Latest news with #NewBedfordHigh
CBS News
14-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Keller: Looking at the Massachusetts people and projects impacted by federal funding cuts
The opinions expressed below are Jon Keller's, not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey's administration has created an online dashboard of federal funding cuts affecting state programs. Massachusetts programs impacted by federal cuts But there are human stories behind the raw numbers, like that of Yessenia Torres of Springfield, whose two young daughters have asthma. But they're no longer struggling to breathe thanks to a state program that removed the mold from their home. However, that program has now been cut, as has money from COVID recovery funds that had been slated for a new multi-million-dollar community health center based at New Bedford High School. "Primary care, immunizations, chronic disease management, mental health services, and it's all gonna happen on New Bedford High's campus," said nurse practitioner Alex Weiner, a New Bedford High grad who's been part of a group pushing for the facility for years. Studies show school-based health centers have had great success reaching patients who might have difficulty traveling to or finding time for medical care. But in a post on "X" justifying the cut, the federal Department of Education mocked the New Bedford plan, writing: "ED will consider all appeals for funding that are directly related to students' COVID learning loss recovery. MA even states in their own press release they want this money for BUILDINGS, not learning recovery." "I think this was one of the most forward-thinking uses of COVID relief money," said Weiner. And good luck to the Chelsea businesses like the New England Produce Center that have to deal with significant flooding all too often. Federal defunding of the Island End River Flood Barrier Project jeopardizes more than $7 billion worth of economic activity and the safety of thousands of residents, according to Chelsea officials. Is there wasteful government spending? Of course there is. But when you're cutting in haste with a chainsaw, can it be a surprise that mistakes are made and people are hurt? "Health and Human Services in the state affects one in three people across the Commonwealth," noted state Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. "So these cuts will hurt people in your family, your neighbors, your elderly parents. These cuts are hitting human beings." "I think a lot of the cuts we're seeing at the federal level are indiscriminate. They're algorithmic," said Weiner. "This was about people. If any human evaluated this project and sat down and looked at the numbers and looked at the research, how could they say no to this?" So where is all this headed? It looks like that will be up to the courts in the short term - that New Bedford High health center cut is part of an ongoing lawsuit, for instance. But right now Congress is wrestling with proposed cuts that have aroused bipartisan protest. How that battle comes out will help tell us what government will and won't be able to help people with going forward.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Commuter rail back, Eversource meet heats up, King Farm fresh: Standard-Times top stories
As we head into a new week, let's take a look at the news from this past week. Juggling the demands of his administrator job and head coaching position have become a challenge over recent years for Mark DeBrito. So the longtime New Bedford High football coach has decided to step down after 11 years at the helm and 22 years overall. 'It's just time,' said the 46-year-old DeBrito, who is in his eighth year as an assistant principal for New Bedford High's green house. 'The past few years it's been difficult. Ever since COVID, there are a lot more needs of students. I don't think it's fair to the (football) kids. With the demands of the school and things we need, it's tough to take time away from them.' The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth briefly became a Hollywood set as it followed 10 students around while filming an episode of the second season of the Amazon TV series "The College Tour," airing on May 27. The episode, hosted by "Amazing Race" winner Alex Boylan, follows 10 UMass Dartmouth students to tell the story of the university, campus life, and how students are prepared to succeed after graduation. Make sure to keep up with high school sports with scores, game highlights, and Player of the Week voting at And here are the most-read stories of the week on It's been more than three generations since New Bedford commuters could hop a commuter traininto Boston and back. Well, the service is back after a three decades-long effort to make it happen and passengers on a debut run Monday included Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, Sen. Mark Montigny, and Reps. Antonio Cabral, Christopher Markey, Chris Hendricks, and Mark Sylvia. Also aboard was Douglas Lopes. 'It means a lot to me,' he said. All aboard: State and local officials celebrate commuter rail's return to New Bedford 70 years later If Eversource representatives thought eliminating a Q&A session after their presentation Tuesday night on why bills have increased would make the meeting less acrimonious, they may have been mistaken. Following their 30-minute presentation to about 125 or so people at the Pulaski School, they offered to meet with all in attendance one-on-one to discuss their bills and what their options might be, including financial assistance, flexible payment plans, and energy efficiency programs. But the meeting got a little heated. High energy: Eversource meet in New Bedford to provide billing options gets sidetracked At The King Farm, shoppers can find a wide variety of offerings at the farm stand under a massive tent and look out towards the coop where chickens have been hatching farm-fresh eggs. They have 140 chickens on the farm, and 175 new chickens arriving this week to start laying more eggs. Owner Dan King ensures that customers know where the food is grown and where the products they sell come from by placing cards on every item. Farm fresh: Dartmouth's King Farm offers variety of fresh finds under one big tent. What to expect. The former Jerry's Dessert and food shop at 105 Ashley Blvd., vacant for many years, got a preliminary OK for $100,000 in city Community Preservation money to develop nine affordable apartments. The City Council Finance Committee unanimously approved the funding this week. It will still need full council approval when the board meets April 10. Fixer upper: This long-vacant New Bedford building is getting $100,000 in city funds to build housing The proposed Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in the Fieldstone Marketplace plaza on King's Highway has moved a step closer to opening. The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a special permit March 20 for the new restaurant on the 25-acre site at 950 King's Highway. Attorney Chris Saunders said the new restaurant will be an upgrade and smaller than the former Newport Creamery that it will replace. Closer: Chipotle moves a step closer to opening at New Bedford plaza. Here's what to know. All of these stories can be read in their entirety at This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Top stories: Vacant building gets housing money, Chipotle step closer
