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We're diving headfirst into vital communities neighboring Boston — and the broader region — because there's a world of news beyond our city's borders. See our most recent reporting below and sign up for our newsletter.

After contentious debate, Ipswich voters support removal of controversial dam

The town select board took the temperature of voters with a non-binding ballot question. And that temperature is hot.

Cambridge Police Department seeks public’s help as part of sexual assault investigation
Police on Thursday asked the public to check security cameras and other video surveillance they may have of the Cambridgepark Drive area recorded between 5 p.m. and midnight on May 17 as part of its investigation into a reported sexual assault by a masked man armed with a knife.

After contentious debate, Ipswich voters support removal of controversial dam
The town select board took the temperature of voters with a non-binding ballot question. And that temperature is hot.

News from Cambridge

Cambridge Police Department seeks public’s help as part of sexual assault investigation

Police on Thursday asked the public to check security cameras and other video surveillance they may have of the Cambridgepark Drive area recorded between 5 p.m. and midnight on May 17 as part of its investigation into a reported sexual assault by a masked man armed with a knife.

Looking to cool off? Spray decks open in Boston, Cambridge, and Belmont

Starting Wednesday, a dozen spray decks will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the rest of the summer season.

Police in Cambridge boost patrols near site of reported sexual assault

Police increased patrols in the Alewife neighborhood this weekend after a masked man with a knife reportedly sexually assaulted a victim inside a commercial building on Friday.

News from Somerville

Meet the man who put up a wooden elephant and two giraffes in Somerville — without asking

Did Hayward Zwerling, a retired endocrinologist and amateur woodworker, ask anyone before erecting his renditions of some of the animal kingdom’s largest beasts on public land? “No. I just did it,” he said.

A promised bridge over the Mystic River would be a missing link for Somerville and Everett. So where is it?

The project, which bikers, mayors, and customers say would close a glaring transportation gap, is back on the drawing board.

Local officials are scrutinizing ShotSpotter gunshot detection system anew: ‘What exactly have we been doing here?’

Proponents say ShotSpotter saves lives. Civil libertarians say the technology makes it more likely in communities of color that people will have tense or even dangerous run-ins with police.

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More regional news

After contentious debate, Ipswich voters support removal of controversial dam

The town select board took the temperature of voters with a non-binding ballot question. And that temperature is hot.

Salisbury Beach receives $1.75 million from state to boost sand dunes and protect against flooding

The one-time sand dune nourishment project announced Tuesday will include the placement of roughly 30,000 tons of sand.

Lynn residents evacuated because of gas leak, officials say

The leak on Orchard Street between Summer and Aspen streets had not been resolved as of 3:15 p.m. Monday, officials said.

News from Newton

Swastika found drawn on desk at Newton South High School

Newton won’t enroll out-of-district students through state school choice program

Providence man faces multiple charges after police chase from Rhode Island to Newton

News from Cape Cod and Islands

John F. Kennedy’s $50,000 mortgage note for Cape Cod house up for auction

After vote Tuesday failed, Nantucket’s short-term rental debate will grind on

Man charged with attempted murder in stabbing of 62-year-old man in Centerville

Laughter on the way at Harvard Square
WATCH: The beloved Comedy Studio was home to Boston’s comedy boom in the 1980s and now work is underway to rebuild.

Laughter on the way at Harvard Square

Home to the city's comedy boom in the 1980s, the Comedy Studio hopes to reclaim its spot as the heart of Boston's comedy scene.
See more segments from Boston Globe Today

More headlines

Police in Cambridge boost patrols near site of reported sexual assault

Police increased patrols in the Alewife neighborhood this weekend after a masked man with a knife reportedly sexually assaulted a victim inside a commercial building on Friday.

One vehicle stolen, six others broken into in Needham, police say

Authorities are investigating after a vehicle was stolen and six others were broken overnight Friday into early Saturday morning in Needham, police said.

Humpback whale washes up on on Swampscott Beach; second time in a month on the North Shore

A 65,000 pound, 42-foot long humpback whale carcass washed up on a beach in Swampscott on Tuesday morning, less than three weeks after the same whale carcass washed up on a beach in Marblehead.

Gloucester man, 65, found dead after boat crash off Salem coast

The man was identified Tuesday as John Masiz of Gloucester, according the Essex district attorney’s office. The death remains under investigation, pending an autopsy by the state medical examiner’s office.

Cambridge man, missing nearly a month, found dead in White Mountains, officials say

William Neal Donovan, an avid hiker, went missing April 16, and a dozen days later his vehicle was found in the Crawford Path parking lot in Carroll, N.H., the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said.

PERSPECTIVE

Marcia Kadish recalls the day she made same-sex marriage history in Cambridge

At 76, Kadish talks about everything from the word “wife” to why that historic day is a reminder of deep loss but also new joy.

BILLY BAKER

In Rockport, the iconic red fishing shack gets a new look

Motif Number 1, said to be the most painted and photographed building in America, is getting a fresh coat of paint. But is the color right?

‘This has gotta be a scam.’ How a Somerville resident found out Guster wanted to perform on his porch at Porchfest.

Local indie icons Guster have toured the world. On Saturday, they just announced, they'll play from a smaller stage, er, porch.