A much anticipated bill that aims to protect immigrants across the commonwealth from civil immigration arrests at courthouses, schools, clinics, and other venues became law Wednesday. buff.ly/Z404vlZ 📝+🎥 Kevin G. Andrade

"[The data] demonstrates convincingly that without strict enforcement and meaningful financial deterrents, regulatory thresholds exist only on paper while residents pay the physical and emotional price," writes Paul J. Lanzikos of Dignity Alliance Massachusetts buff.ly/ThZEIau

Letter: Nursing home staffing investigation deserves praise - The New Bedford Light

It demonstrates convincingly that without strict enforcement and meaningful financial deterrents, regulatory thresholds exist only on paper while residents pay the price.

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Six months after the Zeiterion's reopening, area restaurant owners and managers say there has been a definite uptick in patrons on performance nights. buff.ly/5DogetE

Downtown eateries share limelight with newly refurbished Zeiterion - The New Bedford Light

Several area restaurant owners and managers say there has been a definite uptick in patrons during performance nights at the Zeiterion.

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During Monday's debate, incumbent Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton shared positions on immigration and the war in Iran, but they also leveled serious allegations against each other. buff.ly/RGuxHnW

Markey, Moulton trade barbs in second U.S. Senate Democratic primary debate - The New Bedford Light

While the candidates shared positions on immigration and the war in Iran, they also leveled serious allegations against each other.

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Massachusetts is on the way to giving doctors the final say on whether an abortion should be allowed late in pregnancy. buff.ly/o1LA3vQ

Mass. is close to giving doctors the final word on whether to perform late abortions - The New Bedford Light

The state Senate adopted the measure Friday, sending it to Democratic Gov. Maura Healey.

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Federal Medicaid cuts affect up to 5,000 Bristol County residents, according to Andrew Dawley, CEO of Community Counseling of Bristol County. buff.ly/QKeAQtq

One Big Beautiful Bill forces mental health cuts in Bristol County - The New Bedford Light

Community Counseling of Bristol County laid off about 40 employees after federal Medicaid cuts significantly reduced MassHealth’s budget for care programs.

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Both branches of the Massachusetts Legislature now support a big boost in spending to address the primary-care doctor shortage. buff.ly/yMchcod

With House vote, Beacon Hill inches closer to landmark primary care reforms - The New Bedford Light

Both branches of the Massachusetts Legislature now support a big boost in spending to address the primary-care doctor shortage.

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While most New Bedford residents sleep, John Moniz is out in his truck. Between 2 and 10 a.m., the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project general foreman cruises around the county’s parks, yards, and neighborhoods spraying low-dose Duet, an insecticide, into the early morning fog.

As one of its many conservation missions, MassWildlife has been working for the last three decades to bring the roseate tern back from the brink of extinction. These efforts are working.

"A waterfront built with extraordinary public investment should reflect the needs of everyone in Fall River — not just the well-off," writes Tracy M. Albernaz, Fall River Community Organizer, United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts buff.ly/77G8vXT

Opinion: A once-in-a-generation opportunity: Getting Fall River's waterfront right for everyone - The New Bedford Light

A waterfront built with extraordinary public investment should reflect the needs of everyone in Fall River — not just the well-off.

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Teachers at Greater New Bedford's Voc-Tech high school feel burnt out, disrespected, and locked out of decision-making, according to a recent survey conducted by the school's Educator's Union. buff.ly/OqxJmMt

New Bedford Voc-Tech union: “Teachers feel completely defeated” - The New Bedford Light

Teachers at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech say there’s no support and no transparency. The superintendent says the school is focused on student success.

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➡️ Jack Spillane's column was our most-read item this week. He explores how Custom House Park — the park designed 13 years ago as a downtown oasis for lunch breaks and summer concerts — has become a home for about 20 unhoused people, with tents and belongings spread across its lawns. buff.ly/EMJc2o5

New Bedford’s Custom House Park becomes refuge for unhoused - The New Bedford Light

New Bedford needs to help people in Custom House Park but also make it inviting for the general public again.

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Senators passed a bill Thursday overhauling public access to legislative records, and added a press shield to protect journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources. buff.ly/KYR3EfX

Senate OKs records access bill as November ballot fight looms - The New Bedford Light

The bill also creates a press shield to protect journalists’ confidential sources.

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The New Bedford Light’s Anastasia E. Lennon was at the Feast last night to capture headliner Sugar Ray’s performance. Did you make it to the concert? The Feast opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, and noon on Saturday, which is “Family Fun Day” from 12 p.m.- 4 p.m.

New Bedford Light reporting intern Anna Albrecht captured the sights and sounds at the first day of the Feast on Thursday. Were you in line to get in for the music and food?

🎨Love to show your art and talk about the meaning behind it? Then apply for The New Bedford Light’s next Arts Illuminated on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Steeple Playhouse in New Bedford. Deadline for submission is Wednesday, Aug. 12. Learn more, find out how here: newbedfordlight.org/artsillumina...

Johnna sat tall — dressed in scrubs, a blue bandana covering her head — in an office at the Immigrants’ Assistance Center Tuesday. The 29-year old Haitian immigrant was stoic as she recalled the five-minute meeting the day before in an area assisted living facility.

Sugar Ray sound checks in a light drizzle preparing for tonight’s performance at the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament - Official. Rain is expected to end before the Feast kicks off at 6 p.m. Are you going tonight? 🎥 Jonathan Comey

The personal data of over 290,000 Massachusetts residents’ information was exposed in a “data security incident” at Hawthorn in December, according to state filings and legal notices sent this month. buff.ly/hhkxzWs 📝 Grace Ferguson

Hawthorn Medical breach exposes personal data for 290,000 Massachusetts residents - The New Bedford Light

Brown University Health is not providing specifics about how the breach happened. State Sen. Mark Montigny is calling for answers.

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Lawmakers pledge immigrant protections at courthouses, schools, healthcare facilities and childcare centers. buff.ly/pxIB278

Massachusetts Statehouse conferees reach accord on ‘strongest in the nation’ immigrant protections - The New Bedford Light

Legislative conference committee members pledge protections at courthouses, schools, healthcare facilities and childcare centers.

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More than 100 people gathered Tuesday night at the Casimir Pulaski School auditorium to express privacy concerns over Flock cameras and to demand that city officials remove them from the 20 locations at which they were quietly installed almost 2 years ago. 📝 Anastasia E. Lennon 📸 Eleonora Bianchi

At 4 a.m. Sunday, a crew of Feast regulars is already on Gooseberry Island, picking greenery to decorate Madeira Field — the first job in a week that ends with a 110-year-old tradition that draws thousands.

Five years after Massachusetts introduced staffing standards to improve care in nursing homes, 51% of facilities are out of compliance, a Light investigation found. When there isn’t enough staff, care deteriorates, experts and advocates say. Here is Lynette Couture’s story. ⤵️ buff.ly/b0rudjm

On the hottest day of the year so far, the laundry room at the Ash Street Jail in New Bedford is a cool 89 degrees. Across town at the Dartmouth House of Correction, the facility’s air-conditioned units never rise above 72 degrees.

It felt like someone was hammering an ice pick into Lynette Couture’s leg. The 55-year-old was recovering in Plymouth Harborside Healthcare’s rehab unit last fall after a horrific car crash shattered her left leg. Doctors had drilled a metal device into her bones to reconnect them.

New Bedford residents will gather Tuesday night at 6 p.m. for a public meeting at Pulaski Elementary School to talk about Flock cameras. Also known as license plate readers, they scan every car, make, model, color and license plate that drives by. 🎥 Anastasia Lennon

How are Flock cameras being used in New Bedford? And who can access the information they collect? Police Chief Jason Thody will answer these and other questions at a public meeting Tuesday. Light reporter Anastasia Lennon shares what you need to know. buff.ly/clXuGvb

Flock furor: Police cameras in New Bedford and South Coast - The New Bedford Light

At a Tuesday night meeting, Police Chief Jason Thody will answer questions about the 20 Flock license plate readers operating in the city.

newbedfordlight.org

OPINION: There simply is not enough help for the unhoused folks staying in New Bedford's Custom House Park and elsewhere. New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody discussed the situation with Jack. ⤵️ 🎥 Eleonora Bianchi

🎨Love to show your art and talk about the meaning behind it? Then apply for The New Bedford Light’s next Arts Illuminated on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Steeple Playhouse in New Bedford. Deadline for submission is Wednesday, Aug. 12. Learn more, find out how here: newbedfordlight.org/artsillumina...

Madeira wine, spanning from very dry to very sweet and improving with heat, has pre-Revolutionary roots in the U.S. and it still rallies a crowd of supporters in America, as it did in colonial times. Are you a Madeira wine drinker? buff.ly/VP3E2Xy

Madeira wine: A drink that’s stood the tests of time — and trans-Atlantic ship journeys - The New Bedford Light

The wine’s history in America dates back to John Hancock and the Revolution. Thirty-two barrels will be served at this weekend’s Feast.

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