Daily brief · East Cambridge & Kendall Square, MA
MIT reopens Building 18 after decontamination
August 31, 2026
Top story
MIT reopens Building 18 after chemical decontamination
MIT's Emergency Management Department said the Camille Edouard Dreyfus Chemistry Building reopened at 6 a.m. Monday, more than four days after it was closed over the potential for dimethyl mercury poisoning. Decontamination was completed in the lab of the student who reported attempting to synthesize the compound, and the student's residence-hall suite was also decontaminated and unsealed; the residence hall was never closed. The department said its assessment, after consulting industrial hygienists, MIT Health medical experts and outside experts, is that the building is now safe.
Cambridge Day
DA to seek inquest into fatal Cambridge police shooting
The Middlesex District Attorney's office said Aug. 25 it plans to file for an inquest into the fatal Woodworth police shooting and is reviewing body-camera footage and witness interviews.
The Harvard Crimson
Simon's Coffee, Keezer's clear out ahead of Mass. Ave. demolition
Simon's Coffee held a farewell event Aug. 31 at 1736 Massachusetts Avenue before demolition, while Keezer's and Le Couturier relocated from 1738 Massachusetts Avenue ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline to make way for a six-story mixed-use project.
Cambridge Day
Community Preservation Act Committee holds hearing tonight
The Cambridge Community Preservation Act Committee holds a virtual public hearing and vote Monday at 5:30 p.m. on local preservation funding.
City of Cambridge
Op-ed: Cambridge schools should end academic tracking
In an Aug. 30 op-ed, Betsy Bard argues Cambridge Public Schools should replace academic tracking with new pathways and tiered supports to close student achievement gaps.
Cambridge Day
City marks International Overdose Awareness Day
The Cambridge Public Health Department and partners gather in front of City Hall Monday from 1:30 to 4 p.m. to remember overdose victims and distribute harm reduction materials.
Cambridge Public Health Department
Guitarist Alberto Lombardi plays solo show at Club Passim
Fingerstyle and classic rock guitarist Alberto Lombardi performs an original solo set with live loops at Club Passim Monday at 8 p.m.
Club Passim
HFA screens 'Went the Day Well?' tonight
The Harvard Film Archive screens Alberto Cavalcanti's 1942 wartime thriller "Went the Day Well?" on 35mm Monday at 7 p.m., part of its Graham Greene retrospective.
Harvard Film Archive
City Manager Yi-An Huang holds office hours Tuesday
Yi-An Huang holds open office hours at Donut Villa Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 8 to 9:30 a.m., to meet with residents on city matters.
City of Cambridge
Community Charter School of Cambridge starts year Sept. 2
Students at the Community Charter School of Cambridge, on Bent Street, return for the first day of the 2026-2027 school year Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Community Charter School of Cambridge
Central Square Library holds beginner ESOL class
The Central Square library branch hosts a free beginner English for Speakers of Other Languages class Monday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
City of Cambridge
Contested Governor's Council races on Tuesday's primary ballot
In Tuesday's Democratic primary, Cambridge voters decide contested Massachusetts Governor's Council races: Terrence Kennedy vs. Diann Baylis in District 6, and Mara Dolan vs. Margie Palladino in District 3.
Cambridge Day
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