Daily brief · East Cambridge & Kendall Square, MA
MCAS scores rise as achievement gaps widen
September 24, 2026
Top story
Cambridge MCAS scores rise as achievement gaps widen
Cambridge public school students in grades 3-8 improved in math and English language arts on the MCAS, with 58% meeting expectations in math and 60% in ELA. But racial achievement gaps widened, with the gap between White and Black students in ELA rising to 50 percentage points. Superintendent Murphy called for continued focus on opportunity gaps.
Cambridge Day
Charles River algae health advisory lifted
The Cambridge Public Health Department lifted the cyanobacteria advisory for the lower Charles River basin after follow-up samples on September 21 showed safe concentrations at all locations.
Cambridge Public Health Department
Board of Zoning Appeal holds public meeting tonight
The Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal meets tonight at 6 p.m. with remote participation available.
City of Cambridge
LGBTQ+ Commission meets tonight
Cambridge's LGBTQ+ Commission meets at 689 Massachusetts Avenue and online at 6 p.m. tonight.
City of Cambridge
Public hearing set on updated sewer-overflow control plan
Cambridge, Somerville, and the MWRA hold a virtual public hearing from 1 to 3 p.m. today on a draft combined sewer overflow control plan affecting Alewife Brook, Mystic River, and Charles River.
City of Cambridge
Pedestrian Committee takes up mobility issues tonight
Cambridge's Pedestrian Committee meets from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at City Hall Annex with remote participation available.
City of Cambridge
East Cambridge neighborhood walk starts at O'Connell Library
Adults 55 and older can enjoy a guided walk through East Cambridge from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. today, starting at the O'Connell Branch and ending near Elmendorf Baking Store & Cafe.
City of Cambridge
Kendall Square Farmers Market returns today
The CDK Farmers Market operates in Termeer Square from noon to 6 p.m. today, featuring local food and artisanal products.
Canal District Kendall
Valeria Luiselli reads from new novel at Main Library tonight
Author Valeria Luiselli reads from Beginning Middle End at Cambridge Public Library from 6 to 7:30 p.m. tonight. Registration required.
City of Cambridge
Thursday trivia returns to CanalSide at CambridgeSide tonight
Free weekly trivia night at CanalSide from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, with team competition and prizes.
Secret Boston
Ig Nobel celebration brings science program to Cambridge tonight
Cambridge hosts an Ig Nobel celebration at Swissnex tonight with science talks, music, and refreshments. Free but tickets limited.
Swissnex
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