Column: An elementary school eliminates homework, sparking parental debate
A fourth grader returned home from Memorial Spaulding Elementary School on January 5 with surprising news: homework, at least as students had known it, was [...]
Snow-mageddon breaks snowfall records, brings Newton to standstill
Snow enthusiasts rejoice! And everyone else, take refuge in the fact that spring is only three weeks away. Meanwhile, the nearly two feet of snow [...]
Kay Masterson keeps the family-friendly, eco-friendly Johnny’s and Cabot’s going strong
While Boston may be known as the home of Cheers, the bar where, as the song says, "everybody knows your name," Newton has long been [...]
As You Wish: WISHDISH Project helps nourish bodies and hearts with southern hospitality
While people who read the Newton Beacon and who listen to my segments on WBZ/iHeart radio are familiar with the amazing bounty of great food we [...]
Column: Winter sowing gives you an early start on your garden
Winter is a quiet season in the garden, but it has its own opportunities for getting your hands in the soil. Despite the cold weather, [...]
Coyote sightings surge across Newton, with West Newton emerging as hotspot
Dolan Pond is knee-deep in snow and ice this time of year, but that doesn’t stop dog walkers—or coyotes—from roaming the area. “The coyotes are [...]
Porky Puzzler: Police report pig leg found at the Cove
In case you thought 2026 couldn’t get any weirder, someone left a severed bloody pig leg outside at the Cove in Auburndale, police reported on [...]
Letter to the Editor: Mayor, City Council have self-serving priorities
To the Editor: At a time when federal politics has become a synonym for "the grift," Newton residents should expect their local government to be [...]
That time civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson visited Newton
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a longtime civil rights activist, Baptist minister, former shadow senator for the District of Columbia, and two-time presidential candidate, died on [...]
Newton-based Bricks for the Blind helps people without sight enjoy Legos
Newton resident Matthew Shifrin leads an initiative to make Legos more accessible through his nonprofit Bricks for the Blind. “It's been really wonderful because blind [...]
A Newton couple traveled to every city and town in Massachusetts. Here are their top 5 restaurants
After losing their business in 2020, Jenny McBride and Jo Gray made it their mission to travel to every city and town in Massachusetts. The [...]
Six things to do in Newton this weekend
It's cold. And it's going to be cold all weekend. Warm yourself up with some community togetherness and celebration of the arts. Boston College and [...]
Column: Social media’s stress-inducing takeover of the college hunt
My early decision letter was sitting in the admissions portal. I was prepared for either outcome. If I was in, I would squeal with glee, [...]
With a fifth of its members MIA, City Council pushes big items to March
On Tuesday night, the City Council was expected to vote on whether or not to remove the Newton Centre Plaza and discuss regulations for the [...]
City officials discuss ensuring affordable housing for the next generation of Newtonians
Newton is working to rectify the impact of rising home values on middle and lower-income families while trying not to cause homeowners’ land values to [...]
Column: In Papua New Guinea, the time machine is on perennial pause
There are few places on earth so remote that time has little meaning. Tufi, in Papua New Guinea, is one of them. In 2006, from [...]
North Hockey claims bragging rights with 4-2 victory over South
Newton South’s James Payton has been playing hockey in Newton since he was 5 years old. During the many, many hours that he has spent [...]
Newton’s new community services chief, John Rice, has devoted his life to the city
John Rice was 8 years old when his brother, James, was killed in the Vietnam War. James was 21 and just a few days shy [...]
Newton woman charged with performing illegal eyelid surgery taken into ICE custody
On Feb. 9, Newton resident Dingrui Wang was supposed to appear in Suffolk Superior Court for a hearing on charges that she illegally performed eyelid [...]
Newton South wrestling star Nick Genin continues to dominate weight class
Nick Genin strips off his warmups and takes his place on the mat. In this match—his first of three on the day—he is wrestling an [...]