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Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

DJ Mara

DJ Mara, Kasteel Well Bureau Co-Chief

Latest from DJ Mara
Daniella Lopez-White performs in the Spring 2024 Southwick Recital held in the Robert J. Orchard Theater at the Paramount Center on Wednesday, March 20. (DJ Mara/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] Southwick Recital takes the stage to kick off Bernhardt’s inauguration festivities

By DJ Mara, Assistant News Editor / March 28, 2024

From left, Freddie Thornley IV, Lily Monday, Nicole Townsend, Carly Gallivan, and Elisa Darrigo perform in the Spring 2024 Southwick Recital held in the...

The walkout was held in response to 13 students who were arrested outside the Cutler Majestic Theatre during President Jay Bernhardt’s inauguration. (DJ Mara/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] Students hold walkout in support of Palestinian liberation and against student suppression on campus

By DJ Mara, Assistant News Editor / March 29, 2024

The walkout was held in response to 13 students who were arrested outside the Cutler Majestic Theatre during President Jay Bernhardt’s inauguration....

Biden details policy agenda for a second term at State of the Union

Biden details policy agenda for a second term at State of the Union

By DJ Mara, Assistant News Editor / March 9, 2024
Amid the fanfare of handshakes, selfies, and chants of  “Four More Years,” President Joe Biden entered the House Chamber for his third State of the Union address on Thursday, March 8. 
A Boston resident votes at a polling place within the Boston City Hall on March 5, 2024. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Staff)

Biden and Trump dominate on Super Tuesday, Haley and Phillips drop out

By DJ Mara / March 6, 2024
Super Tuesday came and went in Massachusetts and 15 other states and territories, with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump prevailing in their respective primary races and edging closer to receiving their respective parties’ nominations ahead of the November election. 
Juan Aurelio Lopez, right, a longtime City Council staffer, was honored at this week's meeting for his 46 years of service to the City of Boston. (DJ Mara/Beacon Staff)

Longtime City Council staffer honored, Santana and FitzGerald deliver maiden speeches

By DJ Mara, Assistant News Editor / February 29, 2024

Longtime City Council staffer Juan Aurelio Lopez was honored for more than four decades of service to the city of Boston. Additionally, Councilors Henry...

Dr. Gregory Payne, chair of the Communication Studies Department, is in his office during an interview with the Berkeley Beacon, where he reflects on his 40th anniversary teaching at Emerson and the years ahead. (DJ Mara/Beacon Staff)

Dr. Gregory Payne celebrates his 40th anniversary of teaching Emerson ‘change agents’

By DJ Mara / February 21, 2024

Dr. Gregory Payne, chair of the Communication Studies Department, celebrated his 40th anniversary of teaching at Emerson College earlier this month, a...

Boston City Hall. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

City Council considers accepting public safety grants at weekly meeting

By DJ Mara and Iselin Bratz / February 13, 2024

The Boston City Council considered distributing grants and supporting resolutions on public safety and the arts at its meeting on Feb. 7 in the Christopher...

District 6 City Councilor Benjamin Weber delivers his maiden speech at last week's City Council meeting. (DJ Mara/Beacon Staff)

New Boston city councilors emphasize need for collaboration and cultural shift in upcoming term

By DJ Mara and Iselin Bratz / February 6, 2024

The Boston City Council welcomed four new members in January. Each of the newly inaugurated members has emphasized the need for collaboration among councilors...

Iowa GOP party volunteers count caucus votes at West Des Moines precinct 316, located in the cafeteria of Valley Southwoods Freshman High School. (DJ Mara/Beacon Staff)

2024 Iowa Caucuses narrow the Republican playing field

By DJ Mara, Assistant News Editor / January 24, 2024

The 2024 Iowa Caucuses came and went for voters across the Hawkeye State, with record-cold temperatures putting a damper on the usual fanfare and crowds...

Boston City Council

City council floats creation of climate superfund

By Iselin Bratz and DJ Mara / December 13, 2023

At its Dec. 6 meeting, the Boston City Council deliberated on several significant issues, from supporting the creation of a climate superfund to granting...

Boston City Hall. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

City Council floats creation of committee on domestic violence

By DJ Mara, Staff Writer / December 5, 2023

The Boston City Council discussed several topics at its meeting on Nov. 29, ranging from updating the ordinance on non-motorized street food carts to creating...

Boston City Council

Boston City Council takes a stance on issues ranging from voting rights to income equality

By Iselin Bratz and DJ Mara / November 27, 2023

The Boston City Council took up consequential items at its meeting on Nov. 15. Discussion topics included expanding voting rights, welcoming a guaranteed...

Trey Fuccillo, a junior political communication major at Emerson College, becomes Marlborough’s next Ward 6 City Councilor. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

Fuccillo secures seat on Marlborough City Council as full-time Emerson student

By DJ Mara, Staff Writer / November 14, 2023

While running for office in his hometown of Marlborough, Massachusetts, Trey Fuccillo woke up each morning and asked himself, “What’s worth more than...

Campaign signs hang from the street lamps outside of the Chinatown YMCA where voters cast their ballots.

New faces set to join Boston City Council

By DJ Mara, Staff Writer / November 13, 2023

Election Day in Boston has again come and gone, with many new faces set to join the City Council come January. The race for City Council At-Large was...

Incumbent Boston City Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia speaks to the attendees as a candidate at the City Council At-Large Candidate Forum at the Fort Point Room in Atlantic Wharf on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

City Council candidates talk the future with Downtown Boston residents

By DJ Mara, Staff Writer / November 1, 2023

Candidates for Boston City Council At-Large gathered at the Fort Point Room in Atlantic Wharf on Oct. 24 to participate in a forum hosted by the Downtown...

Boston City Council

Tensions rise in Boston city council concerning Israel-Hamas resolutions

By DJ Mara and Iselin Bratz / October 25, 2023

At the Boston City Council meeting last Wednesday, Oct. 18. members of the council engaged in a debate surrounding two resolutions regarding the Israel-Hamas...

Boston City Council

Boston City Councillors divided over decision to grant BRIC funding

By Iselin Bratz and DJ Mara / October 21, 2023

At the city council meeting on Oct. 4, discussions regarding funding to the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC) became heated with passionate debate...

Candidates for Boston City Council At Large gather at Boston University to participate in a forum hosted by the Boston University College Democrats and the Boston University Initiative on Cities, from left, moderators Dhruv Kapadia and Sean Waddington, candidates Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy, Henry Santana, and Ruthzee Louijeune.

City council forum highlights need for accountability and transparency at institutions of higher education

By DJ Mara and Iselin Bratz / October 11, 2023

Candidates running for Boston City Council At-Large gathered at Boston University on Oct. 3 to participate in a forum hosted by the Boston University College...

Boston City Council

Boston City Councilors demand urgent action from city administration

By DJ Mara and Iselin Bratz / October 3, 2023

Boston City Councilors demanded urgent action and accountability from city administration at last week’s city council meeting.  City council resolutions...

Power of the incumbency weakens in Boston City Council primary elections

Power of the incumbency weakens in Boston City Council primary elections

By DJ Mara / September 17, 2023

Last Tuesday, more than 28,000 registered voters from Boston City Council Districts 3, 5, 6, and 7 went to the polls to decide which two candidates to...