Daily brief · Fenway & Mission Hill, Boston, MA
State probe: BPS misspent $857K in funds
August 27, 2026
Top story
State probe: BPS misspent over $857,000 in public funds
A Massachusetts inspector general report released Wednesday found Boston Public Schools spent more than $857,000 improperly or in violation of state procurement law between 2018 and 2024, hiring vendors without valid contracts or competitive bidding and then devising workarounds to pay them. Investigators routed payments through companies that already held district contracts, with some charging mark-ups that cost the district at least $77,000 in added fees; one $96 book order carried a $211 shipping charge. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro said his office found no evidence of fraud or criminal conduct, but that at least $200,000 could have gone to programs directly serving students.
WBUR
Ella Mai plays MGM Music Hall at Fenway tonight
R&B artist Ella Mai brings her "Do You Still Love Me?" tour to MGM Music Hall at Fenway tonight, with doors at 7 p.m. and support from AMA and Girlfriend.
MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Achilito's Taqueria confirms Back Bay/Fenway location
Achilito's Taqueria is targeting a late October 2026 opening at 1114 Boylston Street, taking over the former Little Steve's Pizzeria space.
What Now Boston
City Council reviews election receivership, participatory budgeting
At its August 26 meeting, the Boston City Council took up Councilor Flynn's resolution on keeping the Elections Department in state receivership through 2028, plus a review of the Participatory Budgeting FY26 cycle.
Boston Policy Institute
BU move-in weekend brings free Beach movie night Thursday
Boston University's move-in weekend runs August 27-31, with a free movie night on BU Beach Thursday, plus karaoke and bingo, as students return to campus.
Boston University
Free chair yoga wraps up at Symphony Park
Boston Parks hosts its final listed weekly Chair Yoga with Michelle class at Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road in Fenway-Kenmore, Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m.
City of Boston
Boston City Council to review BPD's ShotSpotter system
The City Council referred a resolution by Councilor Ed Flynn to committee on Wednesday, starting the process for a hearing on the benefits and concerns of BPD's ShotSpotter acoustic gunfire detection system.
Universal Hub
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