Gov. Maura T. Healey, the attorney general and health officials yesterday said Monday’s bankruptcy filing by the owner of Holy Family Hospitals in Haverhill and Methuen is a positive step that will bring order to the company’s disruptive chaos. The governor, accompanied by Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, labor leaders and others, emphasized all Steward Health Care hospitals remain open and patients should keep their appointments. Healey also noted state public health officials remain on-site at each hospital to “ensure the highest standard of care.” Healey’s press conference was carried live by WHAV. “The purpose of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing is to provide an orderly way to deal with debts and liabilities and to potentially transfer ownership while continuing to operate and serve patients.
Hoping to protect 90 acres of woodlands and streams on Parsonage Hill in Haverhill, a land trust needs to raise $218,213 by June 30. With the total cost at $690,000, Essex County Greenbelt has already received $217,600 in state money and $254,187 from former Haverhill mayoral candidate Maureen Corbett, who passed away in 2017. As WHAV reported, state officials awarded Haverhill the conservation grant last December.
“Making God Laugh,” a play that visits a span of four decades in the life of an ordinary family, begins a nine-day run Saturday to close the Georgetown Theater Workshop’s 2023-2024 season. An ensemble of local actors and crew from Haverhill, Boxford, Georgetown and beyond deliver a mix of funny moments, relatable situations and heartfelt connection. Written by Sean Grennan, and directed by Matthew Lundergan.
State Sen. Barry R. Finegold’s legislation to restrict fraudulent “deepfakes” in election communications will be heard today by the Joint Committee on Election Laws. This proposal would require synthetic media, or “deepfakes,” depicting a candidate or political party to include a disclaimer that clearly identifies the media as artificially generated or modified. Candidates could seek civil damages of up to $10,000 against those who post deep fakes in violation of this law.