Alexandra Tse

Local

Somerville schools brace for up to $1 million in budget cuts amid city deficit

By Alexandra Tse | April 17

On March 26, Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rubén Carmona asked the district to prepare for a funding reduction of up to $1 million to account for a projected $5.3 million city budget deficit. The reduced city budget — attributed to a slowing economy and federal funding cuts — will affect multiple city departments, including the school district. According to the Somerville Educators Union, these reductions would put the school budget “well below level-service.”

Local

Somerville holds public hearing on future of Out of the Blue Community Arts Gallery at the Armory

By Alexandra Tse | March 13

The Somerville City Council’s Housing, Community Development and Equity Committee held a public hearing on March 4 at City Hall regarding a petition submitted by 52 registered voters about the future of the Out of the Blue Community Arts Gallery. During the hearing, artists and community members urged the city to allow the long-running gallery and its tenants to remain in the Center for the Arts at the Armory building.

Local

East Somerville Community Bites relaunches to combat food insecurity, support immigrant-owned restaurants

By Alexandra Tse | February 25

Seeing the struggles of immigrant-owned businesses and an increasing number of food-insecure residents in East Somerville, Rev. Jordan Harris of the Connexion United Methodist Church saw an opportunity to address both issues at once by founding the East Somerville Community Bites program.

Local

Somerville School Construction Advisory Group delivers final recommendation for PK–8 school following Winter Hill School closure

By Alexandra Tse | February 3

Following over a year of deliberation, the Somerville School Construction Advisory Group delivered its final recommendation to the mayor for a new PK–8 school building, addressing the absence of the Winter Hill Community Innovation School. In June 2023, a piece of concrete collapsed from the ceiling of the Winter Hill School after prolonged maintenance issues, forcing it to close.

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.

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.

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.

Local

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.

Local

Somerville divestment question to appear on ballot following challenge to Election Commission

By Alexandra Tse | November 4

The Somerville Election Commission voted on Oct. 6 to certify more than 8,000 voter signatures in support of a nonbinding advisory ballot measure asking whether the city should end business with companies linked to Israel, clearing the way for the question to appear on the November ballot.

Local

Candidates running for Somerville City Council discuss their platforms

By Alex Boyle, Lucas Berman and Alexandra Tse | November 3

The Daily is conducting interviews with City Council candidates ahead of the municipal election on Nov. 4 where residents will be able to choose up to four candidates. This story will be updated with additional interviews as they are completed. All interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Somerville schools brace for up to $1 million in budget cuts amid city deficit

Somerville holds public hearing on future of Out of the Blue Community Arts Gallery at the Armory

East Somerville Community Bites relaunches to combat food insecurity, support immigrant-owned restaurants

Somerville School Construction Advisory Group delivers final recommendation for PK–8 school following Winter Hill School closure

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

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

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

Somerville residents weigh in on election issues, key races

Somerville divestment question to appear on ballot following challenge to Election Commission

Candidates running for Somerville City Council discuss their platforms

More articles »

Tufts’ internship grant program expands access but leaves gaps

Mini Crossword: A Tale of Two Authors

Tufts faculty, students give their perspectives on changing the writing requirement

Road to the World Cup: Safety concerns mount ahead of World Cup

‘Lázár’ heralds the emergence of a new, bold voice in literature