BOSTON — The emergence of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl has been a "game changer" in the public health response to addiction and overdoses, former White House drug control czar Michael Botticelli said Wednesday. more

BOSTON — Backers of single-payer, government-sponsored health care on Tuesday told lawmakers that now is the time to adopt a "Medicare for all" system in Massachusetts, citing uncertainty over federal health care legislation and the burden of … more

BOSTON — Legislation more than doubling the tax rate on retail marijuana and stripping local voters of the right to directly weigh in on whether to host retail pot shops has unanimously cleared a House committee.After a House Ways and Means … more

State and national flags across Massachusetts have been ordered to half-staff in memory of state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi until sunset on Thursday, the day of her funeral.Cariddi, of North Adams, represented the First Berkshire District in the House … more

BOSTON — A majestic maritime gathering is bringing more than 50 grand sailing vessels from 14 countries into Boston Harbor.Tall ships from Europe, South America and the U.S. are converging on the city as part of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships … more

By Colin A. YoungState House News ServiceBOSTON — Neither branch has passed marijuana legislation yet, but all signs point to a conference committee eventually having to iron out details of the tax on marijuana sales, how a town can ban pot … more

BOSTON — House leaders announced late Wednesday they were postponing debate on a contentious bill that seeks major changes in the state's voter-approved recreational marijuana law, including higher taxes on retail sales and more control for … more

BOSTON — For the second year in a row Massachusetts lawmakers on Wednesday endorsed a proposal to extract an estimated $2 billion from the state's roughly 20,000 highest earners, setting up a 2018 ballot question campaign, a legal dispute in … more

BOSTON — Nearly a decade after she became Harvard University's first female president, Drew Faust is making plans to step down.Faust, 69, announced Wednesday that she will leave her post at the end of the upcoming school year, which will also … more

By Katie LannanState House News ServiceBOSTON — Massachusetts has an official state cookie, state bean, state donut and state beverage, and lawmakers now have a chance to decide if it should have an official sweetener, too.A bill filed by Rep. … more