Meryl Kessler is stepping into her new role as director of Newton’s new Arts and Culture Department with a focus on strengthening connections across the city’s arts community. The department – and her position leading it – received final approval in the January 20, 2026 City Council meeting. Kessler told…
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Sixty-eight protesters, organized by the First Unitarian Society in Newton (FUUSN)’s Action for Democracy task force and Indivisible Newton, gathered in 22°F weather in West Newton to participate in the January 20 nationwide Stand Up and Stand Out event in support of democracy. The crowd lined both sides of Washington…
For Newtonians who treasure the Newton Free Library and the librarians who staff it, the powerful new documentary, The Librarians, by award-winning director Kim A. Snyder, may come as a shock and a wake-up call. The film notes that librarians around the country are “emerging as first responders in the…
In a room where the audience sits just feet from the actors, Newton Theatre Company’s winter production of the classic American play Our Town asks viewers to slow down and consider the routines and relationships that quietly shape a life. This production, playing through January 31, is dedicated to the…
Newton’s economy has changed over the last 25 years. In 2000, commercial property taxes were 20% of total property taxes; in 2026, they are less than 8%. Recognizing that “economic development is critical for the health of our city,” Mayor Laredo has asked the City Council to move economic development…
Bucknell University has named the following to its Dean’s List for the fall semester of 2025-26: Caroline Keller (Economics), Emily Nauen (Economics), and Gigi Wagner (Political Science). Saint Anselm College has named the following to its Dean’s List for the fall semester of 2025-26: Christopher Claflin (Criminal Justice). University of…
On January 12, Mayor Marc Laredo announced the selection of Braintree Police Chief Timothy Cohoon as Newton’s next Police Chief, succeeding former Police Chief George McMains, who retired on January 8. Chief Cohoon will become Newton’s Chief at the end of February, pending approval by the City Council. He has…
Vertical construction is underway at the Northland development on Needham Street, Northland Founder and Chairman Larry Gottesdiener said in a January 12 statement. The real estate firm recently secured $220 million in financing from JPMorgan Chase & Co. for this next step in the construction process. The first phase of…
A large crowd of Newton residents gathered on the Newton Centre Green on Saturday, January 10, to protest recent actions by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including a fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. The victim, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, was shot and…
Immediately upon walking into the Newtonville UPS Store, you’ll be sure to receive a smile and a friendly greeting from Tom Wolf. A core member of the Newton community for decades, Wolf — who has run this UPS Store for the last 33 years — is beloved by customers and coworkers alike.…