WBUR

@wbur.org

WBUR is Boston’s NPR. A public media leader committed to exceptional journalism on-air, online, on-demand and on stage.

Following the recent 10-day partial Red Line closure, a sprawling shutdown on the Green Line is coming our way. WBUR's Tiziana Dearing spoke to the MBTA General Manager Phil Eng about why there have been so many diversions this month.

Another big MBTA closure is coming up. Why are there so many this month?

Following the recent 10-day partial Red Line closure, a sprawling shutdown on the Green Line is coming our way. WBUR's Tiziana Dearing spoke to the MBTA General Manager Phil Eng about why there have been so many diversions this month.

trib.al

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch told WBUR that half a dozen different hospital operators drafted proposals for Norwood Hospital since its former operator, Steward Healthcare, declared bankruptcy in 2024. He said two contenders remain in active discussions with the hospital’s property owner.

2 hospital operators in talks to take over Norwood Hospital, says Lynch

Norwood Hospital has sat vacant for six years, even as multiple hospital operators expressed interest in reopening it for a community that suddenly lost access to critical medical care.

trib.al

Helmed by founding artistic director Steven Maler, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's 30th anniversary production is about love and the rollercoaster of emotions it elicits. And it's "packed with a wonderful cast," reviews critic Jacquinn Sinclair.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' lights up the Common with lessons of love

Helmed by founding artistic director Steven Maler, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's 30th anniversary production is about love and the rollercoaster of emotions it elicits. And it's "packed with a wonderful cast," reviews critic Jacquinn Sinclair.

trib.al

Massachusetts is on the way to giving doctors the final say on whether an abortion should be allowed late in pregnancy, a move expected to affect few cases but that supporters say is needed because hospitals are now turning away women they should be serving.

Mass. close to giving doctors the final word on whether to perform late abortions

Massachusetts is on the way to giving doctors the final say on whether an abortion should be allowed late in pregnancy, a move expected to affect few cases but that supporters say is needed because hospitals are now turning away women they should be serving.

trib.al

A group of young scientists and entrepreneurs started a backyard lab in Boston in 2018 to find a cleaner metal-refining method. Now, they're at the forefront of efforts to reduce U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals used in weapons systems and high-tech products.

A Mass.-based company could be key in breaking China's hold on critical mineral processing

A group of young scientists and entrepreneurs started a backyard lab in Boston in 2018 to find a cleaner metal-refining method. Now, they're at the forefront of efforts to reduce U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals used in weapons systems and high-tech products.

trib.al

Lawmakers enacted legislation that enables Massachusetts to take the land occupied by the under-construction Norwood Hospital by eminent domain, effectively ratcheting up the pressure for the property's owner to make a deal with a new operator before the state flexes its authority to intervene.

Lawmakers send Healey eminent domain bill in bid to revive Norwood Hospital

A vestige of the Steward Health Care bankruptcy crisis, Norwood Hospital closed in 2020 due to catastrophic flooding. Construction of a new hospital was stalled as Steward went bankrupt, and the property remains controlled by real estate investment trust Medical Properties Trust.

trib.al

Many Massachusetts nursing homes fail to meet state staffing requirements, leading to poor care. Five years ago, state health officials set minimum staffing levels to help improve care. A New Bedford Light analysis found that staffing levels in Massachusetts nursing homes are worse now in some ways.

Half of all nursing homes in Massachusetts are understaffed

Many Massachusetts nursing homes fail to meet state staffing requirements, leading to poor care. Five years ago, state health officials set minimum staffing levels to help improve care. A New Bedford Light analysis of federal data found that staffing levels in Massachusetts nursing homes are worse now in some ways.

trib.al

President Trump suspended the nation’s refugee program early in his second term, but created a controversial carveout for for white Afrikaans-speaking South Africans. Vermont is expected to resettle more than 100 Afrikaners before the end of September.

More than 100 white South Africans to resettle in Vermont, as door remains closed for other refugees

President Trump suspended the nation’s refugee program early in his second term, but created a controversial carveout for for white Afrikaans-speaking South Africans. Vermont is expected to resettle more than 100 Afrikaners before the end of September.

trib.al

This morning in WBUR Today: Boston is giving residents an extra week to submit ideas in this year's round of participatory budgeting Plus: — Wu shakes up the Streets Cabinet — Green Line closures coming down the track — Boston's restaurant week(s) returns www.wbur.org/news/2026/07... @wbur.org

Bostonians are getting extra time this year to submit ideas on how to spend $2 million

The city of Boston is extending the monthlong window for residents to submit ideas for its third-ever round of participatory budgeting an extra week — until Aug. 7.

wbur.org

Following sharp criticism over the death of a city cyclist, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is replacing her interim chief of streets with a respected bicycle advocate. The mayor's office also announced dates for new neighborhood meetings on a controversial center bus lane plan for Blue Hill Avenue

After cyclist's death, Wu shakes up 'Streets Cabinet' leadership

The mayor's office also announced dates for new neighborhood meetings on a controversial center bus lane plan for Blue Hill Avenue

trib.al