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Massachusetts wrongly rejected Catholic foster parent applicants, lawsuit charges

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Massachusetts wrongly rejected Catholic foster parent applicants, lawsuit charges


The lawsuit alleges that DCF practice burdens some prospective foster families who are religious, in violation of the First Amendment. It charges that the denial of the Burkes’ adoption application is a substantial burden on their exercise of religion, forcing them to choose between becoming foster and adoptive parents or maintaining their religious beliefs.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs “experienced hostility towards their Catholic beliefs” throughout the application process in violation of the First Amendment’s free exercise clause. DCF policy, in effect, favors some religious beliefs on human sexuality, while disfavoring those of the Burkes.

“DCF’s actions are discriminatory and unconstitutional,” says the lawsuit, citing a federal court’s ruling enjoining similar regulations in the state of Washington.

DCF’s policy would bar any Massachusetts family with similar beliefs from fostering or adopting through the child welfare system, the lawsuit argues. Many Muslims, Jews, Protestant Christians, and others have similar religious beliefs.

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The lawsuit cites DCF figures that there are about 1,500 children who have not been placed with families in the Massachusetts foster care system. In the Western Regional Office, whose jurisdiction includes the Burkes’ home residence, more than 300 children under its authority have not been placed with families.

The lawsuit asks the federal court to bar state officials from declining to issue a foster care license to the Burkes and to bar state officials from discriminating against foster parents. It also seeks nominal and compensatory damages against the defendants as well as attorney’s fees.

Named in the lawsuit are several Massachusetts officials, including Kate Walsh in her official capacity as secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and Linda Spears in her official capacity as commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. 

CNA sought comment from Walsh’s and Spears’ offices but did not receive a response by publication.

Catholic institutions that aid in adoptions and foster care placements have also faced legal and regulatory pressure.

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Catholic Charities of Boston was forced to close its adoption services in 2006 because it would no longer place children with homosexual couples, as required by state law. Catholic agencies in other states have been barred from operating or denied government funds because of similar laws.

A unanimous 2021 Supreme Court decision, Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, ruled that the City of Philadelphia violated Catholic Social Services’ free exercise of religion when it stopped contracting with them for foster care services in 2018. Catholic Social Services had refused to certify same-sex couples as foster parents because of its Catholic beliefs on marriage.

(Story continues below)





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Massachusetts

Global Employability Rankings 2025: Massachusetts Institute of Technology tops the global list, check the top 10 universities worldwide – Times of India

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Global Employability Rankings 2025: Massachusetts Institute of Technology tops the global list, check the top 10 universities worldwide – Times of India


The university you choose can significantly impact your career prospects. The Global Employability University Rankings (GEURS) 2025, compiled by French consultancy Emerging , highlights the world’s leading institutions renowned for producing highly employable graduates.
At the top of the overall rankings, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has secured the number 1 spot globally and in the United States. The dominance of U.S. universities is evident in the top five, with California Institute of Technology ranked 2nd, Stanford University 3rd, and Harvard University 4th. Completing the top five is the University of Cambridge from the United Kingdom, claiming the 5th position.
The top 10 positions from the list of 250 universities for graduate employability in 2025 as per the Global Employability University Rankings (GEURS) 2025 include:

  • Five universities from the United States
  • Three universities from the United Kingdom
  • One university each from Japan and China

This year’s rankings highlight the growing prominence of Asian universities alongside the traditional powerhouses of the U.S. and the U.K. Notably, the rankings assess institutions based on criteria such as graduate employability, recruiter preferences, and industry-academia collaboration.

Top 10 of World’s best 250 universities for graduate employability in 2025 as per the Global Employability University Rankings (GEURS) 2025:

Name of the University
Rank
Country
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1 United States of America
California Institute of Technology 2 United States of America
Stanford University 3 United States of America
Harvard University 4 United States of America
University of Cambridge 5 United Kingdom
Princeton University 6 United States of America
University of Oxford 7 United Kingdom
The University of Tokyo 8 Japan
Imperial College London 9 United Kingdom
Peking University 10 China

The GEURS 2025 reveal that top universities renowned for producing employable graduates are primarily concentrated in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) leads globally, with four other U.S. institutions—Caltech, Stanford, Harvard, and Princeton—securing spots in the top 10. The UK is well-represented by the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Imperial College London, while Asia shines with The University of Tokyo (Japan) and Peking University (China). These rankings emphasize the significance of academia-industry collaboration and the rising global impact of Asian universities.
The list also features 10 Indian universities, with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi leading the pack at rank 28. It is followed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) at 47th and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay at 60th.

About GEURS

According to the official website, GEURS is the only ranking based exclusively on international employers’ point of view. It is produced by Emerging and is, for employability, currently the most consulted ranking by employers worldwide.
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Massachusetts should get ‘much-welcomed’ rain, even snow in spots amid ‘Critical Drought’ as wildfires keep burning

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Massachusetts should get ‘much-welcomed’ rain, even snow in spots amid ‘Critical Drought’ as wildfires keep burning


Have you ever been so excited for some rain?

As Massachusetts enters the “Critical Drought” status with dozens of wildfires burning across the region, meteorologists are predicting that some “much-welcomed” rain should arrive soon. Even wet snow will be possible in higher elevation spots on Thursday night.

The Bay State desperately needs this precipitation following an unprecedented lack of rain in recent months, triggering this brutal drought and sparking brush fires.

Over the past 30 days, most of the state has received less than an inch of rain, which is 3 to 4.5 inches below normal. Many areas recorded their lowest rainfall ever for this time of the year.

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“Slow-moving frontal system brings overcast and much-welcomed rains Thurs into Fri, which could mix with wet snow at locations above 1,500 ft elevation Thurs night and Fri.,” the National Weather Service’s Boston office wrote in its forecast discussion.

The latest wildfires in the region were reported in Blue Hills Reservation on Tuesday, as firefighters battled the 40-acre blaze.

“The DCR Fire Control team, in coordination with the Milton Fire Department, is actively working to contain the fire and ensure public safety,” the state Department of Conservation and Recreation posted. “DCR urges the public to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to work safely and to take precautions against smoke.”

As of Tuesday, there were about 37 active wildfires across the state. This year’s fire season has lasted longer because of the dry conditions. Hundreds of wildfires have broken out across the state since the start of October, burning more land than Massachusetts usually sees in an entire year.

A “Critical Drought” was declared across most of the state on Tuesday, except for the Cape and Islands regions.

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“Massachusetts is experiencing critical drought conditions that are fueling unprecedented and destructive wildfires across the state,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in a statement. “Climate change is reshaping our region’s weather patterns, resulting in warmer and drier fall and winter seasons.

“Water conservation is more important than ever,” Tepper added. “We urge municipalities, residents, and businesses — including those with private wells — to help us reduce stress on our water systems. We need to work together to ensure we have enough clean drinking water, protect wildlife habitats, and maintain effective fire control. Every small effort counts.”

Tree workers stroll through the smoke as firefighters battle the Blue Hills brush fire. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)

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Blue Hills brush fire sends smoke into surrounding Massachusetts towns

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Blue Hills brush fire sends smoke into surrounding Massachusetts towns


Next Weather: WBZ morning forecast for November 19, 2024

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Next Weather: WBZ morning forecast for November 19, 2024

01:42

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MILTON – A new brush fire has developed in the Blue Hills State Reservation, sending smoke into surrounding Massachusetts communities.

The fire near Houghton’s Pond in Milton has burned 41 acres of the popular hiking area, and was only 10% contained as of Monday evening, according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation. A smoky smell was reported in towns to the southeast, including Braintree, Brockton and Randolph. 

Fire departments from several nearby towns are helping to fight the flames. Canton firefighters in a social media video showed crews performing a controlled “back burn” to keep the main fire from spreading further.

FINAL UPDATE: Units are being released from the brush fire. Tomorrow, Two Brush Fire Task Forces are being sent to Milton. One from Norfolk County, the other from Plymouth County. Here is footage of the “Back Burn” performed at the Blue Hills brush fire. This performed under controlled conditions. It burns back towards where the fire is spreading to and burns the area in between.

Posted by Canton Firefighters IAFF Local 1580 on Monday, November 18, 2024

Red flag warning for Massachusetts

A red flag warning is in effect for all of Massachusetts Tuesday, as the dry weather continues and winds could gust up to 25 mph.

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“Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly,” the National Weather Service said. “Outdoor burning is not recommended.”

Some relief is expected Thursday, as the first rain storm to hit the area in weeks could put a dent in the state’s severe drought.

Fires in Massachusetts

In addition to the Blue Hills incident, state fire officials said a new fire in the Boxford State Forest has grown significantly. That fire along Thomas Road in North Andover had spread to 220 acres and was just 10% contained. At this time, no homes are at risk.

The largest brush fire in the state is burning in the Lynn Woods Reservation. The 440-acre fire is 50% contained.

Firefighters are also continuing to patrol the Middleton Pond fire that has burned 242 acres and is 60% contained.

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