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Boston, MA
Free and nearly free December events in Boston: Tree lightings, book bargains, and more – The Boston Globe
MERRY EXCHANGE If you’ve read Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” too many winters in a row and are looking for a new seasonal read, the Trident Booksellers & Cafe hosts their Holiday Book Swap, a grab-and-go-style exchange for anyone who wants to trade a well-loved book for a new read. The event takes place in the Stacks, Trident’s large event space, and readers are encouraged to stay and mingle over their new library additions. Dec. 4, 7-9 p.m. Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury St. tridentbookscafe.com
FOLKLORIC FUN Krampus, the German folkloric character who acts as Santa’s evil counterpart, gets his own celebration from the Brighton Bazaar over the weekend at the Charles River Speedway. On Saturday, Medieval Merriment founder and costume and creature maker Elsa the Fool hosts a medieval costume contest. Then, on Sunday, Salem street performer Goat Girl brings some goat-headed crowd interaction. Throughout the Speedway, vendors will be selling vintage and handmade merchandise befitting a folklore-themed celebration. Dec. 6-7. Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave. instagram.com/thebrightonbazaar
INDIE COMIC CON The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, or MICE, invites over 200 artists and writers for a rodent-themed indie comic convention. The expo’s headlining artists are Boston-born artist Scott McCloud, known for his comic about making comics, “Understanding Comics,” and ND Stevenson, whose graphic novel series “Nimona” was adapted into an animated Netflix film in 2023, though both panels are ticketed with a fee. However, for free, you can peruse the aisles to explore work from over 200 artists and illustrators. Dec. 6-7. RSVP required. Peter Fuller Building, 808 Commonwealth Ave. micexpo.org
STORIES ON SALE If you love reading or scouring through bargain bins, the Somerville Library has just the opportunity for you: The annual Friends of the Somerville Library deal, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, offers a large selection of books for purchase, all priced at $1. The sale raises funds for the library’s programming throughout the year. Dec. 6-7. Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave., Somerville. somervillepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com
This week, experience some early holiday spirit at one of the tree lighting ceremonies taking place around Boston. Many offer activities, snacks, and refreshments.
Monday
Copley Square, 560 Boylston St. 4-6 p.m. boston.gov
Wednesday
Boston Landing, 92 Guest St. 4-7 p.m. eventbrite.com
Thursday
Boston Common. 6-8 p.m. boston.gov
Commonwealth Avenue Mall, 484 Commonwealth Ave. 8 p.m. boston.gov
Friday
Seaport Common, 85 Northern Ave. 5-8 p.m. bostonseaport.xyz
Check individual event websites for the most up-to-date information.
Send info on free events and special offers at least 10 days in advance to ryan.yau@globe.com.
Ryan Yau can be reached at ryan.yau@globe.com.
Local News
The boy was stabilized and flown to a Boston hospital, police said.
A 13-year-old boy was flown to a Boston hospital after he was found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a home in Beverly on Wednesday afternoon, police said.
Police and firefighters were called to a home on Parramatta Road after bystanders pulled the boy from the pool, the Beverly Police Department wrote in a press release.
Bystanders administered CPR until first responders arrived, according to police. First responders continued CPR and other “life saving measures,” police said.
An ambulance took the boy to Beverly Hospital where he was stabilized. He was then taken by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital, police said.
The incident is currently being investigated by Beverly police, the department said.
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Boston, MA
Federal judge in Boston bars Trump from implementing proof of citizenship requirement to vote – The Boston Globe
A federal judge on Wednesday permanently barred President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing most of his first executive order on elections, part of which sought to require people to show documentary proof of citizenship when they register to vote.
The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper in Boston effectively converts a preliminary injunction she issued a year ago, in which she temporarily blocked many of Trump’s efforts to overhaul elections, into a permanent ban.
Casper rejected the administration’s argument that the lawsuit to block the changes brought by Democratic state attorneys general was premature because the rules had yet to be implemented. Instead, she agreed that the Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to regulate elections, and that Trump’s requirements violated the separation of powers.
The Constitution “does not grant the President any specific powers over elections,” she wrote.
Among other proposed changes, Trump’s order would have required people to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote, prevented mail ballots from being counted if they arrive after Election Day, even if they were postmarked by then, and punished states that failed to comply by withholding certain federal money.
It was the latest in a string of rulings against the elections executive order Trump signed just months after taking office for his second term. He has since signed another executive order on elections, seeking to create a national voter list and limit mail balloting. That directive also faces multiple legal challenges.
Last fall, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., overseeing a separate challenge to the first election executive order by civil rights and Democratic Party-aligned groups blocked the government from taking steps to include the proof-of-citizenship requirement on the federal voter registration form. That judge later barred the Secretary of Defense from requiring documentary proof of citizenship when military personnel register to vote or request ballots.
In an apparent nod to the difficulty of implementing a proof-of-citizen requirement by executive order, Trump is pushing legislation in the Republican-controlled Congress to create such a mandate. The SAVE America Act has passed the House but has stalled in the Senate, leading Trump to advocate for eliminating the filibuster that is blocking the legislation.
On Wednesday, he abruptly cancelled the expected signing of a bipartisan housing bill, saying he won’t sign legislation until Congress passes his proof of citizenship requirement for voting.
Three days after an alleged carjacker hit and killed a woman in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood, members of the community came together to honor her life.
A candlelight vigil was held Tuesday evening for 32-year-old Mabinty Janneh of Dorchester. She died after being hit Saturday afternoon on Blue Hill Avenue.
Ibraim Matos, 37, of Hyde Park, is charged with murder in the crash. He allegedly stole a vehicle and drove it onto the sidewalk, fatally hitting Janneh.
Ibraim Matos of Hyde Park has been charged with murder in the deadly crash.
Heartbroken family, friends and community members gathered near the site of the crash to remember Janneh Tuesday.
“We need justice for Mabinty,” said her aunt, Mbalu Tarawally.
“I just felt like I needed to be present,” said Rev. Dr. Barbara Simmons. “If the family lost a person, the least I can do is come here and show my face.”
“She was young, vibrant. Hard worker. Wants to do everything,” said Ahmad Thorley, a family member of Janneh.
The suspect in a deadly carjacking and crash in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood appeared in court to face charges including murder.
Witnesses said Matos dragged Janneh several hundred feet after hitting her.
The stolen Toyota RAV4 crashed into an MBTA bus, and people at the pulled Matos out of the car and holding him there until police arrived.
Matos pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of leaving the scene of personal injury and death and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, along with murder and carjacking. His defense attorney spoke briefly on Monday, saying they will evaluate “where we stand” in a few weeks after the mental health evaluation.
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