Thanks to terrific fundraising by our Boston Marathon runner, Emily Craven, and a generous grant from Rotary Club of Newton, Fig City News hired five student interns this summer: Theo Younkin and Chloe Yu returned from last summer, joined this summer by Chloe Carrano, James Garrett, and Andrew Petrilla. Theo has been wonderfully effective as this summer’s managing intern. In addition, Noa Kelmer-Racin, another intern from last summer, has continued as a freelancer, this summer writing her fifth and sixth articles for us since last summer.
These writers tackled tough assignments — and yes, some easier ones — and delivered really good work for the Newton community. See below for a list of their 34 articles this summer, most recent listed first.
Fig City News can pay these interns, thanks to donors who value local news and real-life experience for students. But when these interns are asked, “What did you make last summer?,” this answer may rightly come to mind: “A difference.”
2025 Summer Intern Articles
- Newton’s 11-year-old piano prodigy Rui Gong and his teacher, Paul Bempechat [UPDATED]
- Newton’s Neighborhood Area Councils: What’s new and what’s next
- Impact of revisions to Newton’s Tree Preservation Ordinance
- West Newton Cinema broadens its audience with new accessibility features
- Remembering Elizabeth Crowe, dedicated postal worker cherished by Newton Highlands residents
- Bullough’s Pond vote “not anticipated” at upcoming City Council meeting, despite Mayor’s urging
- At summer retreat, School Committee plans for the year ahead
- Turtle Lane auction delayed by bankruptcy filing
- “Death and Taxes”: A cutting yet heartfelt portrait of a father and CEO
- Construction begins for Waverley and Franklin traffic calming project
- Newton at Home’s new Executive Director wants to help locals age in place
- Price Center’s new CEO, Abigail Parrilla, on a transformative first year
- Thank you, Emily Craven – primary fundraiser for Fig City News summer internships!
- Young pianist Matthew Ding strikes a chord at 2Life Communities
- Newton native Joseph Lee’s new book explores his Wampanoag heritage – and what it means today
- How will federal cuts to hunger relief affect Newton?
- Jerry Reilly, Newton Upper Falls neighborly instigator
- Washington Street Pilot update: Design refinements, construction schedule, and a range of opinions
- Green Newton’s ‘Summer Pizza Party’ serves up slices and fresh ideas for clean energy development
- Cabot Park Village rally: A Declaration of Resistance
- China Fair: A hidden Newton gem that’s much more than just cutlery
- Alicia Kabir’s first year leading Cradles to Crayons – Massachusetts
- As Republic Services waste-collection strike enters fifth week, elected officials and local businesses respond [UPDATED]
- Councilor Farrell lobbies for renaming Oak Hill Park roadways to honor fallen veterans
- Newton’s Farmers’ Markets – where people connect
- Five Newton students on recent Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra tour to Mexico, blending cultures and melodies
- MassDevelopment helps Lasell Village renovate and expand its learning-centered senior living community
- CRRC announces first annual Newton Small Business Awards
- The third season of weekly Lunch Pop-Ups at Allen Center, starts July 24
- Green Newton goes door-to-door to promote heat pumps
- Business community demands to be heard as office space vacancies rise in Boston metro area
- Elena Guarente hosts Cold Spring Park cleanup and BioBlitz event
- Nancy Schön’s “My Truth” debuts in her Newton home
- Newton celebrates July 4th with annual festivities
