PEABODY – The migrant crisis in Massachusetts has added about 2,000 students to schools in 74 different districts this academic year, according to the state. 

That means there are about 242 districts still not facing the issue of having a sudden, unexpected influx of migrant children in their systems.

“A small handful of communities can’t take on this burden and do it well,” Peabody Superintendent Josh Vadala told WBZ-TV. His district is one of the 74. They’ve added 80 students to Peabody schools since September.

“We’ve been talking to the state. You know, enough is enough,” Vadala said. “We’ve taken on our share and we are doing a good job. If you continue to pile on, we’re worried that we’re not going to be able to provide the same service and then it all falls apart.”

Massachusetts response to migrant student crisis

“We believe deeply that every single student, regardless of circumstance, should have a high-quality education. Every student deserves that,” Massachusetts Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler told WBZ.

Tutwiler said the state is giving those 74 communities what they need, including $105 per student, per day.

“Language barrier is definitely a challenge. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) very quickly stood up translation supports. Mental health is also a significant challenge where we’re seeing really clear manifestations of the hardships that families experience coming here (and) situations where students are not familiar with the typical school routines and that takes a lot of patience,” Tutwiler said.

What’s worked so far? 

The state has a task force to find solutions and determine what works, Tutwiler said.

“There are so many heartening stories around how districts have really met the moment and really transitioned and welcomed families in robust ways,” he told WBZ.

Tutwiler specifically mentioned Peabody and what Vadala has done there. He has used the whole community to help the whole family, from field trips to experiences outside the classroom. 

Getting to know the families outside the school walls is paying off inside the classroom, according to Vadala.

“I’ve not seen models as robust as what we are doing. It’s not a competition but we are doing our level best to meet the needs of families here,” Tutwiler told WBZ. He said they key to all of this is more money from the federal government.

The headline says it all: ‘Massachusetts kills plan to prioritize homeless veterans over migrants.’

Massachusetts legislature kills plans to prioritize homeless veterans — homeless veterans who served this country– over migrants. That’s how screwed up the priorities are in the People’s Republic of Massachusetts.

All but two Massachusetts House Democrats voted against an amendment to provide statewide shelter must give priority to U.S. military veterans over migrants on Friday. All 25 House Republicans voted for it, but just two Democrats came across the aisle. And 129 Democrats voted against it.

They’re so upside down in Massachusetts, they can’t make a basic decision. Even if you want to care for the illegal aliens, with housing and benefits and all the state provides — they had to pass almost one billion dollars in their most recent budget to pay for support for the undocumented in their state. Even if you support that spending, you can’t place a priority on veterans and housing?

In other words, Massachusetts, you can’t commit that they’re not going to kick any veteran out of housing who has served this country. If it’s any kind of housing where there’s public, taxpayer support, you can’t just say that you’re going to keep veterans in place? As opposed to displacing the veteran for someone who just came into this country and has done nothing for the United States of America?

You can’t make that decision because you’re so twisted in your head.

It’s not even a bleeding heart issue. I understand: You’re so concerned — in fact you’re fixated — on people who are coming to this country seeking asylum. But you can’t care about the less than one percent of Americans who serve in our military, in a nation of 330 million people? You can’t prioritize these people? Are you kidding me?

I wonder if that same vote we’re here in New Hampshire, what the result would be? I know the Republicans would vote against. And I really believe some Democrats would surely say “No, veterans must come first.” But I wonder how many others wouldn’t?

I’m from Massachusetts, but I had the good sense to leave decades ago. If I lived there today, I’d be so ashamed when I read that story Saturday morning. And I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be a veteran in Massachusetts and seeing that.

Wow. You’re going to kick a 78-year-old Vietnam veteran out of a housing situation in Massachusetts for someone who just came into this country illegally?

There are a lot of differences between our two states (our ‘Live Free or Die’ motto, which kicks the butt of ‘The Spirit of America’), and a major difference is our respect and appreciation for our veterans. We’re always striving to do a better job to take care of them, because we get it here.

And I believe a lot of people in Massachusetts get it, too.

The problem is, they also get what they vote for.

Ask yourself, Massachusetts: How is that working out for you?

On Wednesday, May 15, Jack Heath will be hosting the annual Veterans Count “Make 12 Hours Count” Radiothon, a day of programming presented by FedPoint, to support the local military community.

The 12-hour Radiothon will broadcast from 6 am to 6 pm. It will be an opportunity for people to hear from and support the military community. The broadcast will come from The Pulse of NH stations News Talk 107.3 WTPL, 98.1 WTSN, and 107.3 WEMJ, with additional support on music stations Frank FM, 105.5 JYY, Country 93.3 The Wolf, and Country 95.3 & 107.1 The Wolf.

To make a donation, call the radiothon phone bank at 1-844-650-VETS (8387) on May 15th from 6am-6pm, text the word VETS to 78000 or you can make a donation online at vetscount.org/nh.

An Everett woman has died after undergoing a medical procedure at a Somerville home, according to police who are reportedly investigating an illegal liposuction operation.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Somerville Police on Monday announced the Everett woman’s death and a Somerville woman’s hospitalization following recent procedures at a local home.

Everett police officers on Friday had responded to a Bucknam Street home for a 35-year-old woman in medical distress. She was transported to CHA Everett, where she was pronounced dead.

Police determined that the woman underwent a medical procedure a day before at a Somerville home.

Detectives found out that another woman had also undergone a medical procedure at the same location. That woman was transported to a Boston hospital, where she remained on Monday.

“The investigation into the details of the alleged medical procedure and how the women’s injuries were sustained is ongoing at this time,” the Middlesex DA’s Office said in a statement.

The medical procedure was reportedly liposuction, as police investigate the alleged illegal liposuction operation, according to reports.

The Everett woman’s death has been referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and a ruling on the cause of death is pending.

The investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s Office, and Somerville Police.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Somerville Police at 617-625-1600 or Massachusetts State Police detectives at 781-897-6600.