Billionaires profit, workers struggle
In the eight months since states went on lockdown in March, 647 billionaires in the United States have seen their wealth increase by $960 billion, according to a report released last week by the Institute for Policy Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based progressive think tank.

Activists push legislation as budget debate winds down
At a demonstration at the State House last Thursday, several organizations joined together to appeal for remaining amendments and bills that are outstanding before the extended session ends on Dec. 31. Massachusetts Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy and union SEIU 32BJ Political Director Dalida Rocha hosted the rally.

Counselors, cops clash over tear gas
After a summer of protests, Boston city councilors are looking for more protocol on how the police control crowds. In a working session on Nov. 18, Councilors Andrea Campbell, Lydia Edwards and Ricardo Arroyo attempted to bring Boston police officers on board with restrictions on tear gas, projectiles and other crowd control weapons, but did not.

Alexandra Oliver-Dávila is new School Committee chair
Alexandra Oliver-Dávila was voted chair of the Boston School Committee last week, taking over from former member Michael Loconto, who left the body after he was heard on a live mic mocking Chinese-sounding names during the Oct. 21 School Committee meeting.

Mayor announces reimagined Main Streets
Mayor Martin Walsh announced Tuesday a new community engagement process to reimagine Boston’s businesses. Reimagine Boston Main Streets is meant to strengthen the city’s Main Streets program, assess where the resources are and identify gaps. The first part of this community engagement process began at a Nov.

Roxbury has been home to many ethnic groups
Thanksgiving is a special holiday when families gather to celebrate their good fortune. This practice acknowledges the safe arrival of the Pilgrims in Plymouth in 1620. But this year will be different. The Covid-19 pandemic prevents groups of people, even relatives, from assembling too closely.

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The GOP is Trump’s GOP, and that won’t change
Weeks after Trump decisively lost the election to Biden, not one top Republican official appeared on a national Sunday TV talk show to discuss the election. Only a handful of GOP Senate outliers, such as Mitt Romney, dared to say that Biden won the election, and that the Senate and country should get on with its business.

IN THE NEWS
Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that he is appointing Nick Martin to be the administration’s new chief communications officer, effective Monday, December 14.

Transit activists protest MBTA service cuts
9 extensive cuts to service on the T, commuter rail, ferry and buses. Starting January 2021 and continuing through the summer, they will roll back service times and specific lines, prioritizing what they call “essential lines” for communities that rely on public transportation.

Transitioning to a more inclusive economy
For Black America, the financial ravages of the year have brought deeper and more devastating circumstances to bear. Disproportionately affected by the COVID- 19 pandemic, our communities have been denied the opportunity to comfort loved ones hospitalized, or even to collectively mourn the loss of family and friends.

When style meets sisterhood
Joelle Fontaine has been working in the fashion industry for years, but in 2020 she’s really hit her stride. Fontaine’s brand, I Am Kréyol, launched the Artisan Collection this year, featuring both garments designed by Fontaine and accessories and home goods by female artisans from around the world.

BU exhibit shines light on African American graphic designers
The show was researched and curated by Jerome Harris, a graphic designer, educator and curator out of New Haven, Connecticut. But it was assistant professor of graphic design Mary Yang and a group of graphic design students who brought the show to life and applied the material to the Boston University community.

Regina Carter mixes music and politics
Jazz violinist Regina Carter teamed up with Grammy Award-winning producer and writer Kabir Sehgal to release “Swing States: Harmony in the Battleground” in July.

An absent audience
On Dec. 1 at 8 p.m., ArtsEmerson will present the virtual livestream of “in the absence of things,” a short film written and created by vocalist-composer Somi Kakoma.

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