科學博物館、ICA等7個文化機構4/20-24加入「波士頓家庭日」行列 波士頓學生可免費參觀

             (Boston Orange編譯)波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu） 17 日宣佈，在4 月 20 日（週一）至 24 日（週五）的學校春假期間，「波士頓家庭日 （Boston Family Days）」新增7所文化機構，讓全市符合條件學生與家庭免費參觀，獲得更多學習與成長機會。

 這些機構包括：當代藝術學院（ICA）、科學博物館（Museum of Science）、約翰·甘迺迪總統圖書館暨博物館（JFK Library）、麻州藝術設計學院美術館（MassArt Art Museum）、保羅·里維爾之家博物館（Paul Revere House Museum）以及憲法號博物館（USS Constitution Museum）。

吳弭市長在「波士頓公校週日試驗計劃」辦得很成功後， 2025 年 1 月推出「波士頓家庭日」，如今每月的第 1 個及第 2 個週日免費，可讓波士頓學生及2名家庭成員參觀的博物館、歷史古蹟及表演藝術場館等文化機構已超過23 個。

波士頓公立學校（BPS）、波士頓市府的青少年參與及推廣辦公室（Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement），以及民間組織「我兄弟的守護者波士頓」（My Brother’s Keeper Boston），都是「波士頓家庭日」的合作夥伴。

科學博物館總裁 Tim Ritchie、ICA 副館長 Kelly Gifford 以及憲法號博物館總裁兼執行長 Jeff Draeger 等機構代表都表示，期待透過手作藝術、互動尋寶遊戲及歷史探索，激發學生對科學、藝術與歷史的興趣。甘迺迪總統圖書館館長 Alan C. Price 還指出，館方將提供多項與太空探索相關的特別活動。

吳弭市長表示，波士頓市府很高興能夠擴辦「波士頓家庭日」活動，讓學生們在春假期間，能夠藉著參觀文化機構，體驗活動，得到更多學習機會，享有更豐富生活。

從創辦迄今，「波士頓家庭日」已款待 77,000 多名波士頓學生及其家人免費參觀文化機構，其中數千人還是第一次踏進這些機構。符合資格的家庭可至官方網站（boston.gov/bostonfamilydays）註冊並查看完整活動行事曆。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU EXPANDS ACCESS TO BOSTON’S CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS FOR FAMILIES CITYWIDE DURING APRIL BREAK

BOSTON – Friday, April 17, 2026 – Mayor Michelle Wu today announced a special week of programming and access to cultural institutions through Boston Family Days during April Break. This unique partnership allows all eligible students and families to visit participating institutions at no cost every day during April Break, Monday, April 20 through Friday, April 24, providing expanded access to Boston families to several of Boston’s top institutions. Participating institutions are the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Science, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, MassArt Art Museum, the Paul Revere House Museum, and the USS Constitution Museum.

 

“This April Break, we’re excited to invite students and families to a special extension of Boston Family Days,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As part of our ongoing work to engage young people and connect them to Boston’s world-class cultural institutions, we’re thrilled to welcome students to these special experiences and deeply grateful to all of our partners for their help in making this possible.”

 

The Boston Family Days program was launched in January 2025 as an evolution of the successful BPS Sundays pilot program, started by Mayor Wu, which allowed students and families to access several cultural institutions across the city. Boston Family Days now includes over 23 institutions across museums, historical sites, and performing arts venues, and is open to all school-aged children who reside in Boston, plus two guests, on the first and second Sundays of each month.

 

This special Spring Break initiative aims to provide an opportunity for learning and growth, even when school is not in session. Boston Family Days is partnering with Boston Public Schools, the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement, and My Brother’s Keeper Boston to bring additional programming and experiences to foster a sense of belonging.

 

“We’ve been delighted to partner with the City of Boston for Boston Family Days to make science more accessible for young people and families,” said Tim Ritchie, Gwill York President of the Museum of Science. “We look forward to welcoming Boston students and their families to the Museum of Science during April break to help inspire a lifelong love of science.”

 

"We are thrilled to welcome Boston families to the ICA for a full week of free April School Vacation activities through the Boston Family Days program,” said Deputy Director of the ICA, Kelly Gifford. “From hands-on artmaking to interactive scavenger hunts, the museum will be filled with opportunities for creativity, exploration, and connection. We look forward to welcoming families from across the city to the ICA for an engaging and inspiring week."

 

“We’re pleased to join this Boston Family Days pilot and welcome families to the USS Constitution Museum during April vacation week,” said Jeff Draeger, President & CEO, USS Constitution Museum. “As we celebrate Massachusetts’ 250th anniversary, we are especially thrilled to open our doors to Boston families and invite them to connect with the ship’s past and present. USS Constitution’s story is Massachusetts history, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Mayor Wu’s Office to make that history more accessible, engaging, and enriching for families across Boston.”

 

“As President Kennedy challenged us to go to the Moon over 60 years ago, the mantle of space exploration has been passed to a new generation, writing a new chapter in the story of our shared human experience,” said Alan C. Price, JFK Presidential Library Director. “We are excited to provide several days of out of this world programming for families and explorers of all ages to enjoy this April school vacation week.”

 

More than 77,000 Boston students and their families have already enjoyed free visits through Boston Family Days, including thousands who are experiencing these institutions for the first time. Students and families can register for Boston Family Days here.

 

For more information about Boston Family Days and to view the full calendar, visit: boston.gov/bostonfamilydays

中美醫學交流協會再辦會議 督促社會關注自閉症

「促進自閉症認知論壇」2日有百餘人參加。（大會提供）

(Boston Orange)中美醫學交流協會（ACMES）日前在貝斯以色列女執事醫療中心（BIDMC）舉辦為期2日的「促進自閉症認知論壇（Advancing Autism Awareness Forum）」，從1911年首次使用「自閉症(Autism)」這詞，談到基因，診斷，以及融合社區的社會支持模式，出席者收穫豐富。

中美醫學交流協會（ACMES）創辦人孔學君致詞。（大會提供）

根據世界衛生組織（WHO）與相關研究估計，全球約有6180萬人受自閉症影響。根據美國疾病與控制中心(CDC)2026年發佈的最新資料，全美約有540萬名成人患有自閉症，約佔成人總人口的2.2%，兒童則是大約每31名8歲兒童中，有1人確診為自閉症。

麻州教育局（DESE）的最新統計，則顯示全州接受特殊教育的學生中，有3萬人以自閉症為主要類別。

由於麻州醫療資源發達，篩檢做的最嚴謹、全面，麻州診斷出的自閉症患者比率因而偏高，包括成年人在內，估計約75,000人。根據Autism Housing Pathways的分析，在18到37歲之間的患有自閉症成年人，接近17,500人。

王睿萌（中）分享經驗。（大會提供）

中美醫學交流協會創辦人孔學君表示，在醫學進步，人們對自閉症了解更多，於是也發現更多自閉症患者的趨勢中，關於自閉症，科研方向已從「尋找單一病因」轉向「理解神經多樣性的機制」，治療或改善做法，也正努力朝向與社區融合。

哈佛醫學院精神病學教授凱沙文（Matcheri S. Keshavan）在開場致詞時指出，瑞士精神病學家Eugen Bleuler在1911年時，首次使用「自閉症（Autism）」這個詞，來描述和精神分裂正相關的“退回自我”狀態，每及兒童精神病學專家Leo Kanner在1943年時，首次把「早發性嬰兒孤獨症」作為相對獨立的臨床綜合症，給予系統性描述。

他在闡釋自閉症的歷史淵源後，提醒人們，在自閉症上，社會需要的不只是診斷，更重要的是探討自閉症人士的多樣潛能˙在臨床診治，教育實踐與社會合作上給予全生命週期的支持。

孔學君（右起）感謝陳奕宏和陳穎君從台灣遠道來參加會議。（大會提供）

在探討治療自閉症的預防與診斷前沿科學上，Patricia Ellen Grant醫學博士介紹了利用先進核磁共振技術觀察胎兒及嬰幼兒腦發育的研究，指出神經發育軌跡可能在生命極早期便已鋪陳。唐欣（Xin Tang）博士則展示了分子、細胞與基因調控的最新進展，通過自動化機器人系統進行高通量實驗，探索未來精準治療的可能。

孔學君（中）感謝支持者。（大會提供）

Margaret Bauman醫生提出審慎使用標籤的必要性，提醒社會應理解行為背後的感官需求而非誤判為危險。Thomas H. Gassert醫生則從環境醫學視角切入，指出空氣污染、化學物質暴露及父母生育年齡與風險的相關性，並強調應保障成年自閉症人士的職場平等權益。Walid Yassin闡述神經多樣性人士常被邊緣化的主要原因之一，在於溝通習慣和方式與一般人不同，形成 “溝通障礙”。William Stone則指出，自閉症患者的認知行為和表現，很難簡單劃分，評估時務必謹慎。

這場會議，還展示了多個化障礙為潛能的案例。

王曉春博士辭去MIT工作，陪伴重度自閉症兒子王睿萌，啟發了兒子數學天賦與社交意願，他和夥伴近年創辦了ASD中心，以及自閉症神經多樣性研究所（Autism Neurodiversity Institute）。

波士頓全球神經多樣化中心（Global Center for Neurodiversity, GCN）的聯合創辦人Jack Day，分享了他如何透過大自然環境，以及長期的結構化支持，幫助兒子及女兒升讀，甚至完成大學學業的經歷。

來自台灣的陳穎君和陳奕宏母子分享了她發想，成功實踐老人與青少年相處的「共好」模式，在一個設計良好的支持系統中，讓不同群體在彼此建立的關係中，互相補足彼此所缺，並得到溫暖。

陳穎君也介紹了把藝術，身體活動和社區生活結合起來，給自閉症患者親身體會一般人生活實境的做法。

陳習珍和劉夢緣母女，藉由網路，從中國廈門參加論壇，分享她曾申請33所幼兒園，悉數遭拒，或孩子被要求離開，熬到孩子唸了8年大學才畢業，如今自行創業等經歷。

會議中的紀錄片環節，放映了黃羽婕執導的「Raymond’s Equations」、從北京來的陳碧珂，追蹤十五年的女性群體影像，以及富蘭克林基金會創辦人屈建平、郝景秀製作的「飛向藍天」。郝景秀呼籲華人家庭丟棄對自閉症的「羞恥感」，接納孩子的獨特性。

孔學君（Xue-Jun Kong）在會議閉幕時指出，自閉症不是一個可以從單一視角來理解的個人身體、心理狀態，既需要科學上的繼續研究、探索，也需要患者家人的耐心陪伴與理解，社會的接納，以及制度的支持。

「上海四重奏」慶祝40週年音樂會 掌聲雷動如「放馬山歌」

中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵（中）恭喜「上海四重奏」演出成功。（周菊子攝）

             （Boston Orange）上海四重奏 (The Shanghai Quartet)應中華表演藝術基金會之邀，4月10日晚回新英格蘭音樂學院喬丹廳舉辦的慶祝40週年音樂會，演奏海頓、譚盾等人作品。300多觀眾，掌聲雷動，起立鼓掌3次，才在加奏一曲周龍的「放馬山歌(A horseherd’s mountain song)」後依依不捨揮別。

上海四重奏演奏現場。（中華表演藝術基金會提供，Chung Cheng攝）

            這是中華表演藝術基金會的第37屆音樂季第4場音樂會。李宏剛、李偉綱兩兄弟和何思昊、于翔等人組成的大中小提琴「上海四重奏」，演奏了海頓：G小調弦樂四重奏，作品74第3號《騎士》，譚盾：《風雅頌》（第一弦樂四重奏），葛什溫：《搖籃曲》，德弗札克：F大調第12弦樂四重奏，作品96《美國》作品96《美国》等作品。

（中華表演藝術基金會提供，Chung Cheng攝）

         「上海四重奏」最初只是小提琴家李偉綱與中提琴家李宏剛兩兄弟攜手，和另外2名音樂家於1983年在上海音樂學院內成立的演奏組合，然後2020 年有小提琴家于翔，2024 年有大提琴家何思昊的陸續加入，更替人選，這才有如今面貌，成為既擅於演奏西方音樂名作，也關注發揚傳統中國民間音樂，致力推廣新音樂，經常穿梭於東西方最前沿作品之間的音樂團體。他們還特別關注東西方音樂傳統並置的創作，錄音作品超過30張。

（中華表演藝術基金會提供，Chung Cheng攝）

           其中的于翔，曾就讀新英格蘭音樂學院，獲得學士（BA）、碩士（MM），以及藝術家文憑（Artist Diploma），師從 Donald Weilerstein 和 Miriam Fried，並曾擔任 Weilerstein 教授的助教。他在波士頓地區廣為人知，深受學生與樂迷的喜愛。

（中華表演藝術基金會提供，Xiaopei Xu攝）

         上海四重奏在過去這些年間，曾於 2002 年起擔任蒙特克萊 (Montclair) 州立大學音樂學院的駐團四重奏，2020 年秋季加入茱莉亞天津學院，擔任駐校教師，還同時是上海交響樂團的常駐合奏團，為上海音樂學院與北京中央音樂學院擔任客座教授。

4月10日這晚，有20多位世界知名音樂家出席，其中許多人曾是于翔的老師，如 Miriam Fried 與 Donald Weilerstein，也有他在新英格蘭音樂學院（NEC）的同學。李宏剛,李偉綱兄弟昔日的同事，新成員大提琴家何思豪的學生，也分別從紐約市與新罕布夏州等地趕來參加音樂會及會後招待會。

（中華表演藝術基金會提供，Xiaopei Xu攝）   

            中華表演藝術基金會創辦人譚嘉陵表示，新英格蘭音樂學院弦樂系的大多數教師，幾位知名鋼琴家，也都在百忙中來現場聆聽。他們的蒞臨與支持，讓四重奏成員深受感動。

四重奏成員當晚也說，儘管他們長途跋涉而來，當晚的演出效果或許受到一點時差影響，但能在許多音樂界傳奇人物面前演出，讓他們十分興奮，難以忘懷，謝幕3次後，于翔代表「上海四重奏」感謝中華表演藝術基金會邀請他們演出，感謝觀眾捧場，更挑選了周龍的「放馬山歌」，作為“恩可”演奏曲，輝映今年是農曆馬年。

「波士頓音樂情報（The Boston Musical Intelligencer）」的音樂評論家 Lee Eiseman 在

一篇題為「上海四重奏開啟通往三重世界之旅(Shanghai Offers Passports to Three Worlds)」的文章中，高度讚賞這場精彩演出。

            Lee Eiseman說，「上海四重奏」展現了兩代成員在氣質上的共生關係；無論成員分散在何處，每逢巡演仍能齊聚一堂，化為一個光彩奪目且全情投入的整體。” 他特別提到了德沃夏克：F大调第12弦乐四重奏，作品96《美國》(Dvorak’s String Quartet No. 12, Op. 96 “America”) : “上海四重奏以慷慨溫厚且充滿希望的方式，呈現出一首波希米亞風格、致敬美國理想的樂章；演出中洋溢著奔放而不過度張揚的力量，兼具撫慰人心的溫暖、精緻細膩的整體詮釋、細節上的纖巧處理，以及出色而鮮明的獨奏表現。”

音樂會落幕後，40 名跨越3代的知名音樂家齊聚一堂，在慶祝酒會上祝賀「上海四重奏演出成功」。著名的克里夫蘭四重奏（Cleveland String Quartet）創團成員、傳奇小提琴家 Donald Weilerstein 與大提琴家 Paul Katz，紛紛和「年輕的」上海四重奏合影留念。

這場音樂會的現場錄音視頻，將放在中華表演藝術基金會 YouTube免費供大家欣賞。（Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FCPA/videos）

中華表演藝術基金會接下來的活動有， 2026 年 8 月 6 日 到 8 月 22 日 在 NEC 的夏季音樂會系列 ，傅聰國際協奏曲比賽 (8 月 15 日 到 8 月 16 日). 夏季音樂會系列 的藝術家陣容已經列於在: https://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/summer/2026/index.html。

傅聰國際協奏曲比賽: 2026年比賽協奏曲：布拉姆斯《第二號鋼琴協奏曲》。對所有鋼琴家，不限國籍；年齡須在 2026 年 6 月 5 日（報名截止日）時不超過 35 歲。詳情請見: https://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/concerto/2026/index.html。

第35屆 2026全美加青少年國畫書法比賽，22 歲及以下美加學生，均可參加。 5 月 31 日截止報名，https://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/competition/painting/2026/index.html。

中華表演藝術基金會的官網為： Instagram: @ cathychanfcpa. （更新版）

第130屆波士頓馬拉松賽博覽會、粉絲節 17日起向公眾免費開放

美國銀行分店內放了一作波士頓馬拉松賽的獨角獸雕塑。（周菊子攝）

            (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 波士頓體育會（BAA）的第130屆波士頓馬拉松賽即將4月20日舉行，從4月17日起的馬拉松週末活動，將有在海恩斯（Hynes）會展中心舉行的博覽會，在波士頓市政府廣場舉行的粉絲節等一系列活動，供民眾與跑者同歡。

波士頓馬拉松賽體育用品官方店，就在波士頓公共圖書館對面。（周菊子攝）

            17日一早，波士頓體育會將在費爾蒙柯普利廣場酒店（Fairmont Copley Plaza）為比賽期間的相關公共安全安排召開記者會，同時介紹職業選手。博覽會、粉絲節，以及山姆亞當斯（Samuel Adams）跑者酒吧等周邊活動，都將在贊助商支持下，從17日起開放供民眾免費參加。

            波士頓體育會更新了職業組的參賽名單，說明有多名選手退賽，另新增Courtney Alama參賽。

其中26.2英里的全馬賽，有Kennedy Kimutai（肯亞）與 Erika Kemp（美國）宣佈退賽；美國選手Courtney Alama（個人最佳成績 2:36:32）則被加入參賽名單。5K賽有Medina Eisa（衣索比亞）退賽；新增 Ella Fadil（美國）、Lea Meyer（德國）與 Mitchell Dervin（美國）等 8 位選手。一英里邀請賽有Collins Kibiwott Koech（肯亞）與 Caleb Easton（美國）宣佈退賽。

17日傍晚6點，多名歷屆波士頓馬拉松冠軍將在波約斯頓街（Boylston Street）的馬拉松賽終點線前，與民眾互動、簽名。

17日到19日，美國銀行贊助，在海恩斯（Hynes）會議展覽中心舉行的「波士頓馬拉松博覽會（Marathon Expo）」，將設有供跑者領取號碼牌的地方，有Adidas等官方商品銷售，還有許多場講座。

在波士頓市政府廣場（City Hall Plaza）舉行的「波士頓馬拉松粉絲節」，將在17至19日間，安排現場音樂、娛樂表演，旁邊還有 Samuel Adams 跑者酒吧。

在比賽期間，費爾蒙科普利廣場酒店外牆，將有「照亮前路（Lights the Way）」光影秀，展示募款運動員的故事。美國銀行（Bank of America ）承諾，民眾每發送一個表情符號進行互動，該行將捐贈 1 美元給慈善計畫。

博覽會部分，3天共安排有22場演講，其中有至少5場，別具特色，分別是：

週五早上11點的「科技前沿：AI 與跑步的未來」探討如何利用機器學習與數據建立「數位孿生（Digital Twins）」，將訓練計畫從被動反應轉向主動預測受傷與優化恢復。對於喜歡穿戴裝置與數據分析的跑者是必聽場次。

週五中午12點的「文化傳承：原住民跑步的聖步」，揭秘波馬著名的「心碎坡（Heartbreak Hill）」名稱由來——源於 1936 年原住民傳奇跑者 Tarzan Brown 的奪冠關鍵舉動。這是一場結合土地記憶與身份認同的深度對話。

週六下午1點的「醫學奇蹟：Team Abbott 戰勝診斷」，由傳奇人物 Joan Benoit Samuelson 領軍。與談人包含心臟病倖存者、癲癇患者與僅剩 60% 肺活量的跑者，分享他們如何不被疾病定義人生，內容極具啟發性（勵志推）。

週日中午12點的「 歷史見證：Amby Burfoot 的週年紀念對談」，由 1968 年冠軍 Amby Burfoot 主持。集結了多位歷史轉折點的人物：包含 Bobbi Gibb（女子第一人，60週年） 與 Jack Fultz（50週年）。這是橫跨一甲子的波馬歷史大會師。

週日下午4點的「女性力量：Bobbi Gibb 的 60 年遺產」，專注於女性在運動商業領域的領導力，特別向60 年前打破性別框架的 Bobbi Gibb 致敬，探討當代女性如何持續改變馬拉松的商業地景。

波士頓粉絲節部分，有週六下午1點在主舞台舉行的「職業選手見面會」，週日下午3點在PodCast舞台的「傳奇球星現身會」，2014 年波馬冠軍 Meb Keflezighi將出席。現場音樂派對，則是週六傍晚6點有Booty Vortex，週日下午4點有Ryan Montbleu。

           在粉絲節內，還有健身，運動課，瑜伽課等活動。

Governor Healey Files Mass Wins Act to Create Jobs, Lower Costs and Attract Global Investment

Governor Healey Files Mass Wins Act to Create Jobs, Lower Costs and Attract Global Investment  

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey today filed the Mass Wins Act, an economic development bill that positions Massachusetts as a global destination for companies looking to invest, grow and create jobs in the United States, while strengthening the state’s competitiveness and lowering costs for businesses. Building on the progress of the Mass Leads Act, the proposal reflects a changing economic landscape and the need for continued, strategic investment to maintain Massachusetts’ leadership in key industries such as artificial intelligence, quantum, climatetech, defense and robotics.  

“Massachusetts has always competed on the strength of our people, our ideas and our willingness to lead,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re taking decisive steps to strengthen our competitiveness, invest in cutting-edge sectors of our innovation economy like applied AI and quantum, and create more jobs across the state. We are supporting Massachusetts businesses by lowering their costs, making Massachusetts a more attractive place for our talented young workers to stay, and easing the burden for entrepreneurs to start up their businesses. While President Trump alienates our allies and makes America less competitive, we are making Massachusetts a global hub welcoming companies from around the world to come and grow jobs right here in our state.” 

“Massachusetts is competing to win, and we’re making investments to stay ahead,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This legislation brings together the tools to support our communities, back our businesses and unlock growth in every region. It reflects a clear focus on execution—moving quickly, staying competitive and delivering results for the people who power our economy.”  

“This bill reflects the urgency of this moment by strengthening Massachusetts’ position in an increasingly competitive global economy,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “It lowers barriers, invests in key sectors and makes it easier for companies to start and grow here. At a time of heightened federal uncertainty, we’re taking action to keep our innovation economy strong, resilient and leading in the industries that will define the future—while continuing to attract and retain the talent that powers that growth.” 

The bill includes $305 million in capital authorizations and is organized around five core pillars focused on driving innovation, reducing barriers to growth, expanding access to opportunity, supporting business development, and strengthening the state’s long-term economic foundations.  

“With these targeted new capital authorizations, this legislation ensures that we will continue to have the flexibility to drive the Massachusetts economy forward, capitalizing on our strengths and positioning the state to lead in areas life defense and AI and to attract new international investment,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “A strong economy is central to everything else we do, and this is a fiscally responsible approach that will grow jobs and strength our economic foundation.” 

The pillars and key provisions include:  

GlobalMass: Elevating Massachusetts’ Global Economic Leadership   

This Mass Wins Act includes a seed investment of at least $50 million to attract global capital into Massachusetts-based companies, strengthening the state’s position as a destination for investment and growth and ushering in new jobs. It also provides $20 million for site development and critical infrastructure to attract international companies to and help them locate, expand and succeed in Massachusetts. 

A More Affordable Massachusetts: Lowering Costs for Businesses 

The Mass Wins Act lowers costs for businesses and removes barriers to make it easier for businesses to start and grow. It lowers the fee for starting a new business from $500 to $100. It also gives 20,000 more businesses access to the Small Business Energy Tax Exemption. The bill also authorizes discounted utility rates for large employers relocating to Massachusetts without increasing costs for other ratepayers and makes the building code appeals process more consistent and predictable. 

To support housing production and reduce development barriers, the bill establishes clear, statewide standards for site plan review, enables municipalities to adopt commercial conversion practices to transform underutilized properties into housing, and allows mayors to formally initiate zoning proposals. 

Talent that Starts Here and Stays Here 

The Mass Wins Act strengthens Massachusetts’ talent pipeline and supports early-career workers through targeted updates to the noncompete law, alongside a $10 million annual internship tax credit program to expand access to early-career opportunities and help connect talent to in-state employers. 

A More Competitive Massachusetts 

The Mass Wins Act strengthens Massachusetts’ innovation economy and long-term competitiveness and create jobs. It includes $100 million for defense sector innovation to support infrastructure, research and supply chain development across national security technologies. It also includes $75 million to expand the application of artificial intelligence across key industries and invest in emerging technologies like quantum computing. An additional $25 million is for Massachusetts’ globally recognized robotics cluster, while $25 million provides capital support for companies expanding or constructing facilities in the state. The bill also advances grid innovation and streamlines approvals for climatetech deployment, accelerating the adoption of new technologies while strengthening energy reliability. 

OneMA: Expanding Opportunity Across the State 

The Mass Wins Act expands access to economic opportunity across the state, with $25 million dedicated to downtown and community revitalization projects that support local growth and vibrancy. It streamlines zoning processes in Devens, reduces barriers for internationally trained nurses and licensed engineers to enter the workforce. Additionally, Mass Wins authorizes $25 million in new capital investments in the creative economy and expands eligibility for the Cultural Facilities Fund to support community and cultural assets. The bill also aligns key tax credit programs across agencies to improve consistency, coordination, and overall effectiveness, and  

The full legislation and bill summary will be available at Mass.gov/MassWins. 

HARVARD ERC DISTRICT AND GREENWAY PLAN

Plan provides framework for future ERC phases

BOSTON - April 16, 2026 - The Planning Department today successfully advanced the Harvard ERC District and Greenway Plan for approval and adoption by the BPDA Board. The plan provides a framework for the ongoing development of Harvard’s 30 acre Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) in Allston, allowing this area to grow as an interconnected part of the neighborhood, rather than a separate, stand-alone campus. The plan envisions this area as a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood and employment center that supports working, living, learning, and recreation.

Staff completed this planning initiative in direct response to community feedback, and as mitigation, following the approval of Phase A of the Harvard ERC in 2022. The plan will guide future development of the remaining site as it continues to be built out in future phases. The main priorities of this plan, developed in collaboration with the community, include: housing, open space, transportation connectivity, green infrastructure, and support for local businesses.

“This plan will allow the Harvard ERC to evolve as a fully connected community, complete with accessible green space, affordable housing, and innovation space,” said Chief of Planning Kairos Shen. “I look forward to working with the community as this vision is brought to life through subsequent development of the ERC.”

The final Plan recommends continuing to transform the area into an innovative research district that is seamlessly integrated with the existing neighborhood fabric. Key recommendations include: a Mobility and Access Framework that prioritizes improved multimodal connections within the district and to surrounding neighborhoods; a design strategy for the ERC Greenway that supports year-round use through lighting, landscaping, and safety improvements; a mix of housing types along the edges of the planning area to create a compatible transition to adjacent neighborhoods; and phased development guidelines that ensure the site continues to function cohesively while minimizing disruption for vehicles and pedestrians as new phases are delivered.

“We are grateful for our continued collaboration with the City and the Allston-Brighton community as we work to further develop Harvard's Enterprise Research Campus into a vibrant, mixed-used, commercial innovation district that compliments the existing neighborhood,” said Interim CEO of Harvard Allston Land Company Jennifer Cohen.

“As stated in the Draft Plan, I appreciate that Harvard University has committed that 20 percent of the ERC’s total developable land area will be publicly accessible open space,” said District 9 City Councilor Liz Breadon. “The future continuous east-west greenway will be a fantastic amenity that will serve to better connect the Allston neighborhood to the Charles River.”

“I look forward to the full build out along Western Ave and completion of the Greenway from the Allston Honan Library to the Charles River,” said Harvard ERC District and Greenway Plan Advisory Group member Barbara Parmenter. “I was glad to see a commitment to temporary improvements as the community waits for full completion.”

Planning efforts happening in parallel in this neighborhood include the Beacon Park Yard Regional Framework Plan (BPY), and the Allston-Brighton Community Plan (ABCP). BPY, which is adjacent to the Harvard ERC District and Greenway Plan area, will develop a community vision to explore and refine opportunities unlocked by the Allston Multimodal Project. The ABCP will develop a shared vision for the future of the neighborhood in collaboration with the Allston-Brighton community, focused on housing, transportation, and open space

波士頓消防局長換人 Paul Burke4月底卸任 Rodney Marshall接任第45屆局長

波士頓市長吳弭（Ｍichelle Wu，左二)歡送Paul Burke(左一），歡迎
Rodney Marshall （右二）出任波士頓消防局局長。（周菊子攝）

           (Boston Orange編譯)波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）今（16）日在藍山（Blue Hill）男女童軍俱樂部宣佈，有30多年資歷的Rodney Marshall ，將在Paul Burke本月底退休後，接替其職，成為第 45 任波士頓消防局局長。

Rodney Marshall接任波士頓消防局局長。
（波士頓市政府提供）

            吳弭市長表示，Rodney Marshall在波士頓土生土長，1991 年加入波士頓消防局，最初在第 56 消防車隊（Engine 56）服役，之後一路晉升，包括1998 年晉升為消防小隊長（Fire Lieutenant），還因爲從六級大火中拯救多名居民，獲頒「局長部隊嘉許獎。2005 年晉升為消防分隊長（Fire Captain），2013 年 因爲參家營救困在嚴重損毀巴士中的民眾，二度獲頒「局長部隊嘉許獎」，2014 年： 晉升為大隊長（District Fire Chief），2022 年 晉升為副局長（Deputy Fire Chief），並擔任支援服務行動總長至今。總共已在波士頓消防局服務了35年有多。

            Rodney Marshall在多切斯特（Dorchester）的 Grove Hall，從波士頓學院畢業，取得學士學位。他在任內最引以為傲的成就之一是設計、監督並啟動「學員計畫（Cadet Program）」，為城市青年開闢成為消防員的職業路徑。

             Marshall 表示，他當初加入消防局，就是為了回饋社區，將來繼續致力支持、守護波士頓鄰里，以及消防員及工作同仁。

到賀嘉賓。（周菊子攝）

MAYOR MICHELLE WU APPOINTS RODNEY MARSHALL AS 45TH COMMISSIONER OF THE BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

BOSTON – Thursday, April 16, 2026 – Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced the appointment of Rodney Marshall as the 45th Commissioner/Chief of Department of the Boston Fire Department (BFD).

 

Marshall, who joined the BFD in 1991 and currently serves as Chief of Operations - Support Services, brings more than three decades of experience in the Department to the position. He will begin serving in his new role when he is sworn in later this month. 

 

“As a distinguished and deeply respected 35-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department, Deputy Chief Rodney Marshall is exceptionally qualified to lead the brave men and women of Boston Fire who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As a lifelong Bostonian, he knows our communities, has demonstrated his leadership on the job, and has devoted his career to serving and protecting our residents. It’s my honor to appoint him as our next Fire Commissioner. I am deeply grateful for Commissioner Paul Burke’s strong and steady leadership over the past nearly four years, and know that his legacy in the Department and the City will continue to have an impact on our neighborhoods.” 

 

“I want to thank Mayor Wu for the privilege of leading the Department that has shaped my life and career,” said Rodney Marshall, incoming Boston Fire Department Commissioner. “As a proud son of Dorchester, I joined the Boston Fire Department because I wanted to give back to the communities where I grew up, and I’m committed to supporting the firefighters and staff who work every day to keep Boston’s neighborhoods safe.” 

 

“Deputy Chief Rodney Marshall and I have worked together side-by-side in the Commissioner’s office for four years,” said Paul Burke, current Boston Fire Department Commissioner. “He is a good choice by the Mayor—and he will be a great commissioner.” 

 

Marshall was first appointed to the Boston Fire Department in 1991, initially serving at Engine 56. He rose through the ranks to become a Fire Lieutenant in 1998, and that same year was awarded the Commissioner’s Unit Citation for saving the lives of multiple residents during a six-alarm fire. He was promoted to Fire Captain in 2005 and in 2013, he received a second Commissioner’s Unit Citation for his role in rescuing several individuals trapped in a bus with severe roof damage. His promotion to District Fire Chief came in 2014. Since his promotion to Deputy Fire Chief in 2022, he has served as Chief of Operations - Support Services. 

 

One of Marshall’s proudest accomplishments was designing and overseeing the launch of the Department’s Cadet Program, helping to create new pathways for young inner city residents to pursue a career as a firefighter. 

 

Marshall was born and raised in Grove Hall in Dorchester, where his parents were well- respected entrepreneurs within the community. He is a graduate of Boston College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree