📝Student test scores in New Bedford and around Massachusetts have mostly flatlined or declined, according to the latest statewide data. In the first year when 10th grade scores no longer would determine who graduates, far fewer of New Bedford’s high schoolers participated in these tests. #MCAS

Opinion: How was it that after 35 years of providing longevity pay to elected officials New Bedford suddenly stopped the practice last year? It stopped because a second-year city employee, working by herself in an understaffed treasurer’s office, questioned it, writes Light columnist Jack Spillane.

✍️ They gathered at the Dartmouth Public Library North Branch to hand-copy the #U.S.Constitution, an exercise aimed at introducing the document to the public and encouraging interaction with it and meditation on it. ✍️ Want to try it? There's a second workshop tomorrow. More below⤵️

Pascual Cuin González, an immigrant with asylum status and a work permit, was detained in three facilities -- in Massachusetts, New York and Louisiana -- before being released. He was never told why he was arrested by #ICEagents or let go. With 🎥

Opinion: It is self-defeating to keep reporters at arm’s length, says veteran journalist Ken Hartnett. Who better to explain New Bedford's challenges — and its plans to solve those challenges — than our long-term mayor? @jonmitchellnb.bsky.social #opengovernment #NewBedfordMA

Store owners on Acushnet Avenue say #ICE operations have dealt a blow to more than their revenue. “Definitely, you can see the impact,” said Muhammad Naseer, owner of America’s Market, a grocery store on Acushnet Avenue, “not just in the numbers, but in the psyche of the community.”

No safety issues were found at the only #assistedlivingfacility in New Bedford after the city's Fire Department began quarterly #safetyinspections this month. The action was taken one week after The Light reported that Whaler's Cove had not received a formal inspection in at least 18 years.

Opinion: The Trump administration recently released a long-promised report decrying the sorry state of the #health of American #children and saying how it planned to change this. What is most telling about this report is what it does NOT cover, writes Edward P. Hoffer, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C.

Chasing the Muse: "Salad Days," the 63-piece exhibit inside old greenhouses at Haskell Public Gardens is unique, thoughtful … and problematic in a kind of perfect way. Read Don Wilkinson's review, with his photos of works from the exhibit⤵️ newbedfordlight.org/salad-days-a...

Constituents at a New Bedford town hall spoke before lawmakers about impending federal cuts to #healthcare, #education and #foodassistance. To offset losses, advocates are pushing a “Corporate Fair Share” bill in Massachusetts, which would require multinational corporations to pay more state taxes.

🍂The air may be getting brisk but the season’s #fallfestivities are warming up. Check out our calendar of events around the South Coast. Got more? You can submit them to us, too!

James Roy, a progressive candidate for at-large city councilor in New Bedford, addresses accusations that he attempted to hide his past history of substance use. Some of the unflattering specifics of that past have now reared their head in election season attacks.

🧢 Since the federal government abruptly halted construction at Empire Wind for one month in the spring, and then Revolution Wind in August, workers supporting the buildout of #offshorewind in New England have grown worried about the industry’s future — and theirs.

The New Bedford Light is one of them! Represented by our environment reporter Brooke Kushwaha. Congratulations, Brooke! @brookekushwaha.bsky.social

Opinion: "Our elected and appointed leaders are not gods. They are humans, like the rest of us, and capable of making mistakes and being wrong. When this happens, we, as citizens, have the constitutional right and duty to object," writes Jane Constant of New Bedford. #freespeech

A New Bedford nursing home has been cited for more health and safety violations than any other nursing facility in Massachusetts, and more than 99% in the country📊. A state report said Brandon Woods "failed to provide a safe environment free from physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect."

📹📹 Double feature: At-large New Bedford City Council candidates take center stage Light columnist Jack Spillane hosted eight of the candidates in the at-large race for a spirited and informative twin bill of The Chat. 🍿Grab some popcorn, settle back and watch the recorded interviews!

A New Bedford firefighter has been placed on administrative leave after making a Facebook post about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The action and investigation come after online conservative activists targeted Pacheco for the post #socialmediapolicy #NewBedford #CharlieKirk

🗳️Here’s how to register to #vote, check your voter status, and find your polling location ahead of the Oct. 7 preliminary and Nov. 4 general elections in New Bedford #elections2025 #NewBedfordMA

#Breaking: New Bedford City Council has filed its lawsuit against Mayor Jon Mitchell in Bristol County Superior Court, seeking a declaratory judgment that says the mayor must seek official council approval for his appointment of Jason Thody as police chief. #NewBedford

The Trump administration is increasing its use of the federal charge of “unlawful re-entry of a deported alien,” leading to a noticeable uptick in such prosecutions at U.S. District Court Massachusetts. #immigrantdeportations

InPerson: Johns Hopkins freshman Audrey Kertscher of Dartmouth has already co-authored and presented a study on #malaria and looks forward to a future in #publichealth. She talks about what it's been like to follow her academic passion -- and her passion for performing.

The Interior Department agency regulating #offshorewind development asked a federal judge on Thursday to allow the reconsideration of a key approval for the SouthCoast Wind project. If approved, it could deal another blow to the beleaguered project.

ICE agents arrested three Guatemalan painters in Fairhaven on their way to work during an early-morning operation Friday. They brought all three detainees to the Burlington field office and subsequently released one man. #ICEarrests #FairhavenMA #detainees

New Bedford municipal elections are heating up with only a couple of weeks left before the Oct. 7 preliminary election. The New Bedford Light is giving all candidates for municipal office the chance to introduce themselves. Candidates for at-large councilor are up first, in video interviews 📹.

After the New Bedford Board of Health denied a proposed waste transfer station in the city’s Far North End this week, activists and nearby residents breathed a sigh of relief. But the fight may not be over. #environment #wastetransfer #newbedford

Ask The Light: One reader wanted to know: Where are all the taxes going from the #marijuana dispensaries in New Bedford? How much money has the city made so far? Our reporter came up with answers.

BREAKING: The New Bedford Board of Health Tuesday night rejected 2-1 what would have been the state of Massachusetts’ largest waste transfer facility — a decision that was met with a standing ovation from a crowd of over 120 people. Read the full story⤵️

Chasing the Muse: The exhibit “I See Myself in You" features William Collin's "stark portraits of Black boys and young men," arts critic Don Wilkinson writes. "None have even the inkling of a smile and that is intentional." newbedfordlight.org/i-see-myself...

❓Curious about city councilor-at-large candidates in the upcoming New Bedford preliminary election? Light columnist Jack Spillane will interview them in a special, two-part live Chat, on Monday, Sept. 22, and Tuesday, Sept. 23. Register now to attend and submit your questions🙋!

Opinion: New Bedford Research & Robotics has demonstrated time and again its ability to be a responsible financial steward, says Ben Anderson, chair of the board for New Bedford Research & Robotics, in response to a Light article. #opinion #business #journalism #NewBedford

The New Bedford Board of Health will now meet in person Tuesday night to decide on whether to approve what could become Massachusetts’ largest #wastetransferfacility. The plan by Parallel Products has already put hundreds of residents on edge. #NewBedford #environment

Today is Democracy Day, and democracy thrives when citizens are informed. Your support allows The Light to secure access to public records, track political decisions that impact us all, and allow every voice to be heard. Consider supporting our work with a monthly donation. tinyurl.com/2xdfshsf

🎨 In 10 years, Jeff Glassman has transformed Hatch Street Studios, a former textiles mill in New Bedford, into a thriving arts center where artists create paintings, pottery, 3D printing – and even clown around #HatchStreetStudios #artscommunity #NewBedfordArts newbedfordlight.org/hatch-street...

🎨 In 10 years, Jeff Glassman has transformed Hatch Street Studios into a thriving arts center where artists create paintings, pottery, 3D printing – and even clown around.

The New Bedford filibuster is on. City councilors decided on Thursday night that they will not act on most items from Mayor Jon Mitchell until the mayor begins a confirmation process for the new chief of police.

InPerson: After a 25-year performing arts career, Mary Elizabeth Rich found a new love in Stage Artistry Studios in New Bedford. Read the interview with the recent Tony nominee: newbedfordlight.org/performing-a... Watch the🎥: Rich talks about her second act as a teacher

You asked The Light: How many sewer overflows #cso did New Bedford experience this summer? Well, it's been a relatively "dry" year, so far. Still ... Read on for the detailed reply by our environmental reporter Brooke Kushwaha.

Help congratulate 👏 Light reporter Brooke Kushwaha, who covers climate and the environment. She's been chosen for a @metcalfuri.bsky.social Metcalf Institute's Climate Ready Newsrooms fellowship this fall at URI. The program aims to provide the training and resources to be "climate ready."

After a deadly assisted-living facility fire in Fall River, The Light inquired about #firesafety at New Bedford's only assisted living facility. It found the city Fire Department has not formally inspected Whaler's Cove in at least 18 years, claiming the responsibility lies with a state agency.

An ex-police officer in New Bedford turned city maintenance man wasn’t coerced into consenting to a search of his home in 2023 by now-retired Police Chief Paul Oliveira and two detectives, justices rule.

New Bedford and Dartmouth could use the Crapo Hill Landfill for at least another 13 years under the new expansion plan, which would create a new "cell" on the site. An open house at the landfill is being held this Saturday.

The New Bedford Board of Health continues its deliberations over the controversial waste-transfer plan in the New Bedford Business Park. One more virtual hearing is TK, with a decision by Sept. 19.

#BreakingNews: A recently filed lawsuit by a former top manager at the MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board includes two allegations of sexual harassment against Joe Lopes, the current New Bedford Ward 5 city councilor.

📹 NoticiasNB: ‘Patio de comidas’ put safety first this year. The traditional Latin cultural event was held at a New Bedford parking lot. And the “Festival Típico de Guatemala” was canceled. In Spanish: newbedfordlight.org/patio-de-com... In English: newbedfordlight.org/changing-wit...

Top New Bedford administration officials disagreed with the advice of their own auditors when they decided to give $2.25M to New Bedford Research & Robotics last year. Read the story, including related internal memos obtained by The Light after a court suit ➡

In New Bedford’s Gallery X, volunteers are hard at work retelling New Bedford’s oft-forgotten history in the textile industry. And, organizers hope, the play will bring the story back into the memories of all New Bedford residents. #labor #textileindustry #NewBedford #theater

Agents wearing tactical gear from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement arrested two men on their way to work early Friday morning on County Street in New Bedford. #ICE #immigrantarrests

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has fined a New Bedford waste transfer facility after a May fire caused a rat outbreak at the facility and in the surrounding neighborhood #environment

#photography #eastcoastkin #newEngland #NewBedfordMA