Brooke Kushwaha
Reporter
Brooke Kushwaha covers climate and the environment for The New Bedford Light. Prior to joining The Light, she covered education in underserved communities for the Houston Landing and Texas politics for Chron.com. She also worked as a general assignment reporter for the Vineyard Gazette and served as associate editor for its sister publication, Martha’s Vineyard Magazine, where she covered the environment, housing, immigration, and other topics. Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue and The New York Times.
Brooke graduated in 2020 from Wesleyan University, where she led the student newspaper The Wesleyan Argus. Although born and raised in Houston, Texas, she adapts to New England life by kayaking, hiking, and spending time at the beach.
Stories
Blizzard prompts Healey to declare South Coast travel ban; mayor calls for National Guard
Gov. Maura Healey announced a travel ban in Bristol County as emergency responders struggle to navigate snow-filled roads. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell requested assistance from the Massachusetts Army National Guard to plow the area.
Starfish, moon snails and squid: Researchers work to give scallop boats new purpose
Coonamessett Farm Foundation is trying to get scallop trawlers in the water more often — even if it means chasing some far-flung fish.
In asthma-prone New Bedford, activists concerned over EPA rollbacks
The Trump administration plans to roll back regulations on fossil fuel emissions from cars, power plants, and other industries. Advocates say the new rule will hit communities like New Bedford hardest.
New state regulation allows easier cleanup of ‘ghost’ fishing gear
State regulations now allow non-fishermen to clean up fishing gear debris, the first step to eliminating what advocates call the “ghost gear” floating in New England’s waters.
New Bedford weathers mammoth snowfall
The city received a whopping 12 inches of snow Sunday and early Monday morning, above recent years’ snowfall but below “Snowmageddon.”
City preps for biggest snow storm in ‘over a decade’
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell asks residents to stay inside and comply with the parking ban while up to 15 inches of snow falls on the city Sunday and Monday.
With a looming state ban on food waste, is New Bedford ready to compost?
As landfill space tightens, some Massachusetts communities are looking at compost to reduce waste and lower hauling fees.
What happened to the nip ban?
Liquor store owners sued to halt New Bedford’s controversial nip ban. What’s next for the miniature bottles?
ICYMI: The buzz at the Z’s ‘Reopening Day’
Here’s a compilation of posts from The Light’s live “red carpet” coverage of the newly restored Zeiterion’s matinee and evening performances.
Offshore wind development could hinder scallop fishing, new study reports
Offshore wind leases overlap very little with scallop fishing access areas, but even the slightest change could disrupt the lucrative and sensitive industry.
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