Executive editor Michael Jonas is one of two editors overseeing CommonWealth Beacon coverage and editing the work of reporters and opinion contributors. His own reporting has a particular focus on politics, education, and criminal justice issues.
Michael has worked in journalism in Massachusetts since the early 1980s. Before joining the CommonWealth staff in 2001, he was a contributing writer for the magazine for two years. His story on Boston youth outreach workers was selected for a PASS (Prevention for a Safer Society) Award from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. His CommonWealth work has also won multiple awards from Capitol Beat for state government coverage and from the New England Newspaper & Press Association for work in several areas.
Prior to coming to CommonWealth, for 15 years Michael wrote a weekly column on local politics for the Boston Globe. Michael has also worked in broadcast journalism. In the late 1980s he was a co-producer for “The AIDS Quarterly,” a national PBS series produced by WGBH-TV in Boston, and in the early 1990s, he worked as a producer for a weekly news magazine program on WHDH-TV (Ch. 7) in Boston.
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Alex Morse wants to change how Washington works
ALEX MORSE, the 30-year-old mayor of Holyoke, may look like he’s on a fool’s errand by challenging Rep. Richard Neal in next year’s Democratic primary. After all, just seven months ago Neal’s three decades of toil in the DC vineyards landed him in one of the most powerful positions in the House, chairman of the tax
July 29, 2019
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Commissioner pick will signal direction for education policy
3 finalists each bring a different profile
January 23, 2018
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Oversight of Lawrence schools shifting to state-appointed board
Riley leaving after six years, may seek state education commissioner’s post
November 15, 2017
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Senate goes big on criminal justice bill
Sweeping proposal would touch most parts of system
October 4, 2017
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Mass. rating plan deemed unfair to high-poverty schools
Report faults state system for not using ‘growth’ as bigger factor
August 2, 2017
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Boston reentry initiative hits the skids
Award-winning program to aid those leaving prison loses federal funding
May 14, 2017
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Mass. voters strongly back criminal justice reform, new poll says
Residents favor preventive measures over incarceration
May 11, 2017
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Legislators call for broader criminal justice reform
State needs to seize the opportunity for change, say lawmakers
April 25, 2017