Pathways to reduce child poverty: Impacts of federal tax credits
On February 5, 2026, the Center for Economic Security and Opportunity (CESO) hosted a briefing on a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS), “Pathways to Reduce Child Poverty: Impacts of Federal Tax Credits.” The report examines the implementation and effects on child poverty of the temporary expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.
Finally, a media breakthrough of the pro-Yimby narrative that has dominated press and politics
The Yimby movement was born in 2014, when Sonja Trauss founded SFBARF, the San Francisco Bay Area Renters Foundation. Twelve years later, Yimbyism, rebranded as Abundance, has bipartisan support in Congress. “Pro-housing” legislation has passed in dozens of states. It’s the law of the land in California. Its advocates call the shots in reputedly progressive cities such as San Francisco and Berkeley. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has surrounded himself with Yimby advisors.
East Boston residents face off with ICE day after push to ban agents from courts
The ICE sighting on Friday morning prompted about 15 group members, along with LUCE organizers, to rush to the courthouse to document detainments if any occurred. They positioned themselves inside the courthouse, at its front doors, by the sallyport and near suspected ICE agent vehicles — phones out.
Hospital Programs for Violence Victims Can Prevent Future Harm, Boston University Study Finds
A hospital-based program that supports victims of gun and knife violence can reduce the likelihood that those victims will be reinjured or commit violence themselves, according to a new Boston University study.
Trump is taking on high housing costs. Will his ideas help?
The Trump administration has floated a flurry of new housing policies — from longer mortgage terms to cracking down on corporate buyers of single-family homes — that officials hope will ease the housing cost burden on everyday Americans. But will they? And can the federal government really tackle a problem largely determined by local and state governments?
Massachusetts Officials Praise Statewide AI Progress at BU Event
Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences hosted AI experts to talk about the technology’s future and potential for job growth and innovation. As AI’s role in local, national, and global economies continues to expand, Massachusetts—a leading technology innovator, thanks in large part to its density of higher education institutions—is becoming a key player in artificial intelligence development.
The Power of Place
When Suchi Gopal heads to Belize, it’s not for the beaches by the azure Caribbean waters. She goes to document and map the mangrove forests. And Gopal, a Department of Earth & Environment professor, uses drones.
Scaling Social-Emotional Learning: A Student’s Practicum at City Hall
For two-and-a-half years before enrolling at SPH, Corryn Barter taught at Match, a charter public high school located next to Agganis Arena on BU’s Charles River Campus. First, she taught physics, and then she pivoted to teaching health. She found that while her students overwhelmingly struggled with math problems, they were deeply empathetic and skilled in reading a room. But with such a rich emotional life comes challenges, she says, and without a specific curriculum targeting their social-emotional development, her students were struggling to achieve personal and academic well-being.
Boston City Hall is considering selling official city merch. Could hats and mugs help pad Boston’s budget?
Imagine T-shirts emblazoned with Boston’s city seal. Parks and Recreation Department coffee mugs. Boston police-branded sweat shirts, or Boston Public Library tote bags. Ever wanted to don apparel representing your favorite city department? The opportunity could be close at hand.
City Hall officials are exploring the possibility of launching a city-branded merchandise licensing program — not only to sell official Boston swag to residents, tourists, and local government enthusiasts, but also to potentially trademark historic city symbols and department logos.
Foreclosures Are Surging Under Donald Trump
Foreclosure activity in the U.S. is on the rise in 2025, a notable shift that begins to undo a decade of relative stability. According to the property‑data and analytics firm ATTOM, 36,766 properties had a foreclosure filing in October, marking a three percent rise from September, a 19 percent jump over the past year, and the eighth consecutive month of annual increases.