What to make of an abysmal year for truth? PolitiFact names 2025 the Year of the Lies

"The concept of truth feels particularly bleak in 2025.

Government leaders deploy up-is-down narratives at an exhausting clip. Online worlds drip with artificial intelligence-generated slop that incites rage. Chatbots answer questions with fabricated information, and the government folds it into a report card on America’s health.

What to make of an abysmal year for truth?
PolitiFact names 2025 the Year of the Lies

The last 10 years have been an ugly era for facts, marked by a drumbeat of untruths and near-constant charges of "fake news" from the decade’s most influential player, President Donald Trump.

The trouble with drumbeats is, as a matter of survival or sanity, we tend to tune out or grow numb to them. Even people with influence who might lament "misinformation" move on to other fights. The word itself is downgraded — at best it’s a red flag, at worst it’s a punchline."

Continue reading online -> http
s://www.politifact.com/article/2025/dec/15/lie-of-the-year-2025-winner/

What is with the construction at the Municipal Building?

New EV charging stations funded via grant from NationalGrid. They will reduce some parking spaces but provide fast charging for those non-Tesla EV's

New EV charging stations funded via grant from NationalGrid - 1

New EV charging stations funded via grant from NationalGrid - 2

FHS boys basketball top Westboro on Monday; advance to play Winchester Tuesday

FHS boys basketball top Westboro on Monday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Monday, December 29, 2025

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 50 vs. Westboro, 38 – Final

"Moving on in 5th Annual Bob Bigelow Holiday Tournament 

Next up vs Winchester tomorrow 12:30PM @ Winchester High School"

 – Franklin had a hot start shooting the ball and that sparked a big first half to help the Panthers knock off Westboro. The Panthers hit five threes in the opening eight minutes and had seven by halftime to build a double-digit advantage. Sophomore Danny Santos hit two in the first quarter and another in the second on his way to a career-high 15 points to lead Franklin ins coring. Seniors Ben Scaccia (10 points), Jack Sullivan (9 points), and Justice Samuels all connected from downtown in the first while sophomore Gio Carlucci splashed in a triple in the second quarter. Franklin will play host Winchester in the tournament championship game on Tuesday at 12:30.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-12-29-25/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Library events Tues-Weds; Hours for this last week of 2025, start of 2026

Last week of the year! Enjoy these sparkling events at the Library!

Music at the Blissful - Tuesday, Dec 30

Noon year's eve party Weds, Dec 31

Hours for this last week of 2025 & start of 2026

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1D9J47KNfy/

Starting Tuesday (Dec 30, 2025): Fare gate activation begins for Commuter Rail service at South Station

Fare gates at South Station will be activated incrementally this week, beginning on Tuesday, December 30. 

Riders may encounter active fare gates and will need to tap or scan to exit and enter the track area. Visit MBTA.com/CRGATES for more information.

All gates at South Station are expected to be in service during the first week in January.

Last Updated: Dec 29 2025 02:59 PM

Starting Tuesday (Dec 30, 2025): Fare gate activation begins for Commuter Rail service at South Station (MBTA photo)

Video link -> https://youtu.be/WKqPrZ23eQQ

You can still do the Girls Youth Hockey clinic scheduled for Dec 30

CALLING ALL GIRL HOCKEY PLAYERS!

Girls Youth Hockey clinic scheduled for Dec 30

We are very happy to confirm that we will field full Lady Flyer teams next season for both U12 and U10 (potentially 2 to include U8 ages)!  

We've seen a great increase in girls hockey interest this season and as a result we have created a partnership with the Franklin High Girls Ice Hockey team for special events and a development bridge from Learn to Skate --> Lady Flyers Travel --> Franklin High School!

Our first event is Dec. 30th - come join us for a FREE girls-only skills clinic led by the varsity girls players!  

This is open to ALL players no matter where you currently play, who are in an In-House, U8, U10, and U12 program.  

Come have some fun and learn more about our evolving Lady Flyers travel teams!"

Scan the QR Code or use this form to reserve your spot ->  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1qme__Og_-nHdxaR4bB80GX4WeUE8Z17RuWSOqPn9Srl0Og/viewform

DESE series for "Public school educators" on "core principles of AI literacy"

"Public school educators are invited to a 6-week virtual series about the core principles of AI literacy.

Based on the DESE Office of EdTech's online module, AI Literacy for Educators, educators will explore how to navigate this technology with curiosity, caution, and a human-centered approach.

Sessions will take place virtually at 3 PM on Tuesdays from January 6 to February 10.

Learn more and sign up online: https://ow.ly/fQVe50XNSAM "

DESE series for "Public school educators" on "core principles of AI literacy"

"Registration is reserved for individuals currently employed in Massachusetts Public Schools, Charter Schools, Vocational Technical Schools, and Virtual Schools. Please be advised that DESE does not authorize attendees to record or to use AI transcription tools during the meeting, and DESE does not endorse any unauthorized transcripts created by third parties of its meetings."

We have a potent way to fund our parks in 2026

The good news is that none of this is yet cast in concrete. And no matter what comes to pass, we have a potent weapon to at least lessen the impact of all of this on our state economy in general, and on our state parks in particular.

Mass Parks For All December 2025   Farnham-Connolly State Park. Photo credit: Mass Parks For All.   Dear Parks Supporter,   Massachusetts could lose as much as a billion dollars in across-the-board federal funding due to the Trump Administration's so-called Big Beautiful Bill. Meanwhile, recent reports of rising inflation, rising unemployment, and decreasing job creation are threatening to push the country, and in turn the state, into recession. Add to that a Massachusetts initiative petition heading toward the November 2026 election ballot that could remove nearly $5 billion in income taxes from the state Treasury.   The good news is that none of this is yet cast in concrete. And no matter what comes to pass, we have a potent weapon to at least lessen the impact of all of this on our state economy in general, and on our state parks in particular.   Read more in this month's blog.  What we're reading DCR to Host First Day Hikes at 14 State Parks (Mass.Gov) MassTrails Grant Applications Due February 2 (DCR) State's highest court to take up lawsuit against Boston's White Stadium soccer plan (Boston.Com) Save the Harbor is giving out $300,000 for free beach events (Revere Journal) Mass Parks for All (MPA) is a statewide non-partisan, non-profit 501(C)(3) organization with a 21st-century vision for protecting, renewing, expanding, and connecting our public lands. This newsletter is supported by the community that funds this work. Donate to support our work → Our mailing address is: Mass Parks For All P.O. Box 300343 Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 United States

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, Franklin Public Radio

Tuesday

SAFE Radio – Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder 

Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines - An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday

Franklin TV schedule for Tuesday, December 30, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Winter Wonderland 2024

7:30 am     Once Upon A Town: The Rome Block

9:00 am FHS Sports: Mike Masto

10:00 am Frank's Musings: A Proposition

11:00 am Winning Ways: Student Athletes Sh1 12-12-25

12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Quiche

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 8

3:30 pm Winning Ways: Student Athletes Sh1 12-12-25

4:30 pm Santa 11-30-25

5:30 pm Mrs. Claus Storytime

6:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Immigrants

8:00 pm 12-Tone Music

9:00 pm Humbug 12-20-25

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Middle School Winter Music 2025: Chorus and Orchestra

8:30 am FHS Winter Music: Band and Wind Ensemble

10:00 am FHS Sports: Mike Masto

11:00 am Middle School Band 12-16-25

1:30 pm     FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Stoughton 12-18-24

4:00 pm FHS Varsity Swimming v Milford 01-03-25

6:00 pm Winning Ways: Student Athletes Sh1 12-12-25

9:30 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

8:00 am  School Committee 12-09-25

2:00 pm  School Committee 12-09-25

6:00 pm  Finance Committee 12-10-25

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, December 29, 2025 ???

Monday, December 29

10:15am Milk Jug Seed Sowing Workshop (Blackstone, MA)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

** NO Town Meetings today   **

------------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Boston Globe Editorial: "Getting to yes on housing in Massachusetts"

"Over the next decade, state housing officials estimate that Massachusetts will need another 222,000 homes. These homes are necessary to attract young professionals, to prevent families with young children from leaving, to empty the homeless shelters, and to let seniors age in their communities.

"Getting to yes on housing in Massachusetts"

More housing is also needed to mitigate climbing prices that are hurting not only lower-income residents, but even those who are solidly middle class. The median price of a single-family home in Massachusetts this year, as of November, was an astonishing $640,000, according to The Warren Group.

Zillow ranked Greater Boston as the fifth most expensive rental market in the country, with average rent hovering just under $3,000 a month, according to the Boston Foundation’s 2025 Housing Report Card."

Continue reading the editorial with this shared link -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/28/opinion/housing-reforms-massachusetts/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Getting to "yes" on housing is a key issue for Franklin. Basic supply / demand economics are at play. Unless, and until, we increase the supply to meet the demand housing costs will continue to rise making it less affordable. 

Consider the Building Equitable Neighborhoods For Franklin (BEN 4 Franklin) group. They want to understand zoning to advocate for the right changes to make to enable sustainable and affordable growth.  Find out more at https://ben4franklin.org/