Grace Ferguson

2 weeks ago | newbedfordlight.org | Grace Ferguson

Water was pouring into the William H. Carney Lodge — enough to fill a barrel during some storms. This little clubhouse in New Bedford’s West End was a gathering place for the city’s Cape Verdean community for decades. But it’s been empty since 2020, and two years ago the displaced club’s members started pleading with the city for funding to replace the leaking roof so they could move back in. Without it, they said, the water damage threatened to compromise the structure beyond repair.

3 weeks ago | newbedfordlight.org | Grace Ferguson

She pledged to fight President Donald Trump if he broke the law. Then, she moved to the part of Massachusetts where Trump enjoys the most support. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has sued the Trump administration nine times since moving to the South Coast a few months ago. Her office has led or joined lawsuits targeting Trump’s plan to slash federal programs. She has also denounced Trump’s immigration crackdown and his attacks on diversity initiatives.

1 month ago | newbedfordlight.org | Grace Ferguson

Believe it. Dozens of people saw the first MBTA commuter rail train pull into New Bedford Station just before 4:27 a.m. on Monday. They heard the conductor shout “all aboard!”South Coast Rail isn’t a project anymore — it’s a real commuter rail line you can ride. “I thought this day would never come,” said Rick Platt, a conductor on the 7:25 a.m. train leaving New Bedford Station. It only started to feel real to him when crews began training a few weeks ago.

1 month ago | newbedfordlight.org | Grace Ferguson

New Bedford Station swarmed with local leaders celebrating the start of South Coast Rail service on Monday morning. They smiled and shook hands, hugged and huddled under umbrellas. Even the frigid rain didn’t dampen their sense of triumph. Officials lined up behind a microphone that malfunctioned through the entire ceremony, but the leaders spoke over the squeaky sound feedback to commemorate this decades-delayed project. “This is about persistence,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.

1 month ago | newbedfordlight.org | Grace Ferguson

For the first time ever, MBTA commuter rail trains will start carrying passengers on South Coast Rail this Monday. The first train is scheduled to leave New Bedford Station at 4:27 a.m., stopping at Church Street Station at 4:33 a.m. and arriving at Boston’s South Station at 6:01 a.m. Later on Monday morning, state and local officials will board special trains from New Bedford and Fall River, meeting in East Taunton for a kickoff celebration at 10 a.m. Lt. Gov.