First Middlesex District News

  • Sen. Kennedy, Rep. Howard Announce Mass Cultural Council Grant Recipients

    Two Lowell organizations awarded funding through the FY25 Gaming Mitigation Fund to promote local entertainment  tate Senator Edward J. Kennedy and State Representative Vanna Howard are proud to share that the Lowell Festival Foundation and the Lowell Memorial Auditorium have been awarded grants through the Mass Cultural Council’s FY25 Gaming Mitigation Fund.  The Lowell Festival…

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  • Ben Opara Receives 2025 Black Excellence on the Hill Award After Being Nominated by State Senator Ed Kennedy 

    On Friday, February 28th, Ben Opara, a Lowell resident and community leader, received the Black Excellence on the Hill Award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus at the Massachusetts State House. He is a dedicated leader in the Lowell community whose work has enhanced Lowell’s cultural diversity. Ben Opara was nominated for the…

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  • The Lowellian | Infrastructure: CSO’s

    State Senator Ed Kennedy and State Senator Bruce Tarr appeared as guests on the popular local television show, THE LOWELLIAN. The LTC show was hosted by Carolyn McCarthy and produced by Wednesday Klevisha. The topic discussed on THE LOWELLIAN was the ongoing challenge of removing combined sewer overflows during periods of heavy rain from the…

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  • 2025 Winter Newsletter

    Subscribe to State Senator Ed Kennedy’s newsletters. PDF not displaying? Click here.

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  • Lowell Police Department Receives Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant

    On January 31st, 2025, the State Office of Grants and Research announced over $2 million in grants have been awarded to local police departments, state agencies, and a partner research organization to prevent gun violence, including a $109,314 grant awarded to the Lowell Police Department. The Lowell Police Department is one of 13 police departments…

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  • State Senator Ed Kennedy Reflects on a Year of Legislative Achievements in 2024 

    As 2024 draws to a close, State Senator Ed Kennedy reflects on a year of legislative progress and dedication to communities and constituents within the First Middlesex Senate District. This year, Senator Kennedy secured $1.175 million in earmarks included in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. He was also responsible for $10.5 million of bond authorizations…

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  • 2024 Fall Newsletter

    Subscribe to receive State Senator Ed Kennedy’s newsletters. PDF not displaying? Click here.

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  • Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services, Jon Santiago, visits Lowell VA Clinic

    On Wednesday, October 9th, Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services, Jon Santiago, toured the Lowell VA Clinic and conducted a roundtable discussion with the Lowell delegation and city officials. Secretary Santiago’s visit heavily featured conversations about the recently enacted HERO Act, also known as An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing our Servicemembers and Veterans. The HERO…

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  • Legislators, Environmental Experts from MA and NH Discuss Solutions to CSO Events Impacting the Merrimack River

    (LOWELL — 10/04/2024) On Monday, September 30th, State Senator Ed Kennedy (D-Lowell) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) reconvened for the second time recently to discuss Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in the Merrimack River. In attendance were legislators and officials from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well as representatives of the federal legislative delegations…

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  • Key Provisions of An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care

    The bill includes provisions related to basic health services administered in assisted living facilities and oversight of long-term care facilities, including the following: Inclusion for LGBTQ+ Residents: The legislation requires each long-term care facility to provide staff training on the rights and care of LGBTQ+ older adults and older adults living with HIV. It also forbids…

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