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Public safety, immigrants' rights on the ballot with Question 4

By Aditya Acharya | November 8

This election day, Massachusetts voters will determine the fate of a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. On Nov. 8, Question 4 will ask voters to either accept or reject the Work and Family Mobility Act, a state law passed in June which would allow undocumented Massachussetts residents to apply for driver’s licenses, effective July 2023.

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Local

Somerville School Committee, city councilors endorse millionaire tax ballot question

By Evelyn Altschuler | November 8

The Somerville School Committee has unanimously endorsed voting “Yes” on Question 1, a ballot initiative proposing the Fair Share Amendment. If passed, the Fair Share Amendment would apply to Massachusetts residents whose annual household income is above $1 million. The so-called “millionaire’s tax” would impose an additional 4% income tax on income above $1 million.

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Somerville gathers for annual domestic violence vigil, Ballantyne, advocates call for community action

By Estelle Anderson | October 28

Members of the Somerville community came together on Wednesday evening for the city’s annual Domestic Violence Vigil, mourning lives lost to domestic violence this year. Held at the West Branch of the Somerville Public Library, the vigil was organized by the Somerville Commission for Women and RESPOND, New England’s oldest domestic violence prevention agency. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne gave opening remarks at the vigil.

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Local

'The T is failing': Warren, Markey hold Senate hearing in Boston on MBTA

By Aaron Gruen | October 18

Senator Elizabeth Warren chaired a senate subcommittee hearing in Boston on Friday, focusing on management failures within the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. Senator Ed Markey joined Warren for the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs’ Subcommittee on Economic Policy hearing.

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Hundreds protest Amini’s death, Iran’s dress code laws at Boston Common

By Hannah Cox | October 18

Hundreds of protestors gathered at Boston Common on Oct. 1 in response to the death of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in Iran. Amini, a 22-year-old who was arrested by Iranian police in Tehran for wearing her hijab too loosely, died on Sept. 16 after allegedly being beaten by police.

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Local

Gubernatorial candidate Maura Healey releases plan to tackle housing crisis in Massachusetts

By Arvind Pillai | October 17

On Sept. 21, Maura Healey, the Democratic nominee for governor in Massachusetts, released her policy plan to tackle the housing crisis in the state. The plan focuses heavily on increasing housing production, preserving current housing options and supporting homeless individuals and families through strengthening the state’s rent assistance program. 

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Local

'Evicted' exhibit in Somerville highlights housing crisis, cannabis laws

By Estelle Anderson | October 7

“Evicted,” an exhibit put on by the Community Action Agency of Somerville, is currently running at the Somerville Armory until Nov. 4. Based on sociologist Matthew Desmond’s novel “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City”,the interactive exhibit explores the reasons for the millions of evictions in the United States every year and their consequences. Somerville is one of the final stops on the exhibit’s national tour. The exhibit is open at the Armory Monday through Wednesday from 4 p.m.–8 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. 

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Local

Families face eviction from property near GLX

By Daniel Vos | October 6

Five families in Somerville are facing eviction and potential displacement after their home was acquired by landlords seeking to raise rents on a property close to the Green Line Extension. The 182–184 Tremont Street home currently houses primarily Salvadoran and Haitian families, some of whom have lived there for more than 25 years. 

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Local

Somerville city councilors introduce resolution to end Cuba blockade

By Ava Autry | October 6

Somerville City Councilor At-Large Willie Burnley Jr. introduced a resolution on Sept. 22 that calls upon President Biden to remove Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List and pressure Congress to end the “failed policy of regime change.” Similar resolutions have been introduced by Cambridge, Boston and the town of Brookline in the past year. 

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Local

City of Somerville announces Pollinator Action Plan

By Coco Arcand | October 6

The City of Somerville announced that they will establish an advisory committee to create a Pollinator Action Plan. The plan aims to protect pollinator species and preserve the health of the local urban ecosystem.

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Local

Community Day returns to Tufts campus after 2 years

By Rohith Raman | October 4

Tufts held its annual Community Day event on Oct. 2. Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered for a day filled with performances, food, fun activities and thought provoking discussions with organizations on the academic quad. 

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Local

Ayanna Pressley, "The Squad” rallies supporters in Somerville

By Aaron Gruen | September 27

Members of the congressional ‘Squad’ spoke to a crowd of supporters at the Somerville Theatre on Saturday evening. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who represents Somerville in the U.S. House of Representatives, was joined by Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush at the sold-out event.

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Local

Somerville residents hold Safe Streets rally for improved transportation infrastructure

By Madeline Wilson | September 20

Residents of Somerville gathered on Sept. 17 for a rally in support of safer streets at Seven Hills Park in Davis Square. The event was held in response to the death of Stephen Conley, a Somerville resident who was fatally struck by a car door while riding his bike on Broadway on Aug. 12.

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Local

Somerville moves one step closer to a net-zero emissions policy for new buildings

By Skyler Goldberg | September 20

In late August, the Somerville City Council unanimously passed a home rule petition creating a net-zero fossil fuel emissions policy for new construction projects and major renovations in the city. The policy was introduced by Councilors Ben Ewen-Campen and Lance Davis with support from Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. 

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Local

The Rev. Mariama White-Hammond talks Green New Deal, environmental justice work in Boston

By Ella Kamm | September 14

The Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, chief of environment, energy and open space for the City of Boston, visited Tufts University on Sept. 8 in the first installment of this year’s Hoch Cunningham Environmental Lecture series. White-Hammond joined to discuss the ways that Boston is acting as a Green New Deal city and the importance of centering environmental justice communities in climate work. 

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Somerville Community Land Trust acquires first property, aims to lessen city’s housing crisis

By Michael Weiskopf | September 14

On Aug. 17, the Somerville Community Land Trust held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its first property acquisition at 7 Summer St. By maintaining community ownership of the property, the SCLT hopes to increase the availability of affordable housing in Somerville.

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Tufts community reacts to Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plan

By Aditya Acharya | September 14

Editor’s note: Trent Bunker was a former staff writer at the Daily. He did not contribute to the writing or editing of this article. 

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Local

Established Democrats defeat lesser-known challengers in Mass. primaries

By Olivia Field | September 12

Incumbent State Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven won the 27th Middlesex District Democratic primary on Sept. 6, defeating opponent Jason Mackey. Uyterhoeven, who is currently running uncontested in the general election, won with 87% of the vote and is on track to continue representing the city of Somerville in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

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Local

Simultaneous Green and Orange Line closures frustrate commuters

By Peri Barest | September 6

The MBTA announced on Aug. 5 that the Green Line Extension Medford branch — which was scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer — will not open until late November. This is the project’s third delay from the planned completion date of December 2021.

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Local

Somerville City Council passes ordinance protecting those seeking gender-affirming care

By Madeline Wilson | June 30

The Somerville City Council unanimously passed an ordinance protecting the rights of individuals seeking gender-affirming care on June 9. The ordinance prohibits City of Somerville law enforcement from helping to enforce laws enacted by other states that prevent individuals from accessing gender-affirming care.

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