Mayor Michelle Wu backed a bill that would let Massachusetts cities opt in to later 'last call' hours and temporary public-drinking districts for the World Cup summer. The measure is time-limited and faces a tight timeline before mid‑June matches.

House Judiciary Republicans asked Boston police, the Suffolk DA and the sheriff for records on ICE detainers, training and bond policies with a June 10 deadline.

Regulators approved virtual scratch tickets and two new daily numbers games for the Massachusetts iLottery, clearing a path for the site and app to launch this summer. Officials project meaningful early revenue for state programs.

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has moved to reclaim tax incentives from 17 companies that missed hiring commitments, naming firms including Novartis and PathAI. The step underscores tighter enforcement of jobs‑based awards.

The Governor’s Council voted 4-3 to block Maura Healey’s parole board nominee, Vincent DeMore, setting off a fight over prosecutorial representation and public safety.

A state Senate bill would require prospective Massachusetts police officers to complete 60 college credits before appointment. Supporters call it major reform; critics worry about hiring.

The App Drivers Union won state certification to represent roughly 70,000 Massachusetts drivers, setting up state-supervised bargaining with Uber, Lyft and others. The process will be overseen by the Department of Labor Relations.

Senators folded a fix into the FY26 budget to extend 15 daysa0of domestic-violence leave to temp and contract workers after the Dabrowski familya0pushed for change. The measure now heads to House budget talks.

Massachusetts added 8,500 payroll jobs in April while unemployment held at 4.7 percent; household employment has fallen, leaving mixed signals for hiring and policy.

Union leaders say New Bedford officers are nearing 700 days without a contract, and they blame staffing shortfalls and frozen promotions as negotiations stall.

Barbara Lenk, the first openly gay justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, has died at 75. She was known for clear, principled opinions on free‑speech and civil cases.

City councilors voted unanimously to press the Retirement Board to raise the COLA base to $18,000 and adopt a 3% annual COLA — a change that would add about $90 a year to most pension checks amid budget pressure.

In a close vote, Cambridge’s City Council moved to shut down ShotSpotter and ordered sensors removed within 90 days amid concerns about accuracy and data use.