Massachusetts State Police found to be corrupt, but no action is taken
The Massachusetts State Police has had a troubled couple of years. Having been subjected to a corruption probe, the police force was discovered to have engaged in discriminatory hiring practices, and evidence was dredged up of “systemic corruption and coverups.” There have since been multiple incidents of misconduct, including one that took place on Sept. 18 when an officer fired a rifle at an unarmed ATV rider on a Boston highway. But to many observers, such as Boston University Professor Toby Berkovitz, it seems that the police have “gotten a bye” from lawmakers and politicians. There has been no action taken so far to hold the police accountable or to change Boston Police Department policy. It is possible that this inaction is due to the support that the police force has among the public. Still, one investigator who looked into the police’s corruption said that now would be the “perfect time” to act.
Kennedy gets flack from climate activists for challenge to Markey
Since he announced that he would be running for Senate, current representative for Massachusetts’ fourth congressional district Joseph P. Kennedy III has been met with pushback. He has been accused of fomenting discontent within the Democratic Party by running against incumbent Edward J. Markey. One group in particular that he is not easily winning over are climate activists, who have found a champion in Markey. Recently, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke out in support of Markey’s reelection bid, saying that the country will miss out on his “deeply vested experience” if he loses. She took a jab at Kennedy, adding that “we don’t have time to go through the learning curve” on environmental legislative issues. Still, Kennedy maintains a clean record himself on climate issues, with a 95 percent lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters.
State officials announce five new cases of vaping-related illness
On Monday, state health officials announced five new cases of vaping-related sickness, bringing the total number of cases recorded in Massachusetts to 10. Of the cases, which were reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, two individuals were confirmed to have vaping-related injuries and in three vaping was the cause of the injury. The exact cause of illness associated with vaping has not been determined, according to a statement released by Dr. Monica Bharel, the state’s public health commissioner. This occurs after the state of Massachusetts announced a four-month ban on all e-cigarettes and vape products last week after a vaping-related sickness affected hundreds nationwide and led to at least nine deaths.
