Opinion: "If we understand women’s leadership as democratic infrastructure — not a theme, not a panel, not a seasonal acknowledgment — then investing in that leadership becomes not aspirational, but strategic." - Christine Monska buff.ly/wzI4pm2

When asked to describe her style, Korie Ellis-St.Pierre said this: "My style is rooted in comfort and functionality with a heavy dose of natural fibers and pieces that make me feel good to be in my body." Read more: buff.ly/AjUa50T 📝+📸 Andrew Kepinski

Legislators say cutting the energy efficiency program will lower electric and gas bills. Environmentalists oppose the change. buff.ly/v1sI1D3

By now, you've probably them rumbling down city streets. Giant front loaders scooping chunks out of the snow piles and dumping them into trucks for removal. But where does all that snow end up? Watch the video to find out. Read the latest on the storm recovery. ➡️ buff.ly/fs0Zvra

Four days after the biggest blizzard in New Bedford’s history, Mayor Jon Mitchell says the city has reached an “inflection point.” Most roads are passable. The focus shifts next to hauling away massive snow piles to reopen sidewalks, bus stops and storefronts. ➡️ buff.ly/fs0Zvra

On the fourth day of New Bedford's response to the historic snowfall, hundreds of side streets and thousands of residents were still awaiting resources to come dig them out — or have resorted to digging themselves out. buff.ly/84HCidb

In an interview with The Light, U.S. Rep. Bill Keating talked about immigration, the cost of living and political changes in southeastern Massachusetts. ➡️ Read the story: buff.ly/YV0ksls 📝 Grace Ferguson 🎥 Eleonora Bianchi

Halfway through his six-year term, Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux joins Light columnist Jack Spillane for a wide-ranging conversation about changes in the department, challenges and plans for the future. Tune in to The Chat on Thursday, March 19, at 1 p.m. ➡️ Register here: buff.ly/UnjqmJV

❄️ Day 4 after the Blizzard of ’26: Has your street been plowed? The Light has launched a new survey today to track what progress has been made in the past 24 hours. If you haven’t yet seen a plow (or if you have), we want to hear from you! Fill out the updated form here. ➡️ buff.ly/b6Xyv2Q

❄️ We asked — you answered. More than 1,000 New Bedford residents reached out to The Light on Wednesday to share their experiences while they waited for the snowplow. Here's a sampling of what they had to say (and even MORE snow photos). ⤵️ buff.ly/2asXxlZ 📸 Eleonora Bianchi

Three days into New Bedford’s "snowpocalypse" — the largest recorded snowfall in the city’s history — crews are still working to dig out many neighborhoods as regular city services — and normal life — remain on pause. 📝+📸 Colin Hogan Read our full report and see more photos ➡️ buff.ly/JMvCAKr

❄️Still waiting for your street to be plowed after the Blizzard of '26? The New Bedford Light wants to know. Please fill out the attached form to help us track this down. Thank you! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of a New Bedford man detained by ICE outside his North End home earlier this month. In a sharply worded ruling, the judge called Morales’ continued detention “illegal” and ordered a bond hearing within seven business days. buff.ly/EK092SI

Monday’s blizzard brought 37 inches of snow to New Bedford, beating out the record set during the Blizzard of ’78 by a whopping 11 inches. 📝 Brooke Kushwaha 📸 Eleonora Bianchi Read the full story: buff.ly/hzvdQhx

Under the legislation, customers would get rebates when electric utilities and energy suppliers pay state penalties for not purchasing enough renewable energy. buff.ly/ljuEsOO

Despite a recent injunction that prevents ICE from using IRS information, a data-sharing agreement between the agencies has created a dilemma for some immigrants. Do they file taxes and risk deportation or face fines and imprisonment for failing to file? buff.ly/ErKcjmp

With 30+ inches of snow blanketing the South Coast, Gov. Healey announced a travel ban in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties Monday. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell requested help from the Mass. Army National Guard to plow the city. buff.ly/26O6wEx 📝 Brooke Kushwaha 📸 Eleonora Bianchi

New Bedford is digging out as a blizzard continues to pile up snow, with as much as 3 feet possible by day’s end. Gov. Maura Healey on Monday afternoon announced a ban on non-essential motor vehicle travel in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties. newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...

South Coast residents woke up to as much as 2 feet of snow Monday morning, with up to 12 more inches expected throughout the day. Full story: newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...

William Q. “Biff” MacLean, 32-year titan of the state legislature and don of New Bedford politics, died Friday at 91. Celebrated for bringing state resources home and marked by legal troubles that ended his career, MacLean remained a consequential figure long after leaving office. buff.ly/TMwqEJs

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in this September's Democratic primary, says ICE must go, fishermen must be protected, and offshore wind funding needs to be restored. 📝 Kevin G. Andrade 📸 Eleonora Bianchi Read the full story: buff.ly/vxiXY6O

"The Homecoming," an exhibit at New Bedford Art Museum, "is an unexpected and delightful mingling of works by a number of art history world heavyweights," the Light's arts columnist Don Wilkinson writes. Read the column: buff.ly/4cuCY0Y

A blizzard that is expected to hit the South Coast on Sunday night could deliver up to 2 feet of snow across New Bedford and bring wind gusts of up to 70 mph. The Light's Brooke Kushwaha has more important information right here. ⤵️

The New Bedford officer will be disciplined after failing to report a gun transfer as required by state law. buff.ly/whjXtLF

Bristol Co. Sheriff Paul Heroux came into office 3 years ago after frustration with 25-year former Sheriff Tom Hodgson reached a boiling point. Halfway through his 6-year term, Sheriff Heroux will be Jack Spillane’s guest on The Chat on Thursday, March 19, at 1 p.m. ✅ Sign up: buff.ly/kyLSVXH

Opinion: Although some people have said that concern about an unbalanced Election Commission is much ado about nothing, "[i]t would only take one close and disputed election to do real damage to the electoral process in New Bedford," Light columnist Jack Spillane writes. buff.ly/DM0J8Ue

Coonamessett Farm Foundation is trying to get scallop trawlers in the water more often — even if it means chasing some far-flung fish. “We’re trying to take advantage of how adaptable this industry already is,” one of the foundation's lead research scientists said. buff.ly/Ht81g6I

Just last week, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the administration also plans to appeal rulings issued in January and February that lifted federal suspensions on five under-construction offshore wind projects, including Vineyard Wind. buff.ly/cXbgC1n

The candidate says he would take steps to divert mentally ill defendants away from the criminal justice system, provide improved prosecutor training, and more effectively use technology for evidence collection. buff.ly/7tzbP0L

The former chief has filed his application with the state’s police oversight body to voluntarily relinquish his certification as a police officer. buff.ly/n0SKCtL

“In this national climate, a strong [state attorney general’s] office is required to hold the federal administration accountable and to protect our state from abuses of power,” Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said. buff.ly/xHl7DLc

The long-awaited MBTA extension to New Bedford wasn't supposed to be the end of the South Coast Rail project. But with the state facing uncertainty from federal funding cuts and many transportation projects competing for limited funding, the "full build" may be a long shot. buff.ly/hyePoWM

Applications are open for The Light’s Summer 2026 internship! Local college and advanced high school students will work directly on newsroom coverage, learn from professional journalists, and build a portfolio of published clips. Apply on our website ⤵️ buff.ly/GGGWT0y

"Communities across the country will bear the brunt of this decision — through dirtier air, higher health costs, and increased climate harm," one environmental advocacy group said in a statement. buff.ly/vY3EJXR

In Person: This is Brian Baptiste’s 43rd season as the head men’s basketball coach for UMass Dartmouth, where he's won more games — 741 as of Sunday — than any other active Division III men’s basketball coach. buff.ly/kvWVk9u

Opinion: Steven J. Bouley, a resident of Fairhaven and former teacher at New Bedford High School, may have spent most of his life as a Pats fan, but all that changed when his nephew became the coach of the Seattle Seahawks. buff.ly/6pyMtiR

Thank you for making our work possible — for reading, sharing, supporting, and believing that New Bedford deserves thoughtful, independent journalism. We’re lucky to be part of this community. Happy Valentine’s Day from The New Bedford Light. ❤️

Retired New Bedford firefighter Manuel Mota Jr. declined to plead guilty and pay a $150 fine to resolve the disorderly conduct charge against him, so the case will go to trial. buff.ly/IkgB0Cc

New Bedford City Council passed an ordinance Thursday night that reduces the parking minimum to one space per unit for apartments with fewer than three bedrooms. It also reduces and clarifies parking minimums for many types of businesses. buff.ly/dLbuEbG

A Guatemalan worker was detained by federal agents Wednesday, leaving his wife, a U.S. citizen, to care for a mother with advanced dementia and two toddlers, one of whom has autism. buff.ly/C3GIlbi 📝 Kevin G. Andrade 🎥 Eleonora Bianchi

As U.S. offshore wind projects face mounting uncertainty, Nova Scotia is pitching itself as a stable offshore wind partner, and its ambitious Wind West proposal could eventually export energy to New England. buff.ly/YLbC86j

Opinion: The New Bedford community answered the call during the holiday season, helping The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division provide tangible support to neighbors in need, Majors Everett and Patricia Henry write. buff.ly/aDeNwqw

For many members of the K’iche’ community, laying a loved one to rest means returning them to the land where their life began. While burial in the U.S. would be less expensive, returning a person's remains to their homeland is essential to completing a sacred cycle. buff.ly/iiIwSdc

"Republicans make up only 6% of active New Bedford voters," columnist Jack Spillane writes, "but somehow they have gained the majority of seats on the 4-person New Bedford Election Commission." Read Jack's column: buff.ly/moenqiS

Opinion: Revisions by the CDC to the pediatric vaccine schedule will increase confusion, lead to fewer vaccines being administered and ultimately make us sicker, retired Dartmouth pediatrician Gillian Simmons, M.D., writes. buff.ly/YuWoshF

On Friday, the president revoked Biden-era restrictions and reopened the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument — about 150 miles off Cape Cod — to commercial fishing, reigniting a decade-old conflict between the fishing industry and conservation groups. buff.ly/cmyBF0e

New Bedford’s consideration of cannabis lounges has reignited an old issue, clouding the policy path forward. buff.ly/cDAvVKY

Opinion: "Our [electric and natural gas] systems performed as designed when customers needed it most. ... consistent, long-term investment ensures the system is better positioned to withstand more severe weather with minimal disruption." - Doug Foley and Kevin Kelley, Eversource buff.ly/vNC2WyZ

Several years into Massachusetts' education funding reform, about three-quarters of Student Opportunity Act funding has been directed toward Gateway Cities like New Bedford, but achievement gaps remain. Does the reform need more funding? More accountability? Here's a closer look. ⤵️ buff.ly/z8CQMCM

Cameraless photography? In the latest installment of Chasing the Muse, Light arts columnist Don Wilkinson explores "Tracing Light," a collection of photographic work created without a camera by Brooklyn-based artist Anne Arden McDonald Read the column: buff.ly/wkQWJIR