Published June 20, 2011

As of last week, 1,540 homeless families were living in motels throughout Massachusetts, according to a Boston Globe report. By the end of the next fiscal year, the Patrick administration will try to get that number down to zero. That’s the aim of a new approach to homelessness, as the state tries to cut down on costs and keep families in more-permanent housing.

Today the Federal Emergency Management Agency opened seven more disaster recovery centers in tornado-damaged communities in western and central Massachusetts. In Monson, one of the communities hit hardest, a very proactive realtor is doing her best to find housing for displaced residents. (MassLive has compiled a comprehensive tornado resource post.)

After Sal DiMasi last week became the state’s third consecutive speaker convicted on federal charges, the Boston Herald says current Speaker Robert DeLeo is under renewed scrutiny, especially as “Beacon Hill prepares to get cozy with casino lobbyists.” That casino debate is occurring behind closed doors, a fact that’s drawing criticism in the wake of DiMasi’s conviction.

With an eye toward the fishing communities in their districts, two Massachusetts representatives — Barney Frank and John Tierney — have issues with the Obama administration’s next Commerce Department nominee. The nominee, John Bryson, has ties to the Natural Resources Defense Council. To the Globe, Frank says some environmental organizations have “been reflexively antifishing” in their support of regulations.

What we’re following: The FBI will announce today a new campaign focused on nabbing fugitive James “Whitey” Bulger via his longtime girlfriend.