People, Power, and Politcs

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Chairman Brian Weeden speaks at a rally to oppose authorization of betting on historical horse racing machines at the state's simulcast centers, an idea the House embraced in its economic development bill. Two and a half months after lawmakers took economic development bill negotiations behind closed doors, there were renewed efforts this week to convince lawmakers to abandon a gambling expansion the House adopted unanimously. The House in July approved an amendment to authorize racing licensees, chiefly the simulcast centers at Suffolk Downs and Raynham Park, to begin taking wagers on "historical horse races," or real, completed races that are replayed on terminals. The odds and results are all the same as the actual races, but the races themselves are not replayed and the identifying names and features are changed so bettors do not know what historical race they are betting on.

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!

Weather dynamics are upon us. The rains canceled the Farmers Market, caused other events to reschedule, and now the temperature is dropping so bundle up.

Early voting began Saturday and continues each day until Friday, October 30. All the early voting takes place in the Town Clerk’s office. Tabulator testing is scheduled for Monday at 9 AM in the Council Chambers. This is a key step in the preparation by our Town Clerk and her team before each election here in Franklin.

The Board of Assessors, and Housing Authority are scheduled for regular meetings on Monday. The Planning Board will review the traffic study for the Depot Plaza proposal at its session Monday evening.

The Norfolk County Regional Emergency Planning Committee and the 250th Anniversary Celebration Budget Subcommittee are scheduled to meet on Tuesday. The Design Review Commission has a number of items on its virtual only meeting agenda Tuesday evening.

The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday. They will review the fiscal policies and discuss the potential for some changes for further review by the Town Council. They are also scheduled for a deep dive into the DPW enterprise funds (water, sewer, solid waste, and stormwater).

The Conservation Commission closes out the meeting week with their regular session on Thursday.

Friday is the next to last (or penultimate) Farmers Market for this season on the Town Common. Fairmount Fruit Farm has scheduled 2 Saturdays each month from November through March 2027 for the Winter Farmers Market.

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 10/16/26 6:00 PM ***

Board of Assessors Regular Meeting

Monday, October 19th Time: 9:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10192026-2565

Tabulator Testing for November 3 Election - Council Chambers Room

Monday, October 19 Time: 9:00 AM

No agenda for this observation period

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, October 19 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10192026-2567

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, October 19 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10192026-2564

Norfolk County Regional Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 20 Time: 10:30 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202026-2563

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, October 20 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202026-2566

250th Anniversary Celebration Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, October 20 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202026-2568

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 21 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10212026-2572

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, October 22nd Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10222026-2570

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

There were several video productions by Franklin TV during the past week both broadcast live and pre-recorded for publication via YouTube.

Town & School meetings

The Franklin School Committee met on Tuesday, Oct 13. The video is available here {recap will be available Sunday) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnpWxfXwZgU

The School Committee Policy Subcommittee met before the full Committee meeting on Tuesday. The audio recording should be available soon at Franklin.News.

.

The Franklin Town Council met on Wednesday, Oct 14 in the first of a 3 part series on the tax rate. The video is available here (recap available Sunday) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBUfX3OGpgM

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) met on Thursday, Oct 15. The video is available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSrmcTr7AYs

FHS Sports

The FHS Varsity Volleyball vs Milford Tuesday October 13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT1W8z4UTso

The FHS girls soccer game vs Medfield also on Tuesday Oct 13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXJEtMOohxU

The FHS Football game vs Attleboro on Thursday Oct 15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXFjCqlHya0

The FHS Varsity Field Hockey vs Natick on Saturday, Oct 17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1bCc9oEtvo

All Access Channel

Franklin Union St Cemetery Tour with Dean professor Rob Lawson and Scott Mason https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgAonH4qHxA

Once Upon A Town: Cataldo Block with Joe Landry and Scott Mason

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_Yjl_qVPdQ

Second Sunday Speaker Series: History of Hayward Manor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47959PBbmHg

The October 2026 edition of FM Journal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdtTH6U6LNc

Local historian Joe Landry visits the New England Chapel to check out the Rotary Club's 10th annual car show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crRrDkDkHUg

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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

MEDWAY

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

STATE HOUSE and BEYOND

With early voting underway all week, candidates and ballot question competitors will try to lock up as many votes as possible ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3. Gov. Maura Healey and Republican challenger Mike Minogue held their second and final debate Thursday night and it appears that candidates in some other statewide contests may be judged by voters this year without the benefit of even a single public debate. The secretary of state's office reported Friday afternoon that turnout sits at 4.1%, with 209,661 ballots returned to date. Campaigns are emptying their wallets during the final days of October to pay for an onslaught of messaging that is drowning voters in a repetitive cycle of bite-size candidate slogans and self-promotion. The full-time Legislature has been on a long self-imposed break but appears poised to make a dent in its massive load of unfinished business next week. "We're not even sure what they're doing right now, and the election's almost over," Minogue said of the Legislature during Thursday night's debate, summing up the way many voters and even Beacon Hill insiders feel these days. The House plans to hold a formal session Wednesday, so something important is almost ready for a vote; the Senate remains on an informal session footing next week. Sen. Ryan Fattman, a Sutton Republican on the conference committee negotiating ballot question campaign finance legislation, said he has "not heard that the committee has met" since its first convening July 31. "I'd love to meet, so when I have more information on that, I'd be happy to share," he told the News Service. "So, other than July 31, I have no additional knowledge of what's going on." The last two weeks of October are expected to bring a flurry of findings from pollsters who are gauging the top races and public sentiment on nine ballot questions. Those surveys could indicate swings in voter sentiment when compared to previous polls. The week ahead brings an important healthcare milestone as well, with open enrollment launching Friday and at a time when analysts are forecasting a sharp drop in enrollment in public health insurance plans due to federal policy shifts.

Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026

QUESTION 7 ON KELLER: Political analyst Jon Keller hosts a mini-debate on 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 join Keller's weekly political talk show "Keller at Large." (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

HOROWITZ ON NBC: Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis Executive Director Evan Horowitz joins NBC 10 reporter Matt Prichard for his weekly "@ Issue" sitdown. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND: Members of environmental and community advocacy groups participate in a "Hands Across the Sand" rally at Constitution Beach to oppose expanded offshore oil drilling. Participating groups include Sierra Club Massachusetts, CREW (Communities Responding to Extreme Weather) and Mothers Out Front Cambridge. Organizers say that attendees will "join hands along the shoreline to show support for ocean protection, and a clean energy future powered by offshore wind." (Sunday, 11 a.m., 799 Bennington St., Boston)

MARKEY "ON THE RECORD" | U.S. Sen. Ed Markey joins WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV)

URBAN LEAGUE ON CITYLINE: Urban League of Massachusetts President and CEO Rahsaan Hall joins weekly urban magazine program CityLine to discuss obstacles for the communities the advocacy group serves, resources available, voting rights and future priorities. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., WCVB-TV)

PRESSLEY IN MICHIGAN: U.S. Rep. Pressley and U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed host a town hall called "Shouldn't Be This Hard." The pair plan to discuss cost-of-living and healthcare issues in Michigan. Should he win in November against Republican Mike Rogers, El-Sayed would make history as the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. (Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Flint, Michigan | Media RSVP)

Monday, Oct. 19, 2026

STEM WEEK KICKOFF: Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Education Secretary Zrike, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Jones, Higher Education Interim Commissioner José Luis Santos, Early Education and Care Commissioner Kershaw, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Martinez and Museum of Science President Tim Ritchie kick off the Healey-Driscoll administration's 2026 STEM Week. After a press conference, event features an engineering design challenge with students. Zrike is scheduled to attend more than a dozen STEM Week events across the state through Friday. Media asked to RSVP to Jason.Law@mass.gov. (Monday, 9 a.m., Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston)

AUCHINCLOSS AT NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL: U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss plans to participate in a chat at the New England Council's "Capitol Hill Report" breakfast. Jim Brett, New England Council CEO and president, will moderate the discussion and Auchincloss is expected to discuss issues in front of Congress and his legislative priorities related to economic growth. (Monday, 9 a.m., The Hampshire House at 84 Beacon St., Boston)

NORTHEAST ENERGY ANNOUNCEMENT: U.S. Energy Secretary Wright, U.S. Interior Secretary Burgum and U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) make an announcement the U.S. Department of Energy says is focused on strengthening energy infrastructure and lowering costs across the Northeast. Media must RSVP to DOENews@hq.doe.gov to receive precise location. (Monday, media arrival by 9:45 a.m., Dover Plains, New York)

WILLIAMS AND TURLEY SAY "NO ON 8": Former NFL players and Project Champion co-founders Ricky Williams and Kyle Turley hold a press briefing urging a "no" vote on Question 8, the ballot measure that would repeal the legalization for retail sales of recreational marijuana. Project Champion is a bipartisan organization made up of former professional athletes that supports access to cannabis and hemp. The group argues that the ballot measure "would turn back the clock, put locally owned businesses and jobs at risk, eliminate critical tax revenue, and push consumers back toward an unregulated market." Former Rep. Marie St. Fleur and "Stop the Repeal" campaign Chair Ryan Dominguez join. Proponents argue that voters should vote "yes" on the basis of public health and safety. (Monday, 10 a.m., Primitiv, 200 High Street, Boston)

DOI LISTENING SESSION: Division of Insurance holds a listening session about stabilizing insurance markets to drive down premium costs. As part of initial recommendations from her Health Care Affordability Work Group, Gov. Healey instructed the DOI to "evaluate bold, new strategies to strengthen competition and reduce premium costs in the merged market." Regulators approved 2027 rates with an average premium jump of 10.4%. (Monday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

SENATE PROJECT: U.S. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and Peter Welch (D-Vermont) participate in The Senate Project conversation series, moderated by FOX News Channel's Martha MacCallum. The discussion will focus on bipartisan collaboration, including efforts on social media, and youth mental health and forecasting water-related disasters. (Monday, 11 a.m., Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Boston | FOX News, More Info)

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

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

NAVY, NOTRE DAME TRAIN: Tickets become available on the mTicket app for special train service between Boston and Foxboro for the Navy vs. Notre Dame football game on Oct. 31. The train, operated by the MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services, will leave South Station at 9:50 a.m. and arrive in Foxboro an hour later. There's no regular Commuter Rail service to Foxboro on weekends. (Monday, 11 a.m.)

HORIZONS CLASSROOM VISIT: Education Secretary Zrike and Early Education and Care Commissioner Kershaw visit a STEM programming classroom at Horizons for Homeless Children during STEM Week. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Horizons for Homeless Children, 1785 Columbus Ave., Roxbury)

TRAINING GRANTS: Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Education Secretary Zrike, Higher Education Interim Commissioner Santos and MassBay Community College President David Podell announce Training Resources and Internship Network grants during STEM Week. (Monday, 2 p.m., MassBay Community College, 490 Franklin St., Framingham)

DPH HEARING: Department of Public Health's Drug Control Program holds a public hearing on proposed regulatory changes to the Controlled Substances Act. The amendments involve adding a definition of licensed certified professional midwife and adding a new Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration for CPMs; adding a definition for certified medication aide and exempting the profession from needing a registration; allowing pharmacists to prescribe and administer medications to prevent and treat HIV and sexually transmitted infections; and adding a registration exemption for drug testing services. (Monday, 2 p.m. | More Info and Zoom)

STATE OF BPS ADDRESS: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is set to host the second annual Boston "State of the Schools." Wu and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper will discuss updates from across the district and priorities. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Media are required to RSVP by Friday Oct. 16. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Ballroom of UMass Boston at 100 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester | Livestream)

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026

FITCHBURG CTE EXPANSION: Education Secretary Zrike and Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia announce an expansion of career technical education during STEM Week. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Montachusett Vocational Partnership Center, 270 Westminster St., Fitchburg)

STONEHILL COLLEGE NURSING: Stonehill College celebrates the launch of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The inaugural cohort has 58 students, which exceeds the college's enrollment goal of 40. Speakers include Sen. Driscoll, Rep. Plouffe, Department of Public Health Chief Medical Officer Jessica Zeidman and Stonehill College President Rev. John Denning. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Stonehill College, Leo J. Meehan School of Business, 320 Washington St., Easton)

MBTA ADVISORY BOARD: MBTA Advisory Board meets, featuring remarks from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. She'll discuss "the need for coordinated transportation and housing policies that strengthen Boston and the communities that depend upon it," according to the meeting notice. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Zoom)

HIGHER ED: Board of Higher Education meets. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Zoom)

EARLY EDUCATION VISIT: Early Education and Care Commissioner Kershaw visits a Framingham Centre Nursery School program during STEM Week. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Framingham Centre Nursery School, 24 Vernon St., Framingham)

LEOMINSTER CLASSROOM VISIT: Education Secretary Zrike visits an OpenSciEd classroom at Sky View Middle School during STEM Week. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Sky View Middle School, 500 Kennedy Way, Leominster)

MERIT RATING BOARD: Merit Rating Board meets. Agenda includes an update from board Director Sonja Singleton. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Register)

CITIZENS' LEGISLATIVE SEMINAR: Senate President Spilka welcomes participants to the 50th anniversary Citizens' Legislative Seminar, which the Senate's Office of Education and Civic Engagement hosts twice a year. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Senate Chamber)

WORKFORCE TRUST FUND: Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Education Secretary Zrike, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Jones, Health and Human Services Secretary Mahaniah and Economic Development Secretary Paley make a Workforce Investment Trust Fund announcement. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., Middlesex Community College Bedford Campus, Building 8, 591 Springs Road, Bedford)

OLIVEIRA OCTOBERFEST FUNDRAISER: Sen. Oliveira holds an "Octoberfest Fundraising Reception." The Ludlow Democrat is running unopposed this election cycle. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Nathan Bill's Bar and Restaurant, 110 Island Pond Road, Springfield)

DEMS' CHINATOWN BANQUET: Democratic Party Chair Kerrigan, Boston Mayor Wu and House Ways and Means Chair Michlewitz co-host the party's annual Chinatown Banquet, a fundraiser event. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Empire Garden, 690 Washington St., Chinatown, Boston| Tickets)

DCR FLOOD RESILIENCE: Department of Conservation and Recreation presents a report with strategies to reduce flooding along Nantasket Avenue and Hull Shore Drive. Officials say the strategies are "early" ideas and not final decisions. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. | More Info)

BROOKLINE FOOTBRIDGE: MassDOT holds a virtual design public hearing for a proposed project that would reconstruct the Davis Path pedestrian bridge over the MBTA Green Line D-Branch in Brookline with a new ADA-accessible shared use facility. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. | More Info and Register)

MINOGUE RALLY: Republican candidate for governor Mike Minogue holds a rally at Samba Sushi & Steak. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., 1138 Worcester Road, Framingham | Livestream)

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026

MA GOOD NEIGHBOR ENERGY FUND BREAKFAST: Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund holds its 41st annual Kickoff Breakfast. The invite-only event marks the start of the group's "Give the Gift of Warmth" campaign which offers energy bill assistance for Bay State residents facing temporary financial hardship and who don't qualify for state or federal assistance. Melissa Lavinson, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Energy Transformation, is set to deliver the keynote address. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., The Tirrell Room at 254 Quarry St., Quincy)

GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Economic Outlook forum. This year, the forum will assess the 2027 outlook and pay close attention to the state's changing energy landscape. Press and media should RSVP to Mattie Holloway at mholloway@bostonchamber.com. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Fairmont Copley Plaza at 138 St. James Avenue, Boston | More Info)

PRIM STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE: Treasurer Goldberg chairs a Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management Stewardship and Sustainability Committee meeting. The PRIM board manages the assets of the Pension Reserves Investment Trust Fund for public employee pension benefits. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda TBA)

MASSMAKES CHALLENGE: Education Secretary Zrike attends the MassMakes Innovation Challenge, held with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1000 Hall of Fame Ave., Springfield)

USS CONSTITUTION UNDERWAY: USS Constitution goes underway from Charlestown Navy Yard to celebrate the ship's 229th birthday and the U.S. Navy's 251st birthday. The ship will fire a 21-gun salute off Fort Independence on Castle Island at around 11:30 a.m., followed by a 17-gun salute as it passes the U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Charlestown Navy Yard)

SCIENCE FAIR STATE HOUSE DAY: Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Martinez attends Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair State House Day. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Great Hall)

SEAFOOD DAY: The annual Seafood Day is hosted by Fishing Partnership Support Services, Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership and Massachusetts Seafood Collaborative. The event looks to highlight the importance of the seafood industry to food security and economic vitality, organizers say. Rep. LaNatra and Sen. Tarr will receive awards at the Grand Staircase at 11 a.m. Fresh seafood samples will be available in the Great Hall, including oysters, lobster and tuna. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Grand Staircase and Great Hall)

HOUSE FORMAL: House meets in a formal session for the first time since July 31. House Speaker Mariano's office did not say what would be considered during the session. The House Ways and Means Committee has been in receipt of Gov. Healey's fiscal 2026 closeout budget -- which includes policy proposals including a gas tax suspension -- for more than three weeks. Roll call votes are expected after 1 p.m. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

HEALTHCARE CYBERATTACKS: Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association holds a webinar about lessons learned from healthcare system cyberattacks. The speakers are Heywood Healthcare VP and Chief Information Officer Robert Ackerman and Signature Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Huan Ngo. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

MASSDOT BOARD: MassDOT Board of Directors meets. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 10 Park Plaza, MassDOT Board Room, Boston | More Info)

SAINT VINCENT, GRENADINES FLAG: Boston holds a flag-raising ceremony in honor of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Independence Day. The Caribbean country was previously under British control. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 1 City Hall Square, Boston)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Zoom)

HOUSE DEMS CAUCUS: House Democrats caucus privately before roll call votes in the first formal session since July 31. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Hearing Rooms A-1 and A-2)

LIFE SCIENCES CENTER BOARD: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board of Directors meets. Agenda includes a report from CEO Kirk Taylor. Members will also vote on the Pathmaker Program, Business Builds: Life Sciences Awards, MassNextGen Awards and Impact Catalyst Awards. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., MGB Assembly Row, 399 Revolution Drive, Somerville | Agenda )

HOLYOKE YMCA GRANT: Education Secretary Zrike announces a STEM Design Challenge grant at the Greater Holyoke YMCA. (Wednesday, 3:45 p.m., 171 Pine St., Holyoke)

MADARO CELEBRATION: A reelection celebration is held for East Boston Rep. Adrian Madaro, who ran unopposed in the primary and does not have a Republican challenger in November. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 100 Boardman St., Boston)

ALLSTON MULTIMODAL TASK FORCE: Allston Multimodal Transportation Project Task Force holds a hybrid meeting. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Board Room, Union Station 2nd floor, 2 Washington Square, Worcester | More Info and Register)

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026

GOLDBERG AT FOOD BANK BREAKFAST: Treasurer Goldberg attends the Greater Boston Food Bank Women Fighting Hunger annual breakfast. (Thursday, 7 a.m., 20 Wester Avenue, David Rubenstein Treehouse, Boston)

NORWOOD CAREER PATHWAYS: Education Secretary Zrike makes an Innovation Career Pathways announcement at Norwood High School. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 245 Nichols St., Norwood)

MBTA BOARD: MBTA Board of Directors meets. Agenda TBA. (Thursday, 10 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)

EDUCATION ACCESS, OPPORTUNITY: Education Access and Opportunity Day brings together policymakers and education nonprofits to discuss how Massachusetts is expanding educational access, creating more equitable opportunities and supporting workforce readiness. Rep. Gordon delivers opening remarks, alongside Deputy Secretary of Education Garrett Smith and Latinos for Education CEO Amanda Fernandez. A panel about breaking down barriers to access includes Rep. Montaño and METCO CEO Kandice Sumner. There's also a panel about the future of the workforce, and Sen. DiDomenico gives closing remarks. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Great Hall)

SENATE SESSION: Senate meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber and Virtual | Livestream)

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

UPPER CAPE TECH VISIT: Education Secretary Zrike, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Martinez, Higher Education Interim Commissioner Santos and Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School Superintendent Roger Forget make a classroom visit focused on career technical education and Skills Capital Grants during STEM Week. (Thursday, 11:45 a.m., Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne)

OB3 HEALTHCARE IMPACTS IN MASSACHUSETTS: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation hosts a webinar to provide an overview of the state's public coverage programs and explain "key Medicaid and Marketplace provisions" in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including their implementation status. There will also be a discussion about how the provisions are affecting the coverage landscape, healthcare financing and delivery, per the foundation. (Thursday, 1 p.m. | Register)

MASS MARITIME DEMO: Education Secretary Zrike, Higher Education Interim Commissioner Santos and Massachusetts Maritime Academy President Rear Adm. Francis McDonald attend a classroom demonstration during STEM Week. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 101 Academy Dr., Buzzards Bay)

GOLDBERG IN FENWAY: Treasurer Goldberg attends the Boston Arts Academy Foundation 2026 Honors event, which brings together arts, business, philanthropy and civic leaders. The foundation calls the event its "largest single source of unrestricted funding" in support of the academy. (Thursday, 6 p.m., MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston)

MEDFORD-WELLINGTON GREENWAY: MassDOT holds a virtual design public hearing to present a proposed project that would create a shared-use path to bridge a gap in the Wellington Greenway, connecting its existing segments between Wellington Station to the south and Revere Beach Parkway to the north. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. | More Info and Register)

USS CONSTITUTION: USS Constitution holds a Change of Command ceremony as Commander Crystal L. Schaefer, the ship's 78th leader, steps down. Jon-Andrew D. Anderson, who previously was the commanding officer of USS Chinook, will become the ship's new commander. The ship will be closed to the public during the ceremony. (Thursday, Time TBA, USS Constitution, Charlestown Navy Yard)

Friday, Oct. 23, 2026

MMA LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: Massachusetts Municipal Association hosts another legislative breakfast in Westport. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Westport Free Public Library, 408 Old County Road, Westport | Register)

MMA LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: Massachusetts Municipal Association hosts a legislative breakfast in Needham, bringing together local leaders, lawmakers and MMA staff. Discussion topics include the fiscal 2027 state budget, the PROTECT Act and pending bills. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Rosemary Recreation Complex, 178 Rosemary St., Needham | Register)

DCR STEWARDSHIP: DCR Stewardship Council Nominating Committee meets. (Friday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

BOSTON RODENT PLAN: Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn chairs a hearing about the Boston Rodent Action Plan. Flynn believes there are "positive steps" in the plan to tackle Boston's "pest control crisis," but he says it falls short of a recommendation to appoint a "rat czar," his office said. "Moreover, after talking with residents and businesses across the city for years, Councilor Flynn takes issue with the analysis of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) that our current pest control crisis does not pose a high public health threat to the residents of Boston and their families," his office said. (Friday, 10 a.m., Boston City Hall, Iannella Chamber, 5th floor, 1 City Hall Square, Boston | More Info and Livestream)

HARMONIC DRIVE TOUR: Education Secretary Zrike tours Harmonic Drive, a manufacturer of precision motion control products. Photography and video recording are prohibited, per the Executive Office of Education. (Friday, 11 a.m., Harmonic Drive, 42 Dunham Ridge, Beverly)

WHITE CANE AWARENESS DAY: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind hosts an event to raise awareness of the state's White Cane Law, which requires drivers to yield to pedestrians using a white cane or guide dogs at street crossings. White Cane Day is celebrated nationally on Oct. 15, and October is White Cane Awareness Month. Commissioner John Oliveira holds a meet and greet with students at 10 a.m., followed by a speaking program at 11 a.m. (Friday, 11 a.m., Great Hall)

OLIVEIRA, ASHE IN LONGMEADOW: Ludlow Sen. Jake Oliveira and Longmeadow Rep. Brian Ashe join school and town officials to present a ceremonial $75,000 check to the Longmeadow School Committee and Superintendent O’Shea for district-wide security system upgrades at Longmeadow Public Schools. (Friday, 11 a.m., Longmeadow Public Schools Central Office, 535 Bliss Road, Longmeadow)

RURAL POLICY PLAN: Rural Policy Advisory Commission rolls out its 2026 Massachusetts Rural Policy Plan, a set of policy, funding, programming and legislative recommendations. This version updates the commission's 2019 plan. It points to continuing needs in population change, municipal capacity, infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce development, and state funding formulas, according to the commission. It also cites progress since 2019: the creation of a state director of rural affairs and a Rural Development Fund, expanded rural school aid, broadband access gains and transportation investments. Massachusetts has 181 rural municipalities, which make up about 60% of the state's land area and 13% of its population, the commission said. (Friday, 12:30 p.m., Room 428)

MASSCOSH ANNIVERSARY: Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health hosts "Celebrating the Movement" as the nonprofit marks its 50th anniversary. MassCOSH will honor past executive directors, as well as organizations for their work in the labor and safety movement. (Friday, 5 p.m., Edward M. Kennedy Institute, 210 Morrissey Blvd., Boston | Register)

CONNECTOR OPEN ENROLLMENT: Open enrollment kicks off at the Massachusetts Health Connector and stretches through Jan. 23, 2027. Residents must enroll in a plan by Dec. 23 to have coverage that takes effect on Jan. 1, while coverage selected after that date begins on Feb. 1. Nearly 350,000 Bay Staters are currently enrolled in individual Connector coverage plans. Officials estimate 30,000 to 35,000 lawfully present noncitizens will lose their eligibility for federal subsidies on Jan. 1 but can still purchase coverage at full cost. Health Connector Executive Director Audrey Morse Gasteier says this cycle will be "another unique open enrollment period," as the state contends with ongoing federal policy shifts, plus double-digit premium hikes on average and some discontinued plans. "We are working with all of our members in our communications and our outreach to make sure people understand their options, be they the availability of ConnectorCare and other supports to help people absorb cost challenges and make sure that they're in the right plan for them that fits their budget," she said at a briefing earlier this month.(Friday)

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

GOLDBERG IN CHINATOWN: Treasurer Goldberg attends the Chinatown Fall Community Clean Up Day. (Saturday, Oct. 24, 9:30 a.m., Rose Kennedy Greenway – Chinatown Gate Park, Boston)