In the News

Fitchburg State University receives $3 million ARPA grant for downtown Theater Block project By Danielle Ray FITCHBURG — Local and state officials and interested parties gathered downtown on Tuesday morning for the presentation of $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act grant funding to Fitchburg State University that will be used to renovate the historic Theater Block on Main… Read more »

If The ‘TLDR Act’ Passes, A Website’s ‘Terms Of Service’ Page Might Actually Be Useful By Ryan Grenoble When was the last time you read a website’s terms of service agreement, let alone understood it? Yeah, me neither.     If a new bill gains traction, should you end up there ― either intentionally, or by a wayward click of the mouse ― you’ll at least have a fighting… Read more »

No one reads the terms of service. Lawmakers want to fix that with a new 'TLDR' bill. By Cristiano Lima If you’ve ever blown past a website’s terms of service agreement, you wouldn’t be the first. Surveys show a vast majority of people sign off without ever giving them a glance. But a bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing to make it easier for consumers to understand just… Read more »

Federal Infrastructure funding to benefit Haverhill, other communities By Mike LaBella HAVERHILL — Congresswoman Lori Trahan was in Haverhill last Wednesday to highlight federal investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to upgrade bridges, water infrastructure, and public transit for Third District residents. During a half-hour meeting with city and state… Read more »

Rep. Lori Trahan, Sen. Bernie Sanders reintroduce Masks for All Act to get Americans N95 masks By Benjamin Kail U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan of Massachusetts on Wednesday partnered with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and dozens of Democrats to reintroduce a plan to ramp up production of protective N95 masks and get at least three to every American during the surge of the… Read more »

Lori Trahan touts infrastructure spending at LRTA By Tréa Lavery LOWELL — The bipartisan infrastructure package signed into law by President Biden in November will provide a boost for the Lowell Regional Transit Authority, along with local bridge and water infrastructure. U.S. Rep Lori Trahan visited the LRTA Thursday to meet with local leaders and talk about transit upgrades that will… Read more »

Local Bus Rides Become Free Next March; Federal Relief Money Will Cover Fares By WHAV Staff Taking a local bus will be free starting next March as the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority begins a two-year pilot aimed partly at winning back riders lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transit Authority board members voted unanimously Wednesday to go fare-free for all local… Read more »

State, federal legislators consider evolving PFAS concerns, responses By Dakota Antelman REGION – New developments at the state and federal levels have elected officials charting paths through a new phase in the response to PFAS contamination in local communities and around the country.  With new money now allocated to this fight, officials are noting some victories, while… Read more »

Mass. to get more fed aid under $2T spending bill By Christian M. Wade BOSTON — Another windfall of federal funding could be headed to Massachusetts from a $2 trillion social services package working its way through Congress. On Friday, the House of Representatives narrowly approved President Joe Biden’s latest spending bill that includes major investments in health care, environmental… Read more »

Democrats press Facebook over 'inconsistency' on ad targeting for teens By Rebecca Klar A trio of Democrats in Congress are pushing Facebook to address accusations that the company misled lawmakers and the public about its new policy banning advertisers from targeting young users on the platform. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Reps. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) sent… Read more »