Boston University welcomed 3,461 first-year students to campus this fall after admitting 12.83% of nearly 77,000 applicants to the class of 2029, according to BU Today.  Early decision application made up 59% of the class of 2029, a 3% increase from last year's 56%.  Of the over 3,000 new students, 20% hold Pell Grants. Additionally, there are 52 Community Service Award recipients and 23 Menino Scholars, according to BU Today.  The academic profile of the incoming class generally remained steady, with a few dips from the class of 2028. The average grade point average dropped from 4.0 for the class of 2028 to 3.87 for the class of 2029. The average ACT score also decreased by one point — from 33 to 32 — and the average SAT lowered by 31 points.  President Melissa Gilliam said students “come to BU from all over the world,” at this year’s matriculation ceremony Aug. 29, “The Class of 2029 represents 47 states and 86 countries worldwide,” Gilliam said.   The...

The following reports were taken from the Boston University Police Department’s crime logs from Sept. 12 to Sept. 18. Reports after Sept. 18 will be published in the following week’s crime logs.  Larceny under $1,200 at 277 Babcock St. At 10:43 a.m. on Sept 13, theft under $1,200 was reported at West Campus’ Rich Hall. The incident occurred between 5:35 a.m. and 6:25 a.m. on Sept. 13.  Harassment at 33 Harry Agganis Way  At 11:56 a.m. on Sept. 14, harassment was reported at Student Village II. The incident occurred between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sept. 13.  Disorderly person at 925 Commonwealth Ave.  At 11:48 p.m. on Sept. 13, a disorderly person was reported at Agganis Arena. Narcotics investigation at 730 Commonwealth Ave. At 1:38 p.m. on Sept. 15, there was a narcotics investigation at the above location. Larceny over $1,200 at 273 Babcock St.  At 11:28 a.m. on Sept. 16, bike theft was reported outside Claflin Hall. The incident occurred between...

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey formed a regional health coalition with other northeastern states following a federal funding block of up to $200 million to programs run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the upcoming fiscal year, according to a Sept. 18 press release. 

More than 3,500 mourners, many clad in red MAGA hats and carrying candles, gathered on the steps of the Massachusetts Statehouse to honor conservative political activist Charlie Kirk Thursday evening.  The vigil also drew a crowd of counter protesters wielding anti-fascism signs, symbolizing the polarizing effect Kirk’s fatal shooting has had across the country.  The assassination of Kirk, a Christian nationalist known for debating students at college campuses, has galvanized communities nationwide, sparking a wave of vigils organized by his supporters, churches and college groups.  Vigil organizer Brian Foley decided to hold the event after receiving a call from a member of the Suffolk University chapter of Turning Point USA, the national conservative youth organization founded by Kirk.  The caller told Foley he was afraid “someone was going to attack him,” a concern that motivated Foley to act.  “Once I got a 22-year-old calling me … I was like, ‘I'll...

Nonprofits across Massachusetts have been thrust into financial turmoil amid broad slashes to federal funding, leaving their leaders scrambling to keep organizations afloat. 

Since the U.S. Department of Homeland Security initiated Operation Patriot 2.0 Sept. 6, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have conducted a series of raids across Boston neighborhoods. 

The Trump administration is reconsidering a permit for an offshore wind farm south of Nantucket, emphasizing a looming threat to Massachusetts’ clean energy movement.

Boston University was recently ranked as the No. 1 safest college campus after dark in a new study, according to NBC Boston. The study, published by home investor group PPS Homebuyers, considered data on factors such as crime, walkability, lighting and late-night resources for 100 colleges and universities across the country.  BU received a safety score of 73 out of 100, the highest among the schools analyzed.  BU Police Department Lieutenant Daniel Healy cited the “dedicated police department,” the trust built between officers and the community and the BU alert system for BUPD’s success in keeping the campus safe.  “We're always trying to put our best foot forward for this community,” he said.   The study found that BU has nearly half the national average for campus crime rates, and its local crime rate is about 30% lower than other college towns. The study also scored BU’s campus an 83 out of 100 for walkability. BUPD was “glad to hear” its...