Boston
Harvard Agrees to a 1-Year $6 Million PILOT Agreement With the City of Cambridge
Harvard University has agreed to voluntarily pay the City of Cambridge $6 million without committing to a long-term amount for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, citing federal funding uncertainties.
Nvidia to Open Quantum Computing Research Center in Boston This Year in a Landmark for Region’s Tech Sector
Technology giant Nvidia announced last Thursday that it will open a quantum computing research center in Boston by the end of 2025, where it will host research in partnership with labs at Harvard, MIT, and tech firms in the area.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Criticizes Trump Administration in State of the City Address
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 fiercely defended the city against pressure from the Trump administration in her State of the City address last week — a move that Harvard professor Jacqueline Bhabha praised as the “right decision.”
Boston Launches Anti-Displacement Plan for Residents, Small Businesses
The City of Boston released a 41-part Anti-Displacement Action Plan last week after Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 first announced the plan at her State of the City address.
Massport Votes To Raise Fees on Ubers, Lyfts to Logan Airport — But Limits Planned Fee Hikes
After Uber and Lyft criticized the Massachusetts Port Authority’s proposed fees on rides to Boston Logan International Airport, the board approved a rate hike from $3.25 to $5.50 per trip for ride-hailing providers.
As Schools in Allston-Brighton Downsize, What’s Left for the Neighborhood’s Families?
Under a recent slate of school closures and downsizings, many Allston families now worry the neighborhood’s ability to support them may be floundering.
More Than 500 Researchers, Physicians Rally at Boston Common To Protest Trump’s Attacks on Research Funding
Hundreds of researchers, physicians, and students — including Harvard faculty — rallied at Boston Common on Friday to protest President Donald Trump’s efforts to cut federal funding for scientific research, lay off federal employees, and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programming at universities.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 Holds Her Ground in House Oversight Committee Questioning
As congressional Republicans grilled Democratic mayors over their cities’ sanctuary policies in a Wednesday hearing, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 stuck to her message: Boston is the safest major city in the country, and its sanctuary policies help keep it that way.
As It Happened: Wu Defends Boston’s Sanctuary City Policies Before House Committee
Boston mayor Michelle Wu ’07 arrived at the Capitol Wednesday morning to testify before the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government on Boston’s sanctuary city policies. Follow The Crimson for live updates.
As Wu’s Congressional Hearing Looms, Experts See a High-Stakes Showdown
As Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 prepares for a grilling over the city’s sanctuary policies by the Congressional Oversight Committee, experts wonder whether the hearing is set to become a Claudine Gay 2.0.
Amid Harvard’s Protracted PILOT Negotiations, Other Ivies’ Agreements May Offer Roadmap
In a recent Cambridge City Council meeting, the tensions underlying negotiations between Harvard and the city over its Payment in Lieu of Taxes program came to the surface in a half-serious threat: opening up a sewer line running under Harvard, a certain nightmare for the University.
Allston Residents, Elected Officials Ask for More Benefits from Harvard’s 10-Year Plan
As Harvard finalizes its Institutional Master Plan in Allston, residents and elected officials called on the University to fulfill its previous promises and increase contributions to the Boston neighborhood.
Mass. Department of Public Utilities to Review Energy Delivery Rates After Complaints Over Skyrocketing Bills
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities has promised to renegotiate energy delivery rates with oil and gas companies after Mass. Governor Maura T. Healey ’92 and several state legislators penned letters decrying residents’ surging heating bills.
Advocates Raise Concerns As Boston PILOT Report Remains Unreleased
While property taxes comprise nearly three quarters of Boston’s revenue, nonprofits are exempt from paying this tax. Instead, the PILOT program asks large non-profits to voluntarily pay a portion of what they would have otherwise paid in property taxes. The 2024 report on contributions has yet to be released.
State, Cambridge Officials Update Avian Flu Guidance
Amid a state-wide outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in wild and domestic birds, the Cambridge Department of Public Works has not seen an increase in dead wildlife.
State, City Officials Emphasize Importance of Design in Addressing Housing Issues at GSD Talk
Officials from across the country said that their experience working in local government underscored the importance of design in improving and innovating cities at a talk hosted by the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Kraft Officially Launches Boston Mayoral Campaign
Philanthropist Joshua Kraft officially announced his candidacy for Boston mayor on Tuesday — and lost no time criticizing Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 for a lack of results on her campaign promises.
Mayor Wu Agrees to Testify Before Congress on Boston’s Status as Sanctuary City
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 announced on Monday that she will head to Washington, D.C. to testify on Boston’s status as a sanctuary city before the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government.
Joshua Kraft Set to Launch Boston Mayoral Campaign
Joshua Kraft, son of billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, has officially filed to run for mayor of Boston against incumbent Michelle Wu ‘07, who has served in the role since Nov. 2021.
3.8-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Up Harvard, Greater Boston
A 3.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of York, Maine on Monday morning. Tremors were felt as much as 100 miles away, including at Harvard. There were no immediate reports of injury.
Union Contract Negotiations Stall for Residents and Fellows at Mass General Brigham
Residents and fellows at Mass General Brigham began federal mediation with the hospital system last week to settle their first union contract, reaching a deadlock after 13 months of negotiations.
Brighton Students, Parents Lament BPS Proposal To Close Mary Lyon High School
Boston Public Schools proposed closing the Mary Lyon Pilot High School at a virtual press conference last week, dealing a blow to parents and students who described the Brighton school as an anchor to the neighborhood and the many high-needs students who attend.
Harvard, Cambridge Fail To Reach New PILOT Agreement by End-of-Year Deadline
Harvard and the city of Cambridge have missed their end-of-year deadline for renegotiating Harvard’s Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, which replaces a portion of the property taxes that the University is otherwise exempt from paying.
Progressive Cambridge Policing Approach Tested By Homeless Encampment
Despite the removal of an encampment under the Boston University Bridge by police last year, the tents have since returned — testing the Cambridge Police Department’s attempt to balance their lawful responsibility and effort to respect the choice to live outdoors.
Person Found Dead in Allston Apartment After Hours-Long Barricade
BOSTON — Boston Police Department officers discovered a man dead in the Allston Continuum apartment complex early Thursday morning after a nearly 12-hour long standoff between the man and law enforcement officers.