Friday, January 30, 2026

USA Facts: Which states contribute more than they receive?

USA Facts: Which states contribute more than they receive?
USA Facts: Which states contribute more than they receive?
"In FY 2024, the federal government collected around $5.07 trillion from states and their residents. With 38% coming from the nation’s 4 most populous states: California (15.9%), Texas (8.2%), New York (7.6%), and Florida (6.4%).

19 states sent more money than they received — California has the largest difference of $276B between what they sent and what they got back.

About $4.87 trillion was redistributed back to states and residents through programs like Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, and education grants.

The states that received the most funds compared to what they paid were:

📍 Virginia (+$89B)
📍 Alabama (+$45B)
📍 South Carolina (+$39B)

Where does your state fall?"

* Mass is in the Top 19 in sending more than receiving back


See more at USA Facts -> https://usafacts.org/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, January 30, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin 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:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 


9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.



11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience



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


Franklin TV schedule for Friday, January 30, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:00 am Franklin Art Association: Katie Kindilien
8:30 am Frank's Musings: Venezuela
10:00 am Aging Boldfully: Look Back then Move Forward
11:00 am Senior Connection: Disabilities Commission
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs
12:30 pm Cook with Linda: Broccoli Salad
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 4
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10
3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1
8:30 pm U. S. Army: Jazz Ambassadors 04-01-19

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

7:00 am Lifelong Winter Music 2026
8:30 am ArtWeek: Theater in the Open
9:30 am Middle School Winter Music: 2025: Band
11:00 am FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies
2:00 pm FHS Winter Jazz 01-29-25
4:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Sharon 01-23-26
8:30 pm FHSTC: Peter and the Starcatcher

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

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 01-22-26
12:30 pm Police Station Building Committee 01-06-26
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 01-22-26

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
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Thursday, January 29, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 ???

Thursday, January 29

  • Wednesday trash and recycling will be picked up on Thursday
  • Thursday trash and recycling will be picked up on Friday

Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events


For additional details on Library events -> 

***   Town Meetings today   ***

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, January 29 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/551?fileID=7563 



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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


POSTPONED: Old Colony Habitat For Humanity - Franklin Open House Scheduled this Saturday, January 31, 2026 (new date - TBD)

Hello supporters,

We are writing to inform you that we must postpone our Franklin Open House scheduled this Saturday, 1/31/2026.

POSTPONED - new date TBD
POSTPONED - new date TBD
Due to parking concerns and the possibility of additional snow this weekend, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the event to a future date.  We want to ensure the safety of our volunteers, staff, and community.  

We apologize for this last-minute change and for any inconvenience it causes.

We're working to reschedule – stay tuned for a new date soon! We appreciate your understanding and are grateful for your continued support of our mission to build affordable homes!

Warmest Regards,

Christine Dumouchel

Community Engagement & Outreach Manager
Old Colony Habitat for Humanity
P.O. Box 100, Attleboro, MA 02703
Office:  508-399-1781
christine@oldcolonyhabitat.org

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Governor Maura Healey released her proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 2027)

To the people of Massachusetts,

As we begin the fourth and final year of our first term in office, the Healey-Driscoll Administration remains as focused as ever on making Massachusetts a more affordable place to work, learn and do business, while also protecting our people, our communities and our economy.

These principles have guided our decision making and informed our agenda, leading to the enactment of the first major tax cuts in Massachusetts in decades and the passage of legislation to speed housing production, improve education, strengthen businesses and upgrade our roads, bridges and public transportation.

We have filed new proposals to curb energy costs, rebuild our higher education campuses and bolster our research and innovation economy. And we look forward to partnering with the Legislature to pass these and more as we work every day to improve the lives of constituents from Boston to the Berkshires.

While our goals have not changed, the challenges confronting us have.

For the past year, it has become clear that we no longer have a partner in Washington. In fact, since President Donald J. Trump took office in January 2025, we have had an adversary in the White House working to undo and undermine our efforts to provide accessible and affordable health care, prepare our young students for the future, grow our economy, bring more energy into our state to lower costs, and keep our communities safe.

From tariffs and attacks on offshore wind to a retreat from science that continues to disrupt our higher education, life sciences and research ecosystem, President Trump and Republicans in Congress are doing more than ever before to make life harder and less affordable in Massachusetts.

Our challenges are not unique. Other states, like Massachusetts, are confronting rising health care and energy costs. Reduced federal support is putting pressure on governors and state legislatures to balance budgets while continuing to help schools prepare our young people for college and careers, care for those with mental health challenges and support cities and towns straining to deliver basic services.

But this is no time to back down. Instead, Massachusetts must lead. And that’s exactly what we are doing.

Continue reading Governor Healey's message ->

Find all the documents for the FY 2027 State budget as released ->


Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio) (video)

Bruce Springsteen wrote this song on the weekend, recorded it, and released it on Wednesday: "Streets Of Minneapolis"


Updated 1/30/26 with this video link -> https://youtu.be/GDaPdpwA4Iw?si=DRQzEU7u1__aUuQi


Streets Of Minneapolis dedication
Streets Of Minneapolis dedication

Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)

FHS sports results for Wednesday (video)

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, January 28, 2026


Boys Hockey = King Philip, 5 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cheSoph2wIc


"Welcome back, Finn Cunningham.

After being sidelined with an injury for the past two weeks, the King Philip senior returned with a bang.

Cunningham scored a hat trick, scoring twice in the second period to help KP build its lead, and once in the third to help the Warriors put away a 5-2 win over rival Franklin.

With the win, KP clinches at least a share of the Kelley-Rex division title."

Continue reading the game recap By Ryan Lanigan || HockomockSports.com Editor (subscription required)

For a photo gallery from this game (subscription required).

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 0 @ Dedham, 3 – Final

Wrestling = King Philip @ Franklin, 6:00


For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  
FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com
FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

MassBudget: "Preliminary Analysis of Governor Healey’s FY 2027 Budget"

Today (Jan 28, 2026), Governor Maura Healey released her proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 2027). 

This proposal starts the FY 2027 budget cycle and outlines the governor’s plan to spend over $62.8 billion, including $2.7 billion in Fair Share surtax spending, a nearly 4 percent increase over FY 2026. 

The governor’s FY 2027 proposal was filed alongside a supplemental budget proposal for the current fiscal year (FY 2026) with recommended uses for the $1.15 billion in additional one-time Fair Share spending.


Statement from Viviana Abreu-Hernandez, Ph.D., MassBudget President

“The Commonwealth continues to benefit greatly from the Fair Share surtax. The governor’s FY 2027 budget proposal shows that due to the Fair Share revenue, the state can continue to invest in education and transportation services, programs, and infrastructure.

We are pleased to see that the budget proposal, with support from the Fair Share, continues to fund operational grants for child care providers, free buses through the Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) across the state, and free school meals for all Massachusetts children to name a few. The proposal also supports the final year of the Student Opportunity Act. We are also glad to see funding to support new vouchers through the state’s rental voucher program. 

While the governor’s proposed budget calls for critical investments in education and transportation, there are areas where it falls short. The proposal does not adequately fund upstream housing programs that prevent displacement of residents at risk of eviction or foreclosure.  Keeping families and individuals stably housed and having a solid commitment to housing affordability should always be a state priority, both in terms of spending and revenues.



For additional analysis of the FY 2027 state budget as released ->

Call for artists/muralists for the inaugural Cultural District + Dean Bank Public Art Residency Program

Call for artists/muralists for the inaugural Cultural District + Dean Bank Public Art Residency Program
Call for artists/muralists for the inaugural
Cultural District + Dean Bank
Public Art Residency Program
NEW Call for Artist Opportunities, cultural weekend plans, and a call for engagement!


Franklin Cultural District + Dean Bank Public Art Residency



The Franklin Cultural District, in partnership with Dean Bank and the Town of Franklin’s Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, is seeking artists for the inaugural Cultural District + Dean Bank Public Art Residency Program.

This residency will support the creation of an original, site-specific mural across designated exterior inlets at Dean Bank Square. One artist (or artist team) will be selected through an open call to design, install, and steward a mural that reflects Franklin’s community, creativity, and evolving cultural identity.

Program Overview

The Dean Bank Mural Residency Program is a community-centered public art initiative that blends artistic excellence with civic engagement. The selected artist will collaborate with Town staff, Dean Bank representatives, and community members throughout the design and installation process.

Murals will remain on view for approximately 3–5 years, after which new artists will be invited to contribute to the site. This rotating residency model ensures the artwork remains fresh and responsive to the community, while creating ongoing opportunities for artists to share their work in downtown Franklin. The mural will be installed on Depot Street in the three brick inlets facing the Cultural District.

Check out this week's Cultural District Eblast -> https://conta.cc/49H5pGo

Franklin Art Association meeting Feb 4 welcomes artist demonstrator sculptor: Brendan Sullivan

The Franklin Art Association warmly welcomes the public to it’s next public meeting at 6:30 PM on February 4, 2026 at the Franklin Senior Center. Our artist demonstrator will be sculptor, Brendan Sullivan

artist demonstrator sculptor: Brendan Sullivan
artist demonstrator sculptor: Brendan Sullivan

His work is a contemporary inspired exploration of the evolving landscape of American Masculinity; working with materials, form and cultural ritual. He received his BFA in Studio Art at Umass, Amherst and his MFA at the New York Academy of Art in 2018. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and residencies.

sculptor: Brendan Sullivan
sculptor: Brendan Sullivan
Drawing from his own experiences as a man, an athlete, and manual laborer, Sullivan examines the social and psychological tension between vulnerability and strength imagery embedded in masculine identity. He hopes his work will challenge fixed ideas of masculinity and tradition. Wood, steel, worn leather, industrial remnants and animal images, etc. 

Come to hear his discussion about masculine traditional imagery with his sculptural examples and demonstration on Wednesday, February 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, Franklin Senior Center.  

The Franklin Art Association takes pride in offering a student scholarship yearly to a local art student wishing to continue their art career in art instruction after high school graduation. Donations are welcome. FAA is having an on-going raffle for the scholarship of local artist’s, Peg Munson’s seashore pastel artwork. 

Please join us at our monthly meetings for art instruction, the camaraderie of art conversation and refreshments at intermission. 

2 new Spring Flag Football leagues coming to Remington Right Grass Field

2 new Spring Flag Football leagues coming to Remington Right Grass Field
2 new Spring Flag Football leagues
coming to Remington Right Grass Field
 
We’re excited to introduce two new Spring Flag Football leagues coming to Remington Right Grass Field this spring!
Men’s Flag Football
High School Flag Football League
Both leagues run Sundays from April 12th – May 31st and are perfect for players looking for fast-paced, competitive fun.
Registration opens February 2nd
Register online at franklinma.myrec.com

national day of action to say ICE OUT OF EVERYWHERE! - Copley Square

National day of action to say ICE OUT OF EVERYWHERE! - Copley Square
National day of action to say ICE OUT
OF EVERYWHERE! - Copley Square

To end ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN!


BOSTON — We support the call from Black and Somali student groups in MN: this Friday, join us in Copley Square for a national day of action to say ICE OUT OF EVERYWHERE!


🗓️ Friday, Jan. 30
🕑 3 PM
📍 Copley Square





Nationwide strike Jan 30; Info removed from National Parks; white supremacy via White House

Nationwide strike Jan 30
Nationwide strike Jan 30


"NATIONWIDE GENERAL STRIKE 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026

No work. No school. No shopping.

Withhold your labor and buying power to send a clear message: END ICE TERROR."




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"Trump officials have ordered national parks to remove dozens of signs and displays related to climate change, environmental protection and settlers’ mistreatment of Native Americans in a renewed push to implement President Trump’s executive order on “restoring truth and sanity to American history.”

Info removed from National Parks
Info removed from National Parks
Among the national parks targeted in the new removal orders are some of the country’s most iconic: Grand Canyon, Glacier, Big Bend and Zion.

The removal orders include descriptions of how climate change is driving the disappearance of the glaciers at Glacier National Park and a wayside display at the Grand Canyon referring to the forced removal of Native Americans.

The administration’s broad attempt to suppress true stories “should offend every American,” said Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association."





Tap the link to read the full details on some of the changes being ordered - https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2026/01/27/national-parks-signs-censorship/

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Administration Social Media Posts Echo White Supremacist Messaging
Administration Social Media
Posts Echo White
Supremacist Messaging
"A flurry of social media posts from the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have promoted the white nationalist right, including through images, slogans and even a song. 

The posts have referred to neo-Nazi literature, ethnic cleansing and QAnon conspiracies, mused about deporting nearly a third of the U.S. population, and promoted lyrics from an anthem bellowed by the far-right militants of the Proud Boys.

“There are two types of people to whom these messages will quickly look familiar,” said Oren Segal, a vice president for counterextremism at the Anti-Defamation League, “white supremacists, and those who study white supremacists.”


 Photo by @kenny_holston"