STATE HOUSE — With a Senate bill aimed at preventing drug abuse teed up for debate next week, Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday that he is on board with encouraging schools to verbally screen students for substance use.
Though the governor had previously seemed to disparage the idea by suggesting it could exacerbate the "stigma" surrounding substance abuse, Baker now says he misunderstood the Senate's initial proposal and would be supportive if the state can help schools pay for the screenings.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican Party's conservative wing, pumped up by House Speaker John Boehner's stepping down, is warning the 2016 presidential candidates that defying its wishes will come at their peril.
Religious activists forcefully conveyed this message Saturday: embrace our uncompromising stance against abortion rights and gay marriage, among other priorities, even if doing so risks a federal government shutdown.
