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Mid-April tax collections up in Mass., but state downplays significance

The tax collectors at the Department of Revenue raked in $1.713 billion during the first half of April, the most critical month for state finances. But while that represents a slight increase compared to the same period last April, DOR warned that comparisons “are not meaningful” for a variety of factors.

MWRA sues contractor for $4.3 million over wind turbine damage on Deer Island; company denies allegations
The turbine “suffered a catastrophic failure" the MWRA said in its lawsuit.

Homeless, migrant families being transferred to Lowell shelter as part of state’s continued ‘consolidation’ effort
State officials say 68 families will be transferred from a shelter site at the Bedford Plaza Hotel to the Lowell Inn and Conference Center by the end of the month.

The Latest from Washington, D.C.

Kennedy family members endorse President Biden, in rebuke to RFK Jr.

12 jurors have been chosen in Trump’s criminal trial. Here’s what we know so far about them.

New England climate advocates aim to accelerate clean energy buildout ahead of 2024 election

‘It’s complete political theater’: Congress spins its wheels — again — while crucial legislation languishes

National politics news

House leaders toil to advance Ukraine and Israel aid. But threats to oust speaker grow.

House Speaker Mike Johnson's Republican leadership team raised the idea of quickly changing the procedural rules to make it harder to oust the speaker from office.

Arizona Republican drops reelection effort after accusation he forged signatures

A leader of the conservative group Turning Point Action has resigned from the organization and dropped his bid for reelection to the Arizona House of Representatives after he was accused of forging signatures on his nominating petitions.

What’s inside the $95 billion House package focused on aiding Ukraine and Israel

Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled a long-awaited package of bills that will provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel, replenish US weapons systems and give humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.

Kennedy family members endorse President Biden, in rebuke to RFK Jr.

Prominent members of the Kennedy dynasty are standing with President Biden even as their relative pursues the White House in a campaign that has traded on the family name.

12 jurors have been chosen in Trump’s criminal trial. Here’s what we know so far about them.

Twelve jurors were chosen in the hush-money trial of Donald Trump, capping three days of efforts to seat a panel of citizens who will determine whether a former president is guilty of a crime for the first time in history.

12 jurors have been picked for Donald Trump’s hush-money trial. Alternates are still being selected.

The rapid progress Thursday afternoon propelled the case closer to opening statements and weeks of testimony.

Senate moves to reauthorize surveillance law

The measure enjoys backing from Republicans and Democrats, but it is strongly opposed by libertarians on the right and progressives on the left who are deeply skeptical of granting the government broad spying powers without strict oversight and limits.

US and UK issue new sanctions on Iran in response to Tehran’s weekend attack on Israel

Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted 16 people and two entities in Iran that produce engines that power the drones used in the April 13 attack on Israel.

Watch live: Biden campaigns with members of Kennedy family in Philadelphia

President Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia. Watch it live.

New England climate advocates aim to accelerate clean energy buildout ahead of 2024 election

Even more urgent than stomping for President Joe Biden, several climate advocates said, is getting federal climate money out the door as quickly as possible.

Congress moving swiftly on bipartisan action to punish Iran after revenge attack on Israel

Several measures introduced and passed in the House and Senate seek to both publicly condemn Iran and punish the Islamic Republic financially.

Arizona Republicans splinter over repeal of 1864 abortion ban

The two chambers of Arizona’s state Legislature diverged sharply Wednesday over whether to repeal the state’s 1864 law banning abortion, capping a chaotic day as legislators and activists sparred over the fate of the Civil War-era ban.

Senate rejects impeachment articles against Mayorkas, ending trial against Cabinet secretary

Senators voted to dismiss both articles of impeachment and end the proceedings, with Democrats arguing that the articles were unconstitutional.

House’s Ukraine, Israel aid package gains Biden’s support as Speaker Johnson fights to keep his job

President Biden said Wednesday he strongly supports a proposal from Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

‘It’s complete political theater’: Congress spins its wheels — again — while crucial legislation languishes

Wednesday was an unusually chaotic day in Congress. And that’s saying something.

Barr, a vocal Trump critic, says he will ‘support the Republican ticket’ in November

Former attorney general William P. Barr effectively endorsed former president Donald Trump on Wednesday, despite having previously criticized Trump’s conduct while in office and once comparing him to a “defiant, 9-year-old kid.”

Senate dismisses impeachment charges against Mayorkas without a trial

The Senate on Wednesday dismissed the impeachment case against Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, voting along party lines before his trial got underway to sweep aside two charges accusing him of failing to enforce immigration laws and breaching the public trust.

Blinken is sitting on staff recommendations to sanction Israeli military units linked to killings or rapes

Multiple State Department officials who have worked on Israeli relations said that Blinken’s inaction has undermined Biden’s public criticism, sending a message to the Israelis that the administration was not willing to take serious steps.

Johnson pushes ahead on foreign aid bill, teeing up a weekend vote

Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday told Republicans that the House would vote Saturday evening on his foreign aid package for Israel and Ukraine, pushing through resistance in his own party to advance a long-stalled national security spending package for US allies.

GOP lawmakers block effort to repeal Arizona’s strict abortion ban

The Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling last week to uphold the Civil War-era near-total abortion ban infuriated supporters of abortion rights, exhilarated abortion opponents, and set off a political firestorm in Arizona.