Local News
Investigators probe if firefighter staffing contributed to Fall River fire devastation
As state and local authorities probe Sunday's deadly fire at a Fall River assisted living facility, a firefighter’s union is already claiming a shortage of firefighters may have played a...
Fall River mayor on fatal fire at assisted living facility
Fall River is mourning nine residents killed in a fire at an assisted living facility on Sunday night. More than 30 residents of Gabriel House were injured.
How a pause in federal education grants will impact Chelsea public schools
Chelsea Public Schools superintendent Dr. Almi Abeyta explains how a pause in federal grants will impact accelerated learning programs.
Leadership change for state's health and human services amid major federal challenges
Massachusetts Health and Human Service Secretary Kate Walsh is retiring after two and a half years in the role. Gov. Maura Healey has appointed Dr. Kiame Mahaniah, the current undersecretary...
A time to shine: Piccolo player says Pops Fourth of July concert never loses its luster
Renée Krimsier is primarily a professional flutist. But during "The Stars and Stripes Forever," she and two other musicians pop up out of their seats and play a signature section...
What the Trump budget cuts mean for health care in Mass.
Michael Curry is president and CEO of the League and joined WBUR's All Things Considered to discuss what President Trump's enormous spending bill will mean for Massachusetts residents.
Technique and timing: Guard cannons bring bang to Pops' 4th of July concert
Six Massachusetts National Guard soldiers will fire the cannons at the end of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, the finale to the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. The cannons have only about 20...
Trump fires immigration judges while adding billions of dollars for ICE
Trump's massive spending packing is adding tens of billions for immigration enforcement and deportations. But immigration lawyers say it’s hard to imagine how that’ll happen with fewer judges on the...
Bullet hole by bullet hole, an Arlington house shows the struggle for America’s independence
The bullet holes in the bedrooms and stairs at the Jason Russell House are a testament to a past that isn’t fully recognized today, says historian Joel Bohy.
Mass. lawmakers consider law to empower employee ownership of businesses
A bill in the Massachusetts Legislature would give the workers of a business the right of first refusal to buy the company when an owner decides to sell.
What is — and isn't — in the new Massachusetts state budget deal
The $61 million spending deal includes new limits on broker's fees and requires Massachusetts' regional transit authorities to run fare-free buses. However, other proposals — like taxing candy and overhauling...
Meet the state's new economic development secretary
New Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley spoke with WBUR's All Things Considered about how he’ll work to grow the Massachusetts economy.
Why the Karen Read trial captured the nation's attention
Boston Globe Reporter Aidan Ryan spoke with WBUR's All Things Considered about the unusual level of attention Read's two trials have garnered.
Mass. officials considering further reductions in state family shelter system
Officials say demand for shelter is down, and the state and its partners are moving families out of shelter at a record pace.
Showing pride as a queer immigrant in Boston
For some queer immigrants, a life in the United States is an opportunity to live openly. That reality is much more fraught with the current administration. To be queer and...
Latino community plays an outsized role in Massachusetts' future economy
Eneida Roman is the president and CEO of the nonprofit We Are ALX, which is focused on economically and politically advancing Hispanics/Latinos in the Commonwealth. The WBUR Community Honors Award...
Preserving the legacy of '80s Boston rock band Salem 66
The art-rock band played alongside other musicians of the underground music scene, like Dinosaur Jr. and The Pixies. Despite the success, the band’s discography wasn’t available on streaming until now.
Human rights organizations sue El Salvador over migrants held in secretive prison
Julio Henríquez, a human rights and immigration lawyer at Boston university, joined WBUR's All Things Considered to discuss the lawsuit.
Mass. high school student 'not doing great' after ICE arrest
The arrest of a Milford High School student by federal immigration officers has sparked outrage.
ICE, U.S. Attorney say 1,500 arrested in Mass. during immigration enforcement in May
Of that group, ICE Boston's Patricia Hyde said 790 had what she called "significant criminality" either in the U.S. or in their home countries.
After 8 years of perseverance, Ben Abercrombie graduates from Harvard
Ben Abercrombie suffered a severe spinal cord injury in his first Harvard football game. He has worked hard in the following 8 years to finish his degree. Abercrombie joins WBUR's...
Questions remain about federal arrests of 40 migrants on Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket
ICE, FBI and DEA agents detained and arrested the migrants Tuesday. Authorities have released little information on the detainees, at least some of whom appear to have been picked up...
Audio project features stories from local students to highlight our common ground
WBUR's All Things Considered talks with Massachusetts-based audio producer Samantha Broun about her Small True Things audio project and what she's hearing from students in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
'Cheers' fans in Boston toast 'Norm,' the bar regular whose name everyone knew
"Cheers" fans from across Boston and even far away were at the namesake bar in Beacon Tuesday evening where they toasted the late actor's memory and shared some favorite memories...
Financial and political strain dampen graduation season
Massachusetts commencement season is in full swing. But things feel a little more intense for university graduates as the Trump administration cracks down on higher education.
Antibiotic research at Harvard lab threatened by federal funding cuts
Microbiologist Michael Baym studies antibiotic resistance at Harvard Medical School. He lost millions in federal funding this week.
As Trump puts pressure on higher ed, Boston students look to historically Black colleges
Some students are looking to historically Black colleges for refuge amid the president's ongoing battle with higher education and attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Inside the Karen Read courtroom: What it's like to cover the second murder trial
Boston Globe reporter Travis Anderson shares what it is like to cover the Karen read trial.
Customers, leaders shocked by sudden shutdown of nonprofit grocer Daily Table
The organization opened its first store, in Dorchester, in 2015. It then expanded to Roxbury, Mattapan, Salem and Cambridge. Leaders say even though need is on the rise, it had...
Mass. antisemitism commission faces scrutiny
Massachusetts State Senator John Velis shares the goal of the State's special commission on antisemitism.
Tufts doctoral student detained by ICE for 6 weeks is ordered released
Jessie Rossman, attorney and legal director with the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, was in the courtroom to represent Rümeysa Öztürk and spoke with WBUR's All Things Considered host...
Fall River bishop reacts to the new pope
Fall River Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha reacts to the new pope.
In Dorchester, Vietnamese-Americans mark 50 years after the fall of Saigon
The end of the war in Vietnam scattered Vietnamese refugees across the globe. Dorchester is home to three-quarters of Massachusetts' Vietnamese-American population. This week, hundreds gathered to mark the anniversary...
A Carlisle mother offers support for community after tragic car accident
Susan Shaw joins WBUR's All Things Considered to offer advice for family and friends processing grief.
What the state cannabis commission's new leader thinks about plummeting pot prices
Travis Ahern, the new executive director of the state's Cannabis Control Commission, joins WBUR's All Things Considered to discuss.
Can Harvard use its endowment to escape financial storm clouds?
Evan Horowitz of the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University says it won't be easy for the school to offset the loss of roughly $2 billion in federal...
Amphibians’ migration routines are getting more difficult. These brigades are trying to help
On warm, rainy spring New England evenings, a huge migration is taking place; Millions of frogs, toads and salamanders wiggling out of hibernation and into the world to create new...
UMass Boston chancellor, a Pontifical Academies member, reflects on Pope Francis' leadership
UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suarez-Orozco is a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences appointed by Pope Francis. He joins WBUR's All Things Considered to share his thoughts on...
After 30 years in prison, the man convicted of killing Cambridge mayor’s son is eligible for parole
Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons urged the parole board to keep the man who murdered her son behind bars.