🌱 How secure is New Bedford’s funding to replace every lead pipe?

Good day New Bedford! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How secure is New Bedford’s funding to replace every lead pipe?
• How serious are the new EPA fines for New Bedford?
• How would new menstrual equity laws change access in New Bedford?

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Cookies & Wine Pairing and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Windy; a p.m. snow shower, with a high of 39 and low of 23 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and breezy, temps: high: 36, low: 25.
• Saturday: Mainly cloudy, with a high of 38 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. EPA releases key funding for lead pipe removal (newbedfordlight.org) — New Bedford’s multi‑year effort to replace 8,000 lead service pipes is moving ahead, with local officials confident despite delays in new EPA funding. The city has already swapped out about 3,500 lines, secured major federal and state support, and bonded for more work through 2029. Residents can check if their homes use lead pipes and are reassured current water quality remains safe.
   

2. EPA fines New Bedford waste facilities for polluting waterways (newbedfordlight.org) — New Bedford residents should know that two local E.L. Harvey waste facilities have been fined by the EPA for discharging contaminated stormwater into city waterways between 2022 and 2024. The penalties follow earlier state fines and a rat-infested fire at the Shawmut Avenue transfer station, which helped sink a proposed new waste facility and prompted city officials to stress ongoing water quality monitoring.
   

3. Advocates hope House follows Senate's lead in passing menstrual equity bills (newbedfordlight.org) — New Bedford residents could see expanded free menstrual products in schools, shelters, and public buildings if statewide “menstrual equity” bills clear the Massachusetts House. Local Rep. Mark Sylvia and groups like YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts highlight how New Bedford schools and the county jail already provide products, but say many residents still struggle with “period poverty” while the state debates funding and implementation.
   

4. Springfield ranks sixth in Northeast for worst driving cities (wwlp.com) — New Bedford drivers landed 20th on a new list of the Northeast’s worst driving cities, well below Springfield, which ranked sixth. The study, using crash, DUI, and aggressive-driving data, may push Massachusetts communities like New Bedford to examine local road safety and enforcement strategies more closely.
   

📸 Around New Bedford

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in New Bedford

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 12

• Live Music – Wild Nights
  SoCo Tavern, 136 Huttleston Ave, Fairhaven
  9:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 12

• 3D Movies: Big Blue Pictures
  Cook Memorial Theater
  10:30 am

Saturday December 13

• Lagoda Open Below Deck
  Lagoda
  10:00 am
• 3D Movies: Big Blue Pictures
  Cook Memorial Theater
  10:30 am
• Christmas Cookies & Wine Pairing
  Sakonnet Vineyard , 162 W Main Rd , Little Compton
  12:00 pm
• dNB Holiday Stroll at FHC
  New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center , 38 Bethel St , New Bedford
  12:00 pm
• Nutcracker- 4:30 Show
  Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School , 1121 Ashley Blvd , New Bedford
  12:30 pm
• The BLUES ROOM
  Bento's Bar & Grill , 555 Pleasant St , New Bedford
  7:00 pm
• A Wilhelm Scream Show
  The Vault Performing Arts Center &Pub , 791 Purchase St , New Bedford
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Annual Christmas Dinner and Concert
  Union Baptist Church , 109 Court St , New Bedford
  4:00 pm

📣 New Bedford Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 11

• Backyard Band Jams in Acushnet
  Acushnet Public Library , 232 Middle Rd , Acushnet
  11:00 am
• Christmas on County
  Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum , 396 County St , New Bedford
  4:00 pm
• Fairhaven & Friends Business Mixer
  Tropical Smoothie Cafe , 15 Sarahs Wy , Fairhaven
  5:30 pm
• Potter School-School Council
  Dartmouth, MA Calendar , 185 Cross Road Potter School Main Office , Dartmouth
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making New Bedford PatchAM possible:

• armus mechanical — (508) 521-9477
  Trusted HVAC & Heat Pump Upgrades with Mass Save Rebates

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• CK HUTCHISON HOLDINGS LIMITED posted a job opening for Merchandise Processing Associate in New Bedford. Apply here.
• Southcoast Health System posted a job opening for Housekeeper I in New Bedford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near New Bedford here.

Ok New Bedford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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