Budget and Funding

$62M available for state, local health agencies to offer free vaccines

A federal program that offered uninsured Americans COVID-19 vaccines for free just ended. But officials say more money is coming to help state and local governments fill the gap.

How two states have spent their share of the $1B in cybersecurity grants

With little precedent for such a big federal investment in cybersecurity, states have largely had to write their own playbooks on how to distribute the funds to local governments.

At two-year mark, federal funding for 988 is running dry. Enter phone fees.

Only 10 states have identified permanent funding for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in their communities. Experts say a surcharge can help policymakers keep pace with the growing mental health crisis.

Splash pads make waves across communities, replacing public pools

Observers say public pools are necessary community infrastructure and save lives. Splash pads have become a more affordable option.

For Boston riders, transit woes continue to pile up

Service and safety have suffered for years on the MBTA, and a change in leadership hasn’t been enough to reverse that yet.