Government
In 2nd Middlesex, a battle of the progressives
Since state Senator Patricia Jehlen announced in December she won’t seek re-election after 20 years representing the 2nd Middlesex District, candidates have stepped forward from state and municipal bodies and from all three cities in the district. The field includes State Representatives Erika Uyterhoeven and Christine Barber, Cambridge Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem, Somerville City Councilor […]
Will new Cambridge buildings get cut down to size?
It took five months, but the biggest issue of last year’s city council race landed on the council’s agenda for the first time this term, as councillors defended or decried proposed changes to last year’s residential upzoning measures. Read more Cambridge robotics team makes the podium in Greece The most immediate impact will come from […]
Fifty years since recombination debate ushered in biotech in Cambridge
This month marks 50 years since Cambridge city councillors, scientists, and residents debated the safety of DNA recombination. The fiery deliberations at city hall elevated the role of the public in scientific research, which resulted in the nation’s first local ordinance regulating genetic experimentation, and led to the biotech boom in Kendall Square. Read more […]
City reverses course on Ahern Field
After a tense city council meeting on Monday over the issue of putting artificial turf on Ahern Field in East Cambridge, city manager Yi-An Huang issued a statement Wednesday evening reversing course. Read more The CPL’s top 10 May reads “After careful consideration of community input, City Council feedback, and the project’s overall goals, we […]
Somerville Mayor presents 2027 budget amid layoffs fallout
Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson has unveiled his proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year, a $394 million spending plan that aims to address the city’s estimated $5.4m financial shortfall while investing in core services, public schools, affordable housing and safer streets. Read more The Lorax comes to Cambridge City Council The plan features the largest […]
The Lorax comes to Cambridge City Council
Trees were at the root of City Council’s latest zoning debate, which at one point even saw “The Lorax” invoked. Read more Let them play: Ahern is strategic for our children and public health The Council voted unanimously to consider updates to its Tree Protection Ordinance, a set of city laws that govern how and […]
Cambridge police have to remove ShotSpotter. Officers aren’t happy
Two weeks ago, Cambridge City Council narrowly voted in favor of getting rid of ShotSpotter, a sensor system that records loud sounds that could be gunshots and alerts local police. The vote went against the recommendation of city manager Yi-An Huang and leadership at Cambridge Police Department (CPD), which said the technology has helped police […]
On the ballot 2026: Ewen-Campen and Gilligan-Corsetti vie for 27th Middlesex
In one of several rounds of musical chairs in the State House, representative Erika Uyterhoeven’s quest for the state Senate opened her seat representing the 27th Middlesex District. Read more On the ballot 2026: Ewen-Campen and Gilligan-Corsetti vie for 27th Middlesex Competing for her seat are Ben-Ewen Campen, councilor from Somerville’s Ward 3, and Olivia […]
On the ballot 2026: Ewen-Campen and Gilligan-Corsetti vie for 27th Middlesex
In one of several rounds of musical chairs in the State House, representative Erika Uyterhoeven’s quest for the state Senate opened her seat representing the 27th Middlesex District. Read more Cambridge housing does follow economic laws Competing for her seat are Ben-Ewen Campen, councilor from Somerville’s Ward 3, and Olivia Gilligan-Corsetti, a former political aide […]
Small businesses face 13% health insurance increase
Health insurers are once again asking small businesses to shoulder hefty premium hikes, tightening the vise of the affordability debate that’s consumed state government heading into election season. Read more Youth sports leaders: Ahern Field needs artificial turf Insurers collectively want to increase rates nearly 13 percent in 2027, which would be the second straight year […]