In the News

Mass. leaders react to Jan. 6 criminal referrals: 'Trump must never again hold public office' By: CBS/AP WASHINGTON - The House Jan. 6 committee is urging the Justice Department to bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump and his allies. It is finishing its investigation of the violent 2021 Capitol insurrection with what lawmakers call a "roadmap to… Read more »

State to get more federal money for sewer outfalls By: Christian M. Wade  BOSTON — Massachusetts could be getting a windfall of federal funding to fix aging outfalls that spew sewage into the Merrimack River and other waterways. A two-year reauthorization of the $38 billion Water Resources Development Act, which is tucked into a military spending bill approved by Congress last… Read more »

Lori Trahan, Sokhary Chau team up for Sun Santa By: Melanie Gilbert  LOWELL — U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, a woman who never seems to sleep, joins Lowell’s equally indefatigable Mayor Sokhary Chau on Saturday to raise money for Sun Santa. The formidable duo will co-host the Third Annual Holiday Drive & Drop event that takes place in the parking lot of the Boys & Girls Club of… Read more »

Democrats criticize Elon Musk for suspending journalists covering Twitter By: Theodoric Meyer and Leigh Ann Caldwell  Several Democratic members of Congress expressed outrage Thursday night after Twitter suspended the accounts of several reporters who cover the company or its owner, Elon Musk, including our colleague Drew Harwell.   Musk has cast his… Read more »

U.S. lawmakers press Activision, Epic, Valve and more on extremism By: Stephen Totilo A recent report from the Anti-Defamation League about the rise of extremism in online game communities has stirred a response from members of Congress. Driving the news: Seven Democratic members, including Reps. Lori Trahan of Massachusetts, Katie Porter of California and Sen. Ron Wyden… Read more »

‘What’s the deal?’ Trahan and others blast Musk for suspending journalists on Twitter By: Shannon Larson US Representative Lori Trahan put the spotlight on billionaire Elon Musk following a whirlwind night on Twitter that saw the accounts of several journalists suspended without explanation. The Massachusetts Democrat said her team met with members of the social media platform Thursday… Read more »

 State to get more federal money for sewer outfalls By: Christian M. Wade  BOSTON — Massachusetts could be getting a windfall of federal funding to fix aging outfalls that spew sewage into the Merrimack River and other waterways. A two-year reauthorization of the $38 billion Water Resources Development Act, which is tucked into a military spending bill approved by Congress… Read more »

Respect for Marriage Act awaits Joe Biden's signature, passes with support from local reps. By: Jacob Vitali The Respect for Marriage Act is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after passing in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. The bill, which codifies protections for same-sex and interracial marriage at the federal level, passed 258-169 in the House and 61-36 in the… Read more »

Lori Trahan elected to Democratic Steering and Policy Committee By: Jacob Vitali  U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan is entering her third term representing the 3rd Congressional District this January and the local lawmaker is doing so with an important seat at the table. On Tuesday, Trahan was elected by her congressional peers New England to serve as the region’s representative on the… Read more »

Congress seeks to limit PFAS exposure for firefighters By: Christian M. Wade BOSTON — Firefighters will get federal help limiting their exposure to toxic “forever” chemicals on the job under a proposal awaiting action by President Joe Biden. The legislation, if signed into law, would direct federal agencies to develop practices, training and educational programs to reduce, limit and… Read more »