Brookline News

08/06/2025

The town is warning people to avoid contact with the water or shoreline at the Brookline Reservoir after confirming the presence of a bloom of toxic blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria.

Pets and young children are especially vulnerable.

The town warned people to avoid coming into contact with the water in the Brookline Reservoir after confirming a bloom of the toxic algae cyanobacteria.

08/06/2025

Some people take up knitting or jogging in their free time.

Not J. Whitfield Larrabee. The Brookline attorney has taken on an unusual side gig: Filing dozens of complaints against Donald Trump and his allies.

Brookline civil rights attorney J. Whitfield Larrabee spends his free time writing legal complaints against President Donald Trump and his allies.

08/05/2025

Bella Wong is taking over as interim superintendent of the Public Schools of Brookline at a challenging time.

She spoke to Brookline.News about her plans for the next year:

Bella Wong is taking over as interim superintendent of the Public Schools of Brookline at a challenging time for the district. She spoke to Brookline.News about her plans for the next year.

08/03/2025

For more than a year, the Brookline Booksmith, an independent bookstore and one of Brookline's most popular retailers, has been targeted by protesters and critics who believe that in its book offerings and author talks, it is platforming too many anti-Israel views.

The situation came to head in July when an author came to talk about his book on Muslim fatherhood, and found himself confronted by giant Israeli flags and protesters filling the front row.

For more than a year, the Brookline Booksmith, an independent bookstore and one of Brookline's most popular retailers, has been targeted by protesters and critics who believe that in its offerings and author talks, it is platforming too many anti-Israel views.

08/02/2025

A proposal to turn a Williams Street property into transitional housing for families facing homelessness and recovering from substance use disorders has drawn opposition from neighbors who worry that their presence will make the neighborhood less safe and increase crime.

Many town leaders, and the police chief, disagree and back the plan.

The town’s Housing Advisory Board on Wednesday endorsed a recommendation that a nonprofit be allowed to buy a for-sale property near Coolidge Corner, which would provide housing for ten families facing homelessness and recovering from substance use disorders. The decision came despite opposition f...

08/01/2025

A project to build an 103-unit apartment building between Heath, Sheafe and Hammond Streets in Chestnut Hill is under threat after the owner of a Heath Street three-family home filed a lawsuit to try to block the 40B project.

It recently got a permit from the town's Zoning Board of Appeals after a nearly two-year process

A neighbor has sued in an attempt to block a 103-apartment housing project in Chestnut Hill that, almost two years after it was first proposed, was recently given the go-ahead by the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals.  The complaint, filed on July 21 by Xiaoning “Nina” Crowley, challenges the so...

07/30/2025

A town committee has recommended that a nonprofit be given the opportunity to purchase a property on Williams Street to provide affordable transitional housing for families affected by substance use and homelessness.

https://brookline.news/town-weighs-competing-options-for-williams-street-affordable-housing-after-committee-recommends-transitional-housing/

07/29/2025

On Episode 3 of the Brookline.News Podcast, editor Sam Mintz and Brookline Interactive Group executive director Jessica Smyser discuss the latest news, including why trash is piling up, the latest on controversial bus lanes in Brookline Village, school leadership turnover and the story behind two popular Buy Nothing Facebook groups.

Sam Mintz of Brookline.News and Jessica Smyser of Brookline Interactive Group discuss the latest news, including why trash is piling up, the latest on controversial bus lanes in Brookline Village, school leadership turnover and the story behind two popular Buy Nothing Facebook groups. Click play bel...

07/29/2025

A 25-year-old Brookline resident is facing criminal charges for allegedly using a marker to deface a sign outside Temple Ohabei Shalom.

Police say Seph Rose wrote: "You are shame to Judaism + Jews everywhere. Hashem shames you murderers.”

Brookline police have issued a criminal summons to 25-year-old Brookline resident Seph Rose for allegedly defacing a sign outside Temple Ohabei Shalom on Beacon Street earlier this month. Police say Rose walked up to the message board on the front lawn of the temple and wrote on it shortly before 9....

07/28/2025

Still trying to figure out why people are arguing over whether Brookline should be a city or a town, and when it might become something that you get a say in?

Here's a two minute explainer video about an ongoing campaign, the complicated process for a town to become a city, and the arguments for and against:

You might have read our past coverage about the ongoing City Charter Campaign, and the debate over whether Brookline should remain a town or become a city. But if you don’t want to go digging through the archives, try this: A two-minute explainer video featuring editor Sam Mintz roaming around the...

07/28/2025

With dishes like gochujang shortribs and coconut curry seafood linguine, new Beacon Street restaurant The Silk aims to cook up flavors inspired by the Silk Road, an ancient trading route that linked Asia and Europe.

Weary riders of the Green Line’s C Branch, or the shuttles soon to be replacing it, can opt instead for a culinary journey at The Silk, a new pan-Asian restaurant at 1223 Beacon Street. With a menu inspired by the Silk Road trading route, the restaurant, which opened June 20, brings diners flavors...

07/25/2025

Betsy Shure Gross, who died at age 85 last week, was one of the forces that helped make Brookline's parks into the gems they are. Her advocacy made an impact across the state and country, too.

Read more:

Betsy Shure Gross was a tireless environmental and social justice advocate—a “rebel with a cause,” as she said in a 2001 interview with the Jewish Women’s Archive. When Shure Gross moved to Brookline in 1971, she grew enchanted by the Emerald Necklace, one of the many Frederick Law Olmsted-d...