We're 95% sure it's Friday. However, the chances of snow this weekend are, literally, all over the map. As meteorologist Danielle Noyes explains here, a path shift of just 10 to 20 miles by the powerful storm building off the East Coast could be the difference between big snow — or bust. (In the meantime, what we can be sure of is that it's going to get very cold tonight.) Now to the news: Iced out: Gov. Maura Healey is taking action to keep ICE agents out of a wide range of spaces across Massachusetts. As WBUR's Chris Van Buskirk reports, the move comes as Healey has increased criticism of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, after federal agents fatally shot two people in Minneapolis this month. Here's a look at the details of the two-pronged approach — and what's next: - The first part is relatively narrow: Healey signed an executive order prohibiting immigration officers from making civil arrests in non-public parts of state buildings. (Criminal arrests are still allowed.) The order also bans federal immigration agents from using state property for staging purposes and prohibits state agencies from entering into any new 287(g) agreements with ICE to carry out immigration enforcement, unless there is a specific public safety risk.
- The second part would be more sweeping: Healey announced a bill to effectively ban ICE arrests in schools, child care centers, hospitals, medical facilities and courthouses, unless agents have a warrant from a judge. It aims to instill state-level protections after the Trump administration rescinded a federal policy early last year that had limited ICE arrests in such "sensitive areas.” (The bill would also make it illegal for another state to send its National Guard into Massachusetts without the governor's permission, as happened in Chicago and Los Angeles.)
- The background: As WBUR's Simón Rios and Rachell Sanchez-Smith reported last month, warrantless ICE arrests at Massachusetts courthouses tripled in 2025. While some states require agents to present judicial warrants for such arrests, Massachusetts does not. Healey said her bill to change that — and expand the rule to schools, health care facilities and churches — would be the country's "most comprehensive" measure to protect sensitive areas from ICE.
- What's next: Healey’s executive order takes effect immediately. But the bill needs approval from the Legislature. Senate President Karen Spilka was with Healey for the announcement yesterday and spoke in support of the bill. However, the House isn't on board yet. Speaker Ron Mariano's office said yesterday that House leadership has been discussing another bill backed by the Black and Latino Caucus that focuses just on curbing civil arrests by ICE at courthouses and plans to hold more talks with other state reps about wider immigration policy next week. "Given the complexity and severity of this issue, and given the limitations on what state government can do on immigration, it is imperative that the House has thoughtful, candid discussions," a spokesperson for Mariano said in a statement, adding that "the House remains committed to protecting our residents.”
Zoning wars, cont'd: As promised, Attorney General Andrea Campbell is suing nine Massachusetts towns that are out of compliance with the MBTA Communities Act: Dracut, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Holden, Marblehead, Middleton, Tewksbury, Wilmington and Winthrop. Following a ruling by the state's top court last year, all nine were supposed to adopt a zoning map by last July that complies with the 2021 law. They didn't, and Campbell's lawsuit is now asking a judge to order them to do so. - There are actually three other towns currently considered out of compliance with the MBTA Communities Act: Carver, Rehoboth and Freetown. Campbell said they weren't sued because Carver and Rehoboth, as "adjacent small towns," only just became noncompliant at the end of December. Meanwhile, Freetown has a town meeting next week to vote on a zoning plan. "We are being flexible with them because of their timing and deadlines," Campbell told reporters yesterday.
School's out: Worcester Public Schools are closed today, due to the cold. According to the National Weather Service, the wind chill in Worcester will be as low as 17 degrees below zero. MassLive reports at least 10 other schools have two-hour delays. Digging out: Enjoy a shuttle-free weekend. The MBTA has canceled planned work on the Red Line this weekend due to the lingering effects of this week's snowstorm. P.S. — How much snow did Boston record from the Sunday-into-Monday storm? Take our Boston News Quiz and test your knowledge of the stories we covered this week. |
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