fb-pixel Skip to main content

New England politics news

‘A guy from Dorchester’ and ‘Bill from Canton’: On Charlie Baker’s last ‘Ask the Governor’ radio segment, some special guests called in

Former Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and former governor William F. Weld were among the surprise callers during Governor Charlie Baker's final time on GBH News’ Boston Public Radio “Ask the Governor.”

Democrat wins North Shore legislative seat by single vote after recount
Kristin Kassner, a first-time Democratic candidate for a North Shore state legislative seat, topped the Republican incumbent by a single vote after a district-wide recount, erasing what had been a 10-vote deficit.

Rooting out ‘Rat City’? Lawmakers mull Boston’s pest problems
The war against rats is on in Boston, as some creative, sometimes off-the-wall, solutions were bandied about during a City Council hearing Thursday where officials wrestled with a problem as old as human civilization.

National politics news

WNBA star Brittney Griner freed in prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout

Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the US releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American and Russian officials said.

How a fight over one Saturday in November shaped the final days of the Georgia Senate campaign

Raphael Warnock's victory has spurred a fresh reckoning among national Republicans over their party’s aversion to early voting.

‘Facts support’ indicting Donald Trump over Jan. 6, Adam Schiff says

In an interview with NPR, the California Democrat was asked whether he believes Trump committed “specific, prosecutable crimes” on Jan. 6 or before. "Yes, I do,” Schiff replied.

Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer swapped for Brittney Griner?

In releasing Viktor Bout, the US freed a former Soviet Army lieutenant colonel whom the Justice Department once described as one of the world’s most prolific arms dealers.

Donald Trump and his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad 3 weeks

For Trump, the losses and embarrassments are rapidly piling up, aggravating long-standing concerns among his fellow Republicans that his 2016 victory may have been an aberration — and that his persistence with a comeback attempt could sink the party’s hopes of reclaiming the White House in 2024.

House passes defense bill scrapping COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the military

The House passed the bill by a vote of 350-80. It now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass easily, then to the president to be signed into law.

NFL player Micah Parsons apologizes for tweet over Brittney Griner’s release

“We're looking forward to having Brittney back home,” former president Barack Obama said in a statement.

Owner Dan Snyder had role in ‘toxic’ Commanders culture, House report finds

The Washington Commanders created a “toxic work culture” for more than two decades, “ignoring and downplaying sexual misconduct” by men at the top levels of the organization, according to a House report published Thursday.

Family of American prisoner Paul Whelan backs Brittney Griner deal

Paul Whelan, 52, told CNN on Thursday that he is “greatly disappointed that more has not been done” to secure his release.

House passes landmark bill protecting same-sex and interracial marriages, sending measure to President Biden

President Biden is expected to promptly sign the measure, which passed 258-169 and requires all states to recognize same-sex marriages.

Watch live: President Biden to speak about release of Britney Griner

President Biden is speaking at the White House about Russia freeing WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a high-level prisoner exchange. Watch live.

Biden releasing nearly $36 billion to aid pensions of union workers

Many union retirement plans have been under financial pressure because of underfunding and other issues.

Sign up for ‘Beyond Roe,’ a weekly newsletter chronicling what’s next in the battle over abortion rights

Get smart analysis from the Globe's Stephanie Ebbert, who has covered the gender beat and abortion rights for years, right to your inbox on Friday mornings.