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Daily brief · Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA

July 4 Killing Reignites ShotSpotter Fight

July 7, 2026

Top story

ShotSpotter Debate Reignites After Fatal July 4 Shooting

The fatal July 4 shooting of 32-year-old DPW worker Xavier Bautista, found dead near Broadway and Norfolk St., has revived debate over the City Council's May 18 vote to end use of the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system. The District Attorney's preliminary investigation suggests Bautista was shot around 4:30 a.m., roughly an hour before a pedestrian called 911. Two Cambridge police unions say the system's removal played a role in his death; the city holds a community meeting on the incident Wednesday, July 8.

Cambridge Day

Health Advisory Issued for Alewife Brook Sewer Overflow

A public health advisory issued July 6 warns residents and pets to avoid contact with Alewife Brook after a combined sewer overflow discharge from the CAM401A outfall.

Town of Arlington

4 Mellen Affordable Housing Info Session Tonight

An online session tonight, July 7, 6-7:30 p.m., explains eligibility and applications for Homeowners Rehab Inc.'s 29-unit affordable development at 4 Mellen Street. Applications close July 31; a lottery is set for August 13.

City of Cambridge Community Development Department

Cambridge Student Named National Science Finalist

Ahmed Abdelsalam, an eighth-grader at Darby Vassall Upper School, was named July 6 as one of ten national finalists in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

PR Newswire

Harvard's Pritzker Hall Construction Blocks Holmes Walk

Structural steel and utility work for Harvard's Pritzker Hall has led crews to adjust the site fence, blocking Holmes Walk for the week of July 6.

Harvard University Construction Mitigation

Combined Sewer Line Work Begins Along Massachusetts Avenue

Roadway and utility construction continues along Mass Ave this week, with contractors performing combined sewer line cleaning and water main trench repairs starting July 6.

City of Cambridge

Camp Rainbow Summer Sessions Begin for Youth With Disabilities

Cambridge's Camp Rainbow began weekly summer sessions July 6 for young people with disabilities ages 6-22 at Cambridge Street Upper School, running through August 14 with transportation provided.

City of Cambridge

Roshan Sethi Reads at Harvard Book Store Tonight

Harvard Book Store hosts Roshan Sethi tonight, July 7, 7-8 p.m., for a free discussion of his debut novel, "The Simp: A Novel Without a Hero," with author Daphne Kalotay.

Harvard Book Store

Tiny Desk Contest Tour Stops at The Sinclair Tonight

NPR's Tiny Desk Contest On The Road comes to The Sinclair in Harvard Square tonight, July 7 at 8 p.m., featuring Cure for Paranoia, Ella Faye, and Cloudbelly.

The Sinclair

DJ Nils Taylor Headlines House Party at Zuzu Tonight

DJ Nils Taylor hosts a night of electronic house music at Zuzu at the Middle East Restaurant and Club tonight, July 7, starting at 9 p.m.

The Middle East Restaurant & Nightclub

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