Local

Public safety hearing exposes growing backlash to SoundThinking surveillance in Somerville, Cambridge

By Anika Parr | June 18

The Cambridge Public Safety Committee held a hearing on the police department’s use of SoundThinking, formerly ShotSpotter, on June 2. The gunshot detection system, used in both Cambridge and Somerville, has recently drawn criticism from residents — particularly because both cities are sanctuary cities.

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Local

Q&A: Mayor Lungo-Koehn shares goals for fourth mayoral campaign, accomplishments as Mayor

By Josué Pérez | May 13

Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn met with the Daily to discuss her initiatives and remaining goals for the city as she begins her fourth reelection campaign for Mayor.

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Local

Medford City Council approves updated version of new charter after negotiations with mayor

By Julian Glickman | April 28

The Medford City Council passed an updated version of the city’s charter in a 6–1 vote on April 15, nearing the end of a years-long process that now moves to the Massachusetts State House and, ultimately, Medford voters.

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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.”

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Local

Local leaders heighten calls for release of Rümeysa Öztürk

By Julian Glickman | April 17

Local Medford and Somerville leaders, as well as Massachusetts state leaders, have strengthened their response to the detainment of Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk. Elected officials released a joint statement, and the Medford City Council passed an official resolution for her release.

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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.

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Local

Medford officials continue zoning overhaul after approving Salem Street rezoning

By Evan Vezmar | April 8

The City of Medford’s plans to revise and modernize zoning laws across the city recently resulted in rezoning in the Salem Street Corridor District. Medford City Council is planning new zoning with the help of consulting group Innes Associates and feedback from councilors and residents. Adopted by Medford City Council on March 11, the process followed the standard four-step procedure of proposal, review and recommendation by the Community Development Board and commentary from residents. 

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Local

JumboVote hosts discussion with Medford City Council leaders about role of local politics

By Zoe Herrmann | April 8

On April 2, JumboVote hosted an event in collaboration with Medford City Councilors Zac Bears and Kit Collins to discuss the role of local politics during periods of political uncertainty. The event was largely overseen by JumboVote Outreach Chair sophomore Teagan Mustone, who hoped to further educate students on the role of local government.

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Local

Job Creation and Retention Trust Fund Board of Trustees holds meeting regarding potential federal funding cuts

By Eli Brigham | April 7

On March 25, the Somerville Job Creation and Retention Trust Fund Board of Trustees held a meeting to begin brainstorming funding strategies to alleviate potential burdens for organizations that receive such money in the event that federal funding cuts occur.

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Local

Somerville opens applications for the Inclusionary Housing Program’s Consolidated Rental Waitlist

By Carly Hope | April 4

The City of Somerville opened applications for its Inclusionary Housing Program’s new Consolidated Rental Waitlist on April 1. 

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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.

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Local

Medford City Council votes unanimously to support Tufts full-time lecturers

By Josué Pérez | March 31

The Medford City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of a contract for Tufts School of Arts and Sciences full-time lecturers in their meeting on Tuesday. The resolution was brought forward by City Council Vice President Kit Collins (LA’15), a Tufts alum. Two lecturers presented at the meeting.

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Local

New ordinance proposal aims to reform Medford’s Human Rights Commission

By Evan Vezmar | March 31

After a yearlong process, the Medford City Council proposed a new draft of the ordinance for the city’s Human Rights Commission. Established to protect the civil rights of Medford residents, particularly on issues of housing, the current version of the ordinance required modernizing, according to City Councilor Justin Tseng, who led the proposal.

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Local

Somerville City Council decision leaves inclusion of divestment ballot question to community

By Samantha Eng and Josué Pérez | March 28

Somerville City Council voted to file a ballot initiative for Somerville’s divestment from companies in business with Israel on Thursday night, requiring activists to collect about 5,500 voter signatures to secure the question a spot on the city’s November ballot. The council’s 9–2 vote was preceded by a rally organized by Somerville for Palestine, attended by hundreds of Somerville community members outside Somerville City Hall.

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Local

Todd Evans inaugurated as Medford fire chief after 11 months as interim chief

By Josué Pérez | March 26

Medford Fire Chief Todd Evans was sworn into his role on Feb. 24, with the inauguration ceremony taking place on Mar. 12. He had served as interim chief for 11 months, following the retirement of Chief John Freedman. The chief was chosen via assessment center examination. According to the city’s press release, Chief Evans earned the highest score out of two candidates on the assessment center exam. Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn had interviewed all five deputy chiefs, including Evans, in March 2024 to choose an interim chief.

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Local

Updated Medford City Charter moves forward with district-based council composition plan

By Julian Glickman | March 13

The Medford City Council Committee of the Whole approved updates to the City Charter on March 4, sending the new charter to a final vote. The updates include a highly-debated district-based council composition plan, setting it up to be sent to the state legislature for final authorization.

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Local

Nontoxic rat fertility control to be studied on properties in Lincoln Park

By Amelia Sammons | March 7

The city of Somerville announced on Feb. 19 that it is participating in a Rodent Fertility Control Study using Evolve, which is a hormonal fertility control product designed to curb rat reproduction in a humane manner. This is in partnership with the Cambridge Public Health Department and Cambridge Inspectional Services Department.

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