On March 20, Newton South’s Mock Trial team won the Massachusetts Bar Association’s 2026 High School Mock Trial Program, defeating Dover-Sherborn in the final round at Faneuil Hall to take home the state championship. This is Newton South’s second Mock Trial state championship, following its first win in 2008. South’s…
Fig City News
In the Public Safety and Transportation Committee meeting on March 18, City Councilors discussed how the City should respond to federal immigration enforcement, as officials outlined limits to local authority and some Councilors called for clearer guidance. City Solicitor Alissa Giuliani, the City’s chief legal advisor, began by outlining Newton’s…
The “carryforward” item within the Newton Public Schools (NPS) budget — the amount of cash unspent by NPS in the current year, which is then assumed to be expended in the next year’s budget — is a consistent source of confusion, taking much airtime during public budget meetings. NPS continues…
Wonder, a new mix-and-match food hall offering delivery and in-person ordering, opened Thursday, March 19, on Needham Street. Customers streamed in to explore its wide range of culinary options, though the sheer number of choices proved overwhelming for some. Patrick Cartier, market operations director for Wonder’s New England locations, said…
In the middle of budget season, Newton Public Schools (NPS) staff and School Committee members from every ward met to discuss the district’s technology initiatives. The meeting was led by Steve Rattendi, Director of Information Technology and Library Services. This is a role that, as Dr. Nolin pointed out, in…
The Charles River Regional Chamber will soon serve a fifth community, in addition to Needham, Newton, Watertown, and Wellesley. The Brookline Chamber of Commerce will cease operation on April 1, and its members and programs will join the CRRC. Bricks & Minifigs, an authorized LEGO reseller, has a new franchise,…
During March 9-16, the School Committee and NPS convened three public budget meetings to review detailed information from NPS departments regarding their budgetary methodologies and priorities. These meetings continued the dichotomy of the Superintendent, Mayor, and School Committee all acknowledging what they say is an improved budgeting process and working…
On March 11, New York City’s Carnegie Hall announced that Newton South High School junior and clarinetist Leila Mostaghimi has been named to the prestigious National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) and will perform this summer along with 96 other student musicians from across the country.…
A new citywide map identifying 43 vacant storefronts across Newton — many in the city’s village centers — is giving officials and prospective business owners a clearer look at where new businesses could take root. When Economic Development Director Lauren Berman and Deputy Director Cheryl Lappin joined the department earlier…
Boston-based real estate firm Beacon Communities LLC has solidified its plans for the commercial block 793-821 Washington Street in Newtonville. Beacon Communities purchased the property in April 2025 and applied for a demolition permit on February 4. The project? New construction of an all-electric housing development with all units designated…