POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: MA-03’s final recount countdown — DEVAL weighs in on 2020 — LAWRENCE aftermath

MA-03’s final recount countdown — DEVAL weighs in on 2020 — LAWRENCE aftermath

09/17/2018 06:57 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @laurendezenski)

HAPPY MONDAY, MASSACHUSETTS.

THE FINAL RECOUNT COUNTDOWN — It's the final countdown for the recount to determine the Democratic nominee for retiring Rep. Niki Tsongas' congressional seat — and later tonight (barring any other delays) we should know whether Lori Trahan has held onto her first-place finish in a crowded field of 10 Democrats.

As of Sunday night's tally, Trahan widened her lead over second-place Dan Koh to 139 votes, according to Trahan's campaign. Trahan picked up an additional 72 votes in Lowell while Koh picked up 27, according to Sunday's recount results from the Secretary of State's office. The recount process has seen Trahan pick up a few additional, if scattered, votes throughout the district to increase her lead over Koh.

Secretary of State Bill Galvin set 5 p.m. tonight as the deadline for the remaining Merrimack Valley communities left to count their ballots: Gardner, Ayer, Townshend, Ashby, Bolton, Lunenburg, and Maynard. Roughly 89,000 ballots were cast in the Democratic primary.

Regardless of tonight's outcome, Republican Rick Green says he's ready to face an opponent for Tsongas' seat. "At this point, I'll take anybody," Green told WBZ's Jon Keller this weekend.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com..

TODAY — Rep. Joe Kennedy III will speak to the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce. In the evening, he will join NBC Sports Boston anchor Trenni Kusnierek, Boston Celtics Coach Brad Stevens, and other former professional athletes for a Suffolk University Ford Hall Forum on mental health — Rep. Seth Moulton will appear on WGBH's Boston Public Radio — Attorney General Maura Healey will join Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund , schools officials, and middle school students in Weymouth for a discussion highlighting Project Here, a public-private collaboration led by the AG's Office and the GE Foundation to tackle an unmet need in the state's battle against the ongoing opioid crisis.

ON THE STUMP —

- "Trump divide showed in Mass. GOP primary," by Kori Tuitt, Lowell Sun: "Gov. Charlie Baker may be one of the most popular governors across the country, but a good number of voters in the Republican primary race came out to show their support for his challenger, Scott Lively."

- "Deval Patrick: 'The character of the country is on the ballot right now,'" by Clare Foran, CNN: "Patrick described the 2018 midterm elections, in which Democrats are optimistic they will take control of the House but face uncertain outcomes in the Senate, as a chance to put into place 'some real oversight' of President Donald Trump's administration and characterized the 2020 presidential election as a chance to vote Trump out of the White House."

- "Jay Gonzalez attacks Gov. Baker's record on transgender rights," by WCVB's On the Record: "Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez continued to fire away at Gov. Charlie Baker, saying he was against transgender rights before he signed a bill supporting them."

DATELINE BEACON HILL —

- "Here's how Massachusetts education funding talks collapsed with nearly $1 billion at stake," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "The negotiations ultimately fell apart on the last day of the legislative session, July 31. ... Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Sonia Chang-Diaz, D-Boston, blamed House leadership. 'I've never seen so many rationalizations and double-standards employed to avoid doing what's right for kids,' Chang-Diaz said late at night as the session was ending."

- "State auditor feuds with RMV over driver's license report," by Christian M. Wade, Lawrence Eagle-Tribune: "Wrangling between the Baker administration and State Auditor Suzanne Bump's office continued Friday, with the Registry of Motor Vehicles demanding that Bump "correct" what it says are inaccuracies in a recent report that the agency gave out more than 1,900 drivers licenses to dead people."

CHARLIE BAKER REMAINS SILENT AND HAS FAILED TO TAKE ANY ACTION....WHERE ARE YA CHARLIE? ANTI-UNION? YET SUPPORTING GAS PIPELINES THAT CONSTITUENTS OPPOSE?

- "State leaders increase focus on National Grid labor standoff," by Katie Johnston, Boston Globe: "The state's top union leader is calling for National Grid Massachusetts president Marcy Reed to resign from the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts in light of the fact that she cut off her employees from Blue Cross health insurance when the company locked out union gas workers nearly three months ago."

- "Some on Beacon Hill push for voting reform," by Bob Salsberg, Associated Press: "The crowded and chaotic Democratic congressional primary in Massachusetts that is now being recounted has fueled calls from election reform advocates for the state to adopt a system allowing voters to rank candidates on the ballot rather than select just a single one."

THE WARREN REPORT —

- "Elizabeth Warren rips GOP, touts 'for the people' agenda," by Kathleen McKiernan, Boston Herald: "U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren made her case for being the roadblock to conservative policies she says undermines American values during a Town Hall in Quincy yesterday, as a November face-off looms against Republican challenger and avowed Trump supporter Geoff Diehl."

FRONT PAGE PLAY — Herald: "POLS' POT OF GOLD," "BACK IN THE WATER" — Globe: "Kavanaugh accuser speaks out," "A collection steeped in loss," "OUT OF AFRICA - HOPE AND HELP," "Forced leave of church official ignites protests," "For GOP, an unlikely pairing."

THE LOCAL ANGLE —

- "Lawrence area residents will not have gas restored for weeks as pipes are replaced," by Deirdre Fernandes, Boston Globe: "Residents in South Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover will have to wait weeks before they can cook or take hot showers, as Columbia Gas announced Sunday that it would replace 48 miles of pipeline in the communities rocked by a string of explosions and fires last week."

- "Lawrence residents begin to return to their homes," by Zoe Mathews, Lawrence Eagle-Tribune: "As displaced residents in Lawrence prepared to go back home Sunday morning, Mayor Daniel Rivera walked out of the Arlington School shelter, after spending the night, and made his way back to the command center to meet with Governor Charlie Baker and other state officials."

- "Lawrence police officer discovers his own home was among the fires," by Laura Crimaldi and Steve Annear, Boston Globe: "The desperate scene unfolded as police radios crackled with emergency calls for fires and explosions across the city and convinced Soto that his daughter wasn't safe at home. But soon after he reached his eldest, Destiny, and told her to evacuate, his wife called with life-altering news: A blast had rocked their home on Jefferson Street. Destiny escaped safely, she told him."

- "Springfield mayor wants meeting with Columbia Gas to reassure residents after Merrimack Valley gas explosions," by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: "Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said Friday that city officials will seek a meeting with Columbia Gas to discuss maintenance and safety here in the aftermath of gas explosions in three Merrimack Valley communities Thursday night that resulted in death, injuries and destruction."

- "Violence, neglect and false advertising: The fall of a Massachusetts special education school," by Dan Glaun, Springfield Republican: "When current and former staffers at Tri-County Schools for troubled youth gathered for a reunion this May at the Brass Cat bar in Easthampton, they did not know what was coming."

- "From prison to college: Consortium puts inmates in a positive 'pipeline,'" by Morgan Hughes, Boston Globe: "Inmates like Bou are a rarity in Massachusetts; higher education degree programs have long been available to just a small number of prisoners in a few correctional institutions at any given time. Now, that's about to change: A new consortium of more than a dozen Massachusetts colleges plans to help make the chance to earn a college degree accessible to more inmates throughout the state."

- "Fatal shark attack on Cape: 'This is real now,'" by Doug Fraser and Mary Ann Bragg, Cape Cod Times: "A 26-year-old Revere man died after he was attacked by what was believed to be a great white shark Saturday afternoon at Newcomb Hollow Beach. ... He was the first man killed by a shark in Massachusetts in 82 years, and the second to be bitten this summer."

MAZEL! - to state Rep. Jay Livingstone and his wife Julie Livingstone on the birth of their son Harry Dean Livingstone.

ALSO MAZEL! - Margaret Moulton has been hired as the next executive director of Berkshire Grown and will take the place of Barbara Zheutlin, who headed the organization for over a decade. She previously has worked with the Trustees of Reservations and the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - to Nantucket County Sheriff Jim Perelman, who celebrated on Sunday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Steve Kerrigan, president and co-founder of the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund.

DID THE HOME TEAMS WIN? Yes and no! - The Red Sox beat the 

Mets 4-3 while the Patriots fell to the Jaguars 31-20.

ICYMI - On this episode of The Horse Race, we wrap up our recap of the primary election and make a big announcement. ... We welcomed News Editor at the Dorchester Reporter, Jenn Smith, and Michael Jonas of Commonwealth Magazine to cover the DA race. We then catch up with our friends of the Codcast, Jennifer Nassour and Jesse Mermell to hear all about their new, highly opinionated, cross-partisan podcast, Disagreeing Agreeably. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: MOULTON, others want answers in gas explosions – ROSENBERG wants dismissal of parts of suit – Local credit union steps up to help POT biz

MOULTON, others want answers in gas explosions – ROSENBERG wants dismissal of parts of suit – Local credit union steps up to help POT biz

09/14/2018 07:00 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @laurendezenski)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

FIRE IN THE NORTH - "To sum it up, basically coming into town ... it looked like Armageddon. It really did," Andover Fire Chief Michael Mansfield told reporters Thursday night.

Explosions caused by gas main leaks ripped through dozens of homes in Merrimack Valley municipalities of Andover, Lawrence and North Andover late Thursday afternoon, with emergency crews responding to 70 different reports of fires, explosions, or gas leaks, according to state police. The explosions were caused by over-pressurized gas lines by Columbia Gas, which serviced the affected homes, State Police said. There is one reported fatality, and an estimated 8,000 people are displaced. Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered all state offices in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover be closed to non-emergency personnel today.

The emergency drew in Rep. Seth Moulton (whose district includes parts of Andover and North Andover), talking to press at the staging area in Lawrence. Moulton later tweeted: "Got the number of the Columbia Gas president and have tried him multiple times with no answer. Everyone wants answers. And we deserve them."

It's not yet clear if the incidents will affect the recount currently underway in the MA-03 Democratic primary. Ballots are scheduled to be counted in both Lawrence and Andover on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the gas workers of the United Steelworkers Local 12012 and Local 12003, who have been locked out of their jobs following a breakdown in contract talks with National Grid, offered to lend a hand. "Our 1,200 veteran natural gas workers are ready now to offer our experience and technical expertise during this crisis and to help safely restore service to the region," Joe Kirylo, president of United Steelworkers Local 12003 and John Buonopane, president of United Steelworkers Local 12012 said in a joint statement last night.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com..

A PROGRAMMING NOTE - I am soon leaving POLITICO — and Boston — to join the CNN Politics team, co-writing "The Point" newsletter (so I'll still be in your inbox, just in the evenings rather than in the morning). Fear not: The Massachusetts Playbook will live on; POLITICO is hiring a new Massachusetts Playbook author. I'll hold off on my sappy goodbye until my last day writing the Playbook: Sept. 21.

TODAY - Boston Mayor Marty Walsh appears on WGBH's Boston Public Radio Ask the Mayor segment at 12:30 p.m. - Rep. Jim McGovern and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. will host a roundtable discussion on opiate addiction in the veteran community - Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jay Gonzalez will visit Johnny's Luncheonette and greet voters there and at other nearby retail locations in Newton Centre tomorrow at noon with Rep. Joe Kennedy III.

THE TSONGAS ARENA -

- "The Battle of the Martys in the Third District," by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: "With a recount underway, the battle between Lori Trahan and Dan Koh to represent the Third Congressional District remains a big post-primary political story — with a classic Boston subplot. ... It's called 'The Battle of the Martys.'"

- "Green makes a splash with 3rd District ad," by Rick Sobey, Lowell Sun: "The candidate for the 3rd Congressional District unbuckles his seatbelt, gets out of the car and starts sprinting to the Merrimack River. He dives in and gives his best Michael Phelps impression, swimming to the other side."

- "Berlin is first to complete 3rd District recount; Trahan picks up a vote," by the Lowell Sun: "The recount of the Third Congressional District race has resulted in 75 votes tallied for Daniel A. Koh and 70 votes tallied for Lori Trahan. The original certified tally had Koh with 75 votes in Berlin and Trahan with 69 votes."

NOTE THIS IS THE MOONIE NEWSPAPER WITH NO JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS AND THAT WAS THE BEST HE COULD DO? 

ON THE STUMP -

- "'Real Indian' candidate's father occupies Elizabeth Warren's office in debate protest," by the Washington Times: "The father of independent Massachusetts Senate candidate Shiva Ayyadurai held a sit-in Wednesday at the district office of Sen. Elizabeth Warren to protest his son's exclusion from candidate debates."

- "Blank votes in primary reveal Democratic discontent," by Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald: "Nearly one quarter of Democratic primary voters blanked their gubernatorial ballots rather than vote for either of the two candidates — a stunning show of discontent that could hurt the party's chances in November."

- "New Kids On The Block: Nika Elugardo And Jon Santiago On Their Wins And What Comes Next," by Adam Reilly, WGBH News : "Ayanna Pressley's win over Mike Capuano was the big national story coming out of Massachusetts' Sept. 4 primary, but there were some other dramatic developments, too — including Rachael Rollins' win in the Suffolk DA's race and the ouster of two members of House leadership — Ways and Means Chair Jeffrey Sanchez and Majority Whip Byron Rushing. Lawyer and activist Nika Elugardo and physician Jon Santiago, Sanchez and Rushing's victorious challengers, join Peter Kadzis and Adam Reilly to discuss their wins, the change they hope to bring to the House, and who they'll back in the next election for House speaker."

DATELINE BEACON HILL -

- "Rosenberg asks judge to dismiss parts of civil lawsuit against him," by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "Rosenberg, through his lawyer, is asking for the counts against him — but not Hefner — to be dismissed. The legal filings refer to the accuser as John Doe."

- "Massachusetts Gaming Commission in final stages of Steve Wynn investigation," by Gintautas Dumcius, Springfield Republican: "Investigators with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission are in the final stages of their look into former casino mogul Steve Wynn, the company he founded, and whether the company is still suitable to hold a casino license here. ... The investigators are in Las Vegas this week, according to Gaming Commission executive director Ed Bedrosian."

- "Massachusetts RMV: Those 1,900 licensees state audit said were dead are actually alive," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "The ghost drivers are alive. ... So says Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin Deveney, who sent a letter to Auditor Suzanne Bump on Thursday disputing an audit that said the RMV had issued 1,900 licenses to dead people."

- "Mass. Auditor Suzanne Bump faults Hampden DA for insufficent data collection with juvenile diversion program," by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: "A newly released audit by State Auditor Suzanne Bump faults the Hampden District Attorney's office for not doing enough with data collection to determine whether a program for first-time juvenile offenders actually works."

THE WARREN REPORT -

- "How Elizabeth Warren Is Dominating the Democratic Presidential Race," by Jonathan Chait, New York Magazine : "Warren has taken the opposite tack, defending her agenda as a plan to save capitalism from its excesses. She has called herself "a capitalist to my bones" (or, at other times, her "ankles.") "There are so many people right now who argue against these reforms and other reforms, who claim they are pro-business," she told Franklin Foer, "They're not. They're pro-monopoly. They're pro-concentration of power, which crushes competition." It is also notable that Warren has directed some of the messaging for her early moves at economic liberals like Foer and Vox's Matthew Yglesias, who would have a more skeptical view of Sanders-style socialism. She even touted her plans in a Wall Street Journal op-ed."

DATELINE DC -

- "Mashpee tribe member confronts Interior official," by Tanner Stening, Cape Cod Times: "The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's second-in-command got a chance Wednesday to tell the head of the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs how she felt about a Trump administration finding that the Cape tribe didn't qualify to have its land taken into trust."

FRONT PAGE PLAY — Herald: "STREETS OF FIRE" — Globe: "Explosions, flames, and fear," "Gas turned off after destruction in 3 communities; one person killed," "For residents, a day of sudden, shocking chaos," "Credit union will service pot business," "FLORENCE CLOSES IN," "St. Paul's School to get N.H. oversight."

THE LOCAL ANGLE -

- "Mass. credit union will serve recreational marijuana companies," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "A Massachusetts credit union will become the first financial institution in the state to offer banking services to recreational marijuana companies, a step that will allow consumers to pay for pot with plastic and helps cannabis businesses avoid the expensive and risky proposition of running all-cash operations."

- "Doing It 'Her Way': Althea Garrison Finds Herself On The Verge Of Public Office Again," by Quincy Walters, WBUR: "Despite being ideological opposites, Garrison says she campaigned for Pressley. ... 'I'll be basically honest,' she says. 'Because I was next in line to succeed on the council — I was the runner-up in last year's election. So I knew if she got elected, I would take her seat. And everything worked out perfect.'"

- "Somerville drops Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples' Day," by the Associated Press: "Mayor Joe Curtatone announced the change Thursday in a statement calling Columbus Day a 'relic of an outdated and oversimplified version of history.' ... He says the city made the decision after careful consideration and after receiving many 'compelling arguments' for the update."

- "Springfield's new MGM casino shows a veteran card counter the door," by Mark Arsenault, Boston Globe: "In the 400-year history of Massachusetts, Tommy Hyland can now claim to a rare distinction: He is among the very first to be thrown out of a state-licensed business for doing math in his head."

- "Boston Marriott Hotel Workers Vote To Strike, But Have Yet To Walk Out," by Marilyn Schairer, WGBH News: "Brian Lang, Local 26 union president, said bell hops, doormen and waitstaff are among the workers who will walk off the job, if the strike comes to fruition. 'We're talking about housekeepers who make those rooms sparkle, and that allows the Westin, for instance, to charge $738 dollars a night in this past week,' Lang said."

- "Former Mafia don Frank Salemme sentenced to life in prison for 1993 slaying," by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: "Former New England Mafia boss Francis 'Cadillac Frank' Salemme seemed eager to get it over with Thursday as a judge asked if he had anything to say before she sentenced him to mandatory life in prison for the 1993 murder of South Boston nightclub owner Steven DiSarro. ... 'Not really,' 85-year-old Salemme said. 'Anything I would have to say would be redundant. Let's just wrap it up.'"

- "Yarmouth again balks at Vineyard Wind pact," by Kristen Young, Cape Cod Times: "As local opposition to a proposed high-wattage transmission cable intensifies, Yarmouth selectmen have rejected a second offer by offshore energy company Vineyard Wind to pay for costs incurred as the town considers a host community agreement with the company."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Sen. Elizabeth Warren campaign manager Roger Lau, former Chelsea Klein for Senate campaign manager Alex Pratt, WBUR's Amy Gorel, and Brittany Parker.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to Scott Zoback, deputy chief of staff to state Senate President Emerita Harriette Chandler on Saturday and Sunday birthday-er Susan Ryan Vollmar, principal of Influence Consulting.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! - The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays, 4-3.

FRESH OUT OF THE GATE - On this episode of The Horse Race, we wrap up our recap of the primary election and make a big announcement. ... We welcomed News Editor at the Dorchester Reporter, Jenn Smith and Michael Jonas of Commonwealth Magazine to cover the DA race. We then catch up with our friends of the Codcast, Jennifer Nassour and Jesse Mermell to hear all about their new, highly opinionated, cross-partisan podcast, Disagreeing Agreeably. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

FOR MORE political and policy news from Massachusetts, check out: http://politi.co/1qNSlWx

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: MA-03 recount begins in METHUEN — CONLEY’s out — Suit over Senate DEBATES

MA-03 recount begins in METHUEN — CONLEY’s out — Suit over Senate DEBATES

09/13/2018 07:01 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @laurendezenski)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

A PROGRAMMING NOTE — I am soon leaving POLITICO — and Boston — to join the CNN politics team co-writing The Point newsletter. Fear not: The Massachusetts Playbook will live on. I'll hold off on my sappy goodbye until my last day writing the Playbook: Sept. 21.

THE RECOUNT BEGINS - We still don't know the certified winner of the MA-03 Democratic primary to replace Rep. Niki Tsongas, but we at least know a few more details about how the recount will take place.

Starting today at 8 a.m. in Methuen, every community in the Merrimack Valley congressional district will have their ballots re-examined by the Elections Commission and representatives from each campaign, according to the secretary of state's office. Berlin and Ashburnham are also slated to have their ballots re-tallied today. Ballots will be grouped into 50-ballot blocks (under the watchful supervision of the Elections Commission and campaign representatives) ahead of the actual recount process to facilitate the counting.

A total of 88,818 ballots were cast in the Democratic primary, according to the Secretary of State's released count. Before the recount, Lori Trahan, former chief of staff to Rep. Marty Meehan, had a 122-vote lead over Dan Koh, former chief of staff to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. According to state law, the recount must be completed by Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com..

TODAY - Gov. Charlie Baker joins Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Petronelli Way Municipal Garage in Brockton, starting the second phase of the City's Enterprise Block development - Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announces next steps in litigation against the pharmaceutical industry - Sen. Elizabeth Warren will sit down with New York Times columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin to discuss the 2008 financial crisis, which cost millions of hard-working people their jobs, their savings, and their homes. The conversation, which is part of the newspaper's TimesTalks DC series, will take place on the 10-year anniversary of the crisis.

ON THE STUMP —

- "Dems' coordinated campaign takes aim at Baker, Diehl — and Trump," by Madeleine D'Angelo, Dorchester Reporter: "The state's most powerful Democrats convened in Dorchester this morning to map out their coordinated strategy ahead of the November election. Based on their initial comments to media after they broke from their huddle, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker can expect a spirited contest to keep his corner office seat."

- "Ayyadurai files suit against UMass," by the Lowell Sun: "Independent U.S. Senate Candidate Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai filed a federal lawsuit against the University of Massachusetts for what his campaign called attempting to rig the debates for the Senate election by keeping him off the debate stage, according a press release from his campaign Wednesday night. ... The complaint alleges violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution and Article 16 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights and seeks an order asking that Ayyadurai be included in the debates, the press release states."

- "Lowell responds to election concerns raised by Galvin," by Rick Sobey, Lowell Sun: "City Solicitor Christine O'Connor wrote in a letter to Galvin's office on Tuesday that Lowell's election office implemented post-election actions 'that are not typical of our practices and procedures.' ... In addition, she mentioned in the letter that much of the election equipment was purchased in 1998. The age of the machines plus extreme heat conditions last week adversely affected some of the city's machines, O'Connor said."

- "Conley will resign DA's post early," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley will resign later this month to take a lobbying and litigation job with one of the city's most high-powered firms."

- "DA candidate is hailed nationally, but locally her plan not to prosecute petty crimes alarms some," by Maria Cramer, Boston Globe: "In an interview with the Globe, Rollins said the list of offenses she proposed during her campaign was 'aspirational' and meant to codify policy shifts that have taken hold nationally and are already practiced by prosecutors in Suffolk County, where the district attorney's office says the incarceration rate has fallen 40 percent in the past five years."

- "Residents praise increase in women running for office in Greater Newburyport," by Amanda Getchell, Newburyport Daily News: "Despite past political patterns, the state and Greater Newburyport have seen an increase in women running for several positions, including a state Senate seat in the First Essex District now held by Sen. Kathleen O'Connor Ives, D-Newburyport, and three state representative seats, including those held by Rep. James Kelcourse, R-Amesbury, and Rep. Lenny Mirra, R-West Newbury."

- "Primary Season Was Full of Surprises. Here's Why the Polls Missed Some of Them." by Maggie Astor, New York Times: "Ayanna Pressley's blowout victory over a 10-term congressman last week was the latest example of a trend that has become abundantly clear: 2018 is the year of the progressive insurgent, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Andrew Gillum. ... But if you relied exclusively on polls, you may not have seen these results coming."

DATELINE BEACON HILL —

- "Western Mass. lawmakers say their constituents still face 'unfair burden' in obtaining handicap placards from RMV," by Gintautas Dumcius, Masslive.com: "The lawmakers first raised the issue two years ago, citing 'months' of waiting after applying while the constituents were told they could do it faster if the placards are picked up from a RMV office in Boston."

- "Massachusetts Lottery raises nearly $1 billion for cities and towns," by Katie Camero, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts treasurer announced Wednesday that the state's lottery earned $997 million in the 2018 fiscal year, money that will go to boost the budgets of Massachusetts cities and towns. ... It was the second-highest profit total in the lottery's 47-year history."

AG MAURA HEALEY HAS STOOD UP FOR THE LITTLE GUY AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY....MASSACHUSETTS SHOULD BE PROUD TO HAVE HER AS ATTORNEY GENERAL!

DATELINE DC —

- "Massachusetts AG Maura Healey wins lawsuit challenging Betsy DeVos' decision on student borrower rule," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "A coalition of attorneys general led by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey won a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, which challenged Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' decision not to implement regulations aimed at helping students who were harmed by for-profit schools."

FRONT PAGE PLAY — Herald: "IT'S A BIG ONE" — Globe: "E-cigarette makes get ultimatum from FDA," "Groups oppose schools chief," " BUSY BRIDGE; A ZERO RATING," "Rollins's plan on petty crime brings criticism," "Mass. missing the mark in census report," "Catastrophic rain expected in Carolinas," "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 100 YEARS - 72."

THE LOCAL ANGLE —

- "Worcester City Council approves PawSox stadium deal and financing package by 9-1 vote, by Nick Kotsopoulos, Worcester Telegram: "The City Council Tuesday night paved the way when it overwhelmingly approved a resolution in support of a deal negotiated by City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. to bring the Pawtucket Red Sox to Worcester. ... The council also gave initial approval to loan orders totaling up to $100.8 million for the construction of a 10,000-seat ballpark in the Kelley Square area that will be the home of the Worcester Red Sox beginning with the 2021 season."

- "Brockton mayor to fire parking officer in 'N-word' altercation," by Cody Shepard, Brockton Enterprise: "The mayor has placed a parking control officer on unpaid leave and is apologizing to the man who he says was verbally accosted and wrongly accused by the city employee."

- "Kim Janey seeks gentrification hearing for hard-hit Roxbury," by Brooks Sutherland, Boston Herald: "District 7 City Councilor Kim Janey is advocating a city-funded voucher program for housing as a response to gentrification and displacement in Roxbury."

- "Groups demand BPS interim superintendent be barred from permanent job," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "The opposition comes more than two months after Walsh and the School Committee appointed Perille as the system's temporary leader to replace former superintendent Tommy Chang, who resigned. It's the latest uproar to hit the school system, which has been grappling with late buses and uncovered routes in recent weeks."

- "All but two works sold, Berkshire Museum reports," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "All but two of the artworks to be sold by the Berkshire Museum have found new owners, including two pieces nabbed by bidders at a New York City auction Wednesday."

- "Tanglewood attendance sees a decrescendo this year," by Clarence Fanto, Berkshire Eagle: "Plagued by frequent and ill-timed thunderstorms, heavy rainfalls and hot spells, Tanglewood's attendance for the full 11-week season declined 5.5 percent from last summer's total."

- "NRC seeks details on Pilgrim sale," by Christine Legere, Cape Cod Times: "During a meeting with federal regulators Sept. 25, Entergy Corp. will outline its plan for decommissioning Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, should it continue to own the Plymouth plant after its permanent shutdown in June, and prospective buyer Holtec International will present its own decommissioning plan, which boasts an aggressive timeline."

- "Cape officials prepare to help in Hurricane Florence response," by Beth Treffeisen, Cape Cod Times: "With Hurricane Florence barreling toward the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic, Cape Cod emergency responders are preparing to help, including some who are already heading south ahead of the storm. ... Several Cape firefighters who are part of Massachusetts Task Force 1, one of 28 Federal Emergency Management Agency national urban search and rescue teams, are already headed to a military base in Virginia, said Hyannis fire Capt. Thomas Kenney, rescue team manager with the task force."

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! — The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 1-0.

FRESH OUT OF THE GATE — On this episode of The Horse Race, we wrap up our recap of the primary election and make a big announcement. ... We also welcomed news editor at the Dorchester Reporter, Jenn Smith, and Michael Jonas of Commonwealth Magazine to cover the DA race. We then catch up with our friends of the Codcast, Jennifer Nassour and Jesse Mermell, to hear all about their new, highly opinionated, cross-partisan podcast, Disagreeing Agreeably. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud

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