Override talks test strained relationship between town and schools  - Brookline.News Brookline's school district and town government are working together to produce a proposal for a possible override. But mistrust between the two has boiled over in public.

As town and school district leaders work together to try to come up with a proposal for a potential override, mistrust between the two has boiled over in public.

brookline.news/override-tal...

10 things to do this week, including Flick ‘r Treats and Oktoberfest - Brookline.News A celebration of banned books, a restaurant soft opening, spooky flicks at the cinema and more are featured in our events of the week.

A celebration of banned books, a restaurant soft opening, spooky flicks at the cinema and more are featured in our events of the week.

brookline.news/10-things-to...

Government shutdown closes Brookline’s two national historic sites - Brookline.News The shutdown also cancelled a local concert by a Navy band, and could threaten town resources if it drags on.

So far, the government shutdown which started last week has closed Brookline's two national historic sites and cancelled a Navy Band concert.

If it stretches on, it could start to affect the town government with delayed grants or failing federal safety net programs.

brookline.news/government-s...

Brookline man arrested after allegedly firing pellet rifle near synagogue on eve of Yom Kippur - Brookline.News The 43-year-old man told police he was hunting rats near his Beacon Street residence.

A 43-year-old Brookline resident was arrested after allegedly firing a pellet rifle near a Beacon St synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur, breaking car window.

The man, a visiting professor at Harvard Law School, told police he was hunting rats.

brookline.news/brookline-ma...

Years after working together, 93-year-old retired neurologist undergoes brain surgery by his mentee - Brookline.News Dr. William Wiener, who lived in Brookline during his years as a top neurologist at MetroWest Medical Center, recently had brain surgery performed by one of his former trainees.

William Wiener, who lived in Brookline during his many years as a top neurosurgeon at MetroWest Medical Center, recently needed brain surgery himself at 93.

He knew where to go and to whom to turn: One of his former mentees at the hospital.

brookline.news/years-after-...

ICE made third arrest in Brookline, police official says - Brookline.News The latest ICE detention came after a man was arrested by Brookline police on charges including domestic assault and battery, strangulation or suffocation and issuing threats.

ICE detained a 30-year-old man in Brookline last week, waiting for hours outside the police station after he was arrested for alleged domestic violence.

It's the third ICE arrest documented here since the start of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

brookline.news/ice-made-thi...

Brookline MCAS scores show some ground gained, but gaps remain - Brookline.News Brookline students performed well above the state average on last spring’s MCAS exams and gained some ground toward pre-pandemic results, but elementary schoolers continue to underperform in English, ...

Brookline students performed well above state average on last year's MCAS exams and gained some ground toward pre-pandemic results, but elementary schoolers continue to underperform in English, and Black/Latino students are still scoring below peers in most subjects.

brookline.news/brookline-mc...

‘Even the dogs are happy’: On sidewalks and stoops, Porchfest highlights community ties - Brookline.News Over 100 artists and bands performed on 63 porches, driveways and lawns Saturday, filling Brookline’s neighborhoods with every genre — from jazz to punk rock to a cappella — for Brookline Porchfest.

Over 100 artists and bands performed on 63 porches, driveways and lawns Saturday, filling Brookline’s neighborhoods with every genre from jazz to punk rock to a cappella for Brookline Porchfest.

Read all about it:

brookline.news/even-the-dog...

10 things to do this week, featuring mini-forest planting, jazz concerts and Mid-Autumn Festival - Brookline.News See the latest events listings from Brookline.News, with an outdoor emphasis and fall feeling.

Brookline is getting its second mini-forest this weekend, aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.

Read about that and more community events in our weekly feature of 10 things to do in Brookline:

brookline.news/10-things-to...

FBI considered opening investigation into Jewish grocery store vandalism, emails show - Brookline.News An agent from the federal law enforcement agency was seeking to use a controversial "geofence" warrant for the potential investigation, according to public records.

The FBI considered investigating an act of vandalism at a Jewish grocery store in Brookline using a controversial investigative technique called a geofence warrant, public record emails show.

Ultimately feds did not open a case, and Brookline police have no leads

brookline.news/fbi-consider...

At Brookline event, Attorney General Campbell, organizers urge community action against immigration enforcement - Brookline.News Campbell and leaders of Greater Boston organizations fighting federal immigration crackdowns called on Brookline for collective action and solidarity.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell was in Brookline last week, speaking about the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Here's what she had to say:

brookline.news/at-brookline...

Annual METCO report celebrates progress, but notes turnover and tumult - Brookline.News “It is odd to write this one sentence holding these two truths,” Brookline METCO director Malcolm Cawthorne wrote in the report: “The Brookline METCO Program is doing very well, and we have a lot of w...

The Brookline METCO program faced some ups and downs in the past year. Here's our story on its annual report, plus an interview with director Malcolm Cawthorne

brookline.news/annual-metco...

At 90, renowned jazz pianist Ran Blake has watched Brookline change, but remains a local fixture himself - Brookline.News Over the 45 years he’s lived in Brookline, Ran Blake has watched the town evolve. But for a man famous for training musical memory, it’s no surprise Blake has never forgotten the good old days.

Legendary jazz pianist Ran Blake, who is celebrating his 90th birthday with a performance at First Parish in Brookline tomorrow, reflects on 45 years living in Brookline.

brookline.news/at-90-renown...

Two Brookline Starbucks locations to close as part of company's nationwide cuts - Brookline.News The stores in Coolidge Corner and on Commonwealth Avenue are among the local stores where workers have unionized in recent years.

Starbucks is closing two stores in Brookline (and one in nearby Cleveland Circle) as part of major nationwide cuts which will shutter hundreds of stores.

The last day of operations for the Coolidge Corner and Commonwealth Ave locations will be Saturday.

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Update on this saga: state regulator says Brookline Town Meeting member Richard Nangle violated campaign finance law in May when he failed to disclose that he was behind local campaign spending done under the name of a dormant neighborhood association.

H/T to records hawk @gintautasd.bsky.social

Going to Porchfest this weekend? Here are 10 groups to watch for - Brookline.News Brookline Porchfest happens Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., so get ready to roam the streets and soak up all kinds of music. The lineup features more than 100 bands whose self-described genres range ...

Heading to Porchfest this weekend? Here are 10 bands to check out ranging from “indie alt emo” and “original traditional folk” to “psychedelic dance party” and “everybody’s favorite tunes.”

brookline.news/going-to-por...

Chen's trial began on Tuesday, but the Norfolk District Attorney's Office said Wednesday morning that it would not continue with prosecution of the case, because the alleged victim did not want to testify.

She "maintains that her statement to investigators were true," the office said.

Prosecutors drop charges against former Brookline teacher accused of sexually assaulting student - Brookline.News The Norfolk District Attorney’s office said the victim stands behind her statements but does not want to testify, and that they are unable to proceed without her testimony. The charges against Larry C...

Breaking news: Prosecutors have dropped the charges against Larry Chen, a former Brookline teacher who was accused of raping a 12-year-old student between 2016 and 2018 at the then-Heath School.

brookline.news/prosecutors-...

Brookline.News Podcast Episode 6: The collapse of the Calculus Project, and a Commonwealth Avenue mystery explained - Brookline.News Brookline news, now in your ears.

On the latest episode of the Brookline.News podcast, go behind the scenes with our reporting into the Calculus Project, and get the answer to a Comm Ave mystery (yes, those restaurants are in Brookline, not Boston).

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In new exhibit, local artist Michael Berger captures Brookline’s character - Brookline.News Berger's work, on display at a gallery in Brookline Bank in Coolidge Corner, portrays scenes of Brookline through fractals and haze.

Longtime resident Michael Berger's new exhibit, on display at Brookline Bank in Coolidge Corner, captures scenes of Brookline through fractals and haze.

brookline.news/in-new-exhib...

10 things to do this week in Brookline: Porchfest, film festivals and more - Brookline.News It’s a big week for music in Brookline—this Saturday, Brookline Porchest brings 102 different musical acts to porches and yards across Brookline, with genres ranging from psychedelic bluegrass to clas...

Porchfest is this weekend! Stay tuned for a preview on Brookline.News, and click here to check out other local events including two film festivals, a library family game night and more.

brookline.news/10-things-to...

News in brief: City Realty's latest Chestnut Hill West proposal, Transportation Administrator Ingles to leave, new BIG partnership focuses on job training - Brookline.News Read the latest updates from town departments and local nonprofits.

Here's the latest update about City Realty's plans for a key piece of land on Route 9 in Chestnut Hill.

Plus, a key town staffer will depart, and learn about a new Brookline Interactive Group initiative.

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Brookline’s public school enrollment dropped during COVID and hasn't bounced back. For families, what’s driving private school appeal? - Brookline.News A recent study says that Brookline's public school enrollment was 13%, or 974 students, lower than expected last fall. Brookline.News spoke to parents, students and school leaders about why families a...

Public school enrollment in Brookline dropped during the pandemic, and it hasn't bounced back even as COVID waned.

Why are families still choosing private school? Brookline.News reporter Celeste Alcalay talked to parents, students and school leaders about the trend.

brookline.news/brooklines-p...

School Committee updates: State auditing special education grant, and committee plans for budget and policy talks - Brookline.News As the school year begins, the School Committee is also ramping back up on its work dealing with the district's budget and policies.

School Committee updates: The state is auditing Brookline's use of the IDEA special education grant, and the committee plans for upcoming budget and policy discussions.

brookline.news/school-commi...

New book documents hundreds of hours of conversation with Brookline's favorite politician - Brookline.News “The Duke: Weekly Conversations with the Last Honest Politician." by humor columnist Scott Kerman, features conversations with lifelong Brookline resident Michael Dukakis.

A new book by humor columnist Scott Kerman chronicles hundreds of hours of conversations with Brookline's most prominent politician, Michael Dukakis.

brookline.news/new-book-doc...

News in brief: Free drug disposal kits, police launch micromobility enforcement initiative, town offers immigration law clinic, BHS football heads to Fenway - Brookline.News Public Health Department offers free drug disposal kits Brookline’s Department of Public Health and Human Services is now giving away free drug deactivation pouches.  The initiative, which is in respo...

The latest brief updates: The town is now offering free drug disposal kits, Brookline police launch a "micromobility enforcement initiative," there's a free immigration law clinic this month, and BHS football is set to play at Fenway for its big Thanksgiving game.

brookline.news/news-in-brie...

Restaurant updates: A late-night Yemeni coffee shop planned for Coolidge Corner, and new Korean spot on Comm Ave - Brookline.News A new Yemeni coffee shop is coming to Coolidge Corner, and planning to stay open late on the weekends to serve as an alternative to bars and clubs. Arwa Yemeni Coffee recently applied for a food and b...

A new Yemeni coffee shop is in the works for Coolidge Corner, offering spiced coffee and tea.

Arwa Yemeni Coffee will also be open until 1 a.m. on weekends, aiming to offer an alternative late night spot for those who don't drink alcohol or want to meet in bars.

brookline.news/restaurant-u...

Town consultants unveil proposals to transform Centre Street parking lots - Brookline.News Hundreds of people packed into the Coolidge Corner Theatre last week to hear from local planners Jeff Speck and Chris Dempsey, who are working with the town on the project of redesigning the two town-...

What would the Centre Street parking lots look like with the parking moved to a garage structure or underground? How about new housing/retail development, a public plaza, or many more trees?

Consultants Jeff Speck and Chris Dempsey have a plan (or four) for that.

brookline.news/consultants-...

MBTA, town officials outline Beacon Street tree removal plan for first phase of Green Line accessibility project - Brookline.News The MBTA is planning to remove nine trees on Beacon Street near the C Branch stations at Tappan Street and Englewood Ave as the first phase of its accessibility updates this fall.

The MBTA is planning to remove nine trees from Beacon Street near the Englewood Ave and Tappan Street stations, including the pictured large pin oak, during the first phase of its work on Green Line accessibility improvements.

brookline.news/mbta-town-of...

Delay in Brookline's annual audit, caused by accounting firm consolidation, worries town's finance director - Brookline.News The annual audit for fiscal year 2024 is six months late, and town officials say they are trying to get answers from accounting firm CBIZ.

One for the municipal policy wonks (and hopefully maybe a few other people): Brookline's annual audit is delayed by six months, part of a newly-emerging statewide problem caused by rapid consolidation in the accounting industry and unresponsive big firms.

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