DJ Mara Archives

Former President Biden diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, his office announces

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / May 18, 2025

On Friday, Former U.S. President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer that spread to his bones on Friday, according...

‘Courage is contagious’: Harris rebukes Trump administration in first major speech since leaving office

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / May 1, 2025

Former Vice President Kamala Harris rebuked President Donald Trump in her first high-profile speech since leaving office at Emerge America’s 20th anniversary...

‘Slay the Day.’ The best signs from the 2025 Boston Marathon.

By DJ Mara, Sam Shipman, Abigail Hoyt, Arthur Mansavage and Norah Lesperance / April 28, 2025

The 129th running of the Boston Marathon came and went on Monday, with nearly 300,000 spectators flocking to cheer on the more than 32,000 racers. Posters...

More than 55 years later, EBONI co-founder reflects on activism and civil rights on Emerson’s campus

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / April 23, 2025

Over the years, Emerson College has had a significant history of student-led activism on its campus. From fighting for racial justice on campus to protesting...

Thousands, including Emersonians, conquer 2025 Boston Marathon

By Anna Knepley and DJ Mara / April 23, 2025

More than 300,000 spectators flocked to the barricades along Boylston Street to cheer on nearly 32,000 runners and wheelchair cyclists during the 129th...

Photos: Sun, Sweat, and Tears, scenes at the 2025 Boston Marathon

By Arthur Mansavage, Nick Peace, Madla Walsh, Norah Lesperance, Jacob Goldberg, Abigail Hoyt, Anna Knepley, DJ Mara and Sam Shipman / April 21, 2025

An estimated 300,000 spectators filled the sidelines of the 129th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2025. See photos captured by Beacon photographers covering the event.

As it happened: The 129th Boston Marathon

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, DJ Mara, Sam Shipman, Nick Peace, Arthur Mansavage, Anna Knepley and Bryan Hecht / April 18, 2025

Thousands of runners will descend on Massachusetts for the 129th Boston Marathon, which begins in Hopkinton and ends at the Boston Public Library.

‘Fight, fight, fight’: How Donald Trump went from political pariah to U.S. president

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / April 16, 2025

Since Donald Trump descended from Trump Tower’s gilded, golden escalators to announce his 2016 presidential campaign, the United States hasn’t been...

Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson to resign, plead guilty to federal corruption charges

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / April 9, 2025

Boston District 7 City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson will resign from her post after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges brought against...

At least one international student visa has been revoked, college says, not believed to be related to protest activity

By Adri Pray and DJ Mara / April 7, 2025

The student, who was not identified in the email out of respect for their privacy, was not believed to be targeted for protest-related activity.

ISU World Figure Skating Championships honor victims of Jan. 29 plane crash

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / March 26, 2025

The International Skating Union World Figure Skating Championships are underway at TD Garden, with athletes vying to secure spots in the 2026 Milan...

‘No one tells Boston how to take care of our own.’ Mayor Wu delivers 2025 State of the City address.

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / March 19, 2025

Mayor Michelle Wu delivered her third State of the City address Wednesday night at MGM Music Hall in Fenway, updating key stakeholders and constituents...

Students from Haiti, Afghanistan headline first ‘Deliberative Dialogues’ panel

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / March 6, 2025

The Communication Studies department hosted its first “Deliberative Dialogues” event Wednesday night, March 5, aimed at bringing diverse perspectives...

Mayor Wu testifies on Capitol Hill, defends Boston’s sanctuary status amid GOP pushback

By DJ Mara and Iselin Bratz / March 5, 2025

Boston continues to stand resolute in its sanctuary status as Mayor Michelle Wu testified on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning. Wu rejected republican accusations...

Mass. State Senate passes rules package aimed at increasing public participation and transparency

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / February 26, 2025

After hours of bipartisan debate on amendments, the Massachusetts State Senate passed its rules package on Thursday, Feb. 13. The final vote was 39-0. Every...

City council race heats up as candidates pledge ethical leadership and better city services

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / February 12, 2025

With Boston’s 2025 municipal election just eight months away, the field for district and at-large city council seats has recently grown. Current and...

Mass. officials react to Trump inauguration

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / January 22, 2025

Soon after President Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term, he signed several executive orders to set his agenda into motion. Public officials across...

As It Happened: Trump moves into White House, signs first executive orders

By Adri Pray, Meg Richards, Rylie Burns, Iselin Bratz, Yogev Toby, DJ Mara, Merritt Hughes, Hannah Brueske and Jordan Pagkalinawan / January 20, 2025

After a freezing cold Inauguration Day in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden participated in a peaceful transfer of power that, four years earlier, the 47th president subverted.

DiZoglio fights for accountability on Beacon Hill through audit of state legislature

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / January 15, 2025

The Mass. State Legislature is the historically “least transparent state government” in the United States. Since taking office in Jan. 2023,...

Presidents, union recognitions, and protests: These are the top Beacon stories of 2024

By DJ Mara and Adri Pray / December 27, 2024

2024 was a year marked by turbulent and unprecedented events on the local and global stage—and Emerson wasn’t spared some national moments.

Photos: Snowfall blankets Massachusetts ahead of holiday travel

By DJ Mara, Adri Pray, Sam Shipman and Nick Peace / December 21, 2024

Nearly four inches of snow fell across Massachusetts on Friday before temperatures rose and washed rain across the area. Between one and four inches...

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson arrested on federal charges, colleagues call for her resignation

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / December 8, 2024

District 7 Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested Friday morning on federal public corruption charges relating to an alleged 2023...

The faces of the Castle: Office of Student Affairs

By DJ Mara and Chase Henfey / December 5, 2024

When students arrive at Schipol Airport ahead of their semester at Kasteel Well, they are greeted by Office of Student Affairs (OSA) staff members. OSA...

Live updates: Trump makes key appointments following election victory

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / November 13, 2024

Biden speaks to nation following Trump victory

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / November 7, 2024

President Joe Biden spoke to the nation from the White House Rose Garden on Thursday about moving forward after the 2024 presidential election results. Biden...

Harris speaks to nation after conceding election

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / November 6, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to a crowd of supporters and the nation on Wednesday at Howard University in Washington, D.C., after conceding...

Massachusetts officials react to Trump victory

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / November 6, 2024

Elected officials representing Boston on the local, state, and federal levels swiftly reacted to former President Donald Trump winning a second term...

Election live updates: Trump wins a second term, Harris concedes

By Hannah Nguyen, DJ Mara, Rylie Burns, Bryan Hecht, Katherine Cressman, Sam Shipman, Jordan Pagkalinawan, Merritt Hughes, Iselin Bratz, Annie Sarlin, Rumsha Siddiqui, Arthur Mansavage and Meg Richards / November 5, 2024

Emerson’s provost visits Kasteel Well for the first time

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / October 8, 2024

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Alexandra Socarides visited Kasteel Well from Sept. 23–26, her first trip to Emerson’s Netherlands campus since assuming her position in July.

As it happened: Harris and Trump had a tense first debate. Here’s what happened Tuesday.

By Hannah Nguyen, Bryan Hecht, Sam Shipman, DJ Mara and Merritt Hughes / September 9, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to take the debate stage Tuesday night at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Who are the core leaders behind EmersonTogether?

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / August 24, 2024

A number of administrators and faculty members are part of the three operational teams, But four college officials will spearhead the initiative.

Emerson launches initiative to rebuild the community in upcoming academic year

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / August 24, 2024

Following the events that unfolded in the past spring semester, the college released EmersonTogether, which aims to unite the college community, officials said.

Emerson students react to Harris-Walz ticket

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / August 20, 2024

At Emerson, students are largely energized by the Harris-Walz ticket

Harris accepts Democratic nomination for president: “I know where America belongs.”

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / August 18, 2024

The 2024 Democratic National Convention is set to begin on Monday in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are expected to receive their party’s nominations for president and vice president.

Construction worker dies after falling from scaffolding at Cutler Majestic Theatre, police say

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / August 10, 2024

A construction worker died Friday afternoon after falling from scaffolding outside the Cutler Majestic Theatre, police said. Boston police reported...

Harris, Walz hold first rally as Democratic ticket in Philadelphia

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / August 7, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held their first rally on Tuesday at The Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia. Harris...

Live Updates: The latest on the Trump campaign

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / July 28, 2024

Live Updates: The latest on the Harris campaign

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / July 28, 2024

President Joe Biden addresses nation on decision to drop out of presidential race

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / July 24, 2024

President Joe Biden spoke from the Oval Office Wednesday night to address why he decided to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Vice President...

Vice President Kamala Harris rallies toward Democratic presidential nomination

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / July 24, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris is rallying toward the Democratic nomination for president, securing prominent endorsements from elected officials and the...

Emerson will lay off staff and faculty positions due to enrollment decline partly caused by campus protests, college says

By Hannah Nguyen, Iselin Bratz and DJ Mara / June 22, 2024

Emerson College will lay off faculty and staff and not fill some vacant positions in response to reduced enrollment, which it said was partly caused by...

DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter

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