People, Power, and Politcs

Activists angered over a new law that removes barriers to abortions later in pregnancy have filed paperwork seeking to suspend and ultimately repeal the measure in the 2028 election cycle. The Compassionate Care Coalition launched this week and filed initial paperwork with Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office Tuesday to try to topple the law that removed four criteria from statute that enabled abortions after 24 weeks' gestation, specifically in life-threatening situations. The law instead gives deference to providers' medical judgment. Massachusetts Citizens for Life and Massachusetts Family Action are spearheading the effort to repeal the law (H 5595/Chapter 188) that Gov. Maura Healey (above) signed on Aug. 10, said coalition chair Sam Miele.

FRANKLIN
New Town Website Does Not Support “Cut and Paste” of calendar entries. Go to https://franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx to view directly. Steve Sherlock from Franklin Matters has kindly compiled and and shared the below information. Thanks Steve!

Monday, September 7 is Labor Day, the latest in the month that this occurs so we end up with a long weekend and a short week.

Note: due to the holiday, the trash and recycle curbside schedule is off by one day. Image DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi talking about the Monday Collection: Moved to Tuesday; Tuesday Collection: Moved to Wednesday, etc.

As a bonus, the recording of one of the winter announcements of the delay is available,and linked to below.

On Tuesday, the School Committee Policy subcmte gets together at 6. They are slated to begin review of a number of fiscal policies related to the budget and operations.

The full School Committee gets together at 7 PM also on Tuesday. The District Improvement PLan is being presented. This plan sets the stage for individual school plans as well as for the Superintendent’s goals.

On Wednesday, the Historical Commission among other items is considering offering tours on Saturdays.

The 250th Celebration Events subcmte, also meets and among other items is a discussion on their first potential donor lunch scheduled for Oct 16.

Thursday is the busiest meeting day with meetings for the Bi-County Collaborative, Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter,

Conservation Commission and last but not least the Cultural District committee.

The Cultural District meeting also lists an item to discuss cultural tours on Saturdays.

A special event is also on Thursday; new exhibits are being welcomed to the Sculpture Park at 5 PM. On Saturday to close out the week, there is a Bike Safety Event at Franklin High School beginning at 9 AM.

For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendar at Franklin.news/ where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.

*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 9/04/26 7:00 PM ***

Franklin Public Schools Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, September 8 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082026-2485

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 8 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082026-2487

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

Wednesday, September 9 Time: 3:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092026-2491

Franklin Historical Commission Meeting

Wednesday, September 9 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092026-2490

250th Anniversary Celebration Events Sub Committee

Wednesday, September 9 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092026-2492

Bi-County Collaborative - Board of Directors Mtg.

Thursday, September 10 Time: 9:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102026-2489

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

Thursday, September 10 Time: 2:00 PM

Not available at this time

Sculpture Park - new exhibits revealed Thursday, September 10 - 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/reminder-sculpture-park-is-adding-art.html

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, September 10 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102026-2471

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Meeting

Thursday, September 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102026-2488

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, September 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102026-2486

Bike Safety Event Saturday, September 12 - 9:00 AM at Franklin High School

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/reminder-bike-and-helmet-safety-event.html

*** Looking back at the week that was ***

Town/ School meetings

The Town Council met on Wednesday, Sep 2, the recap and video can be found

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/town-council-approve-west-as-police.html

The Commission on Disability met on Thursday, the exclusive audio can be found - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/commission-on-disability-meeting.html

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on Thursday, Sep 3, the video can be found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O93n6IQhRH4

All Access programming

A new episode of Aging Boldfully: Discussion with Julie Booth of Quinnipiac University is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymehk2zxGZE

A new episode of Once Upon a Town from Joe Landry and Scott Mason talking about the Post Office in Franklin is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTH6nG2ewlU

Franklin Matters took a walk through the rescue animal farm and you can join us for that walk at the Maloney Farm and Forest - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEkAQfKLMU4

Franklin Matters also took a walk through the kitchen cabinet custom build process process happening in the former bakery building on Ruggles St. Join us for the informative session with the Franklin KItchen Center - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc3ss_wlgpE

*** As a special episode of Franklin Matters Radio, we offer the voice recording of DPW Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi's voice message in advance of the blizzard forecasted for Jan 29, 2022

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/dpw-director-brutus-cantoreggis-voice.html

—-----------

For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendar at Franklin.news/ where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.

Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx

Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html

MEDWAY
Medway’s new website, likewise, does not readily support cut and paste. Go to medwayma.gov.

STATE HOUSE and BEYOND

Massachusetts voters this week eliminated from contention one of Senate President Karen Spilka's top deputies and a second member of her leadership team could fall in the coming days. Persis Yu of Hyde Park dispensed with Senate Majority Whip Michael Rush of West Roxbury in Tuesday's Democratic primary and the fate of Senate President Pro Tempore Will Brownsberger of Belmont will be determined by a recount after unofficial results show his challenger from Boston, Daniel Lander, with a slight edge. Over in the House, two Democrats facing criminal charges are both out of contention in this year's elections. Rep. Chris Flanagan of Dennis is serving out his term but did not seek reelection and Rep. Francisco Paulino of Methuen, who was indicated just before the primary, lost his reelection bid to Celina Reyes of Lawrence. It's go-time in the week ahead for supporters and opponents of nine ballot questions that voters will decide Nov. 3. Secretary of State William Galvin oversees the state elections division and his office will assemble the general election ballot. On Tuesday, he plans to unveil this year's extensive voter information booklet. Given the expected length of that document, perhaps an audiobook is in order to keep up with the changing times. Also, the Supreme Judicial Court's decision in the lawsuit the state brought against Kalshi alleging the prediction market is essentially running as an unlicensed sportsbook is due to be released soon. At least 20 states have litigation going around Kalshi – a number highlighted in New Jersey's request this week for the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on how platforms like Kalshi can or should be regulated. Events are also taking shape to mark Friday's anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. An entire generation has grown up since those events and for those younger residents the "never forget" mantra tied to 9/11 underscores the importance of education and keeping alive the memory of that day and how 9/11 changed so many things.

Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026

LANNAN AND DUMCIUS ON KELLER: MASSterList Editor Katie Lannan and WBUR senior politics reporter Gin Dumcius join political analyst Jon Keller on his weekly talk segment "Keller at Large" to discuss primary election winners and losers. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

WARREN ON NBC: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joins NBC 10 reporter Matt Prichard on the network's weekly "@ ISSUE" segment. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)

DEATON "ON THE RECORD" | Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton joins WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)

FATIMA FESTA: U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton attends the Our Lady of Fatima Festa in Ludlow. (Sunday, 12 p.m., 438 Winsor St., Ludlow)

Monday, Sept. 7, 2026

LABOR DAY PARADE: Greater Boston Labor Council holds a Labor Day parade. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. in Copley Square Plaza. It also ends in Copley, where there will be speakers, performances and food trucks. "This year, we will march to challenge the corporate takeover of our democracy and to fight for justice in working class communities across our great city and state," the council says. The second annual parade is taking the place of the traditional Labor Day Breakfast, according to Massachusetts AFL-CIO> (Monday, 10 a.m., Copley Square, Dartmouth and St. James streets, Boston)

MARLBOROUGH LABOR DAY PARADE: Republican U.S. Senate nominee John Deaton marches in the Marlborough Labor Day Parade, which stages at the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest. (Monday, 12 p.m., 169 Pleasant St., Marlborough)

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Mayor Wu and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper welcome students, families, and staff to Holland Elementary School for the first day of classes, then hold a press availability. Classes for grades 1-12 begin Tuesday; pre-K and kindergarten students start Sept. 10. (Tuesday, 7 a.m., Holland Elementary School, 85 Olney St., Dorchester)

DPU TRANSPO OVERSIGHT: Department of Public Utilities' Transportation Oversight Division holds public hearings on applications for carrier certification. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., One South Station, 3rd floor, Boston | Zoom)

HOPKINTON NONPROFIT: Project Just Because, a Hopkinton nonprofit that provides food, clothing and other resources, celebrates its new delivery vehicle. The purchase was backed by a $20,000 grant from the Greater Boston Food Bank, and it will boost the nonprofit's efforts to address food insecurity. Senate President Spilka and Rep. Arena-DeRosa attend. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 77 South St., Hopkinton)

SEWAGE-FREE RIVERS RALLY: Charles River Watershed Association, Mystic River Watershed Association, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and Conservation Law Foundation hold a rally calling on the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to eliminate combined sewer discharges into local rivers. Organizers say the MWRA's draft long-term control plan could allow pollution to continue, and are rallying attendees to submit public comment before an Oct. 30 deadline. Organizers advise against reaching the dock by water because of an active cyanobacteria bloom. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Fiedler Dock, Boston | Register)

FOOD BANK GRANT: Senate President Spilka delivers remarks at an event marking a $20,000 Community Investment Grant awarded by the Greater Boston Food Bank to Project Just Because, a Hopkinton-based nonprofit that provides food and household assistance. The grant will fund the purchase of a new truck for the organization. Media RSVP to Ghanley@thecastlegrp.com. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Hopkinton)

SENATE: Senate meets. Agenda includes bills concerning Conway, Tewksbury, Raynham, Westfield and Dennis. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)

HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

WORCESTER HOUSING ROUNDTABLE: U.S. Sen. Warren and U.S. Reps. McGovern and Pressley hold a roundtable on the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, the federal housing law enacted in 2026 that the three say will make it easier to build housing, lower costs, and bar private equity from buying single-family homes. They plan to discuss Grandfamily Villages, an effort by the nonprofit Senior Connection to build affordable housing for seniors and their families in Worcester, and to hear from families and community leaders on the housing crisis. Media asked to RSVP to saloni_sharma@banking.senate.gov. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Central Community Branch YMCA, 766 Main St., Worcester)

GALVIN UNVEILS VOTER BOOKLET: Secretary of State William Galvin unveils the 2026 Information for Voters book, which includes detailed information on the nine statewide ballot questions that voters will decide in November. Along with unveiling the book, he'll go over the ballot question format. The book will be mailed to all households in Massachusetts beginning Tuesday, per Galvin's office. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., State House Library, Third Floor)

CORE PLAN COMMITTEE: Treasurer Deb Goldberg chairs the second-quarter meeting of the CORE Plan Statutory Committee. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Register)

LGAC: Local Government Advisory Commission meets. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Shrewsbury Public Library, 609 Main St., Shrewsbury)

CAPE COD BRIDGES: Cape Cod Brides Advisory Group meets, with the agenda including a presentation and discussion with stakeholders. The Healey administration unveiled new design renderings for the Sagamore Bridge replacement in July, including separate bridge spans to boost safety and a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists that's separated by a barrier. Construction is expected to start in spring 2028. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Mass Maritime Academy ballroom, 20 Tower Lane, Bourne | More Info)

MASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Massasoit Community College holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new science building and a groundbreaking for its health science building. The event marks the halfway point of a $52 million capital project, and organizers say it's the first major renovation to an academic building on the Brockton campus in nearly 50 years. Attendees include Education Secretary Stephen Zrike, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center CEO Kirk Taylor and Massasoit President Bill Mitchell. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 1 Massasoit Blvd., Brockton)

MARK KELLY AT KENNEDY LIBRARY: Kennedy Library Forum Series features Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy Combat pilot, and Rye Barcott, author of "Courage Can Save US: Ten Extraordinary Americans and the Fight for Our Future." The book delves into the efforts of a bipartisan group of elected officials, including Kelly, in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Kelly and Barcott will discuss "carrying the values of service, integrity, and collaboration from the battlefield into public life – and how those lessons can help strengthen American democracy today," organizers say. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., JFK Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point | Livestream)

CLARK, SCIENTISTS TOWN HALL: Congresswoman Katherine Clark is the featured speaker at a town hall about how federal decisions are affecting research, public health, innovation and the scientific workforce. It's hosted by the Cambridge-based Union of Concerned Scientists. Other speakers include union CEO Gretchen Goldman, Lucy Hutyra and Jack Dennerlein of Boston University, Kristen Ammons of MIT and David Nelson of Aerodyne Research. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Robbins Memorial Town Hall, 730 Mass. Ave., Arlington | Register)

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026

NORTH SHORE CHAMBER: North Shore Chamber of Commerce hosts a "state of the region" breakfast forum. Speakers include Mayors Ted Bettencourt of Peabody, Michael Cahill of Beverly, Paul Lunderberg of Gloucester, Jared Nicholson of Lynn, Dominick Pangallo of Salem and Sean Reardon of Newburyport, as well as Danvers Town Manager Jill Cahill. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School, 565 Maple St., Danvers | Register)

EARLY ED: Strategies for Children's 9:30 Call will discuss efforts to boost "father engagement" across early learning and the upcoming 2026 Massachusetts Father Leadership Summit. Speakers include Daniel Lewis of the Department of Children and Families, Christopher White of The Children's Trust, and Ayesha Rodriguez, family engagement manager at the Department of Early Education and Care. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | Register)

MASSDOT FINANCE, AUDIT: MassDOT Board of Directors' Finance and Audit Committee meets remotely. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | More Info)

MASSDOT CAPITAL PROGRAMS: MassDOT Board of Directors' Capital Programs Committee meets remotely. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. | More Info)

LGBTQ AGING COMMISSION: Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging meets. Agenda includes committee reports, strategic plan updates and commissioner updates. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Service holds a public hearing on a dozen bills tied to Acushnet, Worcester County, Montague and Turner Falls, West Springfield, Somerville, Middlesex County, Stockbridge, Warren and Lawrence. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Zoom)

DIVISION OF INSURANCE: Division of Insurance holds its first listening session about out-of-network costs. Stemming from a recommendation from her Health Care Affordability Work Group, Gov. Healey has tasked the division to establish default out-of-network payment rates. The reform is meant to shield patients from surprise bills after they unknowingly receive care from providers who are not covered by their insurance. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Access)

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT: Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission meets. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 10 Cabot Road, Suite 300, Medford | More Info)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)

WHIPPLE SENIOR CHORUS: The Whipple Senior Chorus visits the State House. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Grand Staircase)

AUTHOR TALK: State Library of Massachusetts hosts an Author Talk with Virginia Buckingham focused on her memoir, "On My Watch." She was the head of the Massachusetts Port Authority, which oversees Boston Logan International Airport, during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., State Library, Room 341 | More Info and Livestream)

LIFE SCIENCES: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Investment Committee meets. Agenda items deal with the Access and Acceleration Grant Program, the Education and Workforce Development Grant Program, and allocations for MLSC "challenges." The center has a high school apprenticeship challenge for underrepresented and low-income students, plus an internship challenge. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

KERSHAW ON '9:30 CALL': Early Education and Care Commission Amy Kershaw is the featured speaker on Strategies for Children's 9:30 Call, with the special edition slated for the evening. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. | Register)

BMC STRIKE VOTE: Nearly 2,000 nurses at Boston Medical Center, as well as 70 registered nurses at BMC-affiliated Brockton Behavioral Health Center, vote on whether to authorize a strike amid unsuccessful contract negotiations. The nurses, represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, are seeking higher wages and a safer workplace. "Boston Medical Center has the busiest emergency room in New England, and nurses here care for a diverse set of patients with greater needs than other area hospitals," said Cari Medina, the union's executive vice president. "Nurses at BMC excel amid these demanding working conditions, but they have one of the lowest starting wage rates across Boston-area hospitals, and it's taking a toll that's showing up in high turnover that threatens the quality of patient care." Nurses have been bargaining with BMC management for over six months, the union said. In an Aug. 25 letter to BMC CEO Dr. Alastair Bell, roughly 40 lawmakers called for "significant investments" in nursing wages, benefits, staffing, safety and retention. "As legislators, we commit to working with the administration and the hospital to find a solution that allows the hospital to make these critical investments," their letter said. "A strong agreement that addresses these priorities would benefit not only BMC's workforce, but also the patients and communities who depend on the hospital every day." The strike vote, slated to happen in-person and virtually, will continue on Thursday. (Wednesday)

BALLOT QUESTION REPORTS: Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University publishes reports this year's slate of nine ballot questions. The questions deal with expanding the public records law (Question 1), collective bargaining for employees at the Committee for Public Counsel Services (Question 2), all-party state primaries (Question 3), Election Day registration (Question 4), limits on state tax collection (Question 5), natural resource conservation (Question 6), starter homes (Question 7), and repealing recreational cannabis use for adults (Question 8) and the 2024 gun law (Question 9). (Wednesday)

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026

HEALTH CONNECTOR: Massachusetts Health Connector Board meets. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Livestream)

CONVENIENCE STORE, ENERGY MARKETERS EXPO: New England Convenience Store and Energy Markers Association holds its annual trade expo, bringing together owners, operators, fuel wholesalers and vendors. Tom Kloza, Gulf Oil's chief energy advisor, talks about global uncertainty in the fuel industry, price volatility, energy trends for 2027 and predictions for winter. Art Sebastian, CEO of global retailer strategy firm NexChapter, Inc. discusses how AI is affecting the convenience store industry. The expo will also feature new product launches. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Bally's Twin River Casino, 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, Rhode Island | More Info)

CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee accepts written testimony on bills focused on alcohol licenses in Webster, Ludlow, Hanover, Millbury, Wayland and Greenfield. A by-request bill from Rep. Galvin (H 5516) would establish a Massachusetts condominium commission. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | More Info)

FOOD POLICY COUNCIL: Massachusetts Food Policy Council meets. Liz Hatzenbuehler, senior manager of food and healthy policy at the nonprofit Community Servings, discusses nutrition in the MassHealth Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver. The current waiver ends next year, and state officials plan to submit an extension request to the federal government later this year. MassHealth accountable care organizations and health-related social needs providers gave nutrition and housing support services to roughly 22,000 members in 2025. There will also be a retailer and grower panel on the impact of SNAP cuts. Speakers include Bill Rennie Sr. of the Massachusetts Retailers Association, Sam Newell of Fruit Fare, Grace Sliwoski of the Worcester Regional Environmental Council, Casey Burns of the Center on Food Equity, and DTA Commissioner Michael Cole. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

MINOGUE BLUEPRINT: Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue will detail "his Blueprint for Massachusetts, outlining his vision and priorities for moving the Commonwealth forward." Minogue has rolled out some broad policy packages, but so far has not discussed many fine details in depth. His rollout is scheduled to take place at Shea Concrete, an Amesbury company that has been featured in his campaign materials previously. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Shea Concrete, 87 Haverhill Road, Amesbury)

SENATE: Senate holds an informal session, per President Spilka's office. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)

DCR STEWARDSHIP: DCR Stewardship Council's Stakeholders Committee meets. Agenda items include a strategic oversight plan scorecard and listening session planning. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., 190 Park Road, Weston | Zoom)

RODRIGUES COFFEE HOUR: Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues hosts a coffee hour in Fall River through 7 p.m. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Christopher's Cafe, 1816 South Main St., Fall River)

AXIOS HEALTHCARE: Axios hosts an event exploring Boston's role in the "global health race." The reception features one-on-one interviews with Yvonne Hao, former economic development secretary who's now chief operating officer at Flagship Pioneering; Connie Lehman of Clairity; and Yesmean Wahdan of Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St., Cambridge | Register)

NEW BEDFORD MASSDOT: MassDOT holds a virtual design public hearing on a proposed project in New Bedford to install a bicycle and pedestrian shared use path from Route 6 westbound to MacArthur Drive. (Thursday, 6 p.m. | Register)

Friday, Sept. 11, 2026

NATICK 9/11 CEREMONY: Senate President Spilka speaks at Natick's 9/11 remembrance ceremony. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., 20–22 E Central St., Natick)

ANNUAL 9/11 COMMEMORATION: Gov. Healey's office hosts the state's annual 9/11 commemoration. The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund has compiled more than 215 names of people with connections to Massachusetts who perished on that day 25 years ago. This year's keynote address will be delivered by retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jonathan Treacy, who on 9/11 was the commander of the Otis Air National Guard unit that was the first to scramble fighter jets to respond to the attacks and provide an initial air defense of New York City. "Immediately following the attacks, we Americans rallied together and, joined by our allies, stood united in our resolve to fight terrorism. After 25 years of difficult lessons, one truth stands out: unity is our strength," Treacy said. "I believe it is our duty to honor those taken from us by being strong enough to reunite as a nation." Healey and First Lady Lydgate will present the American flag to the Color Guard before it is raised and lowered to half-staff. At 8:46 a.m., the people gathered at the commemoration will observe a moment of silence. (Friday, 8:32 a.m., House Chamber and Great Hall)

POST COMMISSION: Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission holds a status conference concerning Marie C. Sylvain. (Friday, 10 a.m. | Zoom)

FRAMINGHAM 9/11 CEREMONY: Senate President Spilka attends Framingham's 9/11 remembrance ceremony. (Friday, 10:30 a.m., Living Memorial, Cushing Memorial Park, Dudley Road, Framingham)

FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS: Auditor Diana DiZoglio's office hosts the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial annual 9/11 ceremony. Treasurer Goldberg attends. (Friday, 3:30 p.m., Ashburton Park)

CERTIFIED RECOUNTS DUE: Deadline for local clerks to submit final certified results for any recount election to the Secretary of State's Election's Division. (Friday, 5 p.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026

DEER SCOUTING CLASS: MassWildlife hosts a free three-hour class for people to learn how to scout for deer while out in the field. (Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m., MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough | Register)

ANDOVER FAMILY FISHING FESTIVAL: MassWildlife hosts the Family Fishing Festival in Andover, where people can learn how to set up a rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. The event is free, family friendly and open to all skill levels. (Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m., Sudden Pond `in the Harold Park State Forest | Pre-Register)