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星期五, 6月 26, 2026
CITY OF BOSTON SHARES PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT RESIDENTS AND VISITORS AGAINST EXTREME HEAT
紅線Kendall/MIT地鐵站大翻修竣工 麻州長Healey和MBTA總經理伍偉華等人聯袂剪綵
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| 麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey，左五）和麻州地鐵總經理伍偉華（Philip Eng，左四） 等嘉賓為Kendall/MIT 紅線地鐵站翻修竣工剪綵。（周菊子攝） |
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| 麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey，左四）和麻州地鐵總經理伍偉華（Philip Eng，左一） 和地鐵工作人員在Kendall/MIT 紅線地鐵站前留影。（周菊子攝） |
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| 麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）指翻修地鐵站改善了人們的生活品質。（周菊子攝） |
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| 麻州地鐵總經理伍偉華（Philip Eng）指出，Kendall/MIT 紅線地鐵站第10繁忙。 （周菊子攝） |
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| 麻州地鐵總經理伍偉華（Philip Eng）指出，從世界盃足賽場館到南車站只要1小時。 （周菊子攝） |
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| 劍橋市經理黃義安讚許麻州長Maura Healey的重視交通、住宅及創新經濟。 （周菊子攝） |
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| 政要及機構代表在地鐵站前合影。（周菊子攝） |
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| 剪綵慶祝還請來小提琴家表演。（周菊子攝） |
Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Major Upgrades at Kendall/MIT Station
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| Kendall/MIT 紅線地鐵站靠近谷歌辦公室所在的進出口。（周菊子攝） |
BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today joined the MBTA, BXP, MIT Investment Management Company (MITIMCO), the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and local leaders to celebrate the completion of major improvements at Kendall/MIT Station on the Red Line and highlight how partnerships between the public and private sectors are helping to modernize the MBTA and strengthen Massachusetts' economy.
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| Kendall/MIT 紅線地鐵站靠近MIT的進出口。（周菊子攝） |
Serving one of the world's leading innovation districts, Kendall/MIT Station connects thousands of workers, students, researchers and visitors to jobs, businesses and educational opportunities every day.
The renovated station entrances provide riders with safer, more accessible and modern access to one of the busiest transit stations in Massachusetts. The project was made possible through a partnership between the MBTA, MIT, BXP and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, demonstrating how public-private collaboration can improve transportation infrastructure while supporting continued economic growth.
"Every day, thousands of people rely on Kendall/MIT Station to get to work, class, medical appointments and home to their families," said Governor Maura Healey. "These improvements will make those trips safer, more reliable, and will create a better experience for everyone who passes through this station. This project shows what's possible when government, businesses and community partners work together to invest in modern transportation infrastructure that supports housing, jobs and economic growth. We're grateful to MIT, BXP, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and the MBTA for their partnership in making these improvements possible."
"Kendall Square is one of the world's leading centers of innovation, and it deserves a transit system that reflects that," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "These improvements make it easier for people to get where they need to go while strengthening one of Massachusetts' most important economic engines. This partnership is a great example of how we can work together to deliver better infrastructure and stronger communities."
The improvements include fully renovated inbound and outbound station entrances with new elevators, escalators, stairways and upgraded public spaces, making the station easier to access for riders of all abilities.
“I want to thank MIT and BXP for partnering with the MBTA to renovate the inbound and outbound headhouses at Kendall/MIT Station. These headhouses are the front door to Kendall Square and the front door to the MBTA system for everyone who lives, works, studies, and visits,” said Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. “Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, we look forward to building on successes like Kendall Square and fostering more partnerships and transit-oriented development throughout the MBTA system, because when transit thrives, communities and entire regions thrive.”
"Strong economic districts are built on great public infrastructure," said Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. "The Red Line is essential to Cambridge, and it is wonderful to see such a beautiful investment in the infrastructure they rely on every day. With a second elevator, improved entrances, and a rooftop open to the public, we have made the Kendall/MIT Station more accessible, more comfortable, and more reflective of the innovative square it serves. The City of Cambridge thanks Governor Healey and our partners at the MBTA, BXP, and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority for an investment that strengthens both daily life and long-term opportunity in Cambridge."
The outbound entrance, funded by BXP in coordination with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, opened in April 2026 and features a new glass entrance, renovated stairs, an escalator, second street-level elevator, and publicly accessible rooftop patio.
"The Kendall/MIT Headhouse is an investment in both infrastructure and community," said Jeff Lowenberg, Senior Vice President of Development, BXP. “We're proud to have partnered with the Commonwealth and our local stakeholders to deliver a project that enhances connectivity, improves the public realm, and supports Kendall Square's continued growth as one of the world's leading innovation districts”.
“The beautiful, new accessible Red Line head houses at Kendall/MIT are a terrific way to welcome the world to the most innovative square mile on the planet,” said Beth O’Neill Maloney, Executive Director, Kendall Square Association. “In Kendall Square we are committed to improving human health and the health of the planet. Whether you cross the Longfellow Bridge from Boston or ride across Cambridge, you will step from the T into the heart of our innovation ecosystem at work plus restaurants, green spaces, public art, the MIT Museum, the Fab Foundation, and so much more.”
The inbound entrance, funded by MIT Investment Management Company, includes a redesigned station lobby, improved lighting, new public and employee restrooms and other accessibility and customer experience upgrades.
The Kendall/MIT improvements are part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration's broader effort to modernize the MBTA and encourage transit-oriented development that creates housing, jobs and economic opportunity near public transportation.
Since 2020, private development has contributed more than $440 million in improvements to MBTA infrastructure, including approximately $60 million invested at Kendall/MIT Station. During that same period, more than 10,000 new housing units have been built on or adjacent to MBTA property, helping connect more residents to reliable public transportation.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has also made significant progress improving MBTA service and reliability. Since completing the Track Improvement Program, the MBTA has eliminated over 220 speed restrictions across the system including the Red Line. These improvements have saved riders an average of 2.4 million minutes every weekday across the Red Line and beyond. Additionally, nearly 13,000 railroad ties were replaced and more than 250,000 feet of rail. Building on that milestone the MBTA increased maximum operating speeds on the Red Line's Braintree Branch from 40 mph to 50 mph where conditions allowed in March 2025.
Massachusetts Approves First Three-year Bachelor’s Degree Pilot Programs, Adding to Affordable College Options
Massachusetts Approves First Three-year Bachelor’s Degree Pilot Programs, Adding to Affordable College Options
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) today approved applications from Merrimack College and Suffolk University to pilot three-year applied bachelor’s degrees starting in the fall 2027 semester. These programs add to a growing slate of more affordable college options in Massachusetts, including free community college, free and more affordable public four-year degrees, and expanded Early College programs that allow students to earn college credits at no cost in high school.
Merrimack will pilot 96-credit versions of its bachelor’s degrees in business administration, communications, criminal justice, and psychology; and Suffolk will pilot a 94-credit applied bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and innovation.
“Three-year degrees will make it more affordable for students to graduate and get the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Congratulations to Merrimack and Suffolk on the approval of these innovative pilot programs. We look forward to monitoring their impact and pursuing more strategies to lower the cost of education for all of our residents.”
“The future of our economy and workforce require exploring affordable new pathways to degrees and credentials,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Board of Higher Education has opened the door to innovation while maintaining program quality and consumer protections, which allows us to see the impact of new approaches here in Massachusetts.”
Merrimack College and Suffolk University’s three-year degree programs were approved earlier this year by their accreditor, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), on the condition that the programs would also be approved by the BHE.
The pilot programs are required by NECHE and DHE to be referred to as “applied bachelor’s” degrees, distinguishing them from traditional bachelor’s degrees. Students also sign disclosure forms upon applying, which ensure they acknowledge the pilot nature of the program and possible impacts related to future federal financial aid eligibility, graduate school, and employer perceptions.
The pilot programs must adhere to the innovation regulations and additional conditions put forth in the Board motions. Institutions are required to share annual reports on the pilot programs that include data on areas such as enrollment, finances, and assessment of progress in meeting student learning outcomes. DHE will develop an additional evaluation rubric and will be engaged in a NECHE review within two years.
The Merrimack and Suffolk programs were proposed under new regulations the Board adopted in February allowing Massachusetts’ public and private colleges and universities to propose pilot programs that increase the effectiveness of higher education, but may require the Board to waive one or more of its other regulations on degree-granting authority. The Board’s existing regulations require that bachelor’s degrees in Massachusetts include at least 120 credits, amounting to the traditional four-year degree, and the innovation regulations opened the door for the Board to consider three-year bachelor’s degrees, in line with what other states across the country are doing.
“Massachusetts has made historic investments in state financial aid, and we are continuing to look for additional ways to make high-quality college pathways more affordable for students,” said Secretary of Education Steve Zrike. “We want more residents to access college, complete their degrees and graduate ready to launch their careers, and that requires both strong investments and new ideas. With a measured, thoughtful approach to welcoming and piloting new ideas, Massachusetts is well positioned to maintain our leadership in innovation and higher education.”
“Many students need to launch their careers sooner to support themselves and their families, and these pilots explore how we can grow options for being career-ready in a way that reduces costs and time to degree,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “After closely reviewing Merrimack and Suffolk’s pilot proposals and engaging with the institutions, the Department determined that all proposals fully meet the criteria laid out by the innovation regulations, which were carefully crafted to uphold program quality, consumer protections and transparency. We look forward to continuing to engage with these institutions as program outcomes become available.”
“With affordability as a top priority, we must continually consider responsible, innovative approaches to growing higher education opportunity and strengthening our talent pipeline in the Commonwealth,” said Board of Higher Education Chair Chris Gabrieli. “These pilot programs offer pioneering approaches that preserve core values of a broad general education and a deep expertise in a chosen major and they are structured with careful guardrails addressing consumer protection and a commitment to thorough evaluation to determine their impact and value. If they prove successful, they offer the potential for immediate benefit for participating students and longer-term impact on our understanding of a potential new pathway choice for students who seek it in the future."
The BHE began discussing sub-120 credit bachelor’s degrees at its December 2024 meeting, and in 2025, the Board held discussions on how to allow for responsible exploration, which formed the foundation of the innovation regulations. DHE engaged with stakeholders to finalize the draft regulation, and on October 28, 2025, the BHE voted to open a public comment period. The Board voted to approve the innovation regulations on February 10, 2026.
Initial pilot program approval is limited to a maximum of five years and may be subject to conditions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board. The Board may also extend or shorten the conditional approval time period based on an evaluation of the pilot under the innovation regulations, which will take into account sufficient time and data to assess the impact and success of the pilot.
波士頓市長吳弭預告慶祝美國建國250週年的獨立日系列活動
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吳弭表示，250年前波士頓引領全國對抗暴政、爭取獨立，今日的波士頓市民依然承繼這股革命精神，她為能主辦這場跨世代的歷史慶典感到驕傲。
當天活動從上午7時30分起跑，各參與單位於達特茅斯街（Dartmouth Street）與柯普利廣場（Copley Square）一帶集結待命。9時整，獨立紀念日遊行（Independence Day Parade）正式從柯普利廣場出發，隊伍沿波約斯頓街（Boylston Street）前行，左轉特天滿街（Tremont Street），最終抵達法院街（Court Street）。遊行隊伍匯集歷史組織、軍事單位、退伍軍人團體、公民社團及樂隊，場面盛大。
上午10時，遊行隊伍將在老格拉納利墓園（Old Granary Burying Ground）暫停，舉行傳統的「榮譽停步」（Halt of Honors）儀式。費夫上校（Colonel Lee Fife）將宣讀多位愛國先烈的生平，並在山繆·亞當斯（Samuel Adams）、約翰·漢考克（John Hancock）、羅伯特·特里特·佩恩（Robert Treat Paine）、彼得·法內爾（Peter Faneuil）及克里斯帕斯·阿塔克斯（Crispus Attucks）等人的墓前獻上花圈。
10時15分，市民可聚集在老州議會大廈（Old State House）外，聆聽從歷史陽台上宣讀「獨立宣言（Declaration of Independence）」。儀式將有號角齊鳴、波士頓警察麥克納爾提警官（Officer Stephen McNulty）演唱「天佑美國（God Bless America）」，以及古老暨榮譽砲兵連（Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company）指揮官正式宣讀宣言，最後由扎巴軍樂隊（Zarba Military Band）以愛國樂曲作結。
上午11時，年度獨立紀念日演說（Independence Day Oration）將移師芬紐廳（Faneuil Hall）舉行，吳弭市長將出席致辭，並有特邀嘉賓發表專題演說，詳細嘉賓名單將另行公布。
市府提醒，當天遊行路線沿線及集結區域將實施臨時道路封閉、禁止停車及交通管制，劍橋街（Cambridge Street）、法院街、達特茅斯街及周邊道路均受影響，民眾出行前應預留充裕時間並妥善安排交通。
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Residents and visitors should expect temporary street closures, parking restrictions, and traffic delays in the vicinity of the parade route and staging areas throughout the morning. Street occupancy and parking restrictions will be in effect on portions of Cambridge Street, Court Street, Dartmouth Street, and surrounding roadways. For additional information, visit Boston.gov |
Concerned Jewish Faculty & Staff Corrects the Record about Cynical Smear Campaign Aimed at Lexington, MA Principal
Concerned Jewish Faculty & Staff Corrects the Record about Cynical Smear Campaign Aimed at Lexington, MA Principal
LEXINGTON, MA – It’s not every day a principal’s email to middle schoolers makes international news. But when Dr. Johnny Cole recently emailed seventh graders at Diamond Middle School in Lexington, Mass., his message lit up pro-Israeli-government social media accounts. The issue? Dr. Cole had apologized for a misguided session about antisemitism that left some of his students feeling “left out or erased.” Within 24 hours, right-wing outlets FoxNews and The Jerusalem Post had packaged the modest apology as ragebait, with sensationalistic and incorrect headlines claiming Dr. Cole had apologized to community members uncomfortable with Holocaust education. The caricatures soon went viral.
In fact, the objections of Lexington parents and students were not over Holocaust education at all. Earlier this year, the school brought in an outside group called TribeTalk to run a workshop on antisemitism. The event alarmed parents when they learned that under the guise of educating their children about how to prevent antisemitism and be ‘upstanders,’ TribeTalk had conflated Jewish identity with support for the Israeli government. Parents expressed these views in a meeting with Dr. Cole and Lexington School Superintendent Dr. Julie Hackett. They invited Professor Margaret Litvin of Boston University, a founding member of Concerned Jewish Faculty & Staff (CJFS), to attend.
“TribeTalk materials and workshops do not teach the Holocaust, they exploit it,” Litvin wrote in a letter to the Lexington Observer clarifying what happened. “TribeTalk pushes the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, which mislabels political speech as anti-Jewish ethnic or religious bias.” She noted that TribeTalk and similar groups are “trying hard to ignore the plurality of American Jews who do not identify as Zionist.” Among young Boston-area Jews, according to a 2026 Combined Jewish Philanthropies survey, that percentage is around two-thirds.
CJFS commends Dr. Cole for taking parent and student concerns seriously. His note expressed an appropriate commitment to include Lexington’s teachers, students, and parents in future efforts “to build something better.”
The smear campaign that distorted Dr. Cole’s words follows a troubling pattern. Litvin observed that the Washington, DC-based group StopAntisemitism, which took the story to FoxNews, is “known for stunts like placing children’s content creator Ms. Rachel on its ‘Antisemite of the Year’ list.” “Such groups seek simply to co-opt our K-12 education system and public discourse in the service of a foreign government,” she said. “They do not care if they destroy our civic fabric in the process.”
Added CJFS’s Ben Allen, a professor at Emmanuel College: “Jewish people hold a wide range of views on Israel, Palestine, and many other topics. By flattening Jewish identity into a simplistic, pro-Israel narrative, groups like TribeTalk and StopAntisemitism undermine the respectful, fact-based conversations that should be happening instead.”
Concerned Jewish Faculty & Staff, a New England Jewish organization of about 300 higher education professionals, works to clarify the distinction between Jewish identity and pro-Israel political views. CJFS advises and supports education leaders at the campus, town, state, and national levels. At this perilous moment, with antisemitism and related forms of white nationalism on the rise, CJFS applauds education leaders who recognize that conflating Jewishness with Israel endangers and marginalizes Jewish people as well as Arabs, Muslims, and other minority communities.
Read Dr. Litvin’s Letter to the Lexington Observer
麻州長簽署「藍色信封」法案 協助自閉症患者和警方更安全的溝通
(Boston Orange編譯)麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）於6月25日簽署「促進警察與自閉症患者互動法」，正式建立「藍色信封計畫（Blue Envelope Program）」法的全州性法定框架，協助自閉症駕駛人在交通臨檢等執法場合與警員有效溝通，降低誤解風險。
根據新法，自閉症患者可自願在車上備妥一只特製藍色信封，內附身分資料及個人說明文件。信封的外觀設計能即時提示警員，持有者在承受壓力時可能出現不同的溝通方式或反應，協助執法人員以更有耐心、更具理解的態度處理現場狀況。
麻州大學安赫斯特分校（UMass Amherst）患有自閉症的學生馬克斯·卡拉漢（Max Callahan）推動，促成此法。他表示，自己雖然渴望開車，但一直擔憂一旦遭遇警方攔查，會因為自己在壓力下的反應，被警方誤判為危險或不配合行為，進而陷入險境。他將這份憂慮帶進議會，最終促成了立法。
麻州警察署署長傑弗瑞·諾布爾（Geoffrey Noble）表示，從2024年試行以來，藍色信封已讓駕駛人與員警雙方都能更安全、更順暢地完成臨檢程序。麻州弧形協會（The Arc of Massachusetts）執行長毛拉·蘇利文（Maura Sullivan）也表示，這工具能讓執法互動建立在清晰、耐心與相互安全的基礎上。
奚莉州長表示，這法令有助於改善溝通，減少不確定性，讓每個人在與執法人員互動時，都感到安全與被理解，並為自閉症患者、其家屬及執勤警員帶來更好的結果。
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