State House reporter

Chris Van Buskirk

Chris Van Buskirk joined The Boston Herald as a state politics reporter in May 2023 after working as politics reporter for MassLive and the State House News Service. He covers everything from regulations around emerging industries to the daily happenings of the governor.

A Massachusetts judge has rejected an attempt to halt a plan to cap the number of local and migrant homeless families in emergency shelters.

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Massachusetts |
Massachusetts judge rejects attempt to halt emergency shelter cap, handing win to Maura Healey

November 1, 2023 at 6:51 p.m.

A Massachusetts judge has rejected an attempt to halt a plan to cap the number of local and migrant homeless families in emergency shelters.

The Healey administration expected it could spend up to $1.1 billion this fiscal year on emergency shelters and associated costs for local homeless and migrant families if caseload trends continued and space was readily available, according to court documents.

Healey administration projected shelter costs could reach $1.1B in FY24, court docs say

November 1, 2023 at 6:15 p.m.

The Healey administration expected it could spend up to $1.1 billion this fiscal year on emergency shelters and associated costs for local homeless and migrant families if caseload trends continued...

The number of eligible migrant and local homeless households in the state's emergency shelter system could soar to more than 13,000, a top housing official warned.

Politics |
State housing chief says 13,000 households could enter emergency shelter if the state found enough units

October 31, 2023 at 6:27 p.m.

The number of eligible migrant and local homeless households in the state's emergency shelter system could soar to more than 13,000, a top housing official warned.

Lawyers sparred in court Tuesday over whether the state has enough money to keep expanding a network of emergency shelters largely used to house migrant families and whether the Healey administration violated state law when it announced a cap on the system earlier this month.

Politics |
Lawyers spar over Healey’s plan to limit emergency shelter capacity as judge weighs appeal

November 1, 2023 at 12:43 p.m.

Lawyers sparred in court Tuesday over whether the state has enough money to keep expanding a network of emergency shelters largely used to house migrant families and whether the Healey...

Massachusetts' housing department filed proposed regulations Wednesday morning that lay out how state officials can place a cap on the number of families in the emergency shelter system only hours before a court hearing on the matter.

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Healey files emergency shelter system regulations hours before court hearing

October 31, 2023 at 2:10 p.m.

Massachusetts' housing department filed proposed regulations Wednesday morning that lay out how state officials can place a cap on the number of families in the emergency shelter system only hours...

LEWISTON, Maine — For nearly 49 hours, the whereabouts of a 40-year-old man suspected of mass murder kept this city and surrounding communities on edge after he opened fire at a bar and bowling alley, killing 18 and injuring 13 others.

Crime & Public Safety |
Here’s how the horrific mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine unfolded

October 28, 2023 at 3:20 p.m.

LEWISTON, Maine — For nearly 49 hours, the whereabouts of a 40-year-old man suspected of mass murder kept this city and surrounding communities on edge after he opened fire at...

LEWISTON, Maine — A 40-year-old mass murderer who unleashed terror on this community was found dead at a recycling center that was twice passed over by police, appeared to be struggling with mental health issues, and left a note to a loved one.

Crime & Public Safety |
Maine killer Robert Card found at recycling center, left note to loved one

October 28, 2023 at 6:02 p.m.

LEWISTON, Maine — A 40-year-old mass murderer who unleashed terror on this community was found dead at a recycling center that was twice passed over by police, appeared to be...

Lewiston resident Diane said Friday she could not “take staying home again” after spending the previous day complying with a shelter-in-place order as police scoured the region for a suspected mass shooter.

As shelter order persisted, some Lewiston businesses decided to open anyways

October 27, 2023 at 8:05 p.m.

Lewiston resident Diane said Friday she could not “take staying home again” after spending the previous day complying with a shelter-in-place order as police scoured the region for a suspected...

State officials identified Friday all 18 victims of a mass shooting that took place in Lewiston Wednesday, and the ages of the dead range from 14 to 76 and include multiple people who were related to each other.

Crime & Public Safety |
Maine officials identify 18 killed in Lewiston mass shooting

October 28, 2023 at 9:02 a.m.

State officials identified Friday all 18 victims of a mass shooting that took place in Lewiston Wednesday, and the ages of the dead range from 14 to 76 and include...

LEWISTON, Maine — The 40-year-old man suspected of committing mass murder here is dead, officials said, concluding a massive manhunt that had hundreds of law enforcement officers swarming all over the region.

Crime & Public Safety |
Maine mass murder suspect found dead; region ‘breathing a sigh of relief’

October 27, 2023 at 11:13 p.m.

LEWISTON, Maine — The 40-year-old man suspected of committing mass murder here is dead, officials said, concluding a massive manhunt that had hundreds of law enforcement officers swarming all over...

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