The economy is good. Massachusetts is still expensive.

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Inflation is easing. The Fed cut interest rates. Shoppers are spending more. The stock market is rising. And the jobless rate is falling. Yet concerns over the cost of living in Massachusetts have led to an exodus of working-age adults from the state.

In Massachusetts, auto insurance rates are soaring. Rates have risen by almost 38 percent since 2022, and last year alone, the seven largest insurers in the state upped their rates by an average of more than 12 percent. A handful of factors have led us to this point: Insurance companies faced a few profitless years, claims are more expensive, and distracted driving violations are up. Regardless of the reason, drivers are feeling the squeeze. But the Globe’s Sean P. Murphy, who writes The Fine Print consumer column, says there are a few things you can do to lower these costs.

Homebuyers are stuck as mortgage rates defy the Fed’s rate cut. The first rate cut in years worked out pretty much as expected, according to Globe economic columnist Larry Edelman. Stock market investors got a boost, while savers were less fortunate. But there’s one glaring anomaly: mortgage rates. They originally fell in anticipation of the rate cut, but have been on the rise again in recent weeks.

Goodbye, Massachusetts. You cost too much. According to a recent MassBudget report, the state is not facing a crisis of outmigration. However, most of the people leaving are 26 to 45 years old, and more than 80 percent of that group make less than $200,000 per year. They often want to buy a house and settle down, which can be financially difficult in Massachusetts: House prices are sky high, and child care costs are the highest in the nation. The Globe talked to some about their reasons for leaving the state. There’s a pretty interesting discussion going on in the comments. The story also has a form where you can add your experience.

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TEXAS Three conservative states are trying once again to limit access to the abortion pill mifepristone. AGs in Missouri, Kansas, and Idaho amended a previously unsuccessful lawsuit and filed it with a conservative federal court in Texas. (CNN)

GAZA Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is vowing to continue the war against Hamas until all hostages are released or rescued. US officials hope that Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the Oct. 7 attack, will lead to a ceasefire. (Politico)

BOSTON Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Lauren Holiday invested in 10 Boston-area small businesses (photo above) as part of their push to create $5 billion in generational wealth in communities of color. Recipients include Anawan Studios, Rivet App, and Dorchester Art Project. (The Boston Globe)

EASTERN CONGO Years of brutal war, hunger, and squalid conditions have caused a dire mental health crisis. But there aren’t enough resources available. (The Associated Press)

BOSTON The BOS Nation Football Club axed its “Too Many Balls” promotional campaign after it was criticized as being hurtful to the trans community, inappropriate, and just plain bizarre. (CBS News)

MANCHESTER, N.H. A former biotech CEO sold his company for $3.2 billion. But his unusual side hustle — selling dogs that critics say were bred at puppy mills — is fueling backlash and protests. (The Boston Globe)

UNITED STATES The country’s first alert system for missing Indigenous people is working. It has issued 114 alerts since August, and all but 13 of the cases were resolved. (Instagram)

MASSACHUSETTS After the US Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in university admissions, diversity fell at many competitive colleges this fall. Experts shared some ways to fix this problem. (The Boston Globe)

KAMIMOMI, Japan Extreme temperatures from climate change are hurting the growth cycle, yield, and quality of rice crops. Some say the rice tastes worse. (The Associated Press)

THE RIVER CHUCK The first races in the Head of the Charles Regatta start this morning and continue Saturday and Sunday. If you go to watch, you’re going to need this guide. (The Boston Globe)

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We’re using five Election Insights to explain each of the questions on the Massachusetts ballot this fall. Today, we’re tackling Question 2: Elimination of MCAS as High School Graduation Requirement. Here’s our review of Question 1.

What this question would do

High school students must pass the statewide standardized MCAS tests in English, math, and science to earn their diploma. Those who don’t pass, but satisfy all the other local graduation criteria, receive “certificates of attainment” — a designation given to more than 700 students every year.

A “yes” vote would eliminate the requirement that high school students pass these exams in order to receive a diploma. Instead, they would have to complete coursework certified by their local school district and show mastery of state standards in mathematics, science and technology, and English. (The MCAS is based on those state standards.)

A “no” vote would not change the law.

Why vote yes

The Massachusetts Teachers Association has long opposed MCAS, arguing that it heightens anxiety and exacerbates inequities for students with disabilities, non-fluent English speakers, and those who are simply bad at taking tests.

The association says the exam doesn’t really measure learning and forces teachers to spend too much time on test prep instead of being able to focus on a wider range of material. The MCAS is a one-size-fits-all exam that doesn’t measure other factors such as GPA, coursework, and teacher assessments, they say. Some teachers worry about testing bias, and are concerned that the state uses MCAS scores to judge the performance of schools – and teachers.

Those who support getting rid of the MCAS requirement for high schoolers include Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and MassVote.

Why vote no

Those who want to keep MCAS as a graduation requirement argue that without it, the state would have 351 different graduation standards (the number of school districts in Massachusetts). And some districts, they argue, would lower their standards so that students could graduate on time even if they don’t have the knowledge and skills they need.

They say that such a dramatic change to the education system shouldn’t be done without first being thoroughly evaluated by experts.

Business leaders are particularly concerned about this ballot question, worried that eliminating the test requirement could harm the state’s economic competitiveness. They say the requirement helps to reassure employers that high school graduates have attained a certain skill level regardless of which school they attended.

Supporters of keeping the MCAS requirement include Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

Here’s what the polls say

Around 58 percent of Massachusetts voters want this ballot measure to pass, according to a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll.

The bottom line

This is the biggest revolt in two decades against standardized testing in Massachusetts, known for having among the best public schools in the country. This question could be the most consequential of the five on the ballot if it passes. Millions of dollars have been spent by each side — the most of the five ballot measures this year — according to Ballotpedia’s campaign finance tracking.

NOTE: The Boston Globe Editorial Board, which is independent of the Globe newsroom, did not endorse Question 2. The board’s opinions do not reflect those of reporters in the newsroom nor do they influence our coverage. Here’s an explanation of how we operate separately.

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Boston Book Festival next weekend?? https://bostonbookfest.org/

They’re showing “Beetlejuice” on Thursday ((((: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-festival-on-the-greenway-tickets-1027476508897

I want to go dancing!! https://lafabricanightlife.com/index.html#clubinfo

Let’s go to a Pats game! https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/schedule/_/name/ne/new-england-patriots

Diwali feasts omg https://boston.eater.com/2023/10/30/23938970/boston-diwali-holiday-meals

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Where we share our adventures around New England and rate them for Starting Point readers.

Rating: Bagged (💰) | Tagged (🏷️) | Dragged (❌)

I wanted to like this modern Chinese fusion restaurant so badly — a fun name, two sisters opened it, innovative dishes — but every item I tried was pretty disappointing. The skillet chow fun mac and cheese was super heavy and lacked flavor. The kimchi alfredo with pork belly was a bit better, but too greasy. And the best part of the peking duck fries (pictured) was unfortunately the fries. Rating: Dragged 3/10 (❌)

What’s better than a hot dog? A chili dog. And every single version that Ben’s puts out is phenomenal. The kraut chili + cheese (at the top in the photo) and chourico + pepper dog with cheese (at the bottom in the photo) are my favorites because of how loaded and flavorful they are. I could probably eat 10-15 of them – not because of my stomach capacity, but because of how delicious they are. Rating: Bagged 9/10 (💰)

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Diamond Naga Siu can be reached at diamondnaga.siu@globe.com. Follow her on X @diamondnagasiu and Instagram @diamondnagasiu.