Massachusetts Higher Education Commissioner Ortega To Step Down In September
BOSTON — Massachusetts Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega will step down in September after about four years leading the state agency that oversees the Commonwealth's public colleges and universities, according to a report from the Lowell Sun.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
BAPS South Boston, the local chapter of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Hindu community organization, held a women's celebration this week marking the 92nd birthday of Mahant Swami Maharaj, the organization's spiritual leader. The South Boston chapter posted a photo gallery from the gathering on its website, continuing the congregation's tradition of marking the milestone each year.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Higher education commissioner stepping down in September": Noe Ortega will leave his post atop the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in September after roughly four years on the job, per the Lowell Sun (read it at https://www.lowellsun.com/2026/08/17/higher-education-commissioner-stepping-down-in-september/).
"Security guards surround building at Boston's Massachusetts Institute of Technology after shots fired": Guards responded at an MIT building after gunfire was reported nearby, though few further details were available, according to Lebanese outlet MTV Lebanon (read it at https://www.mtv.com.lb/en/amp/details/188600).
"The top 5 'most welcoming' U.S. cities are 'friendly,' emphasize tourism": Boston placed among the five most welcoming cities in a new national ranking that cited the city's safety score alongside its tourism draw, according to AL.com (read it at https://www.al.com/news/2026/08/the-top-5-most-welcoming-us-cities-are-friendly-emphasize-tourism.html).
"2026 Falmouth Road Race Results: Habtom Samuel Breaks Record": Habtom Samuel set a new course record at the annual Cape Cod road race, an event that regularly draws Boston-area runners, per LetsRun.com (read it at https://www.letsrun.com/news/2026/08/2026-falmouth-road-race-results-habtom-samuel-3053-sets-new-course-record-pamela-kosgei-3525-edges-jess-mcclain/).
"Boston Red Sox Announce Starting Pitchers for Diamondbacks Series": The team set its pitching rotation ahead of an upcoming home series against Arizona, per Yahoo Sports (read it at https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/boston-red-sox-announce-starting-050030861.html).
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.