We have suffered 255 mass shootings this year – that’s more than 1 mass shooting a day. With every bullet that’s fired, with every life that is stolen, with every community that is torn apart – we are becoming increasingly traumatized.

Every year, millions of dollars in federal, state and local funds go into anti-violence efforts in Boston. Last week, City Council President Andrea Campbell held a hearing to investigate the efficacy of local anti-violence efforts.

Only a person afflicted with extreme racial bias would conclude that an incompetent white man deserves to be recognized as superior to a well-educated, gracious, person of color with sound character.

Opponents of a plan to redevelop the Harriet Tubman House as condos are pointing to deed restrictions on the South End building and calling for the proposal to be scrapped. The neighborhood's urban renewal plan limits the use of the property to "offices and recreation."

Residents sparred over the establishment of a cannabis dispensary in Dudley Square last Wednesday during a community meeting in St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where the dispensary owners presented their business plans, addressed community concerns and made a case to their fellow community members for their support going forward.

Jahriffe Mackenzie never planned to start Lawn and Beyond Organic Landscaping. But after more than 20 years in the business, Mackenzie says owning and running a landscaping business is just one of his many true callings.

The opening concert of the 65th Newport Jazz Festival, held Friday, Aug. 2 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame of the Newport Casino, celebrated the vibrant past, present and future of jazz.