City Council opposes moving O’Bryant School
Mayor Michelle Wu’s plans to move the John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science from its current location in Roxbury to the former West Roxbury Education Complex were met with stiff opposition last week as students, parents, faculty and city councilors spoke out against the move.

Works by Black artists now grace governor’s walls
When guests walk into Gov. Maura Healey’s office in the State House, they will now be greeted by two new paintings by local Black artists.

Wu secures crucial reforms in new police contract
Deal includes ability to fire officers convicted of crimes and a 21% raise in police salaries over five years

Pressley and Welch unveil Inclusive Democracy Act
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Vermont Sen. Peter Welch have introduced the Inclusive Democracy Act, a legislative breakthrough that would end felony disenfranchisement in federal elections by guaranteeing the right to vote for incarcerated citizens.

Getting to the roots of trauma
At its core, PsychoHairapy is a skills-based training course designed to instruct stylists on the intersection of mental health and hair care.

Congressional backlash fails to remove Harvard’s first Black president
Across America, the war and the Oct. 7 massacre that caused it are creating a deep divide, especially on college campuses.

Claudine Gay survives attacks on her character and credibility with racist undertones.
Claudine Gay survives attacks on her character and credibility with racist undertones..

Menthol cigarette ban delayed to 2024
Menthol cigarettes are still on the market after the Biden administration delayed its ban once again. Instead of announcing the new policy, on Dec. 6 — months after an initial spring 2023 deadline — the White House updated its regulatory agenda to reflect a new deadline of March 2024.

IN THE NEWS
Turnbull, the CEO of the Waldwin Group, and two other champions for equity — Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, a former Brown University president, and Melissa M. MacDonnell, president of Liberty Mutual Foundation — were honored Dec. 10 at Boston’s Four Seasons Hotel.

Michigan’s clean energy win provides roadmap for other states
The historic Clean Energy Future Package and Clean Energy and Jobs Act, just recently signed into law by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, will greatly accelerate the state’s transition to the exclusive use of clean power sources like wind and solar.

Ballot effort aims to end MCAS grad requirement
Flexing its political muscle, the Massachusetts Teachers Association turned in 135,000 signatures, far more than expected, to the Secretary of State’s office in support of a ballot question that intends to remove the controversial high school graduation requirement tied to MCAS testing.

Ten groups will receive grants to advance health equity, access
Ten community organizations in Boston’s neighborhoods that experience the greatest health disparities will receive more than $1 million in grant funding from the Boston Public Health Commission to increase health care access in the communities that need it most.

Overuse of road salt can be hazardous to environment, infrastructure, advocates say
New England environmental advocates are warning government officials and certain companies about the hazards of using too much salt to de-ice the roads.

Remembering Norman Lear
Lear’s life changed when he was 9 and living with his family in Chelsea, Massachusetts. His father went to prison for selling fake bonds. Norman became the man of the house, and realized there is a lot of humor even in painful situations.

A phenomenal football season
Terry “Beefy” Cousins, president of the Elite Eagles, and coach Terry Hurston have mentored Dorchester’s Pop Warner Players on and off the field for nearly three decades.

A varsity ice hockey player in high school, Taylor Settles sets her sights on college
Settles said she understands that the opportunity to play college hockey is rare and looks to use her platform to inspire others.

Black, queer — and leading the NAACP in New England
Gillom now works with the New England Area Conference, a regional division of the NAACP, following several years of heading the Windham County, Vermont, branch.

JAMES PERRY IN CONVERSATION WITH ARTIST Rob Stull
This is the tenth in a weekly series presenting highlights of conversations between leading Black visual artists in New England.

A chronicle of Black life in Boston
Crite painted what he knew. A graduate of both the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Harvard University, Crite lived at 410 Columbus Ave. in Boston’s South End, a few steps from the newly dedicated Crite Park.

‘Real Women Have Curves’
In 2002, the film “Real Women Have Curves,” starring America Ferrera, Lupe Ontiveros and George Lopez, was a groundbreaking story of a young Latina finding herself and learning self-acceptance in the United States.

First edition Phillis Wheatley book acquired by Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
This year marks the 250th anniversary of one of the most heralded revolutionary acts: the Boston Tea Party.