Evandro Carvalho

Six candidates for City Council battled last week for the attention of District 4 voters in a crowded race for the seat covering parts of Mattapan, Dorchester, Roslindale and Jamaica Plain.

Several highly contested state election races are currently underway, with major players entering and leaving, long-held seats opening up and a series of crucial ballot questions up for vote.

State Rep. Nick Collins has filed an amendment to the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal that would require all state agencies to ensure participation of minority and women-owned businesses in all phases of development projects involving state property.