Why did the fishing vessel Yankee Rose that Truett “Gene” Holcomb was captaining last week capsize just three miles off of Provincetown? The Coast Guard and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are investigating the accident that left two men dead.
#fishing #scalloping #fishingindustrydeaths
🗳️ Ahead of a record 12 potential ballot questions in the November election, the Mass. Senate has passed legislation to require monthly disclosure of statewide ballot campaigns’ finances. The bill would hold ballot question committees to the same standard as legislative candidates. #transparency
🎨 Chasing the Muse: Art critic Don Wilkinson looks at “25 Years / 40 Artists Reflect on a Quarter Century of Exhibitions,” currently on display at The Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery at Bristol Community College #arts
The PROTECT Act aims to strengthen protections for immigrant communities across Massachusetts, focusing on courthouse protection, due process rights, detention facility conditions and law enforcement regulations.
buff.ly/xg7erKx
📝+🎥 Jamie Perkins
Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux came into office three years ago after frustration with 25-year former Sheriff Tom Hodgson reached a boiling point.
Halfway through his term, Sheriff Heroux will be Jack Spillane’s guest on The Chat on Thursday, March 19, at 1 p.m.
✅ Register: buff.ly/NEkEfJ3
The fallout of a sexual relationship between since-retired New Bedford narcotics detective Jared Lucas and his confidential informant continues.
buff.ly/ikCIq03
An estimated 2,900 families in New Bedford could lose SNAP benefits this year under expanded work requirements.
But many are unable to reach a state caseworker to discuss or update their situation because staff — and the phone system — cannot keep up with the volume.
buff.ly/rK9PLV6
They aren't exactly pretty to look at, but those ugly piles of snow around New Bedford are doing the city more good than you think. Here's how. ⤵️
buff.ly/Uf4pqye
The School Committee unanimously approved new contracts for the superintendent and deputy superintendent at its annual Winter Retreat in February.
buff.ly/zL3auj5
The Nature Conservancy is hoping to restore oyster reefs in an effort to improve water quality in New England estuaries and create a foundation for more erosion- and flood-resistant “living shorelines.”
buff.ly/xFN4L5f
Opinion: The most appalling part of the Epstein scandal is the willingness of senators and representatives to remain silent and refuse to hold the guilty accountable, Betty Ussach, of Dartmouth, writes.
buff.ly/piqEr5c
Ethan Brown, training program coordinator at the Metcalf Institute at the University of Rhode Island, and Fara Warner, executive director, visited The Light newsroom Tuesday to share practical strategies for incorporating climate news into other reporting beats.
📸 Eleonora Bianchi
The proposal would allow single-family homes to be built on smaller lots. It likely wouldn’t have much impact in New Bedford but could significantly change zoning in parts of Dartmouth and Fairhaven.
buff.ly/MPhYxP6
Opinion: For decades, nearly every major political decision on the South Coast ran through Biff MacLean. IN his latest column, Jack Spillane writes about the reach, the results, and the reckoning of one of the region’s most consequential figures.
buff.ly/64KX8DX
Derek Belong, a 22-year veteran of the police force, will essentially oversee day-to-day department operations, from patrol units and internal investigations to training and animal control.
buff.ly/Z4HI4vx
The Light's news staff was honored to welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Walter Robinson to our newsroom Monday. Robinson spoke to reporters and editors about journalism and his decades-long career at The Boston Globe, where he is an editor at large.
📸 Eleonora Bianchi
In many communities, including New Bedford, official snowfall totals often begin with trained volunteer snow spotters.
buff.ly/oDyIGGq
Opinion: "If we understand women’s leadership as democratic infrastructure — not a theme, not a panel, not a seasonal acknowledgment — then investing in that leadership becomes not aspirational, but strategic."
- Christine Monska
buff.ly/wzI4pm2
When asked to describe her style, Korie Ellis-St.Pierre said this: "My style is rooted in comfort and functionality with a heavy dose of natural fibers and pieces that make me feel good to be in my body."
Read more: buff.ly/AjUa50T
📝+📸 Andrew Kepinski
Legislators say cutting the energy efficiency program will lower electric and gas bills. Environmentalists oppose the change.
buff.ly/v1sI1D3
By now, you've probably them rumbling down city streets.
Giant front loaders scooping chunks out of the snow piles and dumping them into trucks for removal.
But where does all that snow end up? Watch the video to find out.
Read the latest on the storm recovery. ➡️ buff.ly/fs0Zvra
Four days after the biggest blizzard in New Bedford’s history, Mayor Jon Mitchell says the city has reached an “inflection point.” Most roads are passable. The focus shifts next to hauling away massive snow piles to reopen sidewalks, bus stops and storefronts.
➡️ buff.ly/fs0Zvra
On the fourth day of New Bedford's response to the historic snowfall, hundreds of side streets and thousands of residents were still awaiting resources to come dig them out — or have resorted to digging themselves out.
buff.ly/84HCidb
In an interview with The Light, U.S. Rep. Bill Keating talked about immigration, the cost of living and political changes in southeastern Massachusetts.
➡️ Read the story: buff.ly/YV0ksls
📝 Grace Ferguson
🎥 Eleonora Bianchi
Halfway through his six-year term, Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux joins Light columnist Jack Spillane for a wide-ranging conversation about changes in the department, challenges and plans for the future.
Tune in to The Chat on Thursday, March 19, at 1 p.m.
➡️ Register here: buff.ly/UnjqmJV
❄️ Day 4 after the Blizzard of ’26: Has your street been plowed? The Light has launched a new survey today to track what progress has been made in the past 24 hours. If you haven’t yet seen a plow (or if you have), we want to hear from you!
Fill out the updated form here. ➡️ buff.ly/b6Xyv2Q
People walk on Penniman Street, sinking with each step. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light
At the intersection of Phillips Avenue and Oneko Lane, residents shoveled a passage for people to walk. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light
Coffin Lane in New Bedford remains unplowed. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light
A laundry basket filled with snow lies as a parking placeholder near downtown. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light
❄️ We asked — you answered.
More than 1,000 New Bedford residents reached out to The Light on Wednesday to share their experiences while they waited for the snowplow.
Here's a sampling of what they had to say (and even MORE snow photos). ⤵️
buff.ly/2asXxlZ
📸 Eleonora Bianchi
Warren Rosparka Jr. leads an effort to rescue a stranded car on Jean Street. Credit: Colin Hogan / The New Bedford Light
Dwayne Russell and Anthony Walters on the Ave. Credit: Colin Hogan / The New Bedford Light
The Gateway to Madeira Field. Credit: Colin Hogan / The New Bedford Light
To even get to the street, residents were hopping over snow piles on Wednesday. Credit: Colin Hogan / The New Bedford Light
Three days into New Bedford’s "snowpocalypse" — the largest recorded snowfall in the city’s history — crews are still working to dig out many neighborhoods as regular city services — and normal life — remain on pause.
📝+📸 Colin Hogan
Read our full report and see more photos ➡️ buff.ly/JMvCAKr
❄️Still waiting for your street to be plowed after the Blizzard of '26? The New Bedford Light wants to know. Please fill out the attached form to help us track this down. Thank you!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of a New Bedford man detained by ICE outside his North End home earlier this month.
In a sharply worded ruling, the judge called Morales’ continued detention “illegal” and ordered a bond hearing within seven business days.
buff.ly/EK092SI
