麻州出現第八宗人類感染西尼羅病毒案

         (Boston Orange編譯)麻州公共衛生廳（Department of Public Health, DPH） 9 月 18 日宣佈，麻州出現今年第 8 起人類確診西尼羅病毒（West Nile virus, WNV）案例，一名密德薩克斯郡（Middlesex County）30 多歲女性證實感染。

        麻州公衛廳指出，這 8 起病例，有高達 7 例集中於密德薩克斯郡與薩福克郡（Suffolk County）。目前共有 11 個地區被列為高風險區，包括波士頓（Boston）、布魯克萊恩（Brookline）、劍橋（Cambridge）、雀喜（Chelsea）、埃弗里特（Everett）、摩頓（Malden）、牛頓（Newton）、里維爾（Revere）、尚莫維爾（Somerville）、水城（Watertown）及溫斯羅普（Winthrop），麻州其餘多數地區則處於中度風險。

        自 6 月 16 日首度檢出帶毒蚊子以來，麻州全部 13 個郡累計已有 327 個蚊子樣本對 WNV 呈陽性反應，所幸目前尚無動物感染報告。此外，當地蚊群中亦驗出 21 個東部馬腦炎（Eastern equine encephalitis, EEE）陽性樣本，但尚未出現人類或動物病例。

        麻州當局提醒民眾，黃昏至黎明為蚊子叮咬高峰期，戶外活動應使用含 DEET 或派卡瑞丁（Picaridin）等成分的防蚊液，並穿著長袖衣物。居家環境應定期清空花盆、鳥浴室等積水容器以阻斷幼蟲滋生，並修復門窗紗網。飼主則應定期清洗水槽、避免讓馬匹夜間滯留室外，並諮詢獸醫施打疫苗。

State Health Officials Announce Season’s Eighth Human Case of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts

 

WNV risk levels remain moderate in most of the state

 

BOSTON (September 18, 2026) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the eighth human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this year. A woman in her 30s was exposed to WNV in an area of Middlesex County where other exposures have occurred this season.

 

Seven of the eight cases have been exposed in areas of Middlesex and Suffolk counties that are at high risk for WNV. Risk levels for WNV are currently high in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Newton, Revere, Somerville, Watertown, and Winthrop. Most of the rest of the state is at moderate risk.

 

DPH announced the state’s first WNV-positive mosquitoes this year on June 16. Since then, a total of 327 mosquito samples has tested positive for WNV so far this season from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. There have been no animal cases of WNV reported this year.

 

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) continues to be detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts this year. There have been 21 EEE-positive mosquito samples and no human or animal cases so far this year.

 

Surveillance information, including case updates, is updated daily and posted online at the Massachusetts Arbovirus Update web page. DPH encourages everyone to use this online resource regularly to stay informed on risk levels in their community and around the state.

 

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

 

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

 

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

 

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

 

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

 

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors.

 

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent West Nile virus (WNV) and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.

 

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, is available on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page, which is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.

中華耆英會慶54週年 頒獎表揚黃伯勳，華人醫務中心

中華耆英會慶54週年，董事們敬酒。右起，吳皓醫師，法官黃瑞瑜，銀行業高管
阮愛玲，耆英會行政主任梅伍銀寬，耆英會董事長陳建立，董事司徒沃生，
梅氏公所主席梅治瑜，以及關美玲。（周菊子攝）

         (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓中華耆英會9月16日在帝苑大酒樓，慶祝54週年，頒傑出教育領袖獎表揚資深教育家黃伯勳，頒傑出社區健康服務獎表揚華人醫務中心。創始會長梅五銀寬期許該會繼續為耆英提供基本服務。

嘉賓和瑞獅合影。（周菊子攝）

        當晚到會政要有麻州參議員Nick Collins，波士頓市議員Ed Flynn，Erin Ｍurphy，波士頓耆英局（Age Stron Commission）局長Emily Shea，波士頓經文處組長黃耀良，波士頓僑教中心主任康雅雄等人。

        波士頓市長吳弭本人未克親自出席，派了華埠聯絡員林天琪送上一份表揚狀。

麻州參議員Nick Collins(左二)和中華耆英會董事長陳建立（左一），行政主任
梅伍銀寬（中）一起頒發傑出教育領袖獎給黃伯勳（右二）。旁為提名人，
昆士高中校長張可仁。（周菊子攝）

        中華耆英會董事長陳建立指出，獲有榮譽博士學位的該會行政主任梅伍銀寬，從該會創立服務迄今，對該會的擴大發展，有著功不可沒貢獻。梅伍銀寬則強調，過去這許多年來，是所有職員及志工抱著熱忱，付出心力，才讓接受該會服務老人們的最基本需求，都得到滿足。她虔誠希望這些服務能繼續下去，照顧有需要的所有老人。

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝則盛讚中華耆英會的影響力，早已無遠弗屆的超越了波士頓華埠。

麻州參議員Nick Collins(左起)送表揚狀，中華耆英會行政主任梅伍銀寬，
董事長陳建立聯袂領取，（周菊子攝）

獲頒傑出教育領袖獎的黃伯勳在波士頓深耕教育40多年，退休前曾任波士頓市公校副總監，曾任昆士小學校長，其後創辦昆士中學，並任校長，率先引進國際文憑課程（International Baccalaureate），提出「一條龍教育 （One Dragon Education）」理念，使得昆士小學及中學，成為波士頓公校系統，以及新格蘭地區首家獲得從幼稚園到12年及，完整國際文憑（IB）課程的公立學校。

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn （右一），Erin Murphy （左ㄧ起）和耆英局局長Emily Shea，
頒發表揚狀給中華耆英會董事長陳建立，行政主任梅伍銀寬。（周菊子攝）

黃伯勳當年的學生，司徒玉英現已接任昆士小學校長多年。身為台灣外交官子弟，從哈佛大學法學院畢業後當過律師的昆士中學現任校長張可仁，這晚透露，當年如果不是黃伯勳鼓勵，他也不會棄法從教，追尋本新的走上當老師這條路。

中華耆英會董事長陳建立（右）和行政主任梅伍銀寬（左），
頒發傑出健康服務講給華人醫務中心，由執行長Eric Tiberi代表領取。（周菊子攝

這天晚上在會場中的許多人，早年都是黃伯勳麾下的老師，包括紐英崙華人歷史協會的共同創辦人王柳娥及其妹，上海印務王英健的妻子，北美華人九人排球賽推手黃述沾的妻子黃李金蘭，Terry Kwan教育從業者，在黃伯勳的邀請下，都上台亮相，藉以彰顯教育的重要性。

就連這晚代表華人醫務中心領取傑出社區健康服務獎的該中心現任董事長暨執行長Eric Tiberi都說，他早在36年就認識黃伯勳了。那時華人醫務中心就設在昆士小學旁，兩機構共用一棟大樓。

麻州參議員Nick Collins班表揚狀。（周菊子攝）

這晚的週年聯歡晚宴，流程很傳統，以胡青白鶴派舞獅拉開序幕，頒獎之後，有嘉賓獻唱，包括$1000及$500各1，＄100的2名，以及$50元的6名等現金獎抽獎，梅國治攝影作品等的無聲拍賣。最特別的則是邀請該會董事，最近獲麻州州長指派為波士頓地方法院法官的黃瑞瑜，在華人醫務中心董事長暨執行長Eric Tiberi代表該中心領獎時，加入頒獎者行列，讓將近500名賓客看到，中華耆英會現在有法官撐腰了。

黃伯勳率先把IB課程引進波士頓公校。（周菊子攝）

晚宴最後在譚達兒和林黎輝主持餘興節目，來賓輪番上台獻唱，陳仕維，阮鴻燦，阮愛玲，謝如鍵，余麗媖，梅麗梨等許多人大合唱「朋友」聲中落幕。

紐英崙中華公所雷國輝稱中華耆英會的影響力，早已拓展至華埠之外。（周菊子攝）

波士頓經文處黃耀良組長期許中華耆英會越辦越大。（周菊子攝）

波士頓僑教中心主任康雅雄稱許耆英會為社區服務。（周菊子攝）

曾任校長的黃伯勳（左六）和早年的老師們。（周菊子攝）

高唱“朋友”。（周菊子攝）

波士頓僑務委員陳仕維（右二）和紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝（左二）
感謝經文處黃耀良組長（左一），僑教中心主任康雅雄（右一）支持僑社活動。
（周菊子攝）

梅國治的攝影作品也是黃金拍賣品之一。（周菊子攝）

梅氏公所參加晚宴。（周菊子攝）

法官黃瑞瑜（前左）和她母親黃周麗桃，姨丈馬偉輝，阿姨周美桃等人。（周菊子攝）

胡清醒獅團中有頭幼獅。（周菊子攝）

王氏青年會執行長Sokthea Phay(中）等人。（周菊子攝）

中華耆英會54週年慶有將近500人參加。（周菊子攝）

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards for STEM Week 2026 Design Challenges

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards for STEM Week 2026 Design Challenges

Seven organizations will engage more than 10,000 students across Massachusetts in hands-on STEM learning and career exploration

BUZZARDS BAY — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced nearly $465,000 in STEM Week 2026 Design Challenge grants to seven nonprofit organizations that will engage more than 10,000 PK–12 students across Massachusetts in hands-on STEM learning and career exploration. These STEM Design Challenges come just ahead of Massachusetts STEM Week, October 19–23, 2026, underscoring the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s focus on expanding hands-on STEM opportunities for students across the Commonwealth.

The STEM Design Challenges are a key part of Massachusetts STEM Week 2026, giving students opportunities to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to real-world problems, explore college and career pathways, and engage with professionals from industries across the Commonwealth. This year’s theme, “STEM starts now,” emphasizes that STEM learning can begin at any age, from our youngest learners to adults, and that STEM education and career opportunities are available right now in Massachusetts. This year’s Design Challenges will expose students to fields including advanced manufacturing and biomanufacturing, environmental engineering, clean energy and sustainability, robotics, space science and aerospace, and accessibility.

“We want every student in Massachusetts to have the chance to get excited about STEM and see how it connects to the world around them,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These Design Challenges give young people the chance to try something new, solve real problems and see where their interests can take them. We’re excited to bring these experiences to more than 10,000 students across our state.”

“One of our goals on the STEM Advisory Council is to connect students with the incredible opportunities we have right here in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These Design Challenges bring schools, afterschool programs, employers and community partners together to give young people meaningful, hands-on experiences. Students get to build new skills, meet STEM professionals and learn about careers they may not have considered before.”

STEM Design Challenge grants aim to expand access to applied STEM learning and increase participation among students who have historically been underrepresented in STEM, including students of color, girls, low-income and first-generation students, English learners, and students with disabilities. The grants also support educators with professional development and resources to implement STEM programming and encourage employer engagement that connects classroom learning with real-world STEM applications and career pathways.

“We want students from every background and every community to have access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “These Design Challenges are especially focused on reaching students who have historically been underrepresented in STEM and giving them opportunities to build skills and confidence. ‘STEM starts now’ means giving every learner the chance to start exploring STEM today and discover where those experiences can take them in college, careers and beyond.”

During Massachusetts STEM Week, child care providers, schools, colleges, employers and community organizations across the Commonwealth come together to provide hands-on learning experiences, introduce learners to STEM professionals and careers, and demonstrate how STEM skills are used to solve real-world challenges. 

The STEM Design Challenge grants are awarded through the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council and advance the Council’s three priorities: STEM skills for all learners through applied learning; guided pathways to college, careers and lifelong learning; and alignment to economic and workforce development through employer partnerships.

“Massachusetts Maritime Academy is proud to host the STEM Advisory Council and support its work to expand hands-on STEM learning and strengthen pathways into careers across the Commonwealth,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “From giving young people opportunities to explore STEM and discover where those interests can take them, to providing industry professionals with specialized training for fields like offshore wind, Massachusetts is building the skills and talent needed for our future workforce.”

The grants were announced during a meeting of the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay. While on campus, Council members also had the opportunity to see another example of applied learning supported by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC): the Academy’s new Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) facility. MassCEC awarded over $2.5 million to Massachusetts Maritime Academy to develop the facility, which provides hands-on safety training to prepare offshore workers for emergency water evacuations. MassCEC serves on the STEM Advisory Council and has supported investments in education and workforce training that connect learners with skills needed by Massachusetts industries.

The seven FY27 STEM Design Challenge grantees are:

Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development — Blackstone Valley Hub will offer “From Problem to Response: Solving Real-World Challenges,” empowering high school students to tackle meaningful, real-world challenges in biomanufacturing using STEM and design thinking. In partnership with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), Blackstone Valley Hub will provide programming and support for the MassMakes Innovation Challenge at the Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up (Mash-Up) and the MassMakes Innovation Showcase, reaching approximately 600 high school students.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts — Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts will offer “Detect & Design: Imagine It. Create It,” an exciting slate of STEM challenges engaging more than 300 students in grades K–12 through hands-on STEM design and engineering experiences. Programming will include scientific investigation, sustainable engineering and robotics activities delivered through events, school-based programming and GSEMA’s STEM-ON-THE-GO mobile learning program. Students will also engage with STEM professionals from RTX to learn about engineering and career pathways.

Museum of Science — The Museum of Science will offer “Engineering Careers Exploration,” engaging upper elementary and middle school students in hands-on engineering activities that connect real-world problems with STEM careers. Students will explore careers related to disaster recovery, the environment, health and product design, while this year’s funding will also support development of a new Accessibility Careers Exploration. Student-facing accessibility resources will be available in English and Spanish. The Museum estimates its STEM Week activities will reach approximately 300 educators and 3,000 students.

The Space Consortium, Inc. — The Space Consortium will offer its Space Exploration Design Challenge, a series of nine space-themed activities expected to reach more than 1,000 PK–12 students through six in-person events and three hybrid statewide programs. Activities will include astronomy and solar observation, space career exploration, science media literacy, space ethics and United Nations planetary-defense simulations. The Consortium will draw on a Massachusetts network of more than 120 experts and relationships with organizations including Massachusetts General Hospital, Draper, Busek, universities and the Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium.

Wade Institute for Science Education at Manomet Conservation Sciences — The Wade Institute, in partnership with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment and Lloyd Center for the Environment, will offer “H2Whoa! Hydroengineers at Work.” Students in grades 5–8 will investigate water pollution and drought and use nature-inspired engineering to design systems that capture and filter water. Participating educators will receive professional development, curriculum and classroom materials to implement the challenge with their students. This design challenge will reach up to 100 participating educators, who in turn will reach approximately 5,000 middle school students.

Work-Based Learning Alliance, Inc. — Work-Based Learning Alliance will offer a “Designing a Sustainable Future” challenge engaging 250 high school students from across Massachusetts. Students will work in interdisciplinary teams to design a sustainable urban aquaculture farm integrating solar energy, recirculating water filtration and community food solutions. The hybrid experience will include engagement with industry professionals, support and professional development for participating educators, and a statewide showcase where students will present their designs and receive feedback from industry professionals.

YMCAs of Massachusetts — YMCAs of Massachusetts will offer a “GreenFit: Design a Sustainable YMCA,” engaging more than six YMCA’s statewide and more than 55 middle and high school students in a hands-on design challenge focused on sustainability. Students will apply STEM skills and the engineering design process to explore how YMCA facilities can become more sustainable.

Governor Healey Announces New Milestone for MBTA Safety Improvements

Governor Healey Announces New Milestone for MBTA Safety Improvements

Federal Transit Administration officially closes its safety management inspection of the DPU’s safety oversight management of the MBTA

FTA also transfers direct oversight of the MBTA that began in 2022 to DPU

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey today announced a major new milestone representing the continued turnaround at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) over the past four years. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) formally closed its years-long review of the Department of Public Utilities' (DPU) safety oversight of the MBTA, returning direct supervision of the MBTA’s safety equipment and management back to the agency. 

“When I took office, the T was in a dire state. After years of underinvestment, workers and passengers alike didn’t feel safe on the rails. Today, the T is safer, more reliable, and more affordable for the riders who use it every day,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s in large part thanks to the investments we have made in the T and the DPU, as well as strong leadership of Phil Eng, DPU’s Robert Hanson and their teams. Riders can now have confidence that there are dedicated leaders at both the MBTA and DPU working every day to keep them safe.”

“With the FTA’s role overseeing special directives concluded, we have officially closed the book on the serious safety issues we saw four years ago,” said DPU Commissioner Staci Rubin, who oversees the DPU’s transportation divisions. “We made a commitment to invest in the Rail Transit Safety Division, strengthen technical expertise, and build more rigorous oversight processes—and we delivered. This was made possible thanks to our dedicated rail safety staff and support from the Legislature. The DPU is well positioned to ensure safer T operations in the years to come.” 

“This is a huge accomplishment for the T and the DPU, and I am extremely proud of this milestone. The closure of federal SMI oversight into the T was no small feat and reinforces that the investments the MBTA is making in our workforce, service, and infrastructure are paying dividends. We will continue to build off of the success of the last three years as we work with our state oversight partners at the DPU,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “The MBTA is a different agency than it was three years ago, and while we know we have more work to do, 99% of our CAPs have been submitted, and the safety of riders and the workforce continues to be at the forefront of everything we do. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Legislature, and I thank them for their leadership and support, which has enabled the MBTA to make these extraordinary strides in safety, more reliable service, better conditions for our workforce, and so much more. As we take this moment to celebrate this achievement, we are grateful to showcase how important investing in our workforce, tracks, vehicles, and infrastructure is to ensuring the MBTA is the world-class system our region can be proud of."

Through its Rail Transit Safety Division, the DPU is the State Safety Oversight Agency in Massachusetts, meaning that it is responsible for overseeing the safety of equipment and operations of the MBTA.

In 2022, after several major safety incidents at the MBTA under the prior administration, the FTA placed the DPU’s Rail Transit Safety Division under directives to make significant changes to its staffing, operations, funding, and safety practices. The FTA found that the agency was under-resourced and could not provide adequate safety oversight of the MBTA. The DPU was ordered to increase its oversight of the MBTA’s safety protocols including track maintenance, uncontrolled train movements, management of the Operations Control Center, and personnel training.

“The safety of MBTA passengers and employees depends on strong oversight and a solid working relationship with the DPU,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “I want to give credit to Rail Safety Division Director Robert Hanson and his team for bringing a renewed sense of professionalism to this work. Robert is a national leader in safety oversight, and we are lucky to have his team working on behalf of all of us who ride the T.”

With support from Governor Healey and the Legislature, the DPU took significant steps to overhaul its MBTA oversight. The DPU created the Rail Transit Safety Division and hired its first Director, Robert Hanson. Hanson is a veteran transit safety official, having served previously with the Amtrak Police Department. The Division has more than doubled in staff size since its inception to include investigators, engineers, data analysts, lawyers, and an experienced leadership team. The Division’s constant engagement in both the field and administrative oversight ensures that safety remains the top priority across the MBTA’s subway system. The Rail Transit Safety Division conducts independent inspections of the MBTA’s subway cars, stations, and carhouses, and produces external safety and compliance audits of the MBTA.  

Over the years, the DPU has made steady progress towards these goals. In 2024, the FTA gave the DPU a satisfactory report for its recent Triennial Audit and closed Special Directive 22-8 that same year. 

Additionally, Governor Healey has made record investments to improve safety and reliability across the MBTA system. That includes eliminating all slow zones by repairing tracks, upgrading cars and stations, increasing hiring and deploying new anti-collision technologies. 

On September 11, 2026, the FTA issued a letter to the DPU, formally closing the final special directive, essentially returning direct responsibility of the remaining safety actions to the DPU. The FTA found that the DPU has satisfied all requirements and has demonstrated significant improvements in its capacity to independently oversee the safety of MBTA rail operations. 

麻州州長 Maura Healey 呼籲州議會立法管制人工智慧

     （Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（18）日再次呼籲州議會，應將人工智慧（AI）安全與透明度條款，寫入正在審議的「Mass Wins 經濟發展法案」中。州長此舉旨在推動第三方獨立評估與縮短重大事故通報時限，強制企業接受監督，杜絕「自導自演」的自我審查。

    早在 9 月 14 日時，奚莉州長就已提出警告，指 AI 的發展速度絕不能超越政府建立安全保障的能力，還曾致信 Mass Wins 法案協商委員會，提出建立獨立監督機制與保護居民的政策架構。今日公開呼籲，是希望促使麻州議會正視現實社會中的 AI 發展趨勢。

    奚莉州長表達的焦慮，正是當前社會對科技可能失控的深切不安。《波士頓環球報》專欄作者 Yvonne Abraham 今（18）日發表的深入剖析文章指出，包括 OpenAI 與 Anthropic 在內的科技巨頭及高層，近日接二連三公開「求救」，承認開發中的模型可能帶來網路攻擊或生物武器蔓延等災難性風險。然而面對著巨額利益與商業競爭，沒有任何一家公司敢單方面放慢腳步，這才形成業者竟集體要求政府「出面阻止自己」的荒謬情境。

    麻省理工學院（MIT）的一項調查顯示，專家評估在未來五年內，AI 引發重大災難的機率高達一成以上。麻州州長今日推動立法，呼應了加州、紐約州與伊利諾州等地，企圖藉由法律強制執行針對 AI 的第三方評估與風險控管這趨勢。

Governor Healey Calls for Strong AI Safety and Transparency Protections in Mass Wins Act

Urges independent safety evaluations and stronger reporting requirements for most powerful AI models

BOSTON- Governor Maura Healey today called for the inclusion of strong artificial intelligence (AI) safety and transparency protections in the Mass Wins economic development bill currently being negotiated by the Legislature. The Governor supports requiring independent evaluations of the most powerful AI models and stronger requirements for companies to report serious safety incidents.

Governor Healey’s recommendations build on her call earlier this week for stronger safeguards and independent oversight as increasingly powerful AI systems are developed and deployed. In a letter to members of the Mass Wins Act Conference Committee, she called for a framework that protects residents while allowing Massachusetts researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses to continue leading in innovation.

“AI has enormous potential to drive scientific discovery, strengthen key industries, improve public services, and create new opportunities for businesses and residents across Massachusetts,” said Governor Healey. “At the same time, the rapid pace of AI development raises serious concerns about safety, accountability, privacy, civil rights, the future of work, and public trust. We cannot allow this technology to move faster than our ability to put appropriate safeguards in place, and we can’t let the responsibility for managing these risks rest with technology companies alone. We need strong action on both the state and federal levels.”

Governor Healey is calling for the final legislation to include strong safety and transparency requirements for the most powerful AI models, building on provisions included in the Senate version of the Mass Wins Act. The Governor is also recommending that the final bill strengthen two areas:

• Independent safety evaluations: Create a path toward independent reviews of the most powerful AI models instead of relying only on companies to determine whether their own systems are safe. Governor Healey is also calling on government, industry and academia to help develop strong safety standards and build the expertise needed to conduct these reviews.

• Earlier reporting of serious incidents: Require companies to report serious safety incidents sooner, giving the state greater visibility into potential risks and the ability to respond before more people are harmed.

Massachusetts’ work comes as states across the country begin developing frameworks governing the safety of frontier AI systems. California, New York and Illinois have enacted laws addressing areas including safety protocols, transparency and reporting of critical safety incidents.

羅氏基因泰克波士頓創新中心剪綵 執行長Schinecker談競爭力憂中國發展快

羅氏基因泰克創新中心剪綵。（周菊子攝）

    （Boston Orange周菊子劍橋市綜合報導）瑞士醫療巨頭羅氏（Roche, RHHBY）與子公司基因泰克（Genentech）合作，設在哈佛大學企業研究園區的創新中心，今（ 17） 日在總公司執行長Thomas Schinecker，以及麻州長奚莉（ Maura Healey）、波士頓市長吳弭（ Michelle Wu）聯袂到賀的隆重中，剪綵啟用。

麻州州長Maura Healey（左三）和波士頓市長吳弭（右二）與羅氏高層。（周菊子攝）

    羅氏執行長Thomas Schinecker表示，新成立的這羅氏基因泰克波士頓創新中心（Roche Genentech Innovation Center Boston），將結合 AI 與數據科學，推動藥物開發，作為心血管、腎臟及代謝疾病（CVRM）的研發樞紐，打造從早期藥物發現到晚期臨床開發的一站式研發基地，是羅氏與基因泰克在全美投資500 億美元製造與研發計畫的重要里程碑，將與北卡羅來納州霍利斯普林斯（Holly Springs）及奧勒岡州希爾斯伯勒（Hillsboro）等地的現有設施形成強大協同效應。

羅氏執行長Thomas Schinecker表示選擇波士頓，看重的是人才。（周菊子攝）

麻州州長Maura Healey很高興羅氏基因泰克選擇來麻州。（周菊子攝）

    Thomas Schinecker指出，全球生物製藥夜的版圖，正在快速移轉，無論是在科學品質、開發速度還是創新能力上，中國的生物技術已取得巨大進步，在進入早期臨床開發階段的創新候選藥物中，佔據了將近40%的市場份額，已經快達到美國的水準了。這提醒著人們，競爭格局變化得有多快。投資會轉移，人才會轉移，隨著時間推移，國家也可能會失去其競爭優勢。

    波士頓既是全球生命科學重鎮，又有哈佛大學等頂尖學府環繞，人才鼎盛，是該公司決定進駐哈佛大學企業研究園區（Enterprise Research Campus, ERC）的一大原因。

波士頓市長吳弭期盼和羅氏合作，培訓人才。（周菊子攝）

    今天的剪綵揭幕式，麻州長奚莉（ Maura Healey）、波士頓市長吳弭（ Michelle Wu） 以及聯邦眾議員 Jake Auchincloss聯袂出席，都為這全球生技業五大巨頭之一的羅氏，來到麻州做重磅投資，感到興奮。

聯邦眾議員 Jake Auchincloss強調多元人才是社會現實。（周菊子攝）

    奚莉州長指出，醫藥研發的終極目的是為了救人，這座創新中心代表著全球生技與醫療的未來與希望。她笑說早前曾和麻州經濟發展長Eric Parley到加州的基因泰克參訪，加州也的確也很棒，但她要驕傲的説，麻州的人才與研發實力都無與倫比，麻州政府將透過「麻州生命科學中心」以及《麻州領先法案》（Mass Leads Act）和《蓬勃經濟法》（DRIVE Act），繼續把麻州打造成全美最適合生技投資與人才引進的地方。

羅氏基因泰克波士頓創新中心（Roche Genentech Innovation Center Boston）
的負責人 Manu Chakravarthy。（周菊子攝）

    吳弭市長則說，在全球被公認為現代生物技術產業（Biotech）始祖的基因泰克成立50週年之際，慶祝基因泰克來到波士頓，實在是太有意義了，波士頓市的核心價值是「公共利益」，希望波士頓能成為羅氏最成功的投資。她還提到波士頓將要準備慶祝400週年，雖然和羅氏總部所在的瑞士Basel有2000年歷史相比，實在不足為道，但波士頓將繼續作為全球創新與提升人類生活品質的堅實夥伴。

哈佛大學教務長John F. Manning。（周菊子攝）

    目前羅氏在美國有大約 2.5 萬名員工、15 個研發中心及 13 個製造基地。羅氏在波士頓市的基因泰克創新中心，已和哈佛大學企業園區簽下10年租約，佔用9.5萬平方英尺，3層樓的面積，其中2層做辦公室，可容納500人，另一層將是實驗室，已有規劃，還未施工。

(羅氏今年五月才斥資7.5億美元，併購了位於波士頓的 Path AI ）

麻州經濟發展長Eric Parley。（周菊子攝）

麻州長Maura Healey和波士頓市長吳弭與羅氏高層合影。（周菊子攝）

PLANNING ADVANCES NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN BRIGHTON AND DORCHESTER Staff provide informational update on Anti-Displacement Action Plan

BOSTON – Thursday, September 17, 2026 – The Planning Department this month recommended approval of two new development projects representing approximately 49,735 square feet (SF). Both were approved. The newly approved development proposals will create 82 new homes, including 11 that are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 46 construction jobs. The projects advanced today will help make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city. Staff also provided the Board an informational update regarding the One Year Progress Report on the Anti-Displacement Action Plan - A Place to Thrive. One year into implementation, the City has made tremendous progress on advancing initiatives outlined in the original plan, and launched new initiatives that fulfill key goals of the plan. The BPDA Board originally adopted the two-year framework in July 2025 and it included more than 40 targeted policies, programs, and resources that City departments committed to advance that will address residential, small business, and cultural displacement. Of the now 53 initiatives included within the plan’s tenets of Protect, Preserve, Produce, and Prosper, nearly 70 percent are advancing, and 15 of the initiatives are under direct oversight of the staff of the Planning Department. Some of these initiatives include: the Article 80 Direct Displacement Disclosure that is being piloted now to mitigate displacement of residents and businesses; free home flood assessments for Port Norfolk residents whose homes may be threatened by future flooding; the Housing Accelerator Fund; and the Office to Residential Conversion Program. Development Projects Project at 697 Cambridge Street to build new housing in Brighton Housing: 42 units, seven income-restricted units Jobs: Approximately 27 construction jobs Community: Public realm & sidewalk improvements This project will add a three-story addition atop an existing two-story commercial structure, resulting in a five-story residential building in Brighton. The project will create 42 new units of housing, ranging from studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The Allston-Brighton Needs Assessment, which was adopted by the BPDA Board in 2024, coincides with the site of this project and encourages additional housing in the neighborhood. The project will create a wider sidewalk on nearby Dustin Street, and much-needed streetscape improvements to Cambridge Street. As part of the project’s community benefits, the project will contribute $5,000 to Allston Main Streets in support of the organization’s regular maintenance of the neighborhood. The project will also contribute $5,000 to local youth sports leagues. In addition, this project will support the current tenant, Brazilian Women’s Group, in finding a new location to continue their work and there will be no disruption in services.  2062 Dorchester Avenue project will bring new homeownership opportunities to Dorchester Housing: 20 homeownership units, four income-restricted units Jobs: Approximately 19 construction jobs  Community: Public realm & sidewalk improvements Sustainability: Preservation of existing trees Located in Dorchester, this project will build a four-story building with 20 homeownership units. The units will be a mix of studios, one-, and two-bedroom units. This will be a transit-oriented development as it is in close proximity to Ashmont Station, offering access to the Red Line train, the Mattapan Trolley, and several MBTA bus routes. Thirty-four long-term bike parking spaces will also be located on the ground floor of the building. The project will improve the public realm by creating better sidewalks and preserving multiple existing trees. The project will also contribute $5,500 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system.  In addition to these projects, the Board approved: A Notice of Project Alteration at 176 Lincoln Street in Brighton to amend how the project fulfills its inclusionary requirements. The renewal and extension of the Tufts Medical Center Institutional Master Plan. The renewal and extension of the Boston University Charles River Campus Institutional Master Plan.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Seeks Developer to Transform Former Lancaster Industrial School for Girls into Hundreds of Homes

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Seeks Developer to Transform Former Lancaster Industrial School for Girls into Hundreds of Homes

Redevelopment will create at least 288 new homes, with potential for additional housing and neighborhood-serving businesses

 

LANCASTER — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) has released a Request for Proposals seeking a developer to transform the approximately 72-acre former Lancaster Industrial School for Girls property into a new, walkable neighborhood with at least 288 homes.

 

The redevelopment will be guided by a community-informed plan developed with the Town of Lancaster and will include a mix of housing, public spaces and potentially neighborhood-serving commercial uses. Depending on future local approvals, the site could ultimately support up to 386 homes. 

 

“We created State Land for Homes because Massachusetts has underused public land that can and should be helping us build the housing people need,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This project is a great example of what that looks like. We’re taking a large state-owned property that has sat vacant and putting it back to work to create hundreds of new homes, while building on the vision developed with the Lancaster community.” 

 

“Building more homes is one of the most important things we can do to make Massachusetts more affordable,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By working with Lancaster from the beginning, we have a plan that can turn this property into a neighborhood with different housing options, walkable public spaces and opportunities for local businesses.” 

 

The RFP seeks qualified development teams to redevelop the historic campus in accordance with a Regulating Plan developed by Speck Dempsey, a planning and urban design firm, in collaboration with DCAMM and the Town of Lancaster. The plan emphasizes walkability, a range of housing options, active public spaces, historic preservation and high-quality architectural design. 

 

The Regulating Plan was developed through an extensive public engagement process between summer 2025 and spring 2026. DCAMM and Speck Dempsey held three community meetings, an open design studio and two pop-up outreach events to gather feedback from residents and local leaders. Proposals submitted through the RFP must conform to the plan and reflect the architectural character developed through that process. 

 

"The Girls Industrial School occupies a beautiful site with some lovely historic buildings, specimen trees and mighty hedgerows, but, more than that, deeply intelligent traces: roads and paths laid out at a time when there was a more natural sense of topography and placemaking. By embracing these roads and paths, preserving almost every majestic tree and hedgerow, and organizing itself around its best historic buildings, the plan creates a place of unique character while minimizing infrastructure costs and ecological impact," said Chris Dempsey and Jeff Speck, Co-Founders of Speck Dempsey. 

 

Under the Affordable Homes Act, the site is authorized for at least 288 homes as-of-right. The Regulating Plan also envisions the potential for additional housing and neighborhood-serving retail and commercial uses along a walkable main street. 

 

If additional local approvals are secured through rezoning or an agreement between DCAMM, the Town of Lancaster and the selected developer, the project could ultimately include up to 386 homes as well as commercial uses that support an active mixed-use neighborhood. 

 

"This redevelopment will turn long-vacant state property into new homes, creating a new neighborhood for Lancaster residents and putting the land back on local tax rolls," said Juana Matias, Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. "This is exactly the kind of transformation that Governor Healey's Affordable Homes Act was designed to unlock, and we're proud to help bring this project to life." 

 

DCAMM, in consultation with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), anticipates selecting a development team in late 2026 or early 2027. Following selection, the property is expected to transfer to the developer within approximately 18 months, with construction beginning thereafter. 

 

"This is one of the most spectacular sites in the entire State Land for Homes portfolio,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “As a result of an unparalleled collaboration with the Lancaster community and Speck Dempsey, the development enabled by the Regulating Plan will complement the strength of the setting with a thoughtful combination of new development, historic preservation, and protection of significant natural landscape features that will combine to create a neighborhood we will all be truly proud of." 

 

DCAMM will continue working closely with the town of Lancaster as the project advances and anticipates the town will consider proposed rezoning this fall to allow for additional housing and neighborhood-serving commercial uses. That process will include public hearings and consideration by Town Meeting. 

 

 "The Town of Lancaster has been working closely with the State and its consultants for over a year to understand the type of development that could occur on this property,” said Jason Allison, Chair of the Lancaster Select Board. “The resulting regulating plan incorporates numerous suggestions by the Town's residents on how to honor the site with a thoughtful, unique development." 

 

The Lancaster redevelopment advances the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s State Land for Homes initiative, which transforms underused state-owned property into new housing. Since Governor Healey launched the initiative in 2025, the Administration has advanced plans for more than 5,600 homes across nearly 700 acres of state-owned land in 33 Massachusetts communities. 

 

For more information about the Request for Proposals, visit the project website.

Bay State Stonewall Democrats Joins Leaders Across Massachusetts Calling On Mike Minogue To Denounce And Refund Donations To Far-Right PragerU

Bay State Stonewall Democrats Joins Leaders Across Massachusetts Calling On Mike Minogue To Denounce And Refund Donations To Far-Right PragerU

Today, the Bay State Stonewall Democrats joins a broad coalition of leaders representing families and communities across Massachusetts calling on Republican candidate Mike Minogue to denounce and apologize for funding the far-right media organization PragerU, immediately refund every dollar his family foundation has donated to it, commit that his foundation will provide no further financial support to the right-wing group, and publicly declare that he would never bring PragerU materials into Massachusetts public schools.

Public tax records and reporting show that the Michael and Renee Minogue Foundation has donated thousands of dollars to PragerU, and the Minogue foundation continues to list the Prager University Foundation among its past and current recipients. When asked about the contribution, Mike Minogue said, "a very good resource."

PragerU's messages to our kids and families include:

Minimizing slavery in a series marketed towards young children stating that "being taken as a slave is better than being killed, no?"

Promoting a number of racist statements, including "all it really takes for a brown person to nearly get away with murder is telling the police that a white person said or did something racist," "I can't even blame somebody for being racist at this point," and telling immigrants that they should "Stay over there. Don't flee your country and then bring that hellhole over here."

Blaming immigrants for crime, condemning multiculturalism, and stereotyping all immigrants as violent criminals.

Calling autism a "social contagion"

Attacking the LGBTQ+ community, claiming that kids are only identifying because it is "trendy," that the community is trying to "pervert" the minds of children, and saying "gay people shouldn't be proud to be gay."

Stating that "kids graduating high school barely know how to read and write but able to list off 97 genders," condemning any teaching about global warming, history of racism and sexism in the US, and seemingly calling for an end to sexual education.

Calling feminism "the root of so many evils and ills in our society."

Saying abortions are "not moral" and attacking the validity of reproductive freedom.

Pushing vaccine misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling life-saving vaccines "genetic engineering modification," and promoting a speaker that claims they developed lung cancer from vaccines and that you shouldn't trust your doctor.

Downplaying the consequences and impact of climate change.

Questioning the theory of evolution.

Claiming income inequality is a "good thing."

"Every Massachusetts family deserves a Governor who won't fund groups that attack their kids for who they are. Mike Minogue has a choice: keep taking money from an organization built on this kind of rhetoric, or actually stand up for the LGBTQ+ families he claims to represent," said Jeremy Comeau, Co-Chair of Bay State Stonewall Democrats.

"Massachusetts families are watching what their leaders are willing to fund, and Mike Minogue's answer so far is an organization that tells LGBTQ+ kids they shouldn't be proud of who they are. He can return this money and rule PragerU out of our schools, or he can keep defending it. Either way, voters deserve to know where he stands," said Holly Ryan, Co-Chair of Bay State Stonewall Democrats.

As PragerU seeks to expand its role in public education across the country, Minogue has both financially supported and publicly promoted its work – a record that leaves him unfit to serve as Governor for all Massachusetts children and families.