Whatever your thoughts on presidential candidate/political rock star Barack Obama borrowing a few points of Deval Patrick's rhetoric, you have to think it's good for the Governor. He's getting nation-wide press and it's not his fault that his speeches are so catchy and profound that Obama can't help copying them. Meanwhile, even a new gubernatorial haircut can lead to a stretch of publicity. In more substantial news, the House and Senate passed Patrick's plan to......

Governor Deval Patrick testified this morning at the State House about his plan to create an Executive Office of Education. This would consolidate authority and responsibility for the commonwealth's education system from pre-kindergarten to higher education to one cabinet-level position in the State House. Patrick referenced his recent trip to China, saying that Massachusetts is known throughout the world for its educational institutions. Education is "our calling card." In addition, as home to America's......

Those hoping for an extension of the Green Line into Somerville and Medford may have finally gotten a some good news. Governor Deval Patrick said on Friday that the state will request $300 million from the feds to build the extension. Now, Patrick is saying that the line should be running by 2014. Recently, Patrick had pushed the date back to 2016 because of funding troubles, and Somerville officials "threatened to sue." The Somerville News......

--Meet Dirus Gaines, a man with an iron constitution. Mr. Gaines' seemingly lifeless body was found by the railroad tracks on Wednesday afternoon in Framingham. Gaines exhibited all the signs of being dead – no movement, eyes rolled back in head, odd position of body. Then, Gaines "suddenly" awakened and displayed his beverage of choice, a bottle of blackberry brandy. And here's the best part – Gaines is awfully lively when he's not completely pickled:......

Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today that the Boston area cut a deal with Turner Broadcasting and Interference, Inc., the brains behind the marketing campaign for Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theatres that made life in Boston a little nutty last week. Boston will receive $2 million dollars for its trouble. In return, Turner Broadcasting and Interference won't face charges. Here's the basic breakdown - $1 million goes to reimbursing state and......

The Executive Office of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is taking a giant leap into 2005. Deval Patrick will podcast. Shoot he might even blog. Local leaders are already doing it. Menino is doing it. O'Malley is doing it. So why shouldn't Governor Patrick jump at the chance to bring his message directly to the people? It's a cool idea, we just wish he was going to make it a warm and fuzzy fireside vlog. The......

The Executive Office of Transportation is shrouded in a cloud of mystery no more. Today, the office launched a new addition to its website: Projects Under Design and Construction. Bostonist can now track the status and cost of every local road construction project from the comfort of our living room. You can search by city, MassHighway District, Senator, Representative, Metropolitan Planning District, or US Congressional District. Bostonist has been exploring the site throughout the......