Joan Vennochi

1 week ago | bostonglobe.com | Joan Vennochi

On June 10, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu presided over the ribbon-cutting for a new playground at the Henderson K-12 Inclusion School in Dorchester — a joyful event that was documented on Facebook and on Boston City TV. But there are less joyful happenings at the Henderson that much of the public knows little about. For example, on May 28, a ferocious fight between several students broke out in a hallway, leading to a large police response that was first reported by the Dorchester Reporter.

1 week ago | bostonglobe.com | Joan Vennochi

Who is meaner — MAGA loyalists who have taken over the Republican Party or progressive Democrats who attack anyone who questions their agenda? For President Trump and his supporters, “the cruelty is the point,” as Adam Serwer wrote for The Atlantic in 2018. That rings even truer today, as undocumented immigrants are being snatched from the streets, transgender military services people who have served honorably are being forced from the military, and federal employees are being gleefully fired.

2 weeks ago | bostonglobe.com | Joan Vennochi

With ABC’s decision to part ways with veteran correspondent Terry Moran, President Trump scored another big victory in his war against the press. In a post on X that was subsequently deleted, Moran referred to Trump adviser Stephen Miller and then to Trump as “world-class” haters. In response to criticism from the Trump administration, Moran was initially suspended. Then, calling the post “a clear violation of ABC News policies,” the network announced that Moran’s contract would not be renewed.

2 weeks ago | bostonglobe.com | Carine Hajjar |Joan Vennochi

A somnolent political season in Massachusetts has begun stirring, with signs of a likely challenge to 20-plus-term Washington incumbent Senator Edward Markey by the upstart Representative Jake Auchincloss. I think Markey has served the state well these many years, and only seems to have sharpened his edge in the Senate seat he has held since 2013.

2 weeks ago | bostonglobe.com | Joan Vennochi

Why? Doubling down is often Wu’s way of dealing with controversy, whether it’s over a plan to build a professional soccer stadium or efforts to revitalize downtown. In an election year, permission to build higher could also placate developers, who have been wary of Wu’s earlier focus on affordable housing and climate concerns.