Anika Parr

Local

Medford School Committee votes to ratify contract with teachers association

By Anika Parr | April 25

On April 14, the Medford School Committee voted to ratify a contract with the Medford Teachers Association. The motion passed with all present members voting in favor. “I think the teachers union and the negotiating team from the school side did a great job getting the contract settled,” Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, who abstained from the negotiation because her sister is part of the school system, said. “I am just really, really excited that we got to this resolution.”

Local

Somerville Mayor Ballantyne announces reelection bid for 3rd term

By Anika Parr | April 17

On March 24, Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne officially announced her reelection bid. She is seeking a third term since her initial election in 2021, facing declared challengers including Somerville City Councilors at-Large Jake Wilson and Willie Burnley Jr., as well as Somerville resident Jason Mackey.

University

Tisch College welcomes Cong Tony Sun as first executive administrative dean

By Anika Parr | April 10

On March 3, the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life welcomed Cong Tony Sun as the new executive administrative dean. As the first executive administrative dean of Tisch College, he is at the forefront of developing the institution’s administrative and financial policies.

Local

Medford City Council and school committee begin discussion on fiscal year 2026 budget

By Anika Parr | April 1

The Medford City Council began discussions on the budget for fiscal year 2026 in its March 18 meeting of the Committee of the Whole. Amid uncertainty over federal funding, the council’s priorities included increasing support for public safety, maintaining budget allocations for schools and the library and funding affordable housing research programs, among otherinitiatives.

Local

Somerville, Chelsea sue Trump administration to protect sanctuary city policies

By Anika Parr | March 6

The cities of Somerville and Chelsea filed a lawsuit in a Massachusetts district court challenging federal immigration policy on Feb. 24. The cities, represented by Lawyers for Civil Rights, argue that recent federal actions unconstitutionally pressure sanctuary cities to participate in federal immigration enforcement.

Local

Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition hosts name change clinic in Cambridge

By Anika Parr | February 18

The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition held a drop-in name change clinic on Feb. 11 in collaboration with the City of Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission. This clinic was hosted at the Cambridge Public Library.

Local

Residents and wildlife experts sound alarm for escalated bird deaths in Somerville

By Anika Parr | February 6

Somerville residents and wildlife experts are raising concerns over the high frequency of bird deaths over the past months. Two owls were reported dead in Somerville over a two-week period in December 2024 with necropsies revealing internal bleeding indicative of anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning, according to the founder of the nonprofit Save Arlington Wildlife.

Local

Somerville discusses progress on clean energy initiatives in committee meeting

By Anika Parr | January 15

The Somerville Commission on Energy Use and Climate Change held a meeting to discuss progress on school decarbonization, youth climate engagement and advancements in renewable energy accessibility for the community, on Jan. 7.

News

Somerville hosts community meeting on new winter warming center

By Anika Parr | November 26

On Monday, Nov. 18, the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services held a community meeting about the opening of a new winter warming center in the Cummings School building once renovations are finished.

News

Somerville public safety committee discusses efforts to address homelessness in Davis Square area

By Anika Parr | November 19

The Somerville Public Health and Public Safety Committee discussed their ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Somerville in a meeting on Nov. 12.

Medford School Committee votes to ratify contract with teachers association

Somerville Mayor Ballantyne announces reelection bid for 3rd term

Tisch College welcomes Cong Tony Sun as first executive administrative dean

Medford City Council and school committee begin discussion on fiscal year 2026 budget

Somerville, Chelsea sue Trump administration to protect sanctuary city policies

Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition hosts name change clinic in Cambridge

Residents and wildlife experts sound alarm for escalated bird deaths in Somerville

Somerville discusses progress on clean energy initiatives in committee meeting

Somerville hosts community meeting on new winter warming center

Somerville public safety committee discusses efforts to address homelessness in Davis Square area

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