Colin Hogan
Reporter
Colin joined The Light in June 2022, where he covers education, child care, city government and more.
Before The Light, Colin worked as a public school teacher in the Mississippi Delta and Brooklyn. Colin has a bachelor’s degree in English from Williams College, a master’s degree in education from Johns Hopkins University, and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. Originally from New York, Colin now lives in New Bedford and enjoys bicycling along the waterfront.
Stories
A tough test: How to get kids in school on time
South Coast school administrators, faculty and staff find creative solutions to address a persistent problem from the pandemic: chronic absenteeism and tardiness.
Missing students: The problem of absenteeism on the South Coast
Better data helps South Coast schools track absenteeism and tardiness – whether the students are in unstable housing or spending too much time at the coffee shop.
Judge: City does not have to pay legal fees to The Light
The judge had ordered the city to release four public records to The Light in August 2025.
The anatomy of a budget deficit
Mayor Jon Mitchell had projected the deficit would be close to $13 million, then said it was $32 million. How did the numbers get so big?
Montigny pushes through $500K amendment to help city’s deficit, keep Fire Station 9 open temporarily
But the mayor says the deficit is structural and can’t be closed with “one-time money.” He says reducing the staffing of the city’s fire engines would decrease long-term costs.
How would city councilors tackle the $32 million deficit?
The Light asked all 11 councilors how they would cut the budget and four responded to the question. They’re weighing layoffs and department cuts. But they say they want to avoid closing Fire Station 9.
Mayor’s annual budget address calls for higher taxes, layoffs, service cuts
The proposal for a total tax increase of $16 million, elimination of 94 positions, and the shuttering of Fire Station 9 was met with fierce resistance from councilors and firefighters.
New Bedford launches virtual school as part of statewide trend
Starting in September, the New Bedford Virtual Learning Academy hopes to enroll about 200 students in grades 6 through 12.
New Bedford bucks a trend, extends Chromebook contracts
Many states and schools are reducing kids’ time on devices. But New Bedford says its Chromebook purchases give low-income students internet access.
Mitchell: ‘Historic’ state aid proposal is too little, too late
Boston is planning to send more money to New Bedford, but it’s “woefully inadequate” for New Bedford’s needs, according to the mayor.
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