People, Power, and Politcs

A new trade group launched this week to give artificial intelligence companies in the health, human services and life sciences worlds a collective voice in anticipation of state government writing the rules that will govern how AI can be deployed in hospitals, dentists' offices, group homes and more. MassIntelligence launched with two founding member companies and plans to add 13 others by invitation. The founding member companies included in the group's launch are Impruvon Health, a Maryland-based company that has a Massachusetts state contract to provide an electronic medication record system for group homes and community programs, and California-based patient logistics company VectorCare. Jay Youmans, a former state health official who now heads up the public affairs and strategic consultancy Bulfinch Strategies Group, co-founded the group with biotechnology strategist Mahnoosh Mirzaei. Bulfinch partner Thomas Mangan, a former state public health official, is the group's director of government affairs.

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!

This week starts discussion on yet another opportunity for Franklin residents and taxpayers to come to an agreement on the “common good”.
Yes, Franklin operates within the Commonwealth of Mass. A commonwealth is defined as “one founded on law and united by compact or tacit agreement of the people for the common good.”
The Town has operated with a single tax rate which means that all property owners and businesses pay the same rate. The current Council wants to consider a split tax rate. The split tax rate doesn't raise any additional funds. It only shifts the burden from one category (residential) to another (commercial/industrial) although it could be applied the other way; that is, shifting the burden from commercial industrial to residential.
Over the next 3 Town Council sessions, there are 3 workshops scheduled to define the terminology, present results of some studies, and set up for a robust discussion on the pros and cons of the split vs. single tax rate before the tax rate hearing is held in December.
What rate provides the best outcome, for our common good, for all of Franklin?
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 10/09/26 5:00 PM ***

Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee MeetingTuesday, October 13, 2026 Time = 6:00 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10132026-2558
250th Anniversary Celebration Communications Subcommittee MeetingTuesday, October 13, 2026 Time = 6:00 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10132026-2553
Franklin School Committee MeetingTuesday, October 13, 2026 time = 7:00 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10132026-2559
Charles River Pollution Control MeetingWednesday, October 14, 2026 Time = 3:00 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2561
Board of Assessors Regular MeetingWednesday, October 14, 2026 Time = 5:00 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2562
Town Council MeetingWednesday, October 14, 2026 Time = 6:00 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2560
Coffee Hour with State & Local OfficialsThursday, October 15, 2026 Time = 8:30 AMNo agenda for this informal session
250th Anniversary Celebration Events Subcommittee MeetingThursday, October 15, 2026 Time = 7:30 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152026-2552
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) MeetingThursday, October 15, 2026 Time = 7:30 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152026-2540

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

Town & School meetings
Joint Budget Subcmte on Wednesdayhttps://www.youtube.com/live/zQCeOrqhWRA?is=Df440kdXQFy2bgVB
Conservation Commission on Thursdayhttps://www.youtube.com/live/FxDu-rCQvyc?is=w9DDyofyUB5gcwr6

FHS Sports
FHS girls soccer on Tuesday https://www.youtube.com/live/vQ5cJQ66bZU?is=B7_VIhH_O6Fkp0Xc
All Access Channel
Franklin Union St Cemetery tour https://youtu.be/wgAonH4qHxA?is=y0bNzIwSwLRKE-Zg
Frank Presents Diane DiZoglio https://youtu.be/zQkaGM6rDGw?is=3UvK40M63TIaiWI-
Frank Presents Wayne Adams https://youtu.be/t2wKrrfRGqg?is=BMAfhD39bBHX_qbm

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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

Stephen Sherlock
Community Information Director (volunteer) for Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio
https://linktr.ee/franklinmatters

MEDWAY

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

STATE
HOUSE and BEYOND

Most legislators are on a glide path to reelection in Massachusetts and don't have much to do in terms of campaigning. They also have not done much in terms of legislative work since the General Court embarked on a summer recess July 31. With short, twice-weekly informal sessions since then, and having concluded most of the committee work, the allegedly full-time Legislature has behaved more like a part-time Legislature during August and September. The pattern has continued into October and appears likely to bleed deeper into fall and beyond the elections. House and Senate Democrats assigned to negotiate final details of 12 major bills remain deadlocked in their private conference committees. The lack of breakthroughs on bills that lawmakers themselves identified as essential means legislators so far have not given Gov. Maura Healey some of the legislative wins she's looking for, nor have they been able to show voters that they are able to bridge differences and deliver on economic development, energy affordability, higher education, public records access and environmental initiatives, among scores of other policy plans. Lawmakers also have yet to begin advancing a perennial spending bill to close the books on last fiscal year, which ended June 30. The pre-election policymaking window is winding down in part because the focus on voting and the elections is cresting. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey faces Republican challenger John Deaton in a Tuesday night debate, and Gov. Maura Healey and Republican Mike Minogue face off Thursday night for the second time in a week. In between, it looks like the election calendar will be colored by a labor action as thousands of nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital are prepared to launch an indefinite strike Wednesday. On Saturday, Oct. 17, early voting begins across the state and more voters join those who are mailing their ballots in and making their final choices far in advance of Election Day on Nov. 3. The last day to register to vote in this year's elections is Saturday, Oct. 24.

Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026

REPORTERS ON KELLER: MASSterList Editor Katie Lannan and Boston Globe political reporter Samantha Gross join political analyst Jon Keller for his weekly talk segment "Keller at Large" to analyze the debate between Gov. Maura Healey and GOP challenger Mike Minogue, preview the U.S. Senate debate between Ed Markey and GOP challenger John Deaton, and discuss candidate debate trends. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

MINOGUE ON NBC: Republican candidate for governor Mike Minogue joins NBC 10 reporter Matt Prichard for his weekly "@ Issue" political talk show. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC10-TV)

JONES ON THE RECORD: Republican candidate for the 6th Congressional District Micah Jones joins WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV)

HONK FESTIVAL MARCH: Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocates Coalition and other statewide advocates march from Davis Square in Somerville to Harvard Square in Cambridge as part of the annual HONK! Festival, an activist street band festival. (Sunday, 11 a.m., Davis Square, Somerville | Register)

Monday, Oct. 12, 2026

GALVIN AT TOPSFIELD FAIR: Secretary of State William Galvin visits the Topsfield Fair to promote voter registration as well as mail-in and early voting. (Monday, 11 a.m., Secretary of the Commonwealth's booth, Topsfield Fairgrounds, 207 Boston St., Topsfield)

QUESTION 8 DEBATE: "Boston Public Radio" hosts a debate about Question 8, the ballot measure that would repeal the legalization for retail sales of recreational marijuana. Stop the Repeal campaign Chair Ryan Dominguez and Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts's Stephen Kronberg debate. (Monday, 11 a.m. | GBH 88.7 FM | Livestream)

DEATON INTERVIEW: GBH Radio has Republican candidate for U.S. Senate John Deaton on air for an interview, ahead of his debate against U.S. Sen. Ed Markey the next day. (Monday, 12:30 p.m. | GBH 88.7 FM | Livestream)

COLUMBUS DAY: Massachusetts observes Columbus Day on the second Monday of October. State, county, and municipal offices are closed. More than 20 municipalities across Massachusetts refer to the day as Indigenous People’s Day, according to the Mass. Center for Native American Awareness. (Monday)

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026

DPU TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT: Transportation Oversight Division of the Department of Public Utilities holds hearings on applications for carrier certification. The division regulates the rates and practices of carriers used to transport passengers, buses, towing companies and more. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., One South Station, 3rd floor, Boston | More Info and Access

PODIATRY BOARD: Board of Registration in Podiatry meets virtually. Agenda includes board elections and 2027 meeting dates. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

LOGAN REMOTE TERMINAL: Massport and elected officials celebrate the groundbreaking of a new remote terminal and two multilevel parking garages at the Braintree Logan Express site. The Logan Airport Remote Terminal at Braintree will be Massport's second remote location, following a pilot in Framingham. Eligible passengers can check luggage and clear TSA security off-site before boarding a locked bus directly to the post-security side at Logan Airport. Massport CEO Rich Davey, Congressman Lynch, Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Eng, Sen. Driscoll, Rep. Cusack and Braintree Mayor Erin Joyce plan to attend. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Braintree Logan Express, 262 Forbes Rd., Braintree)

CAPITAL PROGRAMS COMMITTEE: MassDOT Board of Directors Capital Programs Committee holds a meeting. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. | More Info and Access | Agenda)

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DEBATE: Democrat Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and GOP challenger Shawn Oliver debate. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., GBH Boston Public Library Studio, 700 Boylston Street, Boston | GBH 88.7 FM | Livestream)

SENATE: Senate meets. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

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

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Restorative Justice Advisory Committee of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security holds a remote meeting. Agenda includes 2026 goals and objectives and a discussion about the 2026 annual report. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Access)

QUESTION 9 ROUNDTABLE: Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan join Yes on 9 For a Safe Massachusetts, the campaign to keep the state's 2024 gun law on the books, for a roundtable discussion on gun violence and the Nov. 3 ballot question. A yes vote on Question 9 preserves the 159-section law, which created stronger protections against ghost guns, outlawed machine gun conversion devices, and established a public gun data dashboard. Ruth Zakarin, chair of the campaign, and community leaders and advocates also participate. The No on 9 campaign says the law features "sweeping mandates that turn law-abiding citizens into criminals overnight and force honest citizens to reapply for rights they’ve held for decades to comply with confusing, burdensome rules that violate due process and privacy." Media may RSVP to harry@ninetywest.com. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., UTEC, 17 Warren Street, Lowell)

DEATON DEBATE DAY UPDATE: U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton holds a virtual lunchtime call with supporters ahead of his debate with Democrat Ed Markey later in the day. Deaton plans to discuss how his campaign's message is resonating and what to expect on the debate stage. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Zoom)

PCA QUALITY WORKFORCE COUNCIL: Personal Care Attendant Quality Workforce Council meets virtually. Agenda includes a MassHealth update and an executive director's report. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. | More Info and Access)

MASSHOUSING BOARD: MassHousing board meets remotely. The agenda includes a report from CEO Chrystal Kornegay and a vote approving an annual contribution to the Opportunity Fund as well as "other deposits." The agenda also shows that MassHousing and two of its subsidiaries - Center for Community Recovery Innovations and Property Acquisition and Disposition Corporation - will hold their annual meetings.(Tuesday, 2 p.m. | Access and More Info)

SENATE DEBATE: Democrat Ed Markey and Republican John Deaton meet on the debate stage, three weeks before voters will send one of them to the U.S. Senate for the next six years. Markey has been in the Senate since 2013 and before that had been elected to the U.S. House since 1976. Deaton, a lawyer who ran an unsuccessful campaign against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren two years ago, is angling to unseat Markey and become the first Republican elected to Congress from Massachusetts since Scott Brown in 2010. Political analyst Jon Keller moderates. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., WBZ-TV, 1170 Soldiers Field Road, Boston)

BOARD OF ED: Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meets to discuss proposed regulations related to the literacy law Gov. Healey signed in June, which requires districts to adopt DESE-approved evidence-based reading curricula, mandates bi-annual reading screenings for K-3 students, and creates new professional training requirements for educators. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Livestream)

Q3 DEBATE: CommonWealth Beacon hosts a debate on Question 3, the ballot measure to establish all-party primaries. Representing the "Yes on 3" campaign will be Danielle Allen, chair of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy. Representing the "No on 3" campaign will be Jordan Berg Powers, chair of Voting Rights MA. If approved, the question would reshape elections and the roles of political parties in Massachusetts. It would replace the current system, in which Republicans and Democrats have separate primary elections to select their nominees for the general election, to one where all candidates appear on a single ballot and the top two would advance, regardless of their party registration. Reporters Jennifer Smith and Chris Lisinski moderate. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Room TC 103AB in the David Hartleb Technology Center, Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill | Livestream)

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

BRIGHAM NURSE STRIKE: Nearly 4,000 Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses are slated to begin their open-ended strike after contract negotiations did not produce an agreement. Nurses, who are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, and Mass General Brigham returned to the bargaining table on Thursday but could not overcome their differences. The nurses went on a one-day strike in July, which turned into a five-day work stoppage as the Brigham brought on temporary travel nurses to maintain continuity of care. The MNA accused the healthcare system Thursday of refusing to continue discussions, saying "MGB declined to meet Friday unless nurses agreed to their last proposal." The union said nurses offered up compromises in a bid to avert the strike, including reducing their wage proposal, increasing the proposed limit on temporary travel nurses and accepting an increased employee contribution for health insurance. The MNA is asking people to call Gov. Maura Healey and "urge her to demand MGB come back to the table in good faith." MGB spokesperson Jessica Pastore said the hospital's "highest priority" is patients. "As we prepare for the union's announced indefinite strike beginning October 14, Brigham and Women's Hospital will remain open and ready to provide safe, high-quality care to every patient who depends on us," Pastore said. (Wednesday, 7 a.m., 75 Francis St., Boston)

PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL: Public Health Council holds a virtual meeting. Agenda includes updates from Commissioner Goldstein and a vote on a determination of need for a request by Beth Israel Lahey Health "for a significant capital expenditure and a substantial change in service." Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington is seeking approval to construct a new inpatient unit with 36 new medical/surgical beds and eight observation beds, and construct one new cardiac catheterization/electrophysiology producer laboratory on the hospital's main campus. It also wants to acquire one new computed tomography unit for operation at the hospital's satellite location in Peabody. The proposed expenditure sits at $79.5 million, according to a document featuring determination of need projects before the Department of Public Health. The Council is also expected to consider regulations to implement a two-year-old law that directed the state to consider out-of-state issues when weighing a nursing home license, which the Healey administration announced on the heels of a media report that faulted the state's oversight of nursing home transactions. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE: MassDOT Board of Directors Finance and Audit Committee holds a meeting. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | More Info and Access)

PERAC: Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission's legislative subcommittee meets to discuss legislation to refile in the 2027-2028 session and a new bill for next session. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., PERAC, 10 Cabot Road, Suite 300, Medford | Virtual Access)

TROOPER HANNA MEMORIAL AWARDS: Executive Office of Public Safety and Security hosts the Trooper George L. Hannah Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony. Hannah was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Auburn in 1983. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Great Hall)

MWRA BOARD: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority meets. The board will announce finalists for the executive director job. Interim Executive Director Stephen Estes-Smargiassi has helmed the quasi-public agency since longtime director Fred Laskey retired in May. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | Virtual)

QUESTION 5 DEBATE: "Boston Public Radio" hosts a debate about Question 5, the ballot measure that would change the state tax revenue limit and potentially fuel more frequent taxpayer rebates. Supporter Chris Keohan from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts and opponent Phineas Baxandall from the Mass Budget & Policy Research Center debate. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., GBH Boston Public Library Studio, 700 Boylston St., Boston | GBH 88.7 FM | Livestream)

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE BRIEFING: Utility Contractors Association of New England has a briefing on the "practical and policy challenges facing Massachusetts water infrastructure." Jay Ash, president of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, moderates a panel with Lowell City Manager Tom Golden, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission Executive Director Josh Schimmel and CREDA Massachusetts President Tamara Small. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room 428)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS: Senate Committee on the Census holds a public hearing on the U.S. Census Bureau's recent proposals to update questions for the 2030 census, including eliminating questions about race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, as well as excluding most non-citizens from apportionment counts. The bureau also wants to modify the definition of a person's "usual residence," which could affect how college students and snowbirds are counted. Another change would update how people living in group quarters, such as dorms and nursing homes, are counted. The hearing will feature testimony and presentation from experts and public officials. KFF says excluding immigrants from apportionment counts could lead to decreased federal funding, including for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. Room A-1 | Agenda and Livestream)

BARNSTABLE PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS: MassDOT holds a public hearing to present the proposal to create a compliant sidewalk along the Route 6A corridor from the Route 132 intersection with Route 6A to Old Jail Lane in Barnstable. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Mary Pat Flynn Conference Room in the Barnstable County Complex, 3195 Main St., Barnstable | More Info and Recording)

STERLING INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS: MassDOT holds a virtual public hearing about the proposal to construct a "one-lane, peanut-shaped roundabout" with bicycle accommodation, ADA-compliant pedestrian facilities and new crosswalks in Sterling. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)

BALLOT QUESTIONS: ECCO holds an election-season organizing meeting for congregations and community members to discuss four statewide ballot questions. The group's cross-ECCO elections team opposes Question 5 to revise the state's tax cap formula and supports Question 7 dealing with housing construction, Question 4 allowing people to register and vote on Election Day; and Question 2 which would give state legal services employees the right to unionize. Organizers also plan to prepare attendees for action ahead of Election Day and to "mobilize quickly if we're needed to help protect the election results." (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 221 Cabot Street, Beverly)

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

MTF ON FISCAL OUTLOOK: Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate discusses the state's fiscal outlook, including budget priorities, revenue trends and economic forces affecting Massachusetts, at a Springfield Regional Chamber breakfast forum. Howgate is one of the outside analysts Beacon Hill leaders most often look to for thoughts on the economy and their budgeting moves. Tickets cost $40 for chamber members and $50 for non-members. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Marriott Springfield Downtown, Grand Ballroom, 2 Boland Way, Springfield | More Info and Register)

MBTA AUDIT AND FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE: MBTA Audit and Finance Committee holds a hybrid meeting. (Thursday, 9 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)

TRAHAN AT BOSTON CHAMBER: Congresswoman Lori Trahan speaks during a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce government affairs forum. After her keynote, Trahan participates in a fireside chat with chamber CEO Jim Rooney. In a recent Beacon Hill appearance, Trahan promoted her FRONTIER Act, which would create a national, risk-based framework for frontier AI developers, mandate catastrophic risk transparency and reporting, and incorporate a "federal kill switch" if the government needs to step in to address an imminent catastrophic risk. (Thursday, 9:45 a.m., Westin Copley Plaza, 10 Huntington Ave., Boston | Register)

CELEBRATION FOR $10 BILLION IN WATER LOANS: Treasurer Deb Goldberg's office, Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection hold a celebration for $10 billion in loans the agencies have partnered to issue to cities and towns for water infrastructure projects. Treasurer Goldberg attends. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Worcester City Hall at 455 Main St., Worcester)

MBTA PLANNING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE: MBTA Planning, Workforce Development and Compensation Subcommittee hosts a hybrid meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)

CLEAN ENERGY CENTER: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's board of directors holds a Compensation and Personnel Committee meeting. Agenda items include CEO compensation and proposed fiscal 2027 metrics. For remote access, contact mbeadle@masscec.com. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 294 Washington St., Suite 1150, Boston | More Info)

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

SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

MBTA SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE: MBTA Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee holds a hybrid meeting. (Thursday, 11 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)

QUESTION 7 DEBATE: "Boston Public Radio" hosts a debate about Question 7, the ballot measure that aims to ease local zoning restrictions by enabling single-family homes to be built on lots that are at least 5,000 square feet with at least 50 feet of street frontage, and have access to public sewer and water services. Supporter Andrew Mikula of the Legalize Starter Homes campaign and opponent Adam Chapdelaine from the Massachusetts Municipal Association debate. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | GBH 88.7 FM | Livestream)

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TECHNICAL SESSION: Department of Public Utilities holds a hybrid technical session "to discuss matters related to its investigation into gas and electric delivery charges and bill redesign," per the DPU. Agenda includes discussion about topics including ratepayers impacts, net metering and next steps. The session is a chance for the DPU to "hear stakeholders' recommendations" and for them to discuss and ask questions. (Thursday, 11 a.m., One South Station, 3rd Floor, Boston | Agenda and Access)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COUNCIL: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council holds a workshop meeting about its next three-year plan, which will run from October 2028 through 2030. (Thursday, 12:30 p.m. | More Info and Register)

AMGEN 25TH ANNIVERSARY: Sen. DiDomenico, Rep. Ryan, Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang and Kendall Square Association Executive Director Beth O'Neill Maloney speak as Amgen Massachusetts marks 25 years at its Kendall Square site. Amgen Massachusetts Site Head Margaret Faul delivers welcome remarks, past site heads take part in a panel discussion, and Amgen Chairman and CEO Bob Bradway appears in a video message. The speaking program is followed by a reception at which Faul and other company officials will be available to the media. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Amgen Massachusetts, 360 Binney St., Cambridge)

EAST LONGMEADOW HIGH SCHOOL: East Longmeadow officials hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new East Longmeadow High School. Treasurer Goldberg attends. (Thursday, 3 p.m., 180 Maple St., East Longmeadow)

REHABILITATION COUNCIL: Membership Committee of the Massachusetts State Rehabilitation Council holds a virtual meeting. (Thursday, 4:15 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: Department of Higher Education's Student Advisory Council meets. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m. | More Info)

WOMEN, POWER AND DEMOCRACY: Attorney General Campbell joins Christine Monska, executive director of Women's Fund SouthCoast and chair of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, for a fireside conversation at the fund's "Women, Power, and the Future of Democracy" event in New Bedford. Sen. Edwards participates in a panel discussion alongside reproductive justice activist and author Loretta Ross, former National Immigration Law Center head Marielena Hincapié, and SouthCoast Community Foundation President and CEO Melanie Edwards-Tavares. Tickets range from $25 to $180. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Zeiterion, 684 Purchase St., New Bedford | More Info and Tickets)

KNOX TRAIL BRIDGE: Department of Conservation and Recreation presents plans to replace a suspension bridge in poor condition that spans the Farmington River in Otis. The pedestrian and snowmobile bridge connects Route 8 to snowmobile trails on DCR land. It is part of the historic General Knox Trail, the 300-mile route Knox traveled to deliver key artillery to General George Washington from Fort Ticonderoga, N.Y., to Boston. DCR will review a concept design for a new trail bridge with year-round access for hikers, mountain bikers, snowmobilers, equestrians, and cross-country skiers, followed by a public comment period. Written comments are due Oct. 29. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Zoom)

HEALEY-MINOGUE DEBATE: WCVB Channel 5, WBUR and The Boston Globe host a one-hour debate between Gov. Maura Healey and GOP gubernatorial contender Mike Minogue. WCVB said this will be the final debate between Healey and Minogue before the Nov. 3 general election. Ed Harding, WCVB anchor and "On The Record" co-host, moderates. Panelists include "On The Record" co-host and political reporter Sharman Sacchetti, Boston Globe columnist Adrian Walker and WBUR's "Morning Edition" host Tiziana Dearing. The debate will be broadcast live on WCVB and WBUR 90.9 FM. It will also be livestreamed on WCVB, WBUR and The Boston Globe's websites as well as WCVB's mobile app and "Very Local Platform." El Planeta and Bay State Banner will also stream the debate. (Thursday, 8 p.m., WCVB Channel 5, 5 TV Place, Needham)

MASSPORT BOARD: Massachusetts Port Authority board meets. (Thursday, Time TBD | More Info)
Friday, Oct. 16, 2026

MMA LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds legislative breakfast meeting. The meetings are meant to provide an opportunity for networking, an informal setting to discuss issues at the local and state levels and for members to get updates on pending bills. There will be breakfast meetings in both Great Barrington and Leicester. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., 334 Main St., Great Barrington and 40 Winslow Ave., Leicester | More Info)

PESTICIDE BOARD: Pesticide Board meets via Zoom. Agenda includes pesticide program and Pesticide Advisory Council updates. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIVES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a public hearing on the emergency adoption of regulations that create a new provider type for certified professional midwives. The changes also establish new codes for home delivery supply kits ($500 per pregnancy) and interim labor to support low-risk MassHealth members who plan to use home birth services. Aggregate MassHealth expenditures are expected to increase by $47,000 with the changes. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

QUESTION 4 DEBATE: "Boston Public Radio" hosts a debate about Question 4, the ballot measure that would enable people to register to vote and then cast a ballot on Election Day. The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts' Celia Canavan and GOP candidate for attorney general Michael Walsh debate. (Friday, 11 a.m., GBH Boston Public Library Studio, 700 Boylston St., Boston | GBH 88.7 FM | Livestream)

MASSHEALTH MIDWIVES: MassHealth holds a public hearing on establishing a new provider type for certified professional midwives as a result of the 2024 maternal health law. The regulations deal with eligibility criteria for providers and MassHealth members, plus other administrative requirements. Health officials last month began accepting applications for temporary CPM licensure. (Friday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Access)

ADULT FOSTER CARE: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a remote public hearing on setting rates for certain adult foster care services. Officials say they want to reduce the reimbursement rate for intake and assessment services when handled by contracted entities, rather than adult foster care providers, to $100. Without that billing modifier, the service would be reimbursed at $266.62. The change is expected to save $1.27 million, officials say as they look to trim spending on long-term services and supports ahead of federal funding cuts. (Friday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Access)

ELECTRIC VEHICLE HEARING: Department of Public Utilities holds a virtual public hearing for comments on the electric vehicle infrastructure plan proposals submitted by Eversource, National Grid and Unitil. The strategic plans address the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council’s biennial ten-year forecast of electric vehicle charging demand in the state, per DPU. The council's job is to assess and report on plans necessary to deploy EV charging infrastructure across Massachusetts. (Friday, 2 p.m. | More Info and Access)

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026

EARLY VOTING: Early voting for the Nov. 3 state election begins. Every city and town will hold early voting hours the weekends of Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25. Oct. 30 is the last day for early voting. (Saturday, Oct. 17 | Find your town's schedule)

NO KINGS BOSTON: On the first day of early voting, No Kings Boston forgoes its usual rally on Boston Common for events throughout the state focused on getting voters to participate and protecting elections. Activities include group walks and rides to voting sites, voter registration drives, "Know Your Rights" training and sessions for how to respond if your voting rights are threatened. (Saturday 10/17, Event times vary | More Info)