Latest news with #HopkintonHighSchool
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State House Spotlight: Community advocates and addressing federal issues
BOSTON (WWLP) – This week at the State House in Boston, lawmakers split their time between budget matters and federal issues and hearing from advocates from their communities. Lawmakers came together early in the week to commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility, at a time when the presidential administration is targeting transgender people via executive orders. 'We are seeing a hateful effort to erase trans people from public life. These are coordinated and deliberated attacks,' said Provincetown Senator Julian Cyr. The state senate announced a targeted response plan to Trump's federal actions, called Response 2025, that tasks a pre-existing committee with speaking to other senators and putting forth bills. 'We know how to do this, we know how to get together, get the best ideas surfaced, move as quickly as we must do to meet the acute challenges of this time,' said Northampton Senator Jo Comerford. The committee in charge of response is already meant to speak with senators and pitch bills, but the Senate president says naming Trump as a priority will allow a faster and more targeted approach. On Thursday, youth advocates took to Beacon Hill to speak out against the influence of nicotine and tobacco on their communities. 'We all have power. No matter who we are, what we look like, or where we come from, we will always have the power of our voices, our minds, and of each other,' said Hopkinton High School senior Neha Ninan. Also this week, Governor Healey filed a $756 million supplemental budget meant to provide urgent relief to some state-sponsored services, like food access, housing, and child care. The supplemental budget will need to pass the House and Senate before being implemented, and it is expected to cost the state about $545 million. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Youth advocates say 'ENUFF' to nicotine and tobacco
BOSTON (WWLP) – Youth advocates from across the state came to Beacon Hill on Thursday, speaking out against the influence of nicotine and tobacco companies on today's high schoolers. This advocacy day is dubbed 'ENUFF' day, which stands for Ending Nicotine Use for the Future, and it is hosted by the 84 Movement. When the 84 Movement was founded, 84% of high schoolers did not smoke cigarettes. Now, 97% of high schoolers do not smoke, and the group is shifting its focus towards nicotine products that target young audiences, like flavored vapes and nicotine pouches. One high schooler spoke about the power of youth voices when they come together. 'We all have power. No matter who we are, what we look like, or where we come from, we will always have the power of our voices, our minds, and of each other,' said Hopkinton High School senior, Neha Ninan. The state's attorney general also spoke at the event, pointing out other issues that youth face today that her office is working to improve. 'Young people are facing a lot more than the issue we will talk about today. We know there's an uptick in depression, anxiety, mental health concerns that our young people are experiencing, and probably some folks in this very room,' said Attorney General Andrea Campbell. These young activists work towards ending tobacco and nicotine use through a racial justice lens, and right now, they are focused on curbing nicotine pouch usage. Organizations from Belchertown, Greenfield, and Springfield were among those advocating on Beacon Hill. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
