As the most skilled, most beloved, most reviled and most complex politician to emerge from the oft-forgotten South Coast, MacLean put New Bedford at the front of the line.
Category: Community
Posted inHousing
West End dilemma: Keep neighborhood’s character or add needed housing?
A proposed condo development would help address the city’s critical need for housing, but neighbors say it would threaten their community.
Posted inImmigration
Portuguese-Americans take sides in upcoming Portugal presidential election
Local residents weigh in on their homeland’s election this weekend and why they support the far-right candidate or the center-left candidate.
Posted inCommunity
20 years after Puzzles attack, the lessons — and challenges — linger
“If you marginalize a group of people — and it could be LGBTQ people or another group, like migrants — it opens people up to violence.” – Andy Pollock
Posted inEnvironment
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.”
Posted inCommunity
New Bedford Light selected as a 2026 Report for America newsroom
The designation will allow The Light to launch a new Oceans beat focused on the blue economy, including research, fishing, aquaculture, and the restoration and protection of the sea.
Posted inThe Chat with Jack Spillane
Food insecurity: ‘Food need is 365 days a year’
If you missed The Chat with Jack Spillane and local leaders of food distribution programs, you can watch it here.
Posted inCommunity
2025 in review: Immigration dominated The Light’s top 20 stories
Other main topics our readers took an interest in included the South Coast Rail launch, deficient nursing homes, trouble in schools, and police misconduct.
Posted inCommunity
Circa: A vintage shop to help you dress to the nines
Chris Duval, whose New Bedford shop recently made NYT’s list of “50 best clothing stores in the U.S.,” knows that clothes make the man — or the woman.
Posted inCommunity
Gifts from the heart — how to help those in need in New Bedford
These community organizations are seeking donations and volunteers to provide food, clothing and gifts for people and families in need.