|
|
星期四, 1月 15, 2026
PLANNING DEPARTMENT ADVANCES FIRST HOTEL PROJECT UNDER NET ZERO CARBON ZONING
MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES 2026 DAY OF CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES 2026 DAY OF CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
The City of Boston and Boston University continue the tradition of paying tribute to the life, legacy, and influence of Dr. King.
BOSTON – Thursday, January 15, 2026 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the City of Boston will present the annual "A Day of Celebration in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," in partnership with Boston University. The event will take place on Monday, January 19, at 12:00 p.m. at Metcalf Hall on the second floor of the George Sherman Union at Boston University, located at 775 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. The event will be live-streamed on Boston.gov and air on Boston City TV (Xfinity 26, RCN 13 and Fios 962).
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic life, transformative leadership and enduring legacy is central to the City of Boston. This year’s celebration highlights the Kings’ stand for justice and honors Dr. King’s influence that continues to inspire action and change in our city,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Thank you to Boston University for your partnership in continuing this tradition and allowing us to come together to honor the Kings’ legacy and carry their message of hope and the power of community forward.”
This year’s King Day Celebration will center the theme “Justice Indivisible: Fighting Racism, Greed, and War,” inspired by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1967 Three Evils of Society speech, which names racism, poverty, and militarism as persistent threats to American democracy. The 90-minute program will feature a keynote address by writer, scholar, and cultural organizer Dr. Eve L. Ewing, associate professor at the University of Chicago and the award-winning author of five books, including the New York Times and USA Today bestseller Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism. Ewing is also known for her work with Marvel Comics, including Ironheart, Black Panther, and Exceptional X-Men.
The program will also include readings from two Boston University Students that are graduates of Boston Public Schools and musical selections performed by a student band ZURI from Berklee College of Music.
“Martin Luther King Jr. was an alumnus of Boston University, and we are proud that his legacy, and the values he espoused, continue to guide us to this day,” said President Melissa Gilliam. “He devoted his life to building bridges through civil discourse, to creating communities rooted in dignity and mutual respect, and to serving others. These principles matter deeply to us, and they are fundamental to our partnership with the City of Boston and our shared programs in civic engagement and access to education. We look forward to continuing to work together to uphold human rights and opportunity for all people.”
In previous years, leaders such as Mayor Michelle Wu, U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley, City of Boston Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu, Beverly Morgan-Welch, Sonia Sanchez, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Ernest Green of the Little Rock Nine, Judy Richardson of Eyes on the Prize, author and poet Cole Arthur Riley, and civil rights activist and filmmaker Topper Carew served as keynote speakers. Governor Deval Patrick, Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, Boston Poet Laureates Sam Cornish, Danielle Legros Georges, Porsha Olayiwola, and WGBH Radio host Eric Jackson are among those who have served as readers in previous years.
National Civil Rights and Latino Leaders Demand Congressional Accountability for Escalating Federal Abuse and Executive Overreach
National Civil Rights and Latino Leaders Demand Congressional Accountability for Escalating Federal Abuse and Executive Overreach
Ahead of MLK Jr. Day, leaders convene at the one-year mark of the Trump administration amid affordability concerns and renewed civil rights focus following events in Minneapolis
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, a coalition of national civil rights, faith and Latino advocacy organizations led by UnidosUS held a virtual press conference demanding the U.S. Congress take immediate action to rein in heinous and excessive immigration enforcement practices that are eroding constitutional protections, undermining public safety and harming communities across the country. This press call followed a joint letter signed by 74 national, state and local organizations across the country also calling on the U.S. Congress to exercise its constitutional oversight role.
During the press conference held ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, national advocates cited growing concerns following the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a mother and U.S. citizen, in Minneapolis, as well as the numerous accounts of indiscriminate abuse and unwarranted deaths seen in other states couched under the guise of federal immigration enforcement operations.
In the joint letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the civil right leaders called on Congress to “enact clear, enforceable guardrails that protect constitutional rights, ensure transparency, and curb the abuse of power we see daily across the country.”
As the Trump administration approaches one year in office, the coalition emphasized that Congress has the authority and responsibility to reject unchecked funding for immigration enforcement, warning that last summer’s legislation provided the administration with unprecedented resources, including $170 billion and 10,000 additional ICE agents. This has fueled abuses of power and the weaponization of a broken immigration system, outcomes that could be repeated without meaningful guardrails and oversight.
Leaders also warned that the expansion of detention, surveillance and unaccountable enforcement, paired with inadequate training and oversight, has predictably resulted in fear, racial profiling, due process violations, wrongful detention of U.S. citizens, unsafe detention conditions and expanded surveillance practices that endanger civil liberties.
National civil rights organizations called on Congress to exercise its constitutional oversight authority and include enforceable guardrails in legislation and in FY 2026 appropriations to rein in abuses of power and protect communities:
· Congress Should Respond to Unlawful Use of the Military: Prohibit the domestic deployment of military personnel or resources for immigration enforcement or policing, reaffirming long-standing limits on military involvement in civilian law enforcement.
· Protect Communities from Misuse of Power: Ban masked federal agents and require clear identification and body cameras; codify sensitive-location protections for schools, hospitals, courts and places of worship; suspend 287(g) agreements until independent oversight is in place; and ensure arrests and detentions are properly documented and legally authorized.
· Restore Due Process: Require judicial warrants for all arrests and detentions, transparent reporting and independent investigations into deaths or wrongful detentions, access to legal counsel and family for detained individuals, and prohibitions on mass detention, dragnet surveillance, and the use of non-immigration data for enforcement purposes.
The organizations stressed that these reforms should apply nationwide and are intended to protect the constitutional rights and safety of all communities while reinforcing Congress’s role in providing oversight of federal immigration enforcement.
Organizations that joined the press call and signed onto the letter include:
Aquí: The Accountability Movement
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP)
Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Grants to Support Playful Learning in Preschool through Third Grade
Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Grants to Support Playful Learning in Preschool through Third Grade
EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that it is awarding $140,000 in grants to four school districts to continue efforts to incorporate playful learning strategies into preschool through third grade classrooms. The funding will provide professional development and coaching to district and school leaders, classroom educators and other specialists on how to sustain the use of play as an effective instructional approach that leads to deeper learning and is more accessible to all students.“The Healey-Driscoll administration is committed to giving our youngest learners classroom experiences that are fun, engaging and aligned with our state’s curriculum frameworks,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Through playful learning, students have opportunities to navigate different situations and engage with content in meaningful ways.”
"Young children learn best through play," said Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez. "These grants continue to equip educators with tools that lead to equitable and meaningful learning experiences for students."
The grant, called the Playful Learning Institute Continuation Grant Program, allows four districts to continue participation in the pilot of the Playful Learning Institute hosted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). These four teams were part of the cohort 1 pilot and will continue to build on work started in Year 1 (2023-2024) and Year 2 (2024-2025), including but not limited to mentoring new districts participating in the pilot as part of cohort two. Through continued coaching and professional development, participants will gain additional tools and strategies needed to intentionally design and embed playful learning across the course of the day. This funding builds on the $1.2 million the administration awarded last year for the second cohort.
DESE is working with NORC at the University of Chicago to evaluate the impact of the Playful Learning Institute.
The grant recipients each received $35,000 for grant activities, including professional development and coaching. The recipients are:
- Beverly Public Schools,
- Pioneer Valley Regional School District,
- Sharon Public Schools, and
- Woburn Public Schools.
Governor Healey Condemns President Trump's Cancellation of Millions in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Grants
Governor Healey Condemns President Trump's Cancellation of Millions in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Grants
BOSTON - Governor Maura Healey is condemning President Trump’s abrupt cancellation of tens of millions of dollars in grants for substance use disorder prevention and treatment, overdose prevention, mental health care, suicide prevention and more in Massachusetts. The Department of Public Health (DPH) and Department of Mental Health (DMH) received notice of more than $5 million in grant terminations from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It is expected that tens of millions of dollars in total have been cut from state agencies and non-profits, including community health centers, in Massachusetts. The loss of this funding will have a significant and detrimental impact on work to prevent and address substance use disorder and provide mental health care across the state.
“I can't believe Donald Trump is cutting funding for mental health and addiction services. I don’t know a family in America that hasn’t been touched by one or both of these issues,” said Governor Healey. “This is callous and cruel, especially because President Trump has already cut funds for food, veterans, child care, and health care. And today he cuts funds for so many people and families who need access to mental health and addiction services. Unbelievable.”
“As a practicing physician in the field of addiction medicine and primary care, I know how important these programs are for my patients,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “These programs may be what prevents a parent’s overdose or enables someone’s spouse to experience recovery or helps someone’s child cope with trauma. Beyond the loss of this considerable amount of funding – and likely, lives – what we’re losing is grace and compassion in the way we support vulnerable people in our society.”
Two Massachusetts state agencies, the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH), have received notice that more than $5 million in grants were terminated
The letter from SAMHSA referenced the agency’s new strategic priorities, with the goal of, “ending harm reduction practices.” For years Massachusetts has invested in harm reduction initiatives and increased access to services, both of which directly led to a 36.3% decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2024, the lowest levels since 2013.
“The complete and abrupt nature of the cancellation of these federal grants has an immediate impact on care for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. These grant initiatives were designed to meet specific identified needs, and it is irresponsible to abruptly terminate funding that supports services and staffing in many parts of the state,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “The impacts are compounded by federal grant cuts to local municipalities, community health centers, and organizations for substance use and suicide prevention strategies in Massachusetts. Collectively, the state programs and community services are essential components of the recent successes in the reduction in overdose deaths statewide. Terminating them abruptly could have devastating, long-term negative impacts.”
“The programs funded by these grants are providing critical services to some of the most vulnerable individuals in the Commonwealth with mental health and substance use needs, including youth experiencing early psychosis,” said Department of Mental Health Acting Commissioner Beth Lucas. “These programs are highly effective in providing timely treatment that enables youth to fully experience the life of their choosing in school, work and with their families, friends and communities. Without these critical, timely
Grants awarded to EOHHS, now terminated
Psychosis Prevention Grant – $499,999 via DMH
Supports work at four Massachusetts
hospitals to provide comprehensive coordinated specialty care and outpatient treatment to adolescents and young adults who are experiencing early psychosis.
Strategic Prevention Framework for Prescription Drugs (SPF Rx) – $384,000 via DPH Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (
Prevents prescription drug misuse by older adults, who are particularly susceptible.
Grants to Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths (PDO) – $850,000 via DPH BSAS)
Reduces the number of prescription drug/opioid overdose-related deaths and adverse events, including through training of first responders and distribution of naloxone to high-need communities.
Promoting the Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care (PIPBHC) – $2,000,000 via DPH BSAS
Supports adoption and improvement of integrated care models for behavioral and primary physical health. Aims to increase behavioral health screening, access to behavioral health care and substance use disorder treatment, and to improve the quality of care for undeserved individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders who are living with or at high risk for co-morbid health conditions.
MA Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program (GLS) – $1,470,000 via DPH Bureau of Community Health and Protection (BCHAP)
Supports the implementation of youth suicide prevention and early intervention strategies in schools, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance use programs, mental health programs, foster care systems, pediatric health programs, and other child- and youth-serving organizations.
Statements from impacted organizations
Bill Yelenak, the Providers’ Council's president and CEO
"The Providers' Council, representing 220 community-based human services organizations across the Commonwealth, is deeply concerned by the abrupt termination of more than $2 billion in federal SAMHSA funding. Several of our members learned overnight that hundreds of thousands of dollars will no longer be available to fund essential programs related to mental health services, substance abuse treatment programs, children and families experiencing trauma, and more — putting some of the most vulnerable in the state at risk of losing services. These funding cuts will negatively impact individuals, families and communities across Massachusetts, and we plan to work with the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our partners at the state and national level to respond to these alarming cuts and ensure essential human services are preserved in the Commonwealth."
Michael Curry, Esq., President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers:
“Community health centers have saved countless lives and have made immeasurable progress treating substance use disorder in our most vulnerable communities who are often last in line for lifesaving treatment and care.“The loss of these grants will undermine health centers’ ability to address this devastating epidemic and will have a direct impact on the lives of patients in every corner of the state and country.”
Lydia Conley, President and CEO, Association for Behavioral Health:
“Providers across Massachusetts depend on SAMHSA funding to provide services to people with behavioral health needs – federal grants actually make this work possible. Our members woke up to an email from the agency telling them that all funding has been terminated as of yesterday, and that has created major chaos and will ultimately harm the people who need these services. We are thankful for the leadership of Governor Healey who, contrary to the Trump administration’s actions, has worked zealously to protect health care access in Massachusetts.”
SALEM CITY COUNCILLOR ANDREW SMITH ENDORSES DAN KOH
SALEM CITY COUNCILLOR ANDREW SMITH ENDORSES DAN KOH
“I know he's looking out for all of us in his quest to deliver a strong labor force, affordability for families, and a better, brighter Massachusetts,” says Smith.
Andover, MA – Today, Salem City Councillor Andrew Smith announced his endorsement of Dan Koh in the Massachusetts 6th Congressional District primary.
“In 2015, I worked as a cameraman for a grand opening in Boston. Without knowing me, Dan Koh told me where to stand to get the best shot. Despite working for the mayor himself, he always looked out for the little guy. I’m proud to support Dan now in his bid for Congress. I know he's looking out for all of us in his quest to deliver a strong labor force, affordability for families, and a better, brighter Massachusetts,” Smith said.
Dan has spent his career looking out for the “little guy” – and he’s showing no sign of stopping. A former Andover Select Board member, Dan knows the hard work and patience needed in order to make local government run efficiently and provide for communities.
“I am super grateful for this endorsement from Councillor Smith,” Koh said. “Our campaign is all about standing up for everyone across the district — no matter who you are. Our District deserves a leader who will unite us and recognize that our differences are our strength. We’re energized to work towards that with an empowering, dedicated leader like Councillor Smith on our team.”
Koh’s campaign has gained critical momentum thanks to the support of over a dozen local community leaders, over ten union locals, and Vice President Kamala Harris, while raising a record-breaking $2M+ in its first fundraising quarter, a record for an MA House campaign.
星期三, 1月 14, 2026
Liz Breadon當選議長 波士頓市議會風波正烈
 |
| 布莉登（Liz Breadon）當選波士頓市議會議長。左為他的政策主任葉威。 （檔案照片，周菊子攝） |
由於布莉登出人意料之外的當選市議會議長，她又承認投票前夕有人上門遊說，接著12日深夜她才公佈委員會主席提名人選，前市議員安德森（Tania Fernandes Anderson）立即爆料，指市長幕後操作委員會主席派任，於是波士頓市議會風波越演越烈。
此外，市議員愛德華費連（Ed Flynn）要求麻州總檢察長辦公室調查，市議長選舉之前的議員們私下聚會討論，是否違反公開會議法，市議員梅西亞（Julia Meija）抱怨財政，規劃及發展等重要委員會主席竟無一人是少數族裔，市議員莫菲(Erin Murphy)以公開信抨擊這次的市議會議長選舉背信棄義，滿是政治操作，委員會主席提名決策不透明，質疑是議長的領導能力等一連串情況，引發議論滿天飛。
追溯此事緣起，要從波士頓市議會早在去年11月大選結束後，波士頓市第一區市議員沙帕塔（Gabriela Coletta Zapata）就宣佈，她已爭取到足夠支持，將出任波士頓市議會議長這個時間點開始說起。
那個時候，波士頓第四區市議員沃雷爾（Brian Worrell）也有意角逐波士頓市議會議長一職，支持者也不在少數。
然而，就在1月5日新一屆的波士頓市長和市議員宣誓就職的前一晚，市議長選情驟變，原本已宣稱自己將出任新屆市議會議長的沙帕塔（Gabriela Coletta Zapata）突然就在1月4日這晚宣布退出市議會議長選舉。
沙帕塔臨時決定退選是因為她發現有3名原本同意支持她的市議員，臨陣倒戈，改為支持沃雷爾。
照說，和沙帕塔激烈競爭的沃雷爾（Brian Worrell），應該就會當選市議會議長了。結果1月5日卻是第九區市議員布莉登（Liz Breadon）以7比6票的微小差距當選了。
事後，布莉登證實，人們視為吳弭（Michelle Wu）市長親信的市議員，第八區杜爾侃（Sharon Durkan）和第五區潘朋（Enrique Pepén）在4日晚將近午夜時分登門造訪，以波士頓市議會需要“折衷候選人”為由，游說她參選。
1月5日布莉登坐上市議會議長席位後，直到1月13日才公佈委員會主席名單。照慣例每週三召開的市議會因為各委員會的主席名單需要經過議會投票認可，在各主席就任，各項提案未歸類之前，議會缺乏實質議程可審理，於是1月7日，14日休會，21日則因19日為馬丁路德金紀念日，當週照例休會，於是1月28日將召開的市議會，備受矚目。
布莉登公佈，她提名的委員會主席名單包括：
財政委員會（Ways and means Committee）：韋伯（Benjamin Weber，第6區）。
政府運作委員會：沙帕塔（第1區），她也接受了副議長職位。
住房與社區發展委員會：潘朋（Enrique Pepén，第5區）。
規劃、開發及交通委員會：杜爾侃（Sharon Durkan，第8區）。
公共安全與刑事司法委員會：桑塔納（Henry Santana，不分區）。
勞工與經濟發展委員會：沃雷爾（Brian Worrell，第4區）。
環境正義與公園委員會：沃雷爾（Brian Worrell，第4區）。
城市服務委員會：愛德華費連（Ed Flynn，第2區）。
人類服務委員會：莫菲（Erin Murphy，不分區）。
教育委員會：梅吉亞（Julia Mejia，不分區）。
藝術、文化與觀光委員會：路易瓊（Ruthzzee Loujieune，不分區）。
人口普查、選區重劃與選舉委員會：路易瓊（Ruthzzee Loujieune，不分區）。