The MassINC Polling Group (MPG) today announced the formation of a polling partnership with WBUR, a nonprofit affiliate of NPR. As a part of the newly formed agreement, MPG will conduct a series of polls on behalf of WBUR, which will extend through the 2012 election cycle.

Who says elected officials and political journalists in Massachusetts can't take a joke? Current and former Beacon Hill politicians, and the press who cover them, prove the Bay State is filled with good sports when it comes to a great cause as dozens sign up to participate in Serious Fun: A Political Party. Go to the Serious Fun web site for info and more silliness.

Bruce Mohl, editor of CommonWealth magazine, appeared on Greater Boston to discuss the recent indictment of  former Probation Commissioner John J. O'Brien. O'Brien is accused of jointly organizing a fundraiser for then-gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill with Cahill aide Scott S. Campbell in return for a lottery job for O'Brien's wife. You can watch the full segment here. Read CommonWealth's report on the indictment here.

MassINC has released a promo video featuring Serious Fun hosts Jim Braude (NECN/WTKK) and Margery Eagan (Boston Herald, WTKK) Click here to see the promo!

Event will focus on the seriously funny world of Massachusetts politics

Award on MassINC’s 15th anniversary triggers “The CommonWealth Campaign for Civic Journalism”

The winter issue of CommonWealth is in the mail and available online. The cover story focuses on Kingston, a South Shore town that is discovering that going green – with the help of hefty subsidies paid by utility customers – is not only good for the environment but good for the town’s bottom line.

Last week, it was widely reported that the MBTA is to invest nearly $100 million to repair crumbling concrete railroad ties on its Plymouth and Middleborough commuter lines.  The news followed on the heels of a CommonWealth report on the MBTA decision and close to a year after the magazine was the first to bring the railroad tie problem to light with a special investigative report by Jack Sullivan entitled “Back Tracking.”