City Politics
Years of Safety Concerns Preceded Fatal Crash on Memorial Drive
The stretch of Memorial Drive where Newton cyclist John H. Corcoran ’84 was killed in a crash Monday evening was the subject of years of safety warnings from local politicians and transit activists.
After 3 Weeks, Cambridge Public Schools Addresses Widespread Bus Delays
On Tuesday, adjustments to certain bus routes finally took effect, alleviating some of the delays. Still, parents were frustrated by weeks of unpredictable and stressful mornings, back-and-forths with district officials, and a lack of official communication from the district.
Cambridge to Explore Continuing Guaranteed Income Program Despite Budget Fears
The Cambridge City Council voted unanimously to explore a successor to the city’s guaranteed income pilot program during its Monday meeting, even as Councilors have raised concerns about the city’s growing budget.
Cathie Zusy To Fill Vacancy on Cambridge City Council
The Cambridge Election Commission confirmed Catherine “Cathie” Zusy will fill the vacancy on the Cambridge City Council Thursday following the sudden death of Councilor Joan F. Pickett on Aug. 30.
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Launches $10 Million Affordable Housing Capital Fund
The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority has reserved up to ten million dollars for its Housing Capital Fund to provide financial assistance for ongoing housing projects in Cambridge.
Cambridge Hires Julie Wormser as Inaugural Chief Climate Officer
The City of Cambridge has hired longtime climate policy advocate Julie E. Wormser as its inaugural chief climate officer. She will head the city’s Office of Sustainability starting Oct. 1.
Homeless Families in Cambridge Temporary Shelter Report Worsening Conditions
Residents and shelter workers at the Cambridge Registry of Deeds building center said the new five-day stay limit was going unenforced but fostered a sense of instability as residents struggled to make concrete plans for the future.
City Council Cautiously Moves Toward Ending Single-Family Zoning
The Cambridge City Council asked City Manager Yi-An Huang ’05 to draft zoning language to eliminate single-family zoning and allow six-story residential developments citywide.
Harvard Chabad Appeals Zoning Board Decision to Reject Expansion
Harvard Chabad, after twice failing to secure city approval for a large-scale expansion, appealed the decision Monday afternoon — just hours before their deadline to do so.
Sky-High Demand for Affordable Apartments in Allston Highlights Housing Crunch
As a small fraction of affordable apartments open their lotteries to prospective residents, they are inundated with applications, creating waitlists that could stretch for years.
Harvard Warned of a Police Response to Campus Protests. Here’s What HUPD Can Actually Do.
Just before the pro-Palestine encampment ended last spring, the Harvard University Police Department told a group of University affiliates that officers would only use their authority to enforce state law on campus.
Marjorie Decker Survives Democratic Primary Race; Evan MacKay ’19 Concedes After Recount
State Rep. Marjorie C. Decker won the 25th Middlesex Democratic primary after progressive challenger Evan C. MacKay ’19 conceded the race on Thursday.
Sweeping City Ordinance to Combat Wage Theft Is Unenforceable, City Manager Says
A sweeping ordinance to combat wage theft passed by the Cambridge City Council in 2022 is unenforceable and oversteps the city’s authority, City Manager Yi-An Huang ’05 wrote in a letter to the Council released on Thursday.
Evan MacKay ’19 Files for Recount as Decker Holds on to 41-Vote Lead
Former Harvard labor leader Evan MacKay ’19 filed a recount petition for the 25th Middlesex Democratic primary on Friday.
Democracy Center Renovation Further Delayed as Historical Commission Approves Landmark Study
After two hours of discussion and debate, the Cambridge Historical Commission voted to establish a historical landmark study for the Democracy Center, potentially postponing plans to remodel the space.
Cambridge Unarmed Response Team Dispatches to 911 Calls
The Cambridge Safety Department’s unarmed response team is now responding to nine different types of non-violent 911 calls in the latest effort to expand policing alternatives.
In Shocking Twist, Decker Pulls Ahead of MacKay by 41 Votes
Incumbent State Representative Marjorie C. Decker pulled ahead of progressive challenger Evan C. MacKay ’19 by a razor-thin margin Wednesday afternoon, marking a shocking twist to one of Massachusetts’ most closely watched races.
Dolan Upsets Devaney in Primary Rematch for Governor’s Council
Public defender Mara Dolan beat 25-year incumbent Marilyn P. Devaney in a rematch for Cambridge’s District 3 seat on the Governor’s Council during Tuesday’s primary elections, according to the Associated Press.
With 40-Vote Lead, MacKay Declares Victory Over Decker in State Rep. Primary Race
Former Harvard labor leader Evan C. MacKay ’19 held a 40-vote lead over incumbent Massachusetts State Rep. Marjorie C. Decker in the Democratic primary race with 99 percent of votes counted.
Elbit Systems Moves Out of Central Square Following Months of Protest
Elbit Systems, an Israel-based defense contractor, ended its lease of its Central Square office following months of protest against the company’s presence in Cambridge.
‘One Win Lifts All Boats’: More than 100 MGB Residents Rally for a Contract
More than 100 Mass General Brigham residents and affiliates gathered in two Boston locations on Monday to rally in support of physicians’ fair contracts.
Here’s What to Know About Tuesday’s Massachusetts Primary Elections
When Massachusetts voters head to the polls Tuesday for the 2024 primary elections, they will see lots of Democrats and few contested races. Here’s your guide to the primary ballot.
Cambridge Police Alternative HEART Launches Hotline After Receiving $150,000 City Grant
The Cambridge Holistic Emergency Alternative Response Team, one of two non-violent police alternatives in the city, will launch their hotline phone number on Tuesday after receiving a $150,000 grant from the city.
Cambridge City Councilor Joan Pickett, Activist Who Fought Bike Lane Expansion, Dies at 69
Joan F. Pickett, a longtime opponent of efforts to expand separated bike lanes who was serving her first term in the Cambridge City Council, died on Friday following a brief illness. She was 69.
Cambridge City Council Will Form Special Committee To Consider Charter Amendments
After a meeting of the Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee become bogged down in a procedural debate, members emerged two hours later with only a resolution to create a new joint special committee — and a distinct sense of frustration.