Daily brief · Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Reid Overpass redesign narrows to two options
August 9, 2026
Top story
State planners present two replacement options for Reid Overpass
State transportation planners on Thursday presented the two remaining designs to replace the nearly 90-year-old William J. Reid Overpass, which links Memorial Drive, Brookline Street and the BU Bridge. One option brings the structure down to an entirely surface-level intersection; the other keeps a two-lane, east-west bridge for Memorial Drive traffic, which drew more support from an audience that nearly filled the Morse School auditorium. The state is taking comments by email for the next couple of weeks and aims to choose between the two by year's end before formal design begins.
The Cambridge Somerville Independent
City Council held AI roundtable, canceled Sept. 21 meeting
At its Aug. 3 meeting, the Cambridge City Council ordered an Aug. 6 roundtable on municipal AI use and voted to cancel the Sept. 21 meeting for Yom Kippur.
Cambridge Civic Journal (rwinters.com)
Harvard Square IHOP closes after nearly 20 years
The Eliot Street IHOP in Harvard Square closed after nearly two decades, one of two recent Massachusetts IHOP closures, leaving 19 locations statewide.
Cambridge Patch
New Levantine cafe and hookah lounge opens in Inman Square
Jafra Cafe and Lounge on Hampshire Street serves Levantine dishes, coffee, sweets, hookah, and patio seating.
Cambridge Patch
Cambridgeport residents protest one-way traffic 'vortex'
At an Aug. 6 state planning meeting, Cambridgeport neighbors launched a petition to reverse traffic direction on Glenwood Avenue to escape what they call a traffic "vortex."
The Cambridge Somerville Independent
Elm Street safety projects move ahead to calm traffic, add bike lanes
Somerville is finalizing bids for quick-build safety upgrades on the Elm-Beacon Connector, aiming for completion by Thanksgiving, coordinated with Cambridge's Beech Street pedestrian safety project.
Cambridge Day
'Traveling Shoes' gospel musical premieres today at Multicultural Arts Center
Christian David's gospel musical revue "Traveling Shoes," celebrating 1950s and '60s gospel history, makes its Boston-area workshop debut today, Aug. 9, at the Multicultural Arts Center.
Broadway World
Marie Howe receives 2026 Golden Rose Award for poetry
The New England Poetry Club awards Pulitzer Prize-winner Marie Howe the 2026 Golden Rose Award during a free outdoor reading today, Aug. 9, at Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters.
Harvard Square Business Association
Harvard Art Museums offers Summer Spotlight Tour today
Harvard Art Museums at 32 Quincy Street hosts a Summer Spotlight Tour today, Aug. 9, from 2 to 2:50 p.m., featuring objects from its collections.
Harvard Square Business Association
Demetrius Fields performs at The Comedy Studio today
Comedian Demetrius Fields performs today, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m. at The Comedy Studio, 5 JFK Street; the show is 18+ with a suggested two-item minimum.
Harvard Square Business Association
Final week for Cambridge library's Summer Reading Bingo
The Cambridge Public Library's "Plant a Seed, Read" Summer Reading program is in its last week; completed bingo boards are accepted through Aug. 14.
City of Cambridge
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