Daily brief · East Cambridge, MA
Blood shortage strains Boston-area hospitals
August 3, 2026
Top story
Blood shortage strains Boston-area hospitals, Red Cross says
The American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis for only the second time in its history, warning that its supply has fallen below one day's worth of type O blood. Boston-area hospitals are already feeling it: the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber says it has been unable to get its typical order from the Red Cross. Nurse director Stephanie Ferrara said the shortage risks delaying procedures and forcing hard decisions about who receives blood, with donations typically declining in summer even as demand rises.
NBC Boston
Somerville High hosts megadebate for legislative candidates
Nine Democratic candidates for competitive state legislative seats, including Cambridge Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem, held a three-hour debate at Somerville High School on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Cambridge Day
DHSP summer camp Session 4 begins for K-8 students
Cambridge DHSP K-8 summer camps and programs begin Session 4 today, running two weeks through Aug. 14 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
City of Cambridge
Cambridge climate tech incubators awarded state grants
The Mass Clean Energy Center awarded more than $1.3 million in Innovation Ecosystem Program grants on Sunday, including $120,000 each to Cambridge-based Activate Global and The Engine.
Cambridge Day
Brattle Theatre launches 1950s alien film series Monday
The Brattle Theatre kicks off its August repertory series 'Keep Watching the Skies: Aliens in the 1950s' today with a double feature of 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' and 'The Thing from Another World.'
The Brattle
Satellite hosts weekly bluegrass session with Royer Family Band
The Satellite cafe and taproom on Cambridge Street hosts its weekly bluegrass night with the Royer Family Band tonight starting at 8 p.m.
Remnant Brewing
Weekly Salsa and Bachata night returns to Havana Club
Social dancers can head to the Havana Club tonight from 8 to 11 p.m. for a recurring Salsa and Bachata night.
Dance Seekers
Elliott plays The Sinclair with The Burning Paris
Post-hardcore band Elliott performs at The Sinclair tonight at 8 p.m., with doors at 7 p.m. and The Burning Paris also on the bill.
The Sinclair
Club Passim holds open mic in Harvard Square
Club Passim hosts an Open Mic tonight, with doors at 6 p.m. and showtime at 7 p.m.
Club Passim
Vice Mayor Azeem seeks help after family cancer diagnosis
Cambridge Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem and his wife Vijeta Saini made a public appeal Sunday for community assistance with specialized medical labs and clinical trials following her father's Stage IV cancer diagnosis.
Cambridge Day
Progressive CRLS educator Larry Aaronson dies at 86
Larry Aaronson, a history teacher who spent over four decades championing progressive social justice education at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, died peacefully Saturday.
Cambridge | Somerville Independent
Davonte Neal youth basketball league plays at Sennott Park
The Davonte Neal Instructional League, run by Cambridge Recreation for co-ed youth ages 8-11, holds its regular Monday evening games at Sennott Park near Wellington-Harrington tonight.
City of Cambridge
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