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Somerville and Medford residents protest Citizens Bank for links with privately-owned ICE detention centers

By Amelia Sammons and Anika Parr | January 28

Residents gathered at the Somerville and Medford branches of Citizens Bank on Saturday to protest the bank’s links to private prison companies that own and operate immigration detention centers under government contracts, including with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The protests were part of three dozen similar demonstrations taking place across the Northeast, organized by the de-ICE Citizens Bank Coalition. According to the coalition, Citizens Bank continues to be a major lender to private prison companies CoreCivic and The GEO Group. They added that other banks, including JPMorgan and Barclays, have distanced themselves from the prison companies.

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Local

Medford signs contract with Cataldo Ambulance Service, ending 25-year deal with Armstrong Ambulance

By Evan Vezmar | January 16

Medford will enter a three-year contract with a new ambulance provider, Cataldo Ambulance Service, on Jan. 19, ending a 25-year agreement with Armstrong Ambulance. Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn ultimately decided to switch services due to contractual and performance concerns with Armstrong. 

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Jake Wilson begins term as mayor following monthslong transition team transparency efforts

By Anika Parr | January 15

Following his swearing-in as mayor of Somerville on Jan. 3, members of Jake Wilson’s transition team say that his administration will prioritize community input and collaboration following months of outreach and preparation.

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Medford mayor, City Council, School Committee sworn in for two-year term

By Julian Glickman | January 15

Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn and a new City Council and School Committee were sworn in on Jan. 4 as the city prepares to move forward with its rezoning project and build a new Medford High School.

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Local

Change to Medford trash pickup draws widespread backlash, national attention

By Julian Glickman | December 5

The announcement of a plan to move Medford’s trash pickup from weekly to every other week has sparked strong pushback from residents and officials, many of whom are demanding greater transparency from Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn.

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Local

Somerville faces SNAP delays as households and local food providers brace for more instability

By Alexandra Tse | December 2

Many in Somerville found themselves among the roughly 1.1 million Massachusetts residents who were left in limbo when a federal government shutdown delayed the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The federal program provides monthly assistance to low-income individuals and families to help them purchase groceries. 

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Somerville celebrates the unveiling of public art installation ‘Letters Rewoven’

By Amaani Jetley | December 2

Somerville celebrated the unveiling of “Letters Rewoven” on Nov. 8, a new public artwork by local artist Anna Fubini at Lou Ann David Park. The piece was created through the combined efforts of community members, who wrote messages on scraps of paper that were turned into a pulp mixed with wildflower seeds. The mixture was then plastered onto the sculpture’s panels and will eventually grow into flowers. The installation was supported by the Somerville Arts Council and will remain on display until spring 2026.

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Local

Medford to launch the second round of Project: Pop-Up Medford

By Sophie Herron | November 24

The second round of Project: Pop-Up Medford will transform 348 Boston Ave. into a shared retail space for three small businesses from November 2025 to January 2026. The project — a collaboration between the City of Medford, Tufts University and retail incubator consulting firm UpNext — provides microenterprises with the opportunity to promote their work, try new business models and learn how to operate a retail storefront.

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Local

Tensions grow between Medford City Council, Mayor as Salem Street zoning vote again postponed

By Jones Millstone-Rivo | November 21

The Medford City Council again postponed a final decision on a proposed amendment to the city’s rezoning plan regarding the intersection of Salem and Park Streets in its Tuesday meeting. The amendment, supported by Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, would reclassify the area as lower-density MX-1 rather than the current MX-2 designation.

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Local

Kamala Harris visits Medford on ‘107 Days’ book tour

By Julian Glickman | November 20

Former Vice President Kamala Harris held a talk in Medford’s Chevalier Theatre on Saturday as part of her “107 Days” book tour. 

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Report highlights systemic gaps in Somerville special education

By Carly Cohen | November 20

The Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Council released a report in September outlining significant concerns within Somerville Public Schools’ special education programming.

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Somerville City Council passes resolution supporting statewide investment in public colleges, universities

By Estelle Anderson and Niki Wang | November 20

The Somerville City Council unanimously passed a resolution on Oct. 23 in support of the DRIVE Act, a statewide initiative that would allocate $200 million in funding for public colleges and universities throughout Massachusetts. 

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Interim superintendent Galusi shares report with Medford School Committee, outlines focus on consistency and belonging

By Ananya Shah | November 19

At a Medford School Committee meeting on Oct. 20, Interim Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Galusi presented her transition and entry findings report, highlighting the need for greater consistency — particularly regarding bureaucratic structures, greater coherence and a deeper sense of belonging across the district. Her findings emphasize the need for Medford Public Schools to strive for these goals as it navigates a leadership transition, facility needs and a major strategic planning process already underway.

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Local

Medford City Council approves divestment ordinance, pushes Salem Street vote for next week

By Julian Glickman and Josué Pérez | November 14

The Medford City Council approved its Values-Aligned Local Investments Ordinance on Wednesday, overriding a mayoral veto. The body also voted to postpone a vote to reconsider an element of the Salem Street Corridor District rezoning project until next week.

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Medford Public Library to launch new digital database

By Zahra Brady and Jessica Michael | November 13

The Medford Public Library plans to build a digital database of its content following approval by the Medford City Council in late October. A soft launch of the database will be published early in 2026. 

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Local

Jake Wilson elected Somerville mayor, three ballot measures pass on Election Night

By Anika Parr and Alexandra Tse | November 12

On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Jake Wilson was elected mayor of Somerville, earning 54.26% of the vote over Willie Burnley Jr. Voters also weighed in on three Somerville ballot questions — all of which passed — as well as a number of city council and school committee races.

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Our Revolution consolidates progressive agenda in Medford elections

By Evan Vezmar and Julian Glickman | November 12

Candidates backed by Our Revolution Medford won a decisive victory in City Council and School Committee races over an independent group on Nov. 4, extending their progressive vision for another two-year term. All incumbents on the City Council won reelection, maintaining the 6–1 ...

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LIVE UPDATES: Our Revolution Medford sweeps School Committee, maintains City Council majority

By Evan Vezmar, Carlos Del Cañal Fernández and Julian Glickman | November 4

Polls have closed at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, with results expected to be released shortly for Medford City Council, School Committee and mayoral races, as well as for a new city charter.

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Local

LIVE UPDATES: Unofficial Somerville election results in, Jake Wilson to be next mayor, Question 3 passes

By Anika Parr, Theo Weller and Alexandra Tse | November 4

Polls have closed across the City of Somerville as it holds its municipal election Tuesday. The mayoral, City Councilor At-Large, City Council Ward 7 and Ward 3 School Committee races will be decided. 

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Somerville residents weigh in on election issues, key races

By Anika Parr and Alexandra Tse | November 4

The Daily spoke with Somerville residents about their reflections on the School Committee and City Council races ahead of election day. Issues that shaped this campaign season included affordable housing and development, public safety and homelessness, special education and disability programming, street safety and design, among others.

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