AoSHQ The Morning Report
November 2, 2026
Saturday, October 31LINK
11:00 AM EDT
Big Y parking lot
637 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960
Hosted by Mike Minogue for Governor
Free to attend
About this event Join Team Minogue for a Super Knock in Peabody. We'll meet in the Big Y parking lot at 637 Lowell Street at 11 AM for coffee and a light breakfast, then head out together to knock doors for Mike.
It's the last weekend before Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, and a conversation on a neighbor's doorstep is still the best way to bring a voter along. New knockers are welcome.
The parking lot is just our meeting spot. From there we head into the neighborhoods together, so wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.
Addressing cheering Likud supporters in Jerusalem following Israel’s first parliamentary election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, Netanyahu asserted a mandate to govern even as exit polls showed neither his bloc nor the opposition securing the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.In Other News
Netanyahu pointed to what he called a “clear, decisive majority” for the right-wing bloc among Jewish and Zionist voters, arguing that the result demonstrated broad support for a government committed to preserving Israel as a Jewish state.
“We must establish a strong national right-wing government,” he said. “That is what needs to be done.”
We’ve got some truly terrible governors in this country — trust me, I know. I live in California./SNIP
But who are the worst of the worst? Who has driven up the cost of living, prioritized woke over public safety, treated illegal immigrants far better than they treat their own citizens, and endlessly blamed Trump for their failures and declining communities?
The libertarian Cato Institute set out to answer that question with their 2026 Freedom in the 50 States report, which assigned states grades based on a variety of factors including their support for personal and economic liberties.
When I saw the news, I thought to myself, hoo boy, this is going to be fun. Should I start at the top and work my way down, I mused, or should I lead with the “winner” of the worst governor prize?
I decided on the latter option, and so now it is my great pleasure to introduce to you the single worst executive in the entire United States — in terms of freedom —according to Cato:
Coming in at #4 and #5, meanwhile, were Govs. Dan McKee (Rhode Island) and Maura Healey (Massachusetts).
Notice anything about the bottom five governors? Every single one is a Democrat. And seven of the bottom ten are, too. Meanwhile, Republicans dominate the top 10 best governors list:
BOSTON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Federal prosecutors on Wednesday charged six people with participating in a long-running scheme to allegedly arrange hundreds of sham marriages in Massachusetts in order to help immigrants unlawfully obtain green cards and potential US citizenship.
US Attorney Leah Foley during a press conference in Boston said the scheme's alleged mastermind, Jennifer Gonzalez, helped organize sham marriages for over a decade in Massachusetts, a Democratic-led state the defendant described as a "sanctuary" jurisdiction where "you get a lot of help as an immigrant."
It marked the latest such case by the US Department of Justice as part of Republican President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. In August, it brought one of the largest such cases when in New York it charged 11 people over a scheme prosecutors said facilitated about 1,000 sham marriages.
Gonzalez, 43, told a cooperating witness posing as a client that her group helped obtain hundreds of permanent resident cards, or green cards, for non-citizens living illegally in Massachusetts, charging $38,000 to $40,000 for marriages to US citizens, according to a criminal complaint
Authorities said the operation ran about 12 years and averaged about 18 to 20 fraudulent marriages annually, generating over $6 million in profits
. Gonzalez, a US-born citizen, told the witness her goal was "for you to get the American Dream," but that her business had become more difficult after Trump in 2025 returned to office, the complaint said.
Foley, whom the Trump administration appointed as the state's top federal prosecutor, called it a sophisticated scheme that Gonzalez was "operating with impunity under the last administration."
"My hope is that today the charged defendants and others like them realize that the American dream is not for sale," Foley said. "It is earned. And when you try to pilfer it for profit, we will hold you accountable." Gonzalez is charged with harboring immigrants living illegally in the United States and marriage fraud. Her lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Other defendants include people accused of aiding Gonzalez's scheme or entering into sham marriages with immigrants.
Massachusetts heard from GOP candidate Mike Minogue Wednesday night during a live, 30-minute interview focused on the state’s issues and viewer questions.
The special coverage comes after Tuesday night, when Kavanaugh spoke with Governor Maura Healey.
Watch the full interview with GOP candidate Mike Minogue:
The Detroit News was considered the more conservative of the two papers, but the definition has changed, as have the parties.In Other News
The Detroit News always endorsed Republicans in presidential elections, but abruptly stopped in 2016 when it decided to back Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. The paper also chose not to back Donald Trump in 2020 or 2024, so you'll understand if I don't find the paper to be truly dedicated to "our cause."
That said, the Detroit News has somewhat shockingly — and gloriously — thrown Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to the wolves by suggesting Democrats leave the circle next to El-Sayed's name blank. In other words, don't vote for him.
A "yes" vote would uphold Chapter 135 (House Bill 4885), which enacted several changes to the state's firearm regulations:
- developing an electronic registration system to track firearm ownership;
- prohibiting assault-style firearms (as defined in law);
- requiring safety certificates to obtain firearm permits;
- mandating serial numbers for firearms;
- allowing school administrators and licensed healthcare providers to request that a court issue an Extreme Risk Protection Order; and
- permitting courts to order firearm surrender when issuing Harassment Prevention Orders.
A "no" vote would repeal House Bill 4885, which enacted several changes to the state's firearm regulations.
This law aims to legalize starter homes, or single family homes and standardizing the limit of the lot size they are constructed in to at least 5,000 square feet, or 0.1 acres. Proponents of the law say the yes vote will make more affordable housing options available for young families and seniors during a time when the state and country at large deals with a housing crisis.
The argument against this states that local municipalities should be able to set these limits instead of a one-size fits all rule for the state.
- Boston Exemption: Boston is exempt because it is governed by its own unique municipal zoning rules and does not fall under Chapter 40A (the state Zoning Act that Question 7 amends).
- Minimum Lot Size: The measure requires municipalities to allow single-family homes on residentially zoned lots that are at least 5,000 square feet.
- Street Frontage & Utilities: Affected lots must have at least 50 feet of frontage on a street or public way and direct access to public water and sewer services (it does not apply to properties using private wells or septic tanks).
- Local Controls Retained: Cities and towns still keep the authority to regulate non-lot-size aspects such as building height, setbacks, bulk, parking requirements, open space, and short-term rental restrictions.
A "yes" vote would standardize lot size, while a "no" vote will leave the state's policies unchanged.
This question would backtrack on Massachusetts’s recent trend of increasingly legalizing marijuana by instead repealing provisions in the current law that allow for the drug to be sold commercially in the state.
This law will reduce the limit of recreational marijuana adults can possess in the state to 1 ounce, with penalties and seizures associated with higher amounts. Higher restrictions and penalties will apply to minors below the age of 18.
A "yes" vote would prohibit the sale of recreational marijuana. A "no" vote will keep existing laws in place.
This proposed law will allow eligible individuals to register to vote on Election Day. In Massachusetts, the latest that voters can register or change their registration is 10 days before election day. All other states in New England including Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine already permit same-day registration.
The argument in favor of this law aims to include more eligible voters in the election process by making it accessible, and the argument against alleges it will lead to higher chances of fraud.
A "yes" vote would allow same-day registration, while a "no" vote would keep the system the same.
This law aims to set a limit to the amount of revenue the state can collect in a given year. This amount will be based on the previous year's net revenue, adjusted for changes in average growth of salaries and wages in the state for the next three years. Proponents of the law say that it will lead to more accountability and transparency in the state's budget system, ensuring no wasteful spending is done.
The argument against this legislation claims it will lead to layoffs in the state's teaching force, fire fighters and other emergency services as well as cutbacks in the rainy day fund.
A "yes" vote would put the revenue limits into effect, while a "no" vote will keep the system the same.
This law proposes using some state taxes collected on the sale of sporting goods and recreational vehicles and diverting them to a fund created for natural resource conservation.This one just seems like a convenient place to secure your slush funds with little or no oversight, if that's what you're after.
There are no arguments against this law in the booklet.
However, from Tufts University’s non-partisan Center for State Policy Analysis:
- Question 6 doesn’t raise new money. It earmarks existing sales tax dollars from sporting goods stores, recreational vehicle dealers, and golf courses.
- The earmark is relatively small, at roughly $65 million, compared with the roughly $400 million the state currently spends each year on recreation and conservation.
- Nothing in the measure requires lawmakers to increase spending on conservation or recreation by the earmarked amount. They could use the money for existing programs or divert it to unrelated uses.
- Reaching the state’s climate goals may require more conservation spending, and the dedicated fund could enable that.
This question asks voters whether they are in favor of expanding the state's public records law to include the legislature and the governor's office. At present, the law only includes state agencies and local cities and towns.
A "yes" vote on this question would change the public records law, and a "no" vote would mean no changes to the public records law.
There are no arguments against this proposal in the booklet.
This proposed law seeks to unionize employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services. These include public defenders, both private and state-appointed, that provide representation to people who cannot afford their own attorneys in civil or criminal cases.
A "yes" vote would give these employees collective bargaining rights and a "no" vote would make no changes to their work situations.
Currently, Massachusetts operates party-based primaries, where voters registered as Democrats or Republicans can vote in their respective primaries. Independents, too, can vote in a primary of their choosing since Massachusetts has a semi-closed primary system. However, the new system proposed in the ballot question aims to eliminate party-based primaries and proposes that all candidates, irrespective of their parties, be listed on the same ballot.
The two candidates with the most votes will then be on the ballot for the general election, even if they are from the same party.
A "yes" vote would be in favor of bringing in this new system and a "no" vote would keep the existing primary system in place.
Republicans dominate the executive and legislative branches of all five of the financially healthiest state governments, while, at the opposite end, Democrats exercise total control of the five states with the biggest debts, as measured by the Truth-in-Accounting (TIA) nonprofit watchdog.Question: Where does Massachusetts layup in this report?
Stand-out Debate Stand Out: Needham
Thursday, October 15
4:30 PM EDT
WCVB Studio
5 TV Place, Needham, MA 02494
Hosted by Mike Minogue for Governor
Free to attend
About this event
Join Team Minogue outside the WCVB studio in Needham to cheer Mike on as he heads into the second and final debate. Please arrive by 4:30 PM; the debate itself airs at 8:00 PM on WCVB Channel 5.
There are lots along Gould Street for parking.
Lindsay Clancy isn't really in the news cycle anymore, at least for now, but at this point, I'm seriously wondering if she left behind a legacy for parents who were on the verge of murdering their children but saw it normalized in the mainstream media throughout the Clancy trial. Did it empower them?In Other News
It certainly seems like something is going on. I did some research last month to determine whether maternal filicide is on the rise, but unfortunately, there's not enough information from more recent years to make that determination. Up until the pandemic, it wasn't, and I found that men were just as likely, and in many cases more likely, to kill their children.
That said, over the past month or so, I've seen and reported on some horrific cases of moms who have killed their children, as has my colleague Catherine Salgado, like the Texas woman who shot her four-year-old after a judge granted custody to the father or another woman from Texas who shot her teenage and adult sons and then chickened out of shooting herself and slit her wrists and survived. And that's just a small sample.