We are a free, nonprofit, nonpartisan news site dedicated to fact-based coverage of local issues and diverse community voices. https://newbedfordlight.org/https://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mz4ozsgl5f25There are two polling place changes, and no federal monitors. Also, voters should check their registration status — just in case they’re on an inactive list. buff.ly/aNDOswG https://buff.ly/aNDOswG30 Oct 2026 21:12 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mz4ozsgl5f25https://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3myvcg36zz42bCity councilors unanimously advanced a measure Monday night to prohibit new data centers from being built anywhere in the city. The proposed ordinance would be an indefinite ban, but city planners have described it as a “pause” to give them time to research the issue. buff.ly/j3ouKuB https://buff.ly/j3ouKuB27 Oct 2026 22:37 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3myvcg36zz42bhttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mykz7k43at2cThe City of New Bedford will not renew its contract with Flock Safety for automated license-plate readers — a move that could de-escalate the controversial debate on the balance of community public safety and individual privacy rights. buff.ly/YR0QMsp https://buff.ly/YR0QMsp23 Oct 2026 20:26 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mykz7k43at2chttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3myip4zurlc2oMayor Jon Mitchell has fired two officers after internal investigations found they used the Police Department’s automated license-plate surveillance system for personal purposes. buff.ly/2O8NR6N https://buff.ly/2O8NR6N22 Oct 2026 22:20 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3myip4zurlc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3myik24wd6k2sThe New Bedford School Committee and an independent agency have determined that an alleged assault by the superintendent of schools against a union leader never happened. More: buff.ly/L272Gpg https://buff.ly/0ofP15y22 Oct 2026 20:49 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3myik24wd6k2shttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3myifwjewxi2wShawn Oliver is continuing to serve as a New Bedford city councilor, even after ending his campaign for lieutenant governor over the weekend. And no one can stop him until the next election. buff.ly/p9O72FF https://buff.ly/p9O72FF22 Oct 2026 19:35 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3myifwjewxi2whttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3myfxofdg262fBristol Co. Register of Probate Tom Hoye faces a challenger in Melanie Patenaude Layden, a family and probate attorney who ran for the position in 2020. And a pair of cousins from New Bedford are running uncontested races for county treasurer and commissioner. buff.ly/VBQkkej https://buff.ly/VBQkkej21 Oct 2026 20:15 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3myfxofdg262fhttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3myb6iovatq2oRepublican Mike Minogue is soldiering on alone in his campaign for Massachusetts governor after his running mate, New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver, dropped his bid for lieutenant governor. So what happens now? Full story: buff.ly/QP8yyUp19 Oct 2026 22:34 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3myb6iovatq2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3myb6ehxs3v2iThe New Bedford city councilman, who has suspended his campaign for lieutenant governor, was released on personal recognizance. buff.ly/0yj6zwS https://buff.ly/0yj6zwS19 Oct 2026 22:31 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3myb6ehxs3v2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3my5t7dzflz2bRepublican candidate for lieutenant governor and New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver was arrested on a charge of operating under the influence of alcohol, according to the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office. buff.ly/OGosqP5 https://buff.ly/OGosqP518 Oct 2026 14:34 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3my5t7dzflz2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mxz466mb4v2cGov. Maura Healey and Republican challenger Mike Minogue clashed over rising energy costs, abortion rights and accountability for misconduct in state government Thursday night, as the candidates met for their second and final gubernatorial debate before Election Day. buff.ly/aTC2e9r https://buff.ly/aTC2e9r16 Oct 2026 17:31 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxz466mb4v2chttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mxwuu6rfsi2cHousing and affordability are once again at the fore of the Bristol 9th state House race in the general election. The race to represent Dartmouth and part of New Bedford’s Far North End places Democrat Edward Pacheco against Republican Chester Tam. buff.ly/UcNFQzI https://buff.ly/UcNFQzI15 Oct 2026 20:15 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxwuu6rfsi2chttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mxtulezbus2bAccusations and criticisms flew across the debate stage at WBZ Tuesday night as the two contenders for the Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat faced off in their first and only debate of the election. buff.ly/OzzBWb4 📝 Kevin G. Andrade https://buff.ly/OzzBWb414 Oct 2026 15:32 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxtulezbus2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mxs2eecapv2iFor the first time in two decades, South Coast residents have a choice on November’s ballot of who will represent them in the State Senate. buff.ly/8DGuO1g https://buff.ly/8DGuO1g13 Oct 2026 22:10 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxs2eecapv2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mxrxvdy6rz26Attention stayed on President Donald Trump during the first and only lieutenant governor debate Tuesday, closely following the contours of the showdown between Gov. Maura Healey and Republican challenger Mike Minogue last week. buff.ly/aKm4SQh https://buff.ly/aKm4SQh13 Oct 2026 21:26 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxrxvdy6rz26https://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mxety7a7gz2bSeven candidates running for South Coast seats in the Massachusetts Legislature addressed housing, energy, and other key issues during a forum hosted by The Light and the League of Women Voters SouthCoast on Wednesday. buff.ly/muTo0ao https://buff.ly/muTo0ao08 Oct 2026 16:11 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxety7a7gz2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mxerasnrq22w🏮Light up your night TONIGHT with a visit to Arts Illuminated, The New Bedford Light's live talk show and sale featuring South Coast artists. The show begins at 6 p.m. at Steeple Playhouse, 159 William St., New Bedford. Find out more, and get a preview, at: https://newbedfordlight.org/artsilluminated/08 Oct 2026 15:22 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxerasnrq22whttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mxcpobklyp24The people running to represent the South Coast in Congress and the courtroom shared their positions on the region’s biggest issues Tuesday night at a candidate forum hosted by The Light and the League of Women Voters SouthCoast. buff.ly/a8XwPtR https://buff.ly/a8XwPtR07 Oct 2026 19:49 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxcpobklyp24https://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mxa75jlbhl2tA deep dive into Fall River's use of Flock license-plate cameras finds similar problems that have surfaced in New Bedford and elsewhere: lack of oversight as police officers searched thousands of times since 2021 while entering vague or nonsensical reasons. More buff.ly/VTez65606 Oct 2026 19:48 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxa75jlbhl2thttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mx5weegti62oJohn Deaton wants voters to understand something about his current campaign for the U.S. Senate: Don’t be confused by the party he’s affiliated with. 📝 Kevin G. Andrade Full story: buff.ly/FSS5zpt05 Oct 2026 22:05 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx5weegti62ohttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mwwae7ekb52yJoin The New Bedford Light and the League of Women Voters SouthCoast to hear from local candidates running for U.S. Congress, Bristol County DA and the state Legislature. 📅 Oct. 6 and 7, 6 to 8 p.m. 📍 225 Hathaway Blvd., New Bedford See the list of participating candidates >>> buff.ly/upy1I9V02 Oct 2026 20:43 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwwae7ekb52yhttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mwo4noamw22k🦇 Join The Light for a night of artistic thrills and chills, as Arts Illuminated presents its next live talk art show and sale in a Halloween frame of mind. 🧹Drop in Thursday, Oct. 8, at Steeple Playhouse, 159 William St., New Bedford, starting at 6 p.m. https://newbedfordlight.org/artsilluminated/29 Sep 2026 15:15 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwo4noamw22khttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mwcbiuxrgw2eA possible nor’easter could bring coastal flooding, beach erosion, and wind gusts up to 55 mph to the South Coast this weekend. buff.ly/PF6VBnL https://buff.ly/PF6VBnL24 Sep 2026 22:10 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwcbiuxrgw2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mw7tzqxsis23New Bedford will receive a $1.3 million appropriation from the state to keep New Bedford Fire Station 9 open — if the state Legislature approves it. buff.ly/bxpGUDb 📝 Brooke Kushwaha 📸 Eleonora Bianchi https://buff.ly/bxpGUDb23 Sep 2026 23:03 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw7tzqxsis23https://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mw7n7qw6wv2tNew Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell spoke with Light reporter Kevin G. Andrade on Wednesday about recent ICE arrests in multiple locations in the city, including on the Avenue. 🎥 Brooke Kushwaha23 Sep 2026 21:02 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw7n7qw6wv2thttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mw4ukxgbid2kICE agents have been sighted in various locations in and around New Bedford on Tuesday, the second day of a surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and arrests. More coverage here: buff.ly/CYfYin822 Sep 2026 18:35 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw4ukxgbid2khttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mw4o43ulpm2hFor the second day in a row, U.S. Immigration and Customs agents continued to make arrests at multiple locations in the New Bedford area early Tuesday morning. A reporter for The Light saw what appeared to be multiple ICE vehicles using the New Bedford Industrial Park as a staging area.22 Sep 2026 16:39 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw4o43ulpm2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mw2qmxpp3w2z🚨[UPDATED STORY] At least eight people were arrested Monday as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents launched a major operation centered on the Whaling City. 📝 Kevin G. Andrade and Nathan Collins 📸 Nathan Collins21 Sep 2026 22:19 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw2qmxpp3w2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mw2ep6hscm2pA major U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement action is currently underway in the Whaling City. A Light reporter witnessed an arrest near the waterfront this morning, and another Light reporter saw what appeared to be ICE agents using the Dartmouth Mall parking lot as a staging area.21 Sep 2026 18:46 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw2ep6hscm2phttps://bsky.app/profile/newbedfordlight.bsky.social/post/3mvqhd6j7oh2kRevolution Wind completed construction Wednesday, installing the blades on its 65th and final turbine. It marks the 2nd offshore wind project to finish construction under the 2nd Trump administration and the 3rd utility-scale offshore wind farm in the US, joining South Fork Wind and Vineyard Wind.17 Sep 2026 20:06 +0000at://did:plc:kzfk7d7qgnuwhrllerdi5es2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvqhd6j7oh2k