Stevee Chapman

Sep 26, 2024 | wbur.org | Stevee Chapman

The Joro spider has officially shipped up to Boston. The palm-sized, neon-yellow spider from Southeast Asia was first spotted weaving its signature web by a photographer on Beacon Hill this month. Experts say this is the northernmost confirmed sighting of a Joro spider in the U.S.A Joro spider in its web. (Andy Davis at the University of Georgia)Scientists believe the species first arrived to the southeast U.S. about a decade ago by way of shipping container.

Sep 20, 2024 | wbur.org | Katie Cole |Stevee Chapman

People and pets should avoid touching the Charles River water in the area of the Longfellow Bridge due to a major bloom of harmful cyanobacteria. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health posted a public health advisory for the river between the bridge and the Cambridge Dam. The Charles River Watershed Association said this is the first "major bloom" of cyanobacteria in the river in four years. Cyanobacteria is a blue-green algae that naturally occurs in fresh water.

Jul 10, 2024 | wbur.org | Stevee Chapman

Hydrangeas are popping across New England this summer. And the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival is giving people a rare opportunity to step into more than 100 private gardens to admire them during a year of exceptional blooms. "This year, the hydrangeas are amazing," said C.L. Fornari, who founded the festival in 2015 in collaboration with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. Fornari credits rain and mild temperatures for this year's bountiful blossoms.

May 21, 2024 | wbur.org | Katie Cole |Stevee Chapman

The city of Boston is starting weekend programming for youth, among other initiatives, in the hopes of mitigating community violence this summer. Mayor Michelle Wu announced the summer safety plan on Tuesday, an annual initiative to get ahead of violent crime that tends to increase in the warmer months. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said the increase is driven by warmer weather, bigger outdoor gatherings, more visitors to the city and students being out of school.

Apr 1, 2024 | wbur.org | Roberto Scalese |Stevee Chapman

Cambridge city councilor Burhan Azeem unveiled an ad campaign this April Fool's Day to encourage the creation of what he's calls "MegaCambridge."Azeem said his proposal makes the case that Cambridge should annex Boston in order to become the capital of Massachusetts. The April Fool's joke will appear on more than 70 digital billboards across Boston Monday. According to The Boston Globe, Azeem spent $5,000 on the stunt.