Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker pitched his newest opioid bill to state lawmakers this week. It calls for dozens of provisions to overhaul treatment, tightening restrictions on prescribing, with a focus on educating young people on the dangers of opioids.
Baker defended his push to permit doctors to commit addicts against their will for up to 72 hours of treatment, especially those who have overdosed multiple times. Some are calling it forced rehab, and the ACLU thinks it’s a civil rights issue.
The governor also teased the budget he intends to file next week, and said his opioid bill will go beyond his initial $2 million trust fund to help schools set up substance abuse screening and education programs.
The New England Patriots face the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend in the AFC championship. Football became political this year when the president went after NFL players who took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality. Some fans protested by not going to games, or not watching them. But it's been a great season. Our guests weigh in on whether the protests will continue, and if anyone’s missing out.
A quieter event -- quieter than last year maybe -- women's marches return this weekend, including in Pittsfield, Northampton, Hartford, Greenfield and Las Vegas. It's one year after millions marched, many in protest of President Donald Trump’s election, in Washington, D.C. This year's goal: getting more women in elected office. Did last year make a difference?
Boston and Somerville made it to the Amazon top 20 as potential sites for the company's second headquarters. Worcester lost out, along with sites in Connecticut. It could be seen as a big economic loss for the region, but some are hopeful jobs would make it out to western Massachusetts if Amazon picks Boston.
GUESTS:
- Rick Hurst, publisher of African American Point of View
- Kristin Palpini, reporter at The Berkshire Eagle
