Grace Ferguson reports on housing for the New Bedford Light. She graduated from Boston University in May 2022, and recently completed a fellowship reporting on police accountability for WBUR. Ferguson previously investigated housing issues in western Massachusetts for GBH News.
A bill from state Sen. Mark Montigny and state Rep. Chris Markey would stop the state DEP from requiring nitrogen-reducing septic upgrades. The legislation would also make it illegal to require watershed permits without any funding attached.
“This is the most rotten … process of government I have ever seen in Massachusetts. This is absolutely disgusting to the core, and it needs to be purified.” — Dartmouth Health Director Chris Michaud
Flu season off to an early, nasty start but RSV and Covid-19 still a concern. Southcoast Health, Community Health Center urge caution during holiday gatherings
DPI commissioner speaks for the first time since The Light published two reports last month on the slow progress, saying his department is dozens of employees short.
“No one has said we want a dirtier environment … Where the disagreement is is how we get there, and we were left out — municipalities were left out of the discussion.” — Dartmouth Board of Health Director Chris Michaud
One tenant is struggling to afford her new apartment. Another said the stress of moving led to an injury at work, and now he’s homeless and couch surfing. A third tenant found an affordable place, but he won’t give up the fight to save his neighbors from gentrification.
“If we can’t have a safe, healthy, well-functioning group of residents, then we are greatly failing our community for which we are elected to serve.” — New Bedford City Council President Ian Abreu