South Boston Today July 9 2026

A Nurses Strike, Educator Layoffs, and Payroll Padding-What Gives?

Nurses and Home Care clinicians have begun seven days of strikes after MGB refused to negotiate to avert the strikes. The largest strike of nurses and healthcare professionals in state history began yesterday after the corporate executives who run Mass General Brigham (MGB) refused to negotiate with Brigham and Women’s Hospital nurses and MGB Home Care clinicians, causing a massive disruption to the Massachusetts healthcare system.

The 4,000 Brigham nurses and 450 MGB Home Care clinicians are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA). They have been attempting for many months to negotiate fair contracts that invest in patient care and respect frontline caregivers. In the days leading up to the strikes, MGB told nurses and clinicians they would not move off their bargaining

Safest City In America? Not Really

Traditionally, The Independence Day holiday is one of the biggest high lights of the summer, even the whole year. Most Americans look forward to this annual event each year on the 4th of July, the celebration of all things America, our freedom, our culture, our way of life and great pride in how it all came about. The sacrifices made by our nation’s brilliant founders and those brave citizens; many of them who gave their lives in the battles that threw off the shackles of what actually WAS an oppressive government that tried to rule patriots with an iron hand. And for all intents and purposes, it was a festive year more so than most other years as we also celebrated America’s 250th Anniversary.

In the City of Boston it’s always done up big, really big. There are the parades, the historical military exercises, the turnaround of our country’s oldest warship, The USS Constitution and then there are the concerts and the

fireworks on the Esplanade to top it all off. And what a fireworks display it is was. A lot of effort goes into making everything very special to please people of every age. This year was no exception. Add to all of that, the backyard BBQ’s, the crowds at the beaches, the families and friends that gathered to enjoy each other’s company made it all even better.

Unfortunately, even though it was a beautiful and festive weekend, and that’s what should have been the only story, it was tainted by the violence on Boston’s streets. When 13 people are shot and a number of others stabbed including 2 dead from their wounds, it puts a damper on an otherwise great time. Several days before we all saw the reports of the police officer who was attacked by a street mob. The number of violent incidents taking place in Boston is on the increase.

To those city officials and their accomplises in the news media who keep insisting that Boston is the safest city in America – stop, just stop.

It’s not America’s safest city and you know it and so do most people who live here. It doesn’t help matters when officials who should know better but apparently don’t care, are demanding the police budget be cut. The Boston Police Department; one of the finest in the world is and has been for several years short staffed. It is down hundreds of officers. The causes are the constant threat of the budget cuts, the enticing offers from other cities around the country giving higher pay, better

benefits, signing bonuses and a much higher level of support when trying to do their jobs. Many point to the case of Boston Police Officer Nicholas O’Malley and say he was unfairly arrested for acting in self defense.

In a city the size of Boston, it’s dangerous to have an understaffed police department. There are those using that tired worn out saying ‘It is what it is’ when referring to the police shortage in Boston. It’s a verbal way of just shrugging our shoulders

“Where the horizon meets the sky, history spreads its wings and sails.”

and seemingly accepting the situation. We can’t to that any longer. All the stops need to be pulled out and efforts need to be increased tenfold, even more so; whatever needed to get law enforcement numbers in Boston up to full strength and as soon as possible before the city goes the way of Chicago. What needs to stop are irresponsible voices in authority demanding police budget cuts; espe4cially when there are so many other areas that could be cut instead.

MInformation Center The It Seems Our Flag Frightens Some People

ost people are familiar with the TV Show called ‘The View’. For those who aren’t, it’s a panel of insufferable, left wing, liberal women scolding America; complaining about everything they believe makes this a terrible country and pretty much nagging and harassing any guest they invite on their show who doesn’t agree with every crackpot lunatic opinion they hold. It has a live audience, handpicked with instructions to clap and applaud like trained seals on cue. Many call it a hate fest. I know, how do I really feel about that show? But, I must say, as loony as they are, they do provide comedic entertainment similar to circus clowns. Some people enjoy the show, and to each their own. This is after all, America where everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.

Between Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and the other panel hosts, it hard to decide which one has the most negative opinion of our country and is the most off the wall. But a comment by host Sunny Hostin puts her in the running for top spot. On a recent episode of The View, Ms. Hostin stated that she is fearful whenever she is in a neighborhood where people fly the American Flag. It scares her to think that there are actually people living in this country so proud of it that they would actually openly display the flag – right out in the open. And not just on Independence Day, but all the time. She must have been in total meltdown with all the 4th of July events. She went on to say that when -

ever she sees flags flying everywhere, she feels like she is surrounded by White Supremacists. And she apparently really goes into spasms if she sees Black Americans flying the flag. If Hostin didn’t go public with her comments so everyone in that show’s shrinking TV audience could hear it for themselves, plus the rest of America and Canada too after national media reported on it, it would be one of those ‘you can’t make this stuff up’ events. But no, she said it, she meant it and she stands by it.

I’d like to ask Hostin what she’d like done about so many Americans respecting our flag and actually displaying it? A good guess would be she would want everyone to immediately stop it. Take down those flags because Sunny Hostin is ‘triggered’ by the sight of them.

That’s page (3) the least Americans should do; along with apologizing to her because after all, she is Sunny Hostin and she is just too important to have her days ruined by so many bellicose displays of patriotism.

My advice to Sunny Hostin: To keep from getting a nervous breakdown at the sight of so many flags would be to make a choice. You could stay inside your home 24/7 and have the ‘The View’ broadcast from your living room, move out of America to a different country of your choice but we all know that would never happen or you could just grow up and stop hating the country that has enabled you to be quite a wealthy woman and has giving you opportunities that you could not possibly get any

talk back to John Ciccone by email at jciccone@southbostontoday.com

where else on the planet. Oh, and you might want to try real hard not to be so racist and miserable, because Americans have no intention of taking down their flags and hiding them so as not to frighten you. Because seriously, you’re actually not as important as you think.

I’ll close on another topic. Another TV personality, one much more pleasant and intelligent than the characters on ‘The View’ – Patricia Heaton, best known for her role on the Sitcom ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ had

a (page4)comment about Elon Musk’s wealth. She pointed out the hypocrisy of those on the left furious that Musk has become the world’s first trillionaire. Yet, these same people remain dead silent about all the billions of dollars, American tax payer money being stolen by Somalis and other fraudsters. She’s right. Have you heard one liberal Politian even mention, let alone condemn all this fraud? If the liberal news media mentions it at all its briefly and they act like it’s no big issue. Strange isn’t it?

Good things in big packages?

All eyes on the economic development bill as legislative crunch time nears

Ask anyone who spends their days standing around State House hallways — lobbyists, advocates, reporters — and no one’s quite sure what exactly it’s going to look like when July 31 rolls around in a few weeks. In some cases, lawmakers now can kick the can down the road under new legislative rules that let them continue work on certain bills past that traditional hardstop date.

There are a lot of questions, like whether the House and Senate once again mark July 31 with a full all-nighter, and whether August will remain, as it usually is, a month more for campaigning and vacationing than serious legislating.

There’s a whole other set of questions to be asked around one of the marquee pieces of legislation still winding its way through the process.

The biennial economic development bill is an election-year mainstay, packed each time with policies, grant programs and local projects that — along with

Window Into The State House

Window Into The State House provides our readers a synopsis of important issues of interest, past and current, that are being proposed, debated or acted upon by the Massachusetts Legislature. Many issues that are not related to local city government services are acted upon and have a direct impact on daily life. They are tax policy, transportation infrastructure, judicial appointments, social services and health, as well as higher education. We will excerpt reports from the gavel-to-gavel coverage of House and Senate sessions by news sources focused on this important aspect of our lives. These sources include a look ahead at the coming week in state government and summaries and analyses of the past week, re-caps of a range of state government activity, as well as links to other news.

their eventual impacts on businesses and residents — give lawmakers something to tout back home in the districts before their names appear on the ballot.

It’s one of the most anticipated and closely watched bills every session, and the House’s 1482 vote last night sends it to the Senate to be reviewed, revised and ultimately voted on.

That some iteration of that legislation ends up on Gov. Maura Healey’s desk is a safe bet. But beyond that, there’s a host of unknowns, ranging from when it will get done to how big it will grow. In each of the last two sessions, the House and Senate didn’t finalize a deal until November.

And that’s growth not just in the bottom line, but in hefty policy sections as well. The economic development bill in years past has been a vehicle for significant law changes. The hotbutton MBTA Communities Act zoning law, for instance, started its life as a little-noticed, latenight amendment to the 2020 economic development bill.

This year, House leaders took the $305-million bill that

Healey filed in April and tacked on another $250 million-plus, along with new rules for ebikes, a zoning change to allow multifamily housing on land owned by religious institutions, a pilot program around clincal use of psychedelic substances, and more. The Senate, too, will likely have its own priorities to build in.

So why does a piece of legislation that’s often shorthanded to a “jobs bill” become a policy catchall? House Speaker Ron Mariano offers an efficiency argument. Committee chairs have put time in throughout the session talking to their colleagues and vetting ideas like regulating e-bikes or building new homes on church property, he said.

“And we reach a point where there’s a lot of little things going on that don’t require a full formal session but need to be straightened out,” he said.

With just over three weeks until July ends, expect those little things to keep piling up.

What are you hoping to see make it into — or get spiked from — the final economic development bill? Let me know at

klannan@massterlist.com.

FROM BEACON HILL

WHAT’S IN THE BILL: Tenant right of first refusal. Historic horse race betting. Double poles. “Made in Massachusetts” movie logos. AI and quantum money. Help for TPS recipients. There is, indeed, a lot in the $561 million economic development bill that won the House’s sign-off. — State House News Service

PROGNOSIS NOT GOOD: House Speaker Ron Mariano says the state Senate passed a primary care reform bill “without any idea” of what it would cost. As time dwindles, Mariano says he’s not yet sure if the House will jump in with its own primary care proposal. — State House News Service

NEWS NEXT DOOR

MARKEY v. MOULTON GOES WEST: Facing off in Chicopee for their first debate, Sen. Ed Markey and primary challenger Congressman Seth Moulton sparred over the issues and whose ideas are freshest. — WBUR

continued on page 6

OCouncilor Flynn Files Resolution of Unequivocal Denouncement Against

Any Violence, Assault and Harassment

Towards

n June 28, 2026, a Boston Police Officer was in pursuit of an arrest when a large crowd surrounded him, throwing drinks and glass at the officer before the suspect fled. Reports indicate that the suspect and the officer physically struggled when a group congregated with cars and mopeds and began throwing alcoholic beverages at the officer, leaving broken glass scattered on the street. In response, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a resolution of unequivocal denouncement against any violence, assault, or harassment towards Boston Police Officers, our dedicated first responders, and city officials.

The Boston Police Department has longstanding issues of under-

FBoston Police, First Responders, and City Officials

staffing, overstretched resources, forced overtime and looming retirements. Boston Police Officers have worked more than 16 hour days for years, disregarding officers’ personal physical and emotional well-being, as well as that of their families. The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association recently noted that the Department is down roughly 600 officers, operating at roughly one-third of the workforce. This viral video and other similar incidents in recent years continue to contribute to low morale, retention, and recruitment - especially during a time of increased violence and public safety issues in Boston.

The lack of support or indifference when it comes to supporting the Boston Police, Boston Fire

Department and Boston EMS only exacerbate these issues , and our city is ultimately less safe in the long run. Public safety begins with supporting the families of the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way every day to serve and protect our communities. The environment at the Boston Police Department must be one that fosters a strong relationship within the community. To conduct community policing best practices, it is important that trust is established between officers and the residents. Officers who feel valued and respected are more likely to have positive interactions with the public, ultimately improving cooperation.

“As a society, it is never acceptable to commit acts of violence,

assault, or harassment against police officers and public servants who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe. Our first responders deserve the full support of their elected leaders and the residents they serve. Any threats, violence, and harassment against those who protect our communities must be unequivocally denounced,” said Councilor Flynn. “We must stand together to support these brave men and women and ensure they have the resources, respect, and protections necessary to do their jobs and continue serving our neighborhoods. Anything less is unacceptable, and ultimately makes the City of Boston less safe.”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617635-3203 or Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

Councilor Flynn Files Resolution to Use a Supplemental Budget to Restore Funding for Boston Public Schools (BPS) Employees

ollowing the recent vote by the Boston City Council to approve the FY27 Boston Public Schools (BPS) budget, up to 400 teachers, paraprofessionals and other front line workers are expected to lose their jobs. Most of the positions that are impacted include lower-income women from communities of color. In response, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a resolution to use a supplemental budget to restore funding for BPS employees.

The City of Boston has more than $500 million in available reserves, which are intended to provide financial stability, address budget challenges, and respond to extraordinary or unexpected needs. Using a portion of these funds to preserve critical positions in Boston Public Schools is a responsible and appro-

priate use of the City’s resources, especially when the impacts of these layoffs will directly affect students, families, and school communities.

These dedicated and compassionate workers are our neighbors and have demonstrated a commitment to provide social services to many of the most vulnerable residents in our city - students with disabilities. As we reflect on the impact it will have on these BPS employees and their families, we also must acknowledge it will negatively impact students with disabilities and services and programs they are entitled to by law. Moreover, with Boston Public Schools being the only city department facing significant position eliminations, we must also confront the implications for social, economic, and racial justice, as these cuts dispro -

portionately affect women of color who have dedicated themselves to serving students with disabilities and their families.

These BPS employees have consistently demonstrated their willingness to work hard, often in challenging environments, with professionalism, compassion, and dedication. Councilor Flynn has urged the City administration to act swiftly to restore these positions, provide stability for the employees and families affected by these layoffs, and work with the Boston City Council and Boston Public Schools to identify the necessary funding before the start of the upcoming school year. Preserving these positions will ensure students return to the classroom with the support they need and that dedicated educators and school staff can continue serving our communities

without unnecessary disruption.

“We can no longer in good conscience call ourselves the most progressive city in America when we balanced the budget on the backs of paraprofessionals and lower-income women from communities of color. That’s not the Boston I know, or the Boston I grew up in. This is about social, economic, and racial justice,” said Councilor Flynn. “These BPS employees provide critical services and help ensure that students with disabilities receive the support and care they deserve. We must prioritize our students, and the dedicated professionals who serve them, by restoring these positions before the start of the school year.”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617635-3203 or Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

Strikes continued from front page positions, even though the caregivers offered to compromise.

“MGB executives are forcing 4,000 Brigham nurses to strike by choosing corporate profits over patient care,” said Kelly Morgan, RN, a labor and delivery nurse and Chair of the BWH MNA Bargaining Committee. “MGB has spent years disrespecting nurses and ignoring our safety concerns. Executives have refused for months to invest in nurses, instead making proposals that would make it harder to recruit and retain nurses. We are standing up for our patients, our profession, and the future of care at the Brigham.”

Simultaneously, Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration is eliminating 568 positions in the Boston Public Schools for the upcoming academic year, saving roughly $75 million annually. Mayor Wu’s budget cuts hit Boston Public Schools hard. The cuts impact over 500 non-tenured teachers and more than 100 paraprofessionals, driven by significant enrollment drops, expiring pandemic aid, and rising labor. Boston teachers and aides brace for coming layoffs.

Wu’s office released a statement Wednesday that provides an accounting of job cuts included in the $1.7 billion BPS budget and defends the decision, in response to a letter from Councilor Ed Flynn, who called the layoffs “disproportionate,” given that Wu “worked to preserve jobs” in other city departments. “As leaders, we must make the difficult but necessary tradeoffs to invest in immediate community needs and protect the long-term financial health of the city,” Wu spokesperson Michael Osaghae said.

The Boston Teachers Union has expressed strong concern over these job losses, while city officials state the reduction is necessary to align staffing levels with the shrinking student population. The district administration continues to reassign some of the impacted educators into open roles, though hundreds of layoffs remain in place as the fall term approaches City declines to use reserve funds to prevent BPS layoffs as more than 560 positions are cut. Erik Berg, the BTU president has

said that the cuts will affect “hundreds of teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors” and social workers, and are unlike anything he’s ever seen during his time with the school district, which began in 1999.

As two of the Commonwealth’s core health and education sectors, both of which underwrite the reputation of Boston as mecca for industry stability, service delivery and are foundational to the economic health of the region, these decisions have a far-reaching impact.

The history of collective bargaining and bargaining in general in Massachusetts has been catalogued for decades. The financial challenges at the core of the decisions foisted by management on their employees are causing people to question their priorities. Taxpayers and the consumer whose health insurance costs are skyrocketing foot the bill for bloated budgets.

MGB expands treatment options and justifies its growth but there is a disparity in spending across all departments. Mayor Wu pitches the budget increases over her tenure as supporting essential services but has not produced a summary of her actual priorities and reasoning for overspending.

According to available data, looking at management at both the nonprofit MGB and the City of Boston Administration, each of their spending priorities seem contradictory.

Mass General Brigham’s (MGB) annual budget (operating revenue) has grown from $16.7 billion in FY2022 to over $22.8 billion in FY2025, representing an approximate 36.5% increase over that period

MGB pays its top senior executives multimillion-dollar annual salaries, with total compensation for individual C-suite executives ranging roughly from $1.8 million to over $8.4 million per year. As a major non-profit healthcare system, MGB discloses these figures publicly via its annual IRS Form 990 filings.

For perspective on the scale of MGB’s executive payroll, the health system’s central entity filed an aggregate $105,039,760 in executive compensation across its broader affiliates group. A highly concentrated tier of 42 top-earning employees and executives collectively took home

$309 million in total accumulated packages over a multi-year reporting cycle. Titles like “Senior Director” or “Senior Manager” usually list base salaries between $120,000 and $180,000. However, these are standard corporate management roles, and do not reflect the multimilliondollar C-suite senior executives who run the hospital system.

The City of Boston’s operating budget has grown from $3.76 billion in FY22 (the final budget preceding Mayor Michelle Wu’s inauguration) to $4.9 billion for FY27, representing a total increase of about 30.3% over her tenure. The recent stabilization in spending for the FY27 cycle is attributed to dwindling federal pandemic relief funds and tighter recurring revenues, forcing the city to pull $70 million from its emergency reserves to balance the budget and mandate targeted Boston Public Schools job cuts.

According to the Boston Herald Payroll Analysis, more than 9,500 city employees earn over $100,000 annually. Over 290 city employees make more than $300,000 a year, though this tier is heavily dominated by police captains, lieutenants, and senior education/custodial administrators maximizing overtime rather than traditional civilian cabinet executives. The police commissioner makes $310,000; the mayor makes $207,000; the cabinet level including mayor’s staff and department heads make between $150,000 and $180,000; city commissioners make between $110,000 and $135,000; city councilors make between $115,000 and $119,000.

There are no more essential services than education and health care. An impartial observer can do math. Both MGB and City of Boston have grown 30 or more percent in four years. Surely the over $6 Billion budget growth at MGH and the over $1 Billion budget growth can both find plenty of fat. In both cases, if leadership is unwilling to cut ‘out of control’ spending, then using the bloated salaries of senior administrators, thinkers and strategists with advanced degrees could and should be redeployed to adequately support the ‘do-ers’ and servers performing critical and essential services.

Window continued from page 4

SIGNED, SEALED, LITI -

GATED: The question of whether to put a pair of GOP candidates back on the ballot after they were tossed over allegedly fraudulent nomination signatures is now before an Essex County court. Lawyers for lieutenant governor hopeful Anne Manning Martin and attorney general candidate Michael Walsh argued that the two Republicans weren’t properly notified their signatures were being challenged. — Boston Globe

SOCIAL SUIT: Boston is suing social media giant Meta, plus the parent companies of TikTok and SnapChat, joining 1,500 other school districts in arguing that the platforms are designed in an addictive way that harms kids. The lawsuit lands as Beacon Hill is negotiating rules around youth social media access, and Mayor Wu says it’s a bid to force the tech companies to put protections in place on their own. — Axios Boston

AT YOUR SERVICE: A new commission overseeing the effort to find vendors to revamp the state’s highway service plazas, which met for the first time in Worcester, is eyeing an August vote on a new request for proposals. The redo comes after the process imploded last year over controversy around the selected bidder. — Telegram & Gazette

PUBLIC SAFETY SUMMIT: Boston city councilors want to hear from Mayor Wu and police officials on the city’s summer safety plan, in the wake of multiple shootings during the Fourth of July weekend. — Boston Herald

Join us for a fun, free, family-friendly event to celebrate Sail Boston 2026!

MASSPORT COMMUNITY VIEWING EVENT

SATURDAY, JULY 11th

9:00am – 3:00pm

Massport Marine Terminal Fid Kennedy Avenue, Boston

Shuttle Service will be provided free of charge to and from the following locations:

SHUTTLE 1:

Stop 1

South Boston Catholic Academy 866 E Broadway

Stop 1 The Laboure Center 275 West Broadway

Stop 2 South Boston Neighborhood House 136 H Street

SHUTTLE 2:

Stop 2 A Street at Congress Street

Shuttles will run approximately every 30 minutes between 8am–10am Return shuttles leave the MMT beginning at 1pm.

Please note that there will be no parking available at the shuttle stop locations. To learn more about Sail Boston 2026, including a list of prohibited items, please scan the QR code.

Guy The Wine THE HALFWAY MARK

Well, here we are at the halfway point of our 250th summer as a nation. We’ve had hot dogs, pie eating contests and parades. Now, l say it’s time for some wine; here are a few that come to mind….

Robert Mondavi Limited Edition Chardonnay, California ($18.99). This one is made by blending juice from several vineyards in the Napa and Sonoma AVAs, as well as Lake and Mendocino Counties. The blend has a nose of mountain flowers, lemon and orange zest, as well as honeysuckle. On the palate, it has

a noticeable chewiness and a full mouthfeel, while the finish is surprisingly long for a white blend. You can pair this one with not only the brisket, but dessert as well.

A nice complement to the predominantly salty foods, a bottle of chilled Riesling can be a nice accompaniment for not only hot dogs, but hamburgers as well. Chateau Ste. Michelle, Finger Lakes Riesling, New York, ($21.99), has a crisp, balanced sweetness that can turn tangy with cabbage, especially when it’s boiled. Chocolate pudding with this wine will make the meal much more special.

If your special event includes special people- family and friends-make sure the wine is special, too. Something bubbly usually fits the bill and the choices are many. My personal favorite is Veuve Clicquot, NV, ($49.99). Its effervescence is distinctive, but not overwhelming; the nose has notes of citrus and jasmine, while the finish is longer than many other sparklers.

Chateau St. Cloud, Cold Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, ($33.99).

This is a complex, layered wine. Notes of cherries, blackberries, cara-

mel and earth tones almost smother your palate; the finish is long and multi flavored. This one is not only good with the usual items, but especially good with grilled chicken, pork loin or bratwurst.

Eroica Riesling, Clos du Bois/ Dr. Loosen, ($22.99). This Riesling, a wine whose style is an homage to Dr. Loosen, captures a great balance of sweetness and body. Notes of mountain flowers, turmeric and peppermint on the nose give way to a pleasant finish. Goes great with not only the usual cookout items, but with poultry and pork dishes, as well.

A.J.Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, California, ($55.99). This isn’t just another Cab. It’s full of structure, balance and distinctive notes and aromas. I’d suggest letting this one breathe for 30-45 minutes. Then just sip. Also, if it’s steaks on your grill, be sure to have a glass of this in your hand.

Lastly, I’d like to mention just one of the many great wines being produced in the country of South Africa. This country’s winemakers continue to refine many varieties, especially Chenin Blanc.

Beaumont Chenin Blanc,2023, ($23.99), is crisp and refreshing. Notes of orange blossom and mountain flowers on the nose lead to a palate that’s balanced but layered. This one is also good with any kind of salad as well as Asian cuisine. This wine is so easy drinking that I suggest you have more than one on hand.

Also from South Africa is a great tasting Pinotage. Stellenbosch-Conde Pinotage, 2020 ($26.99). While it’s hard to find a bad Pinotage, this one impresses because of its array of notes on the nose, distinctive mouthfeel on the palate and a finish that’s more like a good Bordeaux than anything else. Try this one with a Bolognese, Filet Mignon or even a Beijing Duck. They’ll all be better with this one.

Have a happy second half of summer!

Sunday July 12, 2026

South Boston Vietnam Memorial Committee invites you to a special ceremony celebrating the 250th Birthday of America.

11:15-11:30 Marine Corps Band

11:30-12:30 Speaking Program – Wreath Presentation

Marine Band & Silent Drill Platoon

Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, recently joined academic and business leaders at the JFK Library to reflect on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the historic ties and relationship between the U.S. and Ireland.

The U.S. is holding many events throughout the year to mark the 250th anniversary of its founding. The event at the JFK Library focused on the contribution and history of friendship with Ireland.

In the photo (left to right): James Brett, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, and Sighle FitzGerald, Consul General to Boston for Ireland.

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND BOSTON PARKS AND RECREATION ANNOUNCE BOSTON FAMILY GOLF NIGHTS AT CITY GOLF COURSES

New partnership with Boston Common Golf expands affordable opportunities for families to learn and play golf together at George Wright and William J. Devine at Franklin Park Golf Courses

Mayor Michelle Wu yesterday joined the Boston Common Golf and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate the launch of Boston Family Golf Nights, a new pilot program that makes it easier and more affordable for families to learn and enjoy the game of golf together. Beginning in August at both George Wright and William J. Devine Golf Courses, this program is designed to introduce families to golf with beginner

friendly introduction followed by discounted evening rounds of golf on both of the City’s top-rated municipal courses.

To celebrate the launch, more than 70 youth from across Boston participated in golf instruction at George Wright alongside 2x Grammy-nominated multi-patinum singer-songwriter and Boston Common Golf Limited Partner and Ambassador Noah Kahan as well as Boston Common Golf player and Massachusetts native Keegan Bradley. The event was hosted in partnership with Boston Common Golf and The Busyhead Project with young golfers from Boston Public Schools, Boston Parks and Recreation programs, and Youth On Course in attendance.

The Boston Family Golf Nights pilot program is designed specifically for beginner golfers aged 7-17 and their families. Participants will learn the fundamentals of the game, including golf etiquette, equipment, course safety, and basic techniques through hands-on instruction, including practice in the simulator. After completing the introductory sessions, families will have the opportunity to put their new skills into practice during reserved evening tee times at George Wright or William J. Devine Golf Courses, where they can enjoy an affordable round of golf together with continued guidance from staff. The program will be offered after 6:00 p.m. on alternat -

ing weeknights at both George Wright Golf Course and William J. Devine Golf Course and will include discounted evening tee times at $25 for a foursome with families with up to two adults and two children. Free club rentals will also be available, helping remove barriers for families trying the sport for the first time. Each instructional session is limited to 12 participants.

Registration for Boston Family Golf Nights opens August 3 at boston.gov/family-golf Boston parks visit boston.gov/ parks, call (617) 635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.

South Boston Graduate Receives Award for College

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) last week announced the recipient of the annual scholarship honoring the memory of Tommy Butler, the long-time Massport Director of External Affairs and lifelong South Boston resident. The 2026 Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship was awarded to South Boston resident Rocco Blasi.

“Rocco has made a tremendous impact on his community through his service,” said Rich Davey, Massport CEO. “He has excelled academically and in his extracurricular activities and embodies the true spirit of Tommy Butler’s legacy.”

The Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who resides in South Boston, graduated from high school, and has been accepted to an accredited college or university. Butler was deeply committed to his community throughout his life, serving as mayor of the South Boston Boys Club, a youth counselor and later director of Little City Hall in Charlestown, president of the South Boston Citizens Association, and a member of the South Boston Irish American Society. Before joining Massport in 1987 as Manager of Intergovernmental Relations, he built a career in public service as a licensed social worker, serving in the Boston Juvenile Court and with the City of Boston.

Rocco, a graduate of Catholic Memorial High School, will attend the Univer-

Massport Awards Annual Butler Memorial Scholarship July 4th Weekend Statement from the LLEGO Boston Board of Directors

As we reflect on this Fourth of July weekend, LLEGO Boston extends our sincere gratitude to our members and every law enforcement professional who answered the call to serve.

Holiday weekends are often among the most demanding times in public safety. They bring long hours, extended shifts, missed time with loved ones, little sleep, and the emotional weight that comes with responding to people on what are often some of the most difficult days of their lives. Despite those challenges, you continue to show up with professionalism, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others.

Much of what you do will never make the headlines. The conversations that build trust, the conflicts that are peacefully resolved, the young person you mentor, and the tragedies prevented before they ever occur often go unseen. Yet those moments are the true foundation of safer communities.

sity of Massachusetts Amherst to study economics. Throughout his teenage years, he demonstrated a strong commitment to his community, volunteering at Marian Manor, the Murphy Ice Rink, and the Walsh Community Center.

To be considered for the Thomas J. Butler Scholarship, students are required to have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and submit an essay of 1,000 words describing their career interests or how their community service has affected their outlook on life. In his essay, Rocco wrote, “Another realization I’ve had is that a lot of the things I was able to do growing up wouldn’t have been possible without people volunteering in their communities. Whether it was sports, school events, or programs like Learn to Skate, there were always people behind the scenes making it happen. I never really thought about that when I was younger, I just showed up and participated. But now that I’ve been on the other side of it, I understand how much effort goes into creating those opportunities. It’s made me more appreciative of the people who take the time to give back, and it’s also made me want to continue doing the same in the future.”

Applications are judged by a committee made up of Massport employees and a representative of the Butler family. Students interested in applying for the 2027 scholarship can learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process by visiting the Massport scholarship page at Massport.com.

We also recognize that the sacrifices of this profession extend beyond those who wear the badge. Behind every officer is a family who accepts missed holidays, interrupted celebrations, sleepless nights, and the uncertainty that comes with this calling. To your families, thank you for the support and sacrifices you make alongside us.

To our law enforcement community, know that your work matters. Your dedication, resilience, and commitment do not go unnoticed. On behalf of the LLEGO Boston Board of Directors, thank you for continuing to make a positive difference in the communities we are privileged to protect. We are proud to stand beside you today and every day continue to help, protect, and lead.

Respectfully, LLEGO Boston Board of Directors

2ND MARINE DIVISION BAND

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES LAWSUIT AGAINST META AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES OVER HARM TO BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH

Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the City of Boston, on behalf of Boston Public Schools (BPS), has filed a lawsuit against Meta and other social media companies, including TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, alleging that these platforms deliberately target minors with addictive design features that harm children’s mental health.

“Social media companies have evidence of the harm they are causing to our kids by designing platforms that keep them hooked in endless scrolling and monetizing engagement at the expense of their mental health,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Boston is taking legal action to protect children and youth and hold these companies accountable. Today, we are making it clear that social media companies must end exploitative practices and be accountable to standards of basic protection for children.”

“Boston Public Schools provides critical mental health services for young people in our community through our counselors, social workers, psychologists,

and nurses who have gone above and beyond to meet increasing student needs,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “We work hard to set our students on the best course for success through rigorous academics and whole-student supports, and the research is clear that social media has had a negative impact on students’ well-being while benefiting companies. We all need to do what is right for our students.”

Over the past decade, BPS has seen a significant increase in student mental health needs directly tied to social media use. Consistent with national mental health trends, BPS children and adolescents have reported increasing mental health concerns since the proliferation of social media platforms’ addictive features. For example, in 2021, 44% of BPS high school students reported persistent sadness, up from 27% in 2015. (Boston Public Health Commission, 2024)

“As an out-of-school-time provider, we see firsthand how social media addiction is reshaping childhood. We see young people

who struggle to focus, to connect and to simply be present,” said Alexandra OliverDavila, Executive Director of Sociedad Latina. “These Big Tech companies knew the harm their platforms caused and chose profit over young people’s well-being. Sociedad Latina fully supports the City of Boston and The Boston Public Schools decision to hold these companies accountable, because our young people deserve better, in the classroom and beyond it.” Recognizing social media’s profound impact on student well-being and learning, BPS has adopted a comprehensive, data-driven response to the student mental health crisis that integrates prevention, intervention, education, and family engagement. To meet students’ needs, BPS has exponentially expanded its mental health resources in recent years. BPS now employs 240 social workers and 105 school psychologists, as opposed to 6 social workers and 48 school psychologists in 2007. BPS leads the Boston School-Based Behavioral Health Collaborative (BSBBHC), which brings together more than 25

community mental health organizations to provide direct services to BPS students. The City’s lawsuit seeks to hold social media companies accountable by forcing them to remove their addictive features and compensate the City for the mental health support our students need. These platforms designed addictive features like endless scrolling, constant notifications, and targeted algorithms specifically to keep young people hooked. And inadequate age verification has made it easy for children to access these platforms with little protection. As a result, a generation of young people have been left struggling with mental health crises, and school districts have been the front line in this crisis.

Boston’s lawsuit was filed in federal court in the Northern District of California and alleges the youth mental health crisis Defendants have created constitutes a public nuisance, and that Defendants’ conduct was negligent. The case will be consolidated with the complaints filed by more than 1,500 school districts across the country.

SEWAGE BACKUPS ARE PREVENTABLE

No Valve = No Protection

If your home has plumbing fixtures in the basement, like a toilet or sink, a backwater valve will prevent sewage from flowing into your home during heavy rains or sewer backups.

Maintenance Matters!

Without a properly installed and maintained valve your basement is vulnerable to costly and hazardous sewage backups.

Simple Maintenance Requirements:

Inspect regularly, especially before storms. Wear protective gloves and eyewear. Remove debris from valve seat and flapper with water and gentle scrubbing.

Note: PSA for informational purposes. Backwater valve must be

The Parade of Sail FAQ and Info From Sail Boston Presented By Meet Boston

How many ships are coming?

There will be over 50 ships participating in Sail Boston. Visit the Participating Ships page for more information.

www.sailboston.com/ships/

Where will the ships be berthed?

There will be ships at the Boston Fish Pier, Commonwealth Pier, Pier 5 South Boston, Courthouse Dock, Fan Pier, Rowes Wharf, and Charlestown Navy Yard.

What days/times will there be access to the ships?

The pier hours for Sail Boston are: Saturday, July 11 | 4:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday, July 12 – Wednesday, July 15 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Hours are subject to change and may vary at each Captain’s discretion.

Will there be security screenings to get onto the ships?

Yes, there will be stadium style security screenings to gain access to festival spaces. Please see the list of Prohibited Items to ensure you are allowed access with your belongings.

What is the best accessible viewing location for those with limited mobility/wheelchairs?

Castle Island, which is a twomile, entirely flat and wheelchairaccessible loop with a clear view of the ocean.

Are the ships accessible?

The ships are not equipped for wheelchair access, but the piers are accessible.

Can I bring a stroller?

Strollers are allowed on the piers

and festival sites. Strollers are not allowed on the ships, but there will be space on the piers for strollers.

Are pets allowed at Sail Boston?

Pets are not allowed at the Sail Boston festivities (excluding certified service animals).

Can I bring a drone?

Drones are not permitted during Sail Boston festivities. Unauthorized drone use is punishable by law as the event space is within five miles of Logan International Airport.

Security

What are the prohibited and allowed items during Sail Boston?

To comply with city rules and ensure the safety and comfort of all guests, some items such as backpacks/large bags, weapons, outside alcohol, and non-service pets are prohibited during event hours. Please refer to our Prohibited Items page for the complete list of what is and is not allowed at Sail Boston.

Prohibited Items

• Backpacks or large bags

• Coolers on wheels

• Firearms, weapons, sharp objects or fireworks

• Pop up tents or canopies

• Glass containers, pre-mixed beverages or alcoholic beverages

• Wagons or pull carts

• Drones

• Pets (excluding certified service animals)

• Grills, propane tanks or open flames

• Bicycles or electric scooters (bicycle parking will be available outside most screening areas)

Allowed Items

• Small clutch purses/bags (that are easily searchable)

• Shoulder strap or single handle coolers

• Folding/beach chairs

• Umbrellas

• Baby strollers

• Diaper bags (that are easily searchable)

• Glass baby bottles

or

THERE IS NO BAG STORAGE AT ANY LOCATION. ALL BAGS WILL BE SUBJECT TO SEARCH.

Are cameras and video recorders allowed?

Yes. Personal cameras and handheld video recorders are permitted for personal use and may be subject to security screening. But please be sure to respect those around you if they are not comfortable being filmed.

What time will the security check points be open?

Screening areas will be open at 7:00 AM on July 11 and during open pier hours.

Are you allowed to re-enter after going through a security check point?

Patrons are allowed to leave the secured area, but must repeat the screening process each time they re enter.

PARADE OF SAIL PARKING RESTRICTIONS FOR SOUTH BOSTON -NO PARKING AT CASTLE ISLAND

SOUTH BOSTON

• East First Street - North side (park side), from Farragut Road to O Street.

• Farragut Road - East side (park side), from Day Boulevard to East Fourth Street, excluding MBTA Bus Stop, East side (park side) from East Second Street to East First Street

LIMITED PARKING GARAGE AVAILABILITY

Limited discount parking will be available for South Boston resident parking permit holders from Friday, July 10 at 5 p.m. through Sunday, July 12 at 12 p.m. at the Channel Center Garage at 116 West First Street.

South Boston resident permit holders will be charged $10/day during this time; all other parkers will be charged the regular rate. Each day begins at 3:30 a.m.

Please note: This rate only applies during the specified time period, and residents must stop by the garage office before driving to the exit to receive the discount. Please contact the garage with questions by calling 617-269-1077.

SOUTH BOSTON WATERFRONT/SEAPORT DISTRICT

- FAN PIER / PIER 4 PRIVATE OWNERSHIP

• Bond Drive - Both sides, from Fan

Pier Boulevard to Marina Park Drive

• Fan Pier Boulevard - Both sides, from Seaport Boulevard to Waterside Avenue

• Harbor Shore Drive - Both sides, from Northern Avenue for its entirety

• Liberty Drive - Both sides, from Courthouse Way to Marina Park Drive

• Marina Park Drive - Both sides, from Northern Avenue to Waterside Avenue

• Pier 4 Boulevard - Both sides, from Northern Avenue heading northeasterly for its entirety

• Waterside Avenue - Both sides, from Fan Pier Boulevard to Marina Park Drive

SOUTH BOSTON

WATERFRONT

• Black Falcon Avenue - Both sides, for its entire length, from Drydock Avenue to Terminal Street

• Codfish Way - Both sides, for its entire length, from FID Kennedy Avenue to Shoreline Road

• Courthouse Way - Both sides, Northern Avenue to Liberty Drive

• Dolphin Way - Both sides, for its entire length, from FID Kennedy Avenue to the South Jetty

• Dry Dock Avenue - Both sides, for

its entire length, from Summer Street to Black Falcon Avenue

• FID Kennedy Avenue - Both sides, for its entire length, from Dolphin Way to approximately 660’ west of

• Harbor Street - Both sides, for its entire length, from Dry Dock Avenue to Northern Avenue

• Northern Avenue - Both sides, from Northern Avenue Bridge (near Sleeper Street) to Pier 4 Boulevard. Both sides, from MassPort Haul Road to Tide Street

• Seafood Way - Both sides, for its entire length, from Northern Avenue to Shoreline Road

• Seaport Boulevard - South side (odd side), from Atlantic Avenue to B Street, North side (water side) from

Pier 4 Boulevard to B Street

• Shellfish Way - Both sides, for its entire length, from FID Kennedy Avenue to Shoreline Road

• Shoreline Road - Both sides, for its entire length, from Seafood Way to Swordfish Way

• Swordfish Way - Both sides, for its entire length, from FID Kennedy Avenue to Shoreline Road

• Tide Street - Both sides, for its entire length, from Dry Dock Avenue to FID Kennedy Avenue

Ride Share Pick Up and Drop Off Locations

Saturday, July 11, 2026

6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

1. East 1st Street: Angled Parking between O Street and Farragut Road

2. Summer Street: West Side Drive to World Trade Center Avenue

3. Fargo Street between E Street and Summer Street