In the News

Twitter's new data access rules will make research harder

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Twitter's new data access rules will make research harder By: Huo Jingan  Much of what we know about social media discourse is thanks to Twitter's longtime policy of allowing free access to its data. That has made Twitter data a treasure trove for researchers eager to study online behavior, including how falsehoods and conspiracy theories circulate. Kate Starbird remembers how…

Trahan spotlights over $1.1 million for COVID-19 food pantry

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Trahan spotlights over $1.1 million for COVID-19 food pantry By: Mike LaBella  LAWRENCE — Congresswoman Lori Trahan announced that $1,127,637 in federal funding is headed to Lawrence as reimbursement for the city’s program that provided food and meals to individuals in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded this funding through its Public…

Twitter curbs researcher access, sparking backlash in Washington

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Twitter curbs researcher access, sparking backlash in Washington By: Cristiano Lima  Twitter’s decision to restrict access to a key tool used to study the platform is sparking backlash from researchers and Democratic lawmakers, who say the move undercuts owner Elon Musk’s pledges to boost transparency at the social network.  On Thursday, Twitter announced that it will…

Lori Trahan receives two House leadership appointments

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Lori Trahan receives two House leadership appointments By: Jacob Vitali  With her third term underway, U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan is taking on two new responsibilities as a member of the House Democratic Caucus. Tuesday, Trahan shared the news she had joined House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, of Revere, as a senior member of her whip team. Clark previously held the position in…

Twitter research group stall complicates compliance with new EU law

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Twitter research group stall complicates compliance with new EU law By: Sheila Dang  Jan 27 (Reuters) - The stalling of a Twitter program that was critical for outside researchers studying disinformation campaigns throws into question the company's strategy to comply with upcoming regulation in Europe, former employees and experts told Reuters. The European Union's new Digital…

Lori Trahan named co-chair of Congressional Cambodia Caucus

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Lori Trahan named co-chair of Congressional Cambodia Caucus By: Melanie Gilbert  LOWELL — In an exciting development for the 3rd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan was named co-chair of the Congressional Cambodia Caucus. Trahan, who was re-elected to her third term in November, has been a member of the bipartisan caucus since she was first sworn in as a representative…

Massachusetts Democrats press J&J for more info on children’s medicine shortage: ‘Key questions remain’

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Massachusetts Democrats press J&J for more info on children’s medicine shortage: ‘Key questions remain' By: Lauren Sforza  Massachusetts Democrats sent a second letter to Johnson & Johnson’s CEO on Thursday to once again demand more information on the shortages of children’s Tylenol and Motrin. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Democrat Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Katherine…

Lawmakers ask online gaming companies for details after report reveals increase in hate on platforms

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Lawmakers ask online gaming companies for details after report reveals increase in hate on platforms By: Laura Geller  Lawmakers want answers after a new report documents an increase in hate and extremism in online gaming. A group in Congress is asking gaming companies what they’re doing about the findings of the Anti-Defamation League report. “We wanted to give a place, safe…

MCC unveils center devoted to ‘racial healing,’ sparking change across Lowell

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MCC unveils center devoted to ‘racial healing,’ sparking change across Lowell By: Cameron Morsberger  LOWELL — It takes a great deal of strength and courage to “face our realities,” move past them and become better versions of ourselves, but Darcy Orellana and Middlesex Community College will encourage the community to do just that. To recognize the seventh annual…

Key Mass. lawmakers demand answers from J&J on children’s Tylenol and Motrin shortages

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Key Mass. lawmakers demand answers from J&J on children’s Tylenol and Motrin shortages By: Dana Gerber  Rep. Pressley, Sen. Warren, and others are calling on the drug company to detail why it’s so hard right now to find their children’s cold medicines on drugstore shelves. Four members of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation are pushing for answers from drug-making giant…