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Flynn, Murphy denounce 'bias' from Boston City Council president

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Flynn, Murphy denounce 'bias' from Boston City Council president


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The councilors, who are in the moderate minority on the council, said President Ruthzee Louijeune is acting with a “perceived bias.”

City officials from left Councilor Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy in February. Erin Clark/Globe Staff

Two Boston city councilors who have butted heads with the body’s progressive majority are voicing their concerns about City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune’s “conduct in meetings.”

Boston City Councilors Erin Murphy and Ed Flynn sent a formal communication to City Clerk Alex Geourntas dated Monday, which was listed in Wednesday’s City Council meeting agenda. 

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“The Council President frequently engages in commentary following the remarks of certain councilors, particularly myself and Councilor Flynn, which undermines the impartiality expected of the presiding officer,” Murphy wrote. 

Louijeune was sworn into her two-year term as president earlier this year, replacing Flynn in the role. 

When reached for comment, Louijeune said her focus is “to keep this honorable body and our great city moving forward.”

“As Council President, I continue to maintain an open-door policy to all of my colleagues if they have any questions or concerns that they would like to discuss in a professional and respectful manner,” she said in a statement.

Flynn, Murphy are political minority on the council

Murphy and Flynn, who are moderates, have previously raised concerns in the press about the City Council. She told the Boston Herald that she sees “chaos and resistance” on the council, while Flynn said he feels “isolated” and bullied as he considers a mayoral bid next year.

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Murphy lost her bid for Suffolk County clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court in September. The little-known seat turned into a proxy battle between progressive Boston pols like Mayor Michelle Wu, who backed Murphy’s opponent, and moderates like Flynn backing Murphy. 

Late last month, Flynn was a sole objection to adding a home-rule petition filed by Wu as a last-minute addition to the council’s agenda. Audible gasps could be heard from the chamber, and someone cried “shame on you!” after the objection. 

The communication filed Wednesday didn’t mention any specific incidents but noted that “several colleagues and members of the public have noted this behavior and expressed their discomfort with the perceived bias.”

“This behavior raises concerns about adherence to our established rules, specifically regarding the expectation that the Council President must step down from the dais to express personal opinions that are not procedural in nature,” the communication read.

Louijeune allies Worrell, Breadon weigh in

Councilor Brian Worrell, who represents Mattapan, Dorchester, and parts of Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, also weighed in. He said Flynn and Murphy’s portrayal “is far from reality.”

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“That politically-motivated plot has been a constant on social media and in the press since the start of the term. I urge councilors to sit down and communicate directly with the Council President,” Worrell said in a statement.

Councilor Liz Breadon, who represents Allston/Brighton, is the second-longest tenured member of the council and has served under four council presidents, she said.

“I vehemently disagree with these unfair and baseless characterizations of the Council President,” Breadon said. “These grievances reflect a brand of petty politics that I had hoped this body was above.”

In their letter, Murphy and Flynn ask Geourntas to take their concerns seriously, “as they affect the integrity of our council and the public’s perception of our work.”

“It is our hope that we can foster a more collaborative environment where all voices are heard and respected, adhering strictly to the rules that govern our conduct,” they wrote.

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Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.






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Boston, MA

Bruins Close Homestand with 6-2 Loss to Canadiens | Boston Bruins

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Bruins Close Homestand with 6-2 Loss to Canadiens | Boston Bruins


BOSTON –– Despite a fiery start, the Boston Bruins lost their footing in the third period and ultimately fell 6-2 to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday at TD Garden.

“Even after the first period, guys came ready to play today. They were very excited, so it was good,” head coach Marco Sturm said. “But the goals we gave up – for me, it’s a lot of individual mistakes, fatigue. Guys were just mentally not sharp.”

​Sammy Blais put the Canadiens ahead 1-0 at 11:08 of the first period, but the Bruins soon earned the lead.

Mason Lohrei kept the puck in the zone and carried it down the left side before hitting Marat Khusnutdinov with a cross-crease pass, which he one-timed past Montreal netminder Jacob Fowler at 12:25. Khusnutdinov’s fifth goal of the year made it 1-1 and extended his point streak to three games.

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Alex Steeves potted a last-minute tally for the 2-1 lift while on the power play. David Pastrnak dished the puck over to Steeves in the right circle, where he sniped it home at 19:42. It was Steeves’ eighth goal of the season, and first PPG of his NHL career. The loss overshadowed that for the forward, though.

“It’s terrible, it stinks. Really, this whole homestand, going into break, it’s unfortunate,” Steeves said. “But I think it’s moments like these where you find out how tight the group is. I know we have a tight group, and I know we’ll bounce back from this and we’ll be stronger because of it. Stings for now.”

Viktor Arvidsson – who played in his first game since Dec. 11 after working through a lower-body injury – picked up the secondary assist on the scoring play. The forward was back on the second line with Casey Mittelstadt and Pavel Zacha.

“It was nice to be back and skating again and battling and stuff and be on the bench,” Arvidsson said. “Be with the guys. It felt good.”

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Woman dies after medical episode at Boston nightclub, family says – The Boston Globe

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Woman dies after medical episode at Boston nightclub, family says – The Boston Globe


The club, in a statement posted on Instagram on Tuesday, said it was “deeply saddened” by Colon’s death and that employees at the nightclub rushed to her aid.

“Our staff responded immediately and called emergency services while an off-duty EMT rendered first aid,” it said. “We are cooperating fully with all inquiries from law enforcement and city officials who are reviewing this medical episode.”

When police arrived at the Warrenton Street venue, they found a person lying on the dance floor, unresponsive and without a pulse, according to an incident report. They began performing chest compressions with the help of a cashier at the club who said she worked as an EMT.

Police said in the report that the large crowd inside the club did not comply with orders to give space to emergency medical personnel. Eventually, officers ordered the club to shut down and told patrons to leave immediately.

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The woman, whose age was not disclosed, was then taken to Tufts Medical Center, police said.

Colon’s sister, Angelica Colon, wrote on social media Sunday that the club failed to immediately call 911 after being told about the medical emergency. She said only a few people at the club showed any “real concern,” while other patrons and staff “acted like nothing was happening.”

“My sister collapsed in the middle of the club,“ she wrote. ”I tried to lift her myself and couldn’t. I was screaming at the top of my lungs and was ignored. The music was only stopped for two minutes, then turned right back on — as if her life didn’t matter.”

Angelica Colon also couldn’t be reached for comment on Tuesday.

Anastaiya Colon, who was at the club to celebrate her sister Angelica’s birthday, had smoked before arriving and had “a few drinks” at the bar, according to the police report. Drug use was not suspected as a factor in the medical episode, according to the report.

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Angelica Colon said that, while her sister had a medical condition, “that does not excuse what happened.” She said in the post that she was considering legal action against the club’s owners.

“A business that refuses to act during a medical emergency does not deserve to operate,” she wrote. “If this could happen to my sister, it could happen to anyone.”

“She was the greatest mother to our son and her daughter,” Stackhouse wrote. “Wherever I fell, she compensated and gave me so much more grace than I deserve.”

Icon is operated by Pasha Entertainment, which also runs the nightclubs Venu and Hava, as well as prominent restaurants such as Ghost Light Tavern and Kava Neo-Taverna, according to the company’s website.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the individual’s family and loved ones,” the club wrote.

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Last year, the city’ licensing board reviewed a 2023 incident at the club in which a woman was punched and thrown to the ground by another patron. Icon staff did not call police during the altercation, which the club’s director of security admitted was a “lapse in judgment.”

The woman who was punched later sued the club for overserving her attacker; Icon was ordered to pay $30,000 in damages, according to court records.


Camilo Fonseca can be reached at camilo.fonseca@globe.com. Follow him on X @fonseca_esq and on Instagram @camilo_fonseca.reports.





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Green Line back open after closure to replace 1800s beams – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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Green Line back open after closure to replace 1800s beams – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


BOSTON (WHDH) – Getting around the city was made easier Tuesday after the Green Line reopened after a two-week shutdown affecting all branches.

The MBTA needed the closure to replace underground beams dating back to the 19th century.

Service returned Tuesday on the B branch between North Station and Babcock, on the C and D lines from North Station to Kenmore, and North Station to Heath Street on the E branch.

(Copyright (c) 2025 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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