Good morning, Framingham.

Stop & Shop reopened its remodeled store today on Old Connecticut Path in Framingham with new departments and over 800 products available.

The store is hosting giveaways and sampling events this weekend and donated $7,500 to Framingham State University's food pantry while awarding a $6,000 scholarship to a nutrition student.

A Framingham man, Edvardo Gomes-Da Silva, was found guilty of first-degree murder for fatally stabbing his wife on July 17th, 2022 and will be sentenced on Monday to life in prison without parole—he was convicted by a Middlesex Superior Court jury after a weeklong trial.

On April 8, the Muslim Student Association hosted the Arab American Heritage Taste of Culture at the Center for Inclusive Excellence, where a freshman explained Egyptian culture and a junior cleared up misconceptions about Arabs and Muslims—stressin that Arab identity and Islam are separate. After the talks, attendees moved tables together to share Middle Eastern food that highlighted the community’s vibrant traditions.

Framingham State senior and Student Trustee Jeremy McDonald balanced full academics, hockey, and internships while making a strong impact in student government since joining in Fall 2023.

He will graduate in May as a commencement speaker and marshall—continuing his path to a future in law.

The Educational Technology Office held two workshops on April 8 and April 9 where teachers learned how AI can help in the classroom.

Jennifer Dowling and Steven Courchesne taught creative uses of AI in art and design—while Kevin Kennedy showed how to build a chatbot with NotebookLM—to help answer student questions.

On April 3, Arts & Ideas and Campus Sustainability hosted Rev.

Vernon Walker at FSU to speak about climate change and social justice—drawing on his work with groups like Clean Water Action Massachusetts; he said federal rollbacks have hurt local efforts by cutting funding for green projects.

The City of Framingham rebranded its information line as Framingham 4-1-1, adding a new email address and a pilot Language Line that offers live interpretation in over 200 languages—services provided by the Public Library that give residents access to timely answers when the library is open—building on support first established in 2020.

City Council opened a public hearing on April 1 to discuss cutting parts of the downtown CB district so the new map would allow about 4,375 residential units and meet the MBTA Communities Act.

Developers and councilors debated if lowering the boundaries and adjusting building heights would suit the neighborhood feel—public input will continue on May 6.

Sen. John Keenan introduced the Bettor Health Act, a bill that will raise taxes on online sports betting and ban prop and in-play bets in Massachusetts — the legislation would also restrict advertising and is backed by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa and Sen. Patricia Jehlen to curb economic, health and social harms.

The Framingham State women’s track and field team finished second out of 17 teams at the Regis Spring Classic on April 4th and eighth out of 14 teams at the Jim Sheehan Invitational on April 5th—breaking five school records, recording 21 personal bests, and having 15 women qualify for the MASCAC Championships.

MEDA Conference 2025

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. — Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center — Check website for cost — Explore transformational approaches to eating disorder treatment and healing.

Mother’s Day Candle-Making Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Jack's Abby Craft Lagers — $39 plus fees — Create heartfelt gifts in a fun candle-making workshop with craft beers available.