Massachusetts
Massachusetts on verge of becoming second-to-last state to outlaw 'revenge porn'
BOSTON — A bill aimed at outlawing “revenge porn” has been approved by lawmakers in the Massachusetts House and Senate and shipped to Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, a move advocates say was long overdue.
If signed by Healey, the bill — which bars the sharing of explicit images or videos without the consent of those depicted in the videos — would leave South Carolina as the only state not to have a law specifically banning revenge porn.
Supports say the bill, which landed on Healey’s desk Thursday, would align Massachusetts with the other 48 states that have clear prohibitions on disseminating sexually explicit images and videos without the subject’s consent. It is a form of abuse that advocates say has grown increasingly common in the digital age, subjecting people to social and emotional harm often inflicted by former romantic partners.
The bill would make disseminating nude or partially nude photos of another person without their permission criminal harassment. Offenders would face up to two and a half years in prison and a fine of $10,000. On subsequent offenses, the punishment would increase to up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $15,000.
“No person’s life should devolve into chaos because a private photo was shared without their permission, and no person should fear coercion or be threatened with the sharing of such a photo,” Senate President Karen Spilka said.
The bill explicitly states that even though a person might consent to the initial creation of an explicit image or video that doesn’t mean they are also agreeing that it can be distributed without their additional consent in the future.
The advent of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology in the creation of revenge porn has added to the concerns of lawmakers. Supporters said the bill opens the door to legislation further addressing the implications of the emerging technology.
Karissa Hand, an aide to Healey, said the governor, who was previously the state’s attorney general, “has long supported legislation to ban revenge porn and hold accountable those who would engage in abusive, coercive and deeply harmful behavior” and looks forward to reviewing any legislation that reaches her desk.
The legislation establishes a definition for coercive control to account for non-physical forms of abuse such as isolation, threatening harm toward a family member or pet, controlling or monitoring activities, damaging property, publishing sensitive information, and repeated legal action.
Advocates describe coercive control as a pattern of deliberate behavior by an abuser that substantially restricts another person’s safety and autonomy.
By expanding the statute of limitation for domestic violence charges to 15 years, the bill would also give survivors a longer time to seek justice.
Under current law, minors who possess, purchase or share explicit photos of themselves or other minors are charged with violating child sexual abuse image laws and are required to register as sex offenders.
The bill would instead require the state attorney general to develop an educational diversion program to provide adolescents who engage in revenge porn with information about the consequences and life-altering effects caused by engaging in the behavior.
District attorneys would still have the authority to petition the court to bring criminal charges in extreme cases.
Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, called passage of the bill in the Legislature “a milestone for survivors in Massachusetts.”
“Non-consensual sharing of intimate images impacts thousands of people in Massachusetts every year, and increases an individual’s likelihood of further sexual harm,” the group said in a written statement.
“This bill takes a thoughtful approach to addressing the problem – one that balances strong protections for survivors with a recognition that younger people who cause this harm often can and should benefit from educational diversion over prosecution,” the group added.
Massachusetts
Pedestrian hospitalized after being hit in Waltham
A person was hit by a vehicle Tuesday morning in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Police responded just after 10 a.m. to the crash at the intersection of Elm Street and Carter Street.
Officers began treating the pedestrian, who was then taken to an area hospital with unspecified injuries.
The driver stayed at the scene, the Waltham Police Department said.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Massachusetts
People are moving out of Massachusetts but the population still grew
Is support for Trump waning due to immigration policy?
A growing backlash to ICE tactics is fueling a major shift in public opinion on Trump’s immigration strategy.
More people left Massachusetts than moved in from 2024 to 2025, with the state ranking fourth in the nation for net domestic migration loss, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Thousands of residents left the Bay State for other states during that period. Regionally, the Northeast experienced a net domestic migration loss of 205,552, according to the data.
Despite the domestic outflow, Massachusetts’ population still grew by 15,524 when factoring in births, deaths, and international migration.
Here’s what to know about the states with the highest and lowest net domestic migration across the country:
Massachusetts’ net domestic, international migration from 2024 to 2025
From July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, Massachusetts had a net domestic migration of -33,340, with 33,340 more people moving out of the state than moving in, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Meanwhile, the state had a net international migration of 40,240, as 40,240 more people moved into Massachusetts from abroad than left.
States with highest net domestic migration from 2024 to 2025
Here were the states with the highest net domestic migration from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, according to U.S. Census data:
- North Carolina: 84,064 residents
- Texas: 67,299 residents
- South Carolina: 66,622 residents
- Tennessee: 42,389 residents
- Arizona: 31,107 residents
- Georgia: 27,333 residents
- Alabama: 23,358 residents
- Florida: 22,517 residents
- Idaho: 19,915 residents
- Nevada: 14,914 residents
States with lowest net domestic migration from 2024 to 2025
Here were the states with the lowest net domestic migration from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, according to U.S. Census data:
- California: -229,077 residents
- New York: -137,586 residents
- Illinois: -40,017 residents
- New Jersey: -37,428 residents
- Massachusetts: -33,340 residents
- Louisiana: -14,387 residents
- Maryland: -12,127 residents
- Colorado: -12,100 residents
- Hawaii: -8,876 residents
- Connecticut: -5,945 residents
New England states’ net domestic migration from 2024 to 2025
Here’s how New England states ranked on net domestic migration from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, according to U.S. Census data:
- Maine: 7,406 residents (ranked 18th nationally)
- New Hampshire: 6,554 residents (ranked 22nd nationally)
- Vermont: -726 residents (ranked 34th nationally)
- Rhode Island: -1,551 residents (ranked 36th nationally)
- Connecticut: -5,945 residents (ranked 42nd nationally)
- Massachusetts: -33,340 residents (ranked 47th nationally)
Census regions with highest net domestic migration from 2024 to 2025
Here’s how the four Census regions ranked on net domestic migration from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, according to U.S. Census data:
- South: 357,790 residents
- Midwest: 16,040 residents
- West: -168,278 residents
- Northeast: -205,552 residents
Massachusetts
Planning a staycation? Tripadvisor recommends this MA city
Spend a day in Salem, Massachusetts
Join us as we check out landmarks in Salem, Massachusetts.
Are you thinking about spending some time off but don’t want to splurge on a big international vacation?
A summer 2025 report found that many Americans are choosing nearby staycations over changing time zones.
And Tripadvisor said one of the best travel experiences you could have in the United States would actually be a guided walking tour in Salem, Massachusetts, and the Freedom Trail walking tour in Boston.
As part of 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do, Tripadvisor said that History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour is the second-best experience in the U.S.
As we move on from 2025 onto 2026, here’s what you need to know about this Bay State travel opportunity.
Tripadvisor said Salem has the second best experience in the U.S.
Tripadvisor said the History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour is one of the best experiences in the United States. Its AI summary tool said the tour guides paint a vivid portrait of one of America’s most macabre towns.
Here’s what Tripadvisor said about it: “There are many Salem tours out there but few are as compelling as this one, led by a local historian who brings alive the city’s history at the time of day you choose. For a spookier experience, pick a nighttime tour led by lantern light. Visit the Burying Point Cemetery, Witch House, and Ropes Mansion garden as your guide tells stories of the haunted history of Salem, Massachusetts.”
The itinerary says the tour begins at Salem Old Town Hall and ends at Hamilton Hall, visiting sites like the Bewitched statue of Elizabeth Montgomery and The Witch House at Salem on the way.
You can book History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour at this link here. Be aware that this event is booked 23 days in advance, the tour’s Tripadvisor page said.
Kathleen Wong contributed to the reporting of this story. Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.
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