Schools 

波士頓市外賣公司將需申請牌照 司機得買責任險 違反規定每單罰300元

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市議會週三以112票,通過決議案,將規定大型第三方遞送應用程式,例如DoorDashUber Eats等,必須申請並取得在波士頓市內營運的許可。新法9個月後生效。

              這一法令,一部份源自吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 市長的推動改善道路及行人安全,將於9個月後生效,並適用於每年接單100萬次以上的所有第三方食物遞送公司,規定他們證明外送司機們買有責任險,並每季堤共某些外賣數據。

              外賣公司必須每年更新許可牌照,違反者罰款每家餐廳每天罰300元,或每單罰300元。最後的版本不包括有爭議每張外賣單徵稅15分錢。

              UPSFedEx和亞馬遜 (Amazon)的遞送服務不受限制。

              但這法案適用於自行地送外賣,或使用應用程式接單,從雜貨店和便利店遞送訂單的小企業和餐館

              吳弭市長2月時宣佈,由於外賣司機危險駕駛的舉報大增,包括人們踩輕便摩托車,電動滑板闖紅燈,在人行道上行駛,或逆向行駛,她向市議會遞出訂定條例要求。

              波士頓市議會通過的版本,和吳弭市長提交的版本,幾乎沒什麼變動,但麻州餐館協會強力反對的徵稅15分,在市議會小組委員會主席Gabriela Coletta Zapata的主持下,未列入新法案。

星期三, 4月 02, 2025

法院裁決白體育館翻修工程未違反州法第97章 吳弭市長發聲明稱勝利

              (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 高等法院法官Matthew Nestor(2)日裁定,波士頓市法蘭克林公園裏的白體育館 (White Stadium) 翻修計畫,並未違反州法第97章。波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 立即發表聲明,稱這是歷史性的勝利。

              法官的裁決將容許波士頓市和波士頓團結足球合作夥伴(Boston Unity Soccer Partners)(現為波士頓傳奇足球俱樂部特許經營權關聯企業)進行頗為昂貴的這公私合作翻修體育館計畫。這場地將於20263月起,成為波士頓公校學生運動員和新的專業女子足球隊的使用場地。

              翡翠項鍊保護會 (Emerald Necklace Conservancy)和當地居民,稱翻修計畫非法的把公有土地私有化,提起的訴訟,因這裁決而被駁回。

              這翻修計畫估計將耗資2億美元,由波士頓市政府和足球隊分攤。關於這翻修計畫的辯論,一直很激烈。

              反對者稱,翻修後的白體育館,一年有40天要保留給專業足球隊使用,是非法的公地私有化行為,觸犯了保護公園土地不經立法批准不得改變用途的麻州州法第97章。此外,翻修計畫中波士頓市府需要支付的費用,也從最初的5000萬元提高到9100萬元,增加了納稅人的負擔。人們也認為足球隊以每年40萬元的經費來租用這場地,不足以抵消政府投資。

              還有人批評這翻修計畫要砍掉145棵樹,增加地方上的交通流量,噪音,燈光汙染,以及翻修期間會讓波士頓公校體育隊無處可去。另有人批評這計畫的批准過程,以及招標流程很秘密,而且粗襙。

              起初是20234月時,波士頓市政府為翻修白體育館發出招標書,6月底時,只有波士頓聯合足球夥伴參與競標。之後由於社區民眾認為這翻修計畫有公地私有化嫌疑,工程費太過昂貴,對周遭環境可能造成影響等,激烈辯論。

              20242月時,翡翠項鍊保護會 (Emerald Necklace Conservancy)和當地居民提出4點訴訟,申請臨時限制令和初步禁制令,停止翻修行動。

              20243月時,薩福克郡高等法院法官Sarah Weyland Ellis拒絕了原告制止翻修的要求,裁定他們的案子不太可能成功

              2024年秋末,波士頓市議員Ed FlynnErin Murphy以社區反對聲音高漲為由,促請吳弭市長放棄這計畫。

              202412月,白體育館的使用協議及租約簽,審前辯論也加速展開。

              20251月底,拆除白體育館的工程啟動,原告在看過租約後,修改了提訟理由。

              20252月時,波士頓市議會為此事開了長達9小時的聽證會,大都是反對者出席發言。但市議員們的投票結果66,未能發出停止計畫的決議案。麻州總檢察官Andrea Campbell也拒絕支持原告。波士頓環球報的Linda Henry也從足球隊投資集團退出。

              31820日,一連3天的審判都聚焦在這計畫是否違反了麻州州法第97章。

              吳弭市長在發表的聲明中說,這裁決是個歷史性的勝利。一座翻修後的白體育館將在一年345天以上,每天15小時的供波士頓公校學生、教練及社區民眾使用。謝謝高等法院2次確認了這項重要計劃。


MAYOR MICHELLE WU RELEASES STATEMENT ON WHITE STADIUM VICTORY

BOSTON - Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu releases the following statement:

“In a City of sports champions, this is a historic victory. A renovated White Stadium will be open and used by BPS students, coaches, and community 15 hours per day, more than 345 days per year. We thank the Superior Court for twice affirming this vital project for our students and community as a year-round facility that will inspire the next generation of Boston students. Together, after so many years of broken promises, we will give our young people and all our residents the scale of investment and opportunity that Franklin Park and our City deserve.”

麻州政府申請動用7億5600萬元補充預算

Healey-Driscoll Administration Files $756 Million Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 

Bill Closes Funding Gaps to Ensure Continuation of Critical State Programs for Emergency Services, Seniors, Veterans, Children and Families 

BOSTON — Today, Governor Maura Healey filed a supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) to address time-sensitive spending needs for state services such as food access, public safety, housing and child care, create opportunities for Massachusetts businesses, and boost local economies through the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independenceThe bill allocates $756.3 million in gross spending, at a net cost to the state of $544.7 million after offsets.  

“This budget bill proposes targeted investments that improve quality of life in Massachusetts, such as ensuring access to health care, supporting families with child care costs, and making sure veterans get their benefits,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’ve also heard clearly from local officials and medical professionals across the state, especially in communities impacted by Steward Health Care’s closures, that they need more support. That’s why we’re proposing significant funding for EMS providers that have faced extraordinary costs. Our administration remains committed to maintaining a responsible state budget that tangibly benefits the people of Massachusetts.” 

“This supplemental budget bill for FY25 meets pressing spending needs so that Massachusetts continues to be the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I am proud that the investments in this bill, such as a new reserve of funding for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), are responsive to the needs of our local communities.”  

Among the programs funded by this bill that support Massachusetts residents at a time of rising costs is $189.6 million for the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)’s Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA), which helps families pay for child care and out-of-school time programs.  

The administration also proposes $15.5 million, at a net cost to the state of $7.8 million after reimbursements, to help combat food benefit theft by replacing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards with more secure chip cards.   

“This bill furthers the FY25 budget strategy that our administration crafted at the start of the Fiscal Year with our Legislative partners, which carefully manages growth and controls spending while preserving vital state programs,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “I appreciate the Legislature’s consideration of this bill, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate on maintaining a responsible and balanced budget.”    

This bill also appropriates $10 million to reimburse local and regional emergency medical services (EMS) providers for recent extraordinary costs incurred to provide services.   

The largest deficiency addressed in this bill is $240 million for Group Insurance Commission (GIC) Plans and Premiums, which will address increased costs due to high utilization rates.  

An outside section in this bill will unlock new opportunities for small and diverse businesses by raising procurement thresholds under public construction laws, such as for competitive bidding processes, certain reporting and record keeping mandates, and the necessity of paying bonds for payment and performance on small projects. These threshold increases align with recommendations from the Public Construction Projects Advisory Council that Governor Healey convened in 2024 through Executive Order 630.  

Additional outside sections in this bill make technical updates to recent legislation to streamline policy implementation. The supp also includes Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) ratifications, for CBAs entered into since the last supplemental budget.  

This bill also allocates:  

  • $134.5 million for supplemental funding, at no net cost to the state, for a Medical Assistance Trust Fund Transfer  

  • $60 million, at no net cost to the state, for the Executive Office of Aging & Independence’s most vital direct care services, including home care services 

  • $42.9 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) 

  • $15 million for municipal and statewide tourism efforts for Massachusetts 250, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution 

  • $5.8 million to implement the Veterans annuity payment increases passed in the HERO Act 

  • $4.2 million for the State Police Crime Lab to ensure the timely review of evidence  

  • $600,000 for National Guard wildfire response costs 

波士頓華埠尼倫街與夏利臣街交口處 箱型卡車撞傷6人

箱形卡車衝上尼倫街人行道,側翻島地。(圖片來自阮鴻燦臉書)
             (Boston Orange 摘譯) 41日中午時分,波士頓華埠尼倫街 (Kneeland) 和夏利臣(Harrison)街交界處發生卡車衝上人行道事件,6人受傷送醫。

              波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox在現場匯報時說明,有4人被送往醫院,其中一人情況危急。另外2人拒絕就醫。

              Michael Cox說,初步調查顯示這是意外事故。

              車禍事件發生在中午1248分。消防局人員說這輛出租卡車一連撞了好幾各路樁才停下來。社交媒體上的照片顯示玻璃、碎石散落在人行道和馬路上。

              根據消防局在Broadcastify上的廣播消息,卡車司機當時被卡在車裏,得由其他人拉出來。

              Cox局長說,起初司機的情況嚴重,但後來好了些。警方未公佈司機的姓名。

共有4人送醫。(圖片來自阮鴻燦臉書)
              直至1日下午,有一人情況一直危急。

              薩福克郡地方檢察官Kevin Hayden在簡報時表示,將竭力調查出事緣由,以決定是否有任何責任問題。

              Penske發言人在一份聲明中表示,卡車是出租給了一家商業卡車公司。該公司將持續緊密關切此事,並全力支持有關當局的調查,向意外事件中受傷者致意。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 感謝趕赴現場的急救人員。她說,這兒是波士頓市的一個繁忙地區,事件又發生在中午,人們正忙著上路用餐,支持市內小企業,或辦理日常事務。站在現場看損傷規模,的確讓人很震驚。

事故發生後,一輛嚴重受損的 Penske 箱型貨車側翻在人行道上,卡在尼倫街的電線桿和一棟大樓之間。大樓有好幾片窗戶碎裂了。

吳弭市長說,檢驗服務局 (inspectional services department)將評估大樓狀態。

警察局派了2輛警車出來,但在抵達前,有一名在攝影機上看到撞擊事件,並提醒了一名派遣員。他告訴派遣員有輛廂型卡車撞進大樓了,情況很糟。

              警察在調查車禍事件時,封鎖了泰勒街和華盛頓街之間的尼倫街。

星期二, 4月 01, 2025

麻州公衛部推出首個WIC線上購物辦法

State Health Officials Launch First-Ever Online Grocery Ordering Program for Massachusetts WIC Participants 

Participants can now use their benefits to order WIC-approved foods online from Walmart stores across the state 

BOSTON (April 1, 2025) — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition program participants in Massachusetts can, for the first time, use their benefits for online ordering through Walmart. Participants are now able to shop online for WIC-approved foods for in-store pickup or delivery from 48 Walmart stores across the state, providing a modern, convenient, and accessible option for the more than 125,000 residents served by the program in Massachusetts each year. 

This pilot program is part of an initiative by the Food and Nutrition Service at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve the WIC shopping experience by incorporating internet-based transactions. Under federal guidelines, WIC-approved items have only been possible to purchase in-person from participating stores. However, Massachusetts is among a handful of states that received federal grant funding and waivers to implement the WIC online ordering project.  

“The option to shop for groceries online makes nutritious food more accessible for WIC participants in the state,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “It helps alleviate the challenges faced by many when in-person shopping is the only option – challenges like limited mobility, lack of transportation, language barriers, and time constraints.” 

Integrating online ordering into Massachusetts WIC services is part of Massachusetts’ ongoing commitment to equitable access to quality public health services, including by reducing food insecurity and barriers to healthy foods for families. Massachusetts WIC participants can now shop for WIC-approved food through the Walmart app or online by going to Walmart.com/wic

Funding for the Massachusetts WIC online ordering program comes from the WIC Online Shopping Cooperative Agreement Grant from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and the Center for Nutrition and Health Impact. Grant participation is in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Health’s WIC program, Walmart, and eWIC benefits processors Custom Data Processing Inc. and Fidelity Information Services. 

The Massachusetts WIC program has provided personalized nutrition care and benefits to income-eligible pregnant people and families with children under age 5 to purchase nutritious foods critical for growth and development. Administered within DPH’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Massachusetts WIC currently serves nearly half of all infants and over 125,000 individuals per month across the state. WIC families can redeem their benefits in-person at more than 850 approved retailers across Massachusetts. 

More information is available at mass.gov/wic.

川普政府停發聯邦教育穩定基金 麻州中小學失去1.06億元聯邦資助

 Trump Administration Terminates $106 Million in K-12 Education Funding for Massachusetts 

Funding supported student mental health supports, tutoring, school security and building upgrades  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is condemning the Trump Administration’s illegal move to terminate $106 million in K-12 education grant funding for Massachusetts. On Friday evening at 5:03 pm, the U.S. Department of Education notified all states about its decision to end the federal Education Stabilization Fund liquidation period effective three minutes prior, at 5:00 pm. Nationally, it is estimated that this decision terminates over $2 billion across 41 states. In February 2025, the Trump Administration had just reaffirmed that Massachusetts had until March 2026 to spend the funds.  

“At a time when students are still struggling to recover from the pandemic, we need to be doing everything we can to address learning loss and the youth mental health crisis. Instead, President Trump suddenly ripped away more than $100 million in funding that is supposed to go right to Massachusetts students and schools,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This action is jeopardizing mental health care and math tutoring for our students, as well as projects that are already underway to enhance school security and ensure that the air in our school buildings is clean. Massachusetts has been making important progress helping students recover from the pandemic, but President Trump is trying to take us backwards.” 

“The federal government and states should be working together to invest in capital projects that improve the learning environments for our students and support their education and wellbeing,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Massachusetts does not have the resources to replace all of the funding that President Trump is terminating. These are more devastating terminations that impact our students and schools today and well into the future.” 

“We are not back yet from the pandemic. We know that many students in Massachusetts and across the country are still experiencing pandemic-related learning loss and mental health challenges. The federal government had repeatedly reaffirmed these extensions in acknowledgement of continued supply chain issues, labor shortages and to ensure continuity in learning acceleration efforts. Projects funded by these grants are underway. The Trump Administration’s outrageous and cruel decision, in which we received notice of a new arbitrary deadline, will have real harm to our students and their learning and wellbeing,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.  

The funding was intended to support a multitude of statewide efforts to address pandemic-related learning loss, with a focus on literacy, math and science – areas where learning was particularly disrupted during the pandemic. Recent test scores show that, while Massachusetts students continue to lead the nation, they have still not fully recovered from the learning lost during the pandemic. This funding helped address those gaps by supporting mental health services, high-dosage math tutoring, purchasing of high-quality instructional material with a focus on science, and enhanced screenings to identify students’ risk of poor reading outcomes, including risk of dyslexia. 

This funding was supporting building upgrades across 20 school districts to improve air quality through HVAC installations and build outdoor learning spaces for students. Some projects were enhancing security in schools, including the purchasing of cameras, door alarm, and emergency response technology. As the federal government had committed to these funds, the projects are all currently underway but had been delayed due to continued supply chain issues and labor shortages. 

The funding was also supporting professional development for educators, such as DESE’s Learning Acceleration Network and five Regional Licensure Centers that help emergency teacher license holders get provisional or initial licensure to stay employed in Massachusetts public schools. 

“Trump's decision to cut off money already promised to school districts will have drastic negative effects on Massachusetts communities,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "This administration clearly does not care about damaging our education system or hurting our children, leaving local officials scrambling to pick up the pieces when they should be fully focused on supporting our schools. It's all part of the federal administration's unconscionable hacksaw approach to governing. Trump is not only undermining Congress and our Constitution, he is making dangerous cuts that will undermine public education, the very engine of opportunity and economic vitality that has been a hallmark of this Commonwealth since Horace Mann.” 

“The Trump administration pretends to champion education by claiming it wants to empower states, but in reality, it is actively sabotaging states' ability to support our most vulnerable students,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “Canceling funds that schools have already built into their budgets is reckless, and shows a blatant disregard for the needs of our students and schools." 

“As a former member of the National Assessment Governing Board which oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), I am acutely aware of the significant negative impact that COVID had on our K-12 students in Massachusetts and across the country from which many students have not fully recovered,” said State Representative Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley), House Assistant Majority Leader. These funds were given to the states to determine how to best ensure the negative impact of lost learning time is addressed. The fact that the Trump administration is taking the funds back gives lie to its claim that it is eliminating the DOE in order to give more authority to the states and not to cut funding. This action is unconscionable and cowardly.” 

“This is another example of outrageous and capricious behavior from the Trump administration, which will hurt Massachusetts schools that had already approved plans for use of these funds,” said State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education

“This is a time when we should be supporting our students, especially those who are still struggling to emerge from challenges stemming from the pandemic,” said State Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “It is not the time to pull back. We in the House value every student, and we will stand up for our learners.” 

“Recalling this funding is further evidence of the Trump administration’s indifference toward public education and willingness to sacrifice students, families and communities in the name of delivering tax cuts to the wealthy,” said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy. “These are crucial federal investments communities are counting on. Without these funds, students stand to lose necessary tutoring and other academic support, and financially strapped cities and towns won’t be able to remedy health and safety vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic. Donald Trump and Linda McMahon cannot be allowed to abandon our public schools.” 

“Withdrawing funding already in use in schools across the country is nothing short of a cruel attempt to cause chaos and destruction. Tens of thousands of children right here in Massachusetts rely on services and resources paid for by this funding. These cuts will disproportionately harm those most in need of services – students with disabilities, low-income students, and the districts serving at-risk students,” said Jessica Tang, President of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts. The federal education agenda is nothing short of a dismantling of our ability to provide a fair and equal public education. We thank Secretary Tutwiler and Governor Healey for their commitment to supporting our students, our schools, and our educators and we will continue to use every tool in our arsenal to protect their future.” 

Impacted school districts: 

  • Springfield ($47,357,654) 

  • New Bedford ($15,603,433)  

  • Fitchburg ($6,578,468) 

  • Everett ($4,897,300) 

  • Revere ($4,613,327) 

  • Boston ($3,468,659) 

  • Leominster ($1,868,215) 

  • Stoughton ($1,512,470) 

  • Worcester ($1,454,350) 

  • Chelsea ($1,448,715) 

  • Lawrence ($1,307,307) 

  • Dracut ($648,702) 

  • Holyoke ($395,863) 

  • West Springfield ($354,868) 

  • Lynn ($339,357) 

  • Fairhaven ($250,802) 

  • Greater Fall River Regional Vocational Technical ($115,465) 

  • Ludlow ($83,334) 

  • Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical ($21,461) 

  • Mashpee ($2,481)  

Impacted Nonpublic Schools: 

  • Mater Dolorosa Catholic School in Holyoke ($118,894) 

  • Saint Stanislaus School in Chicopee ($172,692)