Category: Local

  • Criminal justice system failing young women on multiple fronts

    Criminal justice system failing young women on multiple fronts

    Boston College Professor Francine Sherman testifies before law enforcement and legislators on how trauma leads younger women to commit crimes. photo by Sarah Betancourt A group of legislators, advocates, and law enforcement officials met at the Massachusetts State House Tuesday, July 30 for a monthly meeting during which they discussed raising the age of entry…

  • Cop accused of rape released on personal recognizance

    A former Lowell police officer is expected back in court at the end of August for allegedly raping a homeless teenager back in 2016. Kevin Garneau, 49, of Pelham, New Hampshire is facing two counts of rape in connection with an alleged series of sexual assaults of a homeless female while on duty, according to…

  • Elder Tenants Fight for Their Rights

    Elder Tenants Fight for Their Rights

    On July 27, women facing eviction from Our Lady’s Guild House (OLGH) and volunteers with housing justice non-profit City Life / Vida Urbana, embarked on a journey from Symphony Community Park to New Britain, Connecticut, where they held rallies in front of New Britain City Hall and the headquarters of Daughters of Mary of the…

  • Former Fair Housing and Equity Staffer Hopes to Replace Three-Term Councilor in District 5 Race

    Former Fair Housing and Equity Staffer Hopes to Replace Three-Term Councilor in District 5 Race

    Housing affordability has been an issue that Boston city council candidate Alkia Powell has dealt with throughout her life. Powell, vying to replace District 5 Councilor Tim McCarthy, who is not running for reelection, has left her post with the city’s economic development office to be a voice for Roslindale, Mattapan and Hyde Park –…

  • Education a Hot Topic in Mass. Senate Budget Debate

    Education funding was at the heart of Senate budget talks on Tuesday in the Massachusetts State House. The Senate Ways and Means Committee is recommending a close to 43-billion-dollar fiscal 2020 budget that would boost spending by about three percent. Part of this proposed budget is a suggested 268-million-dollar increase in funds to K-12 public…

  • Boston Housing Authority announces 1,000 new vouchers for the homeless

    Boston’s public housing agency is making 1,000 rental housing vouchers available to homeless folks looking for long-term housing. The Section 8 vouchers are the result of federal Housing Choice Program funding and will provide housing search assistance, stabilization services and funds for those moving into a home for the next six months, according to a…

  • Emerson photo exhibit showcases stories of recovery

    Emerson photo exhibit showcases stories of recovery

    David DeCourcey is a 37-year-old Boston local who currently works at the Devine Recovery Center as a peer to peer specialist. His experience with recovery allows him to connect deeper with those who come to Devine. He has two sons, Joseph, 14, and David Jr.,15, who help drive his recovery process. photo by Jakob Menendez…

  • Needle Take Back Day launches in Boston

    Needle Take Back Day launches in Boston

    Councilor Annissa Essaibi George (middle) at the inaugural Needle Take Back Day event. On Thursday, April 25, nearly 30 community health care organizations and centers across Boston banded together for the city’s inaugural Needle Take Back Day.  The event, promoted by City Councilor At-Large, Annissa Essaibi-George, is part of her continuing objective to increase the…

  • People Demonstrate for Worker, Immigrant rights on May Day

    On May 1, International Workers Day, hundreds of people trekked for miles to advocate for the rights of immigrants and workers. The  Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH) led hundreds of protestors from Everett, Chelsea and East Boston on a march to Liberty Plaza, where they held a rally. The collection of workers,…

  • “Release the Report!”: Citizens rally for Mueller’s full report

    On Thursday, April 4th, hundreds of demonstrators protested at the Boston Common in the late afternoon to call for the Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report to be released to the public. Mueller’s report contains the findings of his investigation into whether Russia interfered in the 2016 election. The highly anticipated report was also expected to…