Chris Serres
@chrisserres.bsky.social
Investigative reporter at the Boston Globe, bird lover 📱 Signal: cserres.22 chris.serres@globe.com
The new report found Latino families in Massachusetts have a median net wealth of just $1,200; Black families have only slightly more, at $7,800. White families, on the other hand, have a median net wealth of $549,200. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/12/m...
How wealthy are Massachusetts families? A new survey reveals enormous racial divides. - The Boston Globe
Even in Massachusetts, where the overall median net worth is $374,000, deep structural inequities persist.
bostonglobe.com
This new report shows that one-third of families in Massachusetts don’t have $400 to cover emergency expenses. We want to hear from you about an emergency expense you faced, and what that meant for you. A reporter may reach out.
Tell us about a recent emergency expense. How much did it cost you? - The Boston Globe
A new report shows that one-third of families in Massachusetts don’t have $400 to cover emergency expenses. We want to hear from you about an emergency expense you faced, and what that meant for you.
bostonglobe.com
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the Minnesota Democratic Senate primary in the latest victory for an insurgent progressive over the party’s establishment. bit.ly/45UHctg
Its only August and more than 2.9 million acres have already burned across Washington and Oregon this year. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
‘Unprecedented, dangerous territory’: US north-west reckons with a summer of historic wildfires
Extreme conditions in Washington and Oregon have fueled fast-moving fires, leaving the region draped in toxic plumes – and the danger isn’t over
theguardian.com
Sometimes you can sit on the banks of that river, contemplating. Sometimes you can watch yourself float past. And other times you can feel yourself sinking. chrisserres.substack.com/p/thoughts-o...
Thoughts on naloxone, 'thin places' and resurrections
“Who doesn’t want to just disappear, at some point in the day, in a year, to just step off the map and float?” — Nick Flynn, Another Bullshit Night in Suck City
chrisserres.substack.com
Drug addiction groups are reeling after Trump officials said federal grants cannot be used to hand out test strips to drug users. The strips help users check street drugs for dangerous adulterants. n.pr/45TAofr
Federal funds can't be used to give test strips to drug users, raising overdose fears
Drug addiction groups are reeling after Trump officials said federal grants cannot be used to hand out test strips to drug users. The strips help users check street drugs for dangerous adulterants.
n.pr
What’s wrong with the Blue Line? The oft-reliable T line is coming off a troubling bout of service interruptions that agency officials say is difficult to diagnose.
What’s wrong with the Blue Line? - The Boston Globe
T officials admit the current state of the Blue Line is neither acceptable nor easily diagnosed.
trib.al
Minnesotans who organized bus stop escorts and grocery deliveries during the immigration crackdown are now becoming Democratic party delegates, campaign volunteers and even candidates for office.
Volunteer network born during immigration crackdown becomes DFL organizing force
Minnesotans who organized bus stop escorts and grocery deliveries during the immigration crackdown are now becoming party delegates, campaign volunteers and even candidates for office.
startribune.com
“That’s the first time I can truly say it takes all 26 guys,” Garrett Whitlock said. “Because, yeah, that was crazy.” The Red Sox have a new wildest win of their wild season: www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/06/s...
Red Sox outlast White Sox in 13 innings in their wildest game of the season - The Boston Globe
Boston won its eighth in a row and is 31-5 in its last 36 games.
bostonglobe.com
Milton town officials have focused unusual attention on Tucker Elementary School: Its children, particularly Black students, are more likely to be investigated for violating residency requirements than any other elementary school in Milton, according to a Globe analysis. trib.al/zK6Evtm
Milton’s tactics stand out compared to other school districts. In some cases, the town pays police officers to conduct surveillance of children’s homes, going so far as to inspect the student’s bedroom, as part of residency investigations. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/05/m...
Milton schools aggressively investigate residency. Black students face more scrutiny, records show. - The Boston Globe
Milton’s tactics stand out compared to other school districts. In some cases, the town pays police officers to conduct surveillance of children’s homes.
bostonglobe.com
A pattern defined much of Ronald Fischer’s life on the run: Construct an identity that projected success, sophistication, and unquestioned legitimacy. The right résumé, the right boat, and the right social circles could make almost anyone seem beyond suspicion. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/06/m...
A fugitive doctor evaded capture for decades. Then one mistake brought everything crashing down. - The Boston Globe
Ronald Fischer spent 21 years on the run for sexual assault, living under false identities as a biotech executive, doctor, and master sailor — until federal marshals tracked him down.
bostonglobe.com
As the UN Secy General says, the Euro wildfires are just an opening act to the El Nino bearing down on planet earth. It's time for smart politicians to stop climate hushing and start getting ahead of the heat. open.substack.com/pub/billmcki...
High Heat, High Drama
Europe is starting to provide some answers about the next step in the climate fight
open.substack.com
NEW: Providence voters will be asked to make a decision this fall about divesting city assets from countries committing atrocities, a move aimed at Israel. It appears to be the first ever citizen-led question to get enough signatures to make the ballot. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/30/m...
Ballot question aimed at Israel will ask Providence voters to divest city funds - The Boston Globe
If approved by voters in November, the citizen-led effort aims to divest city assets from countries committing human rights violations and companies that are "complicit".
bostonglobe.com
European football's 55 member associations have voted to boycott World Cups if the sport's governing body proceeds with a plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Fifa World Cup: Uefa to boycott tournament if Gianni Infantino's investment plans go through
Uefa says "the World Cup is not for sale" after its 55 member associations vote to boycott future tournaments if Fifa and its president, Gianni Infantino, do not back down on their investment proposal...
bbc.com
FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to create a $20 billion company running the World Cup with private investors, including the Kushner family, was announced – and immediately attacked by European soccer body UEFA.
FIFA plan for privatizing World Cup meets fury from UEFA | CNN
FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to privatize World Cup using investors with ties to US President Donald Trump attacked by European soccer body UEFA.
cnn.com
⚡️UN records highest civilian casualty toll in Ukraine since 2022. The mission verified at least 274 civilian deaths and 1,763 injuries during the month, the highest monthly casualty toll recorded in the past four years.
UN records highest civilian casualty toll in Ukraine since 2022
The mission verified at least 274 civilian deaths and 1,763 injuries during the month, the highest monthly casualty toll recorded in the past four years.
kyivindependent.com
Residents warn project could worsen gambling addiction and raise rents, while developers promise jobs
New York Chinatown fears impact of $8bn casino development, calling it ‘predatory project’
theguardian.com
The Red Sox matched a franchise record with their 15th win in a row, defeating the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a day-night doubleheader at Fenway Park. trib.al/uiIKU67
Over the last decade, our understanding of what causes these neurological disorders, which are technically a sub-category of headache, has progressed enormously, alongside the options for treating them. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
The truth about migraines: what causes them – and how to find relief
Over the last decade, the understanding of these devastating headaches has grown enormously, as has the understanding of what can be done to treat them
theguardian.com
“There was just a great feeling of excitement and cross cultural belonging and connection and discovery that was really unlike anything I’ve ever seen in Providence,” said Alison Mountford, Marketing Director of Track 15, a downtown food hall.
Rhode Island went all in on the World Cup. Many businesses think it paid off. - The Boston Globe
“There was just a great feeling of excitement and cross cultural belonging and connection and discovery that was really unlike anything I’ve ever seen in Providence,” Track 15 Marketing Director Aliso...
bostonglobe.com
Members of the Biden Administration struggled to understand how Israel could justify the scale of destruction in Gaza. A State Department official said, “We were all shocked at how aggressive and deadly it was, and asking, ‘What the fuck are they doing?’ ” newyorkermag.visitlink.me/aApLcv
OMB proposal would upend entire grant-making system – and put vast sums into hands of political appointees
‘Complete shock and dismay’: scientists unite against Trump’s $1tn grant attack
theguardian.com
In Ferrante’s world, the neighborhood is not just a physical place – it’s an inescapable state of mind that stalks you wherever you go and can unmask you at any time. open.substack.com/pub/chrisser...
Thoughts on Elena Ferrante and the Neapolitan Quartet
“There are no gestures, words or sighs that do not contain the sum of all the crimes that human beings have committed and commit.” (My Brilliant Friend)
open.substack.com
The so-called Minnesota 15 defendants are teachers, union organizers and transgender rights activists who pushed back against Operation Metro Surge. The Justice Department wants to try them as terrorists.
Antifa or organizers? Minnesota prosecution tests Trump’s legal crackdown on the left
Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, called the defendants members of Antifa, which President Donald Trump designated a domestic terrorist group after the killing of Charlie Kirk.
bit.ly
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in an interview with The New York Times that his administration was still discussing whether to arrest the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, if he comes to New York City as expected for the U.N. General Assembly in September.
Mamdani Says He May Still Order Netanyahu’s Arrest
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in an interview with The New York Times that he was in “an active conversation” with New York City’s Law Department on whether he had the authority to arrest the Israeli leader.
nyti.ms
A MassHousing executive resigned three weeks after the Globe Spotlight Team exposed serious problems with a program he led that was supposed to rehabilitate affordable housing units in struggling mill towns across the state.
MassHousing executive resigns after Spotlight investigation finds fraud, ethics lapse at program he led - The Boston Globe
Tony Richards II failed to disclose that he had purchased a house from two developers whom he awarded $1.4 million in grants. The Globe found that the developers went on to submit a series of bogus invoices.
trib.al
Thoughts on the Scottish invasion of Boston and five great books on „the beautiful game.” open.substack.com/pub/chrisser...
Thoughts on the Scottish invasion of Boston and five great books on "the beautiful game"
I first encountered the foot soldiers of Scotland’s Tartan Army on a brilliant New England morning in June.
open.substack.com
The ICE agent who shot and killed a man in Biddeford, Maine, once threatened to kill his former wife, according to a protective order request.
ICE agent who killed man in Biddeford, Maine, accused of abuse by former wife - The Boston Globe
The woman asked a judge on Thursday that she be granted full custody of their 11-year-old daughter.
trib.al
The chaotic lead-up to the World Cup in Boston exposed turf wars among local, state, and stadium officials, a corporate sector reluctant to open its wallet, and a lack of a broader strategy and funding to attract marquee events. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/17/m...
Saved by the Scots: Inside the turmoil and triumph of Boston’s big World Cup gamble - The Boston Globe
The games were a resounding success — but political infighting and a ruthless FIFA model sometimes left local organizers running on fumes.
bostonglobe.com