Massachusetts

Nantucket blasts Massachusetts state senator for leaving meeting early: ‘A disgrace’

Published

2 years ago

August 10, 2024

Nantucket blasts Massachusetts state senator for leaving meeting early: ‘A disgrace’

Nantucket residents are blasting state Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Cape and Islands, for not staying at a Select Board meeting that addressed Vineyard Wind, while the senator is connecting his departure to travel logistics.

Cyr traveled to Nantucket for Wednesday’s Select Board meeting, his first appearance at a meeting following last month’s incident, resulting in a debris mess across the island and region.

But the senator told the board and residents in attendance he couldn’t stay for the entire meeting because he had to catch a ferry to get back to Provincetown, where he lives. He added he’d listen to the rest of the meeting remotely.

State Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who also represents the island, didn’t attend the meeting, featuring representatives from federal and state environmental agencies.

“It is a disgrace that Mr. Cyr has left, and we haven’t seen Mr. Fernandez,” resident Amy DiSibio said. “I actually feel very sorry for this Select Board because this is way beyond the scope of what you should be doing.”

Speaking with the Herald on Thursday, Cyr said he showed up at Nantucket Town Hall around 4:45 Wednesday afternoon and spoke with several concerned residents. His arrival came after an hour-and-a-half drive from his home in Provincetown to Hyannis to board the ferry, he said.

The Select Board, Cyr said, offered him and other guests to speak virtually, but he opted to go in person because he found the meeting “important.”

“Obviously, there’s quite a bit of travel involved with going to them due to the boat schedule,” Cyr said. “I had to get a boat so I stayed at the meeting and listened, and then I listened the whole rest of the way.”

“I am actually pretty present on the island,” he added. “At the end of my remarks, I said I was going to stay as long as I could and I was going to be listening to the rest of the meeting on the ferry ride home so I was pretty transparent about that.”

Val Oliver is the founding director of ACK4Whales, a group of concerned residents fighting the Vineyard Wind project. She voiced frustration over how Cyr and the state as a whole have responded to the blade failure.

“My main comments are going to be for our senator,” Oliver said, “but I see his interest, as usual, is not in helping Nantucket, and he has left. He didn’t care enough to come when it happened.”

“Our state government is in an all-on push for this regardless of what the outcome is,” she added. “They have set these lofty goals and really don’t know what’s going to happen, and it’s evident by all of the agency speak that we get.”

A Herald analysis last month found that employees who list Avangrid, Vineyard Wind’s parent company, as their employer had made 217 donations totaling $57,677 to dozens of state and local campaigns since March 2018, two months before the Baker administration selected a Vineyard Wind bid for contract negotiation.

Cyr has collected 17 contributions for $3,036 since 2021, according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Five of those, totaling $1,300, came from his former chief of staff, Patrick Johnson, who currently serves as Avangrid’s director of public affairs.

In a statement he read to the Select Board, Cyr commended the town for its “leadership and calmness” in the aftermath of the debacle. He demanded better communication from GE Vernova and Vineyard Wind, saying he was “deeply disturbed” that he found out about the failure two days later.

“Of course, we have been strong partners in representing this island going on eight years,” Cyr told the board of the connection he and Fernanes share with Nantucket. “ Of course, we will continue to stay in close contact. We really view our role here as going to bat for the town and the town’s needs, desires and wishes.”

Cyr’s departure didn’t make a good impression on his challenger, Christopher Lauzon, a Republican from Barnstable vying for the Cape and Islands Senate seat.

“We are not here for political campaigning tonight, I’ll be honest with you,” Select Board Chairwoman Brooke Mohr told Lauzon before allowing him to speak during public comment.

“This is a serious problem for the entire district,” Lauzon said in a statement Thursday. “We need a senator who cares and doesn’t have a conflict of interest with Avangrid. As the next senator I will protect the environment and interests of the district, not corporations.”

Originally Published: August 10, 2024 at 5:16 p.m.

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Massachusetts

Ben & Jerry’s is giving out free ice cream today. Where in Massachusetts?

Published

10 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Ben & Jerry’s is giving out free ice cream today. Where in Massachusetts?

Ben & Jerry’s is giving out free ice cream on April 14. On that day, ice cream lovers can walk into any participating shop and leave with dessert – no wallet required.

The Vermont-based company is preparing to serve up “1 million and one” scoops across 13 countries on Free Cone Day, a highly anticipated annual giveaway event, according to a Ben & Jerry’s press release.

“Free Cone Day is all about our fans. It’s our way of saying thank you with an international moment of togetherness,” CEO Jochanan Senf said in a statement.

The Free Cone Day tradition began in 1979, after the ice cream company’s first year of business in Burlington, and has continued to grow ever since.

Here’s where to get a free scoop of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream this year in Massachusetts.

When is Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day 2026?

This year, Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day is on Tuesday, April 14. The free ice cream is typically given out at Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops between noon and 8 p.m., though some shops may vary.

How Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day works

Customers can visit any participating Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop to receive a free cup or cone of ice cream, according to the company’s website. You can pick whichever flavor you want. No purchase is required.

“There’s no catch and no fine print,” Ben & Jerry’s said on the website.

While there may be a line outside your local Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop on Free Cone Day, it will likely move quickly because staff don’t need to ring up orders.

And the best part? Customers can get back in line as many times as they’d like. In fact, it’s actually encouraged, according to a Ben & Jerry’s press release.

“So, if fans are stuck choosing between a classic flavor like Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Cookie Dough, or a Scoop Shop exclusive like Marshmallow Sky, Sweet Cream & Cookies or Mint Chocolate Chunk, they needn’t worry. Why choose just one, when they can try them all!” the company said.

Participating Ben & Jerry’s locations in MA

At least 17 Ben & Jerry’s locations in Massachusetts participate in Free Cone Day. Here are their addresses and special Free Cone Day hours:

Boston – Faneuil Hall: 8 North Market St., Bay 22, North Market, Boston, MA 02109 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Boston – Fenway: 61 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Boston – Newbury Street: 174 Newbury St.,Boston, MA 02116 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Boston – Prudential Center: 800 Boylston St., Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Boston – Quincy Market: 4 South Market St., Boston, MA 02109 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Boston – Seaport: 83 Seaport Boulevard,Boston, MA 02110 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Braintree – South Shore Plaza: 30 Forbes Road,Braintree, MA 02184 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Cambridge – Harvard Square: 35 JFK St., Cambridge, MA 02138 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Cambridge – Porter Square: 59 White St., Cambridge, MA 02140 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Hingham – Derby Street: 92 Derby St., #113, Hingham, MA 02043 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Hyannis: 352 Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Marlboro: 187 Boston Post Road West, Marlboro, MA 01752 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Natick: 1265 Worcester St., Route 9 West, Natick, MA 01760 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
North Eastham: 50 Brackett Road, North Eastham, MA 02651 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Pittsfield: 79 South St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
South Deerfield – Yankee Candle Company: 25 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield, MA 01373 (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Watertown – Arsenal Yards: 103 Arsenal Yards Boulevard, Watertown, MA 02472 (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

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Massachusetts

20 years later: How Massachusetts health care reform changed access

Published

22 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

20 years later: How Massachusetts health care reform changed access

This week marks 20 years since Massachusetts passed a landmark health care reform law that reshaped how residents access medical care and helped pave the way for national changes.Signed on April 12, 2006, the Massachusetts health care reform law — often referred to as “Romneycare” — expanded insurance coverage through a combination of Medicaid expansion, subsidized private plans, and an individual mandate requiring most residents to carry insurance. According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the law led to one of the highest insured rates in the country, with coverage now exceeding 97% of residents.Two decades later, doctors say the impact is still being felt, especially when it comes to how patients enter and navigate the health system.Dr. Daniel Chandler, a primary care physician and associate chief medical information officer at Tufts Medical Center, says the law fundamentally changed access to care.“Health insurance really allows people to have a primary care doctor and a medical home,” Chandler said. “And the alternative to that is often the emergency department, which can be very expensive.” With expanded coverage, more residents are now able to see primary care providers, allowing for earlier intervention and preventive care.Chandler says that shift can make a significant difference.“You can get some necessary screening done and preventive care when it’s relatively easy to fix and it’s less expensive,” he said.Despite high coverage rates, affordability remains a top issue for many patients.“Patients complain about cost all the time,” Chandler said, noting that premiums are only part of the financial burden. “Often, there’s a lot of co-pays that can add up if you choose the wrong plan.”For patients, navigating insurance options can be overwhelming, especially during limited enrollment periods.“The topic is incredibly complex,” Chandler said. “If you have resources like family members or friends who are knowledgeable, I always recommend that you ask them.” Doctors warn that financial pressure can lead patients to delay or skip treatment — a decision that can have long-term consequences.“It can be really catastrophic to avoid treatment,” Chandler said. “If a problem is easy to fix early, that can get more difficult and more expensive over time if you don’t fix it early.”To help address those challenges, many health systems — including Tufts Medicine — now offer support services such as social workers and pharmacy teams to help patients find lower-cost medications, financial assistance or other resources.

NEEDHAM, Mass. —

This week marks 20 years since Massachusetts passed a landmark health care reform law that reshaped how residents access medical care and helped pave the way for national changes.

Signed on April 12, 2006, the Massachusetts health care reform law — often referred to as “Romneycare” — expanded insurance coverage through a combination of Medicaid expansion, subsidized private plans, and an individual mandate requiring most residents to carry insurance. According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the law led to one of the highest insured rates in the country, with coverage now exceeding 97% of residents.

Two decades later, doctors say the impact is still being felt, especially when it comes to how patients enter and navigate the health system.

Dr. Daniel Chandler, a primary care physician and associate chief medical information officer at Tufts Medical Center, says the law fundamentally changed access to care.

“Health insurance really allows people to have a primary care doctor and a medical home,” Chandler said. “And the alternative to that is often the emergency department, which can be very expensive.”

With expanded coverage, more residents are now able to see primary care providers, allowing for earlier intervention and preventive care.

Chandler says that shift can make a significant difference.

“You can get some necessary screening done and preventive care when it’s relatively easy to fix and it’s less expensive,” he said.

Despite high coverage rates, affordability remains a top issue for many patients.

“Patients complain about cost all the time,” Chandler said, noting that premiums are only part of the financial burden. “Often, there’s a lot of co-pays that can add up if you choose the wrong plan.”

For patients, navigating insurance options can be overwhelming, especially during limited enrollment periods.

“The topic is incredibly complex,” Chandler said. “If you have resources like family members or friends who are knowledgeable, I always recommend that you ask them.”

Doctors warn that financial pressure can lead patients to delay or skip treatment — a decision that can have long-term consequences.

“It can be really catastrophic to avoid treatment,” Chandler said. “If a problem is easy to fix early, that can get more difficult and more expensive over time if you don’t fix it early.”

To help address those challenges, many health systems — including Tufts Medicine — now offer support services such as social workers and pharmacy teams to help patients find lower-cost medications, financial assistance or other resources.

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Massachusetts

USPS Worker Pinned Under Mail Truck After Massachusetts Crash Lucky To Be Alive, Fire Chief Says

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

USPS Worker Pinned Under Mail Truck After Massachusetts Crash Lucky To Be Alive, Fire Chief Says

April 13, 2026

First responders say a United States Postal Service worker is lucky to be a live after a crash in Medway Friday that left her trapped under her mail truck.

Shortly before 11:20 a.m., police say a red pickup truck driving along Main Street struck the postal truck from behind. The mail carrier inside the postal truck was leaning out to deliver mail at the time.

The crash sent the truck rolling into the mulch of a nearby front lawn.

A USPS worker was pinned under her truck following a crash in Medway/CBS Boston

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