The Independent’s locally themed crossword puzzle: Frankenwords

The Independent’s third locally themed puzzle celebrates the combining of thoughts into a new thing, or even the combining of things into a new thought.

FOOD

Somerville’s Michette bakery is opening in Cambridge near Inman Square and adding lunch

February 23, 2026

After three years serving French breads and pastries to East Somerville, Thomas Ferté will take advantage of added square footage in Cambridge.

TAXONOMY

Tax tip of the week: Don’t leave your side hustle off when you file with the IRS

February 23, 2026

Q: Should I include “side hustle” income and expenses on my tax return? A: Yes, absolutely. Reporting your side hustle isn’t just a rule – it often gives you clarity and can even improve your tax...

ARTS

Letter-writers worry there won’t be an open process when Somerville replaces Arts Council director

February 22, 2026

An abrupt departure by a longtime champion has artists wondering who will lead the Somerville Arts Council and how they will be chosen.

NEWS

Somerville meetings, Feb. 23-March 2: Kennedy yard improvements and new school ideas

February 22, 2026

Take part in meetings about the McGrath Boulevard project, school improvement plans and funding for school and playing field projects.

NEWS

Cambridge meetings, Feb. 22-March 1: CambridgeSide project sees delays, Healthpeak advances

February 22, 2026

Take part in meetings on school district budgeting, bike lanes on part of Broadway and developments in East Cambridge and the Alewife Quad.

NEWS

What you need to know about the Sunday snowstorm in Cambridge and Somerville

February 21, 2026

A blizzard may dump between 1 and 2 feet of snow between 4 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Tuesday, with gusts of up to 60 mph and whiteout conditions.

MUSIC

Biribá Union mixes Bach with beatboxing and bass at a Club Passim tour launch

February 21, 2026

Biribá Union’s nimble parade of genre mashery delivered more rap to Passim’s folkhead patrons than they have probably listened to in the past year.

NEWS

Survey notes rise in anti-Zionism among Jews in the area, now home to a non-Zionist synagogue

February 21, 2026

There’s been an 8 percent increase in area Jewish households since 2015 – and among them, 38 percent of their inhabitants identify as anti-Zionist.

THEATER

Stunning ‘The Moderate’ unleashes the Internet’s good, bad and ugliest in Central Square

February 20, 2026

“The Moderate” is not for everyone. Kudos to Central Square Theater for its excellent job of warning that the play contains mature themes, including images, video and audio depictions of violence,...

OPINION

A new tone at Somerville City Hall

February 20, 2026

The first few meetings Somerville City Council of 2026 have been called “chummy,” but budget season seems likely to strain the cordiality.

NEWS

When Donald Trump shut down Snap benefits, it ended talks for a new Central Square grocery store

February 20, 2026

Opening a city-run grocery store was part of Ayah Al-Zubi’s successful run last year for Cambridge City Council. While she campaigned, a group that included Cambridge government officials, agency...

OPINION

Jesse Jackson, a defender for LGBTQ+ rights

February 20, 2026

Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday, advocated for the LGBTQ+ community – especially Black LGBTQ+ people – at a time we had no one.

NEWS

Immigration attorney Diann Slavit Baylis wants Governor’s Council seat to appoint better judges

February 20, 2026

While most immigration proceedings are federal, a path to citizenship for unaccompanied minors is determined at the state level, the candidate notes.

BUSINESS

After around a decade of construction, the Beacon Suites Hotel is expected to open this spring

February 19, 2026

A city-line hotel under construction for around a decade is accepting reservations for mid-April after a sale by the initial developer.

LET’S GET COFFEE

Wintry mix, the seasonal coffee of choice

February 19, 2026

An occasional feature mapping our sipping in visits to cafes in Somerville and Cambridge, including Simon’s, Pepita and Cicada Coffee Bar.

FOOD

Kupel’s will bring its ‘god-tier bagels’ to a long-empty Somerville space

February 19, 2026

Kupel’s Bagels is expanding to Somerville from Brookline, creating just its second location since opening nearly five decades ago.

BITE

Tequeños at Carolicious

February 19, 2026

You get five of these breadsticks with a center of queso blanco, a semifirm white cheese, served hot from the air fryer like hearty pigs-in-a-blanket.

FILM

Boston Underground Film Festival is March 18-22, with Bob Odenkirk bringing his ‘Normal’

February 17, 2026

Badges go on sale at noon Wednesday for The Boston Underground Film Festival's 26th year of horror, fantasy, sci-fi and quirky indies.

MUSIC

Arts Council changes are opaque despite campaign rhetoric, but rock renaissance seems real

February 17, 2026

Can we reflect for a moment on what a hackneyed PR maneuver it is to drop big news at 4:54 p.m. on a Friday before a long weekend?

NEWS

Somerville meetings, Feb. 17-23: Surveillance technologies and McGrath changes

February 17, 2026

Take part in these meetings on surveillance technologies, later serving hours and new eateries, McGrath Highway changes and more.

NEWS

Cambridge meetings, Feb. 17-24: Traffic infrastructure and school budgets

February 17, 2026

Take part in these meetings on Reid Overpass reconstruction, Mount Auburn Street changes, school district budgeting and more.

NEWS

We have Tuesday office hours, and they launch in Davis Square

February 16, 2026

As part of its mission of community, The Independent plans weekly “office hours” at two convenient locations, and the hours start this week.

MUSIC

A stripped-down Katzù Oso comes to The Sinclair on Saturday

February 16, 2026

In advance of his show Saturday at The Sinclair touring with Say She She, Paul Hernandez (Katzù Oso) talked with me about coming up in the Los Angeles music scene, mentors and influences, leaving...

TAXONOMY

Tax tip of the week: Why you got a 1099, and what it really means

February 16, 2026

Over time, 1099s have expanded to cover nearly every type of income the IRS wants to track, including gig work or eBay sales.

NEWS

Somerville Arts Council leader Jenkins is asked to leave by mayor

February 14, 2026

The longtime leader of the Somerville Arts Council said he is leaving at the request of new mayor Jake Wilson after nearly 25 years.

BITE-OFF

In a giant-cookie battle of Chip City vs. Crumbl, Harvard Square wins big, even a little too big

February 14, 2026

Two over-the-top chain cookie sellers came to Cambridge a couple of years ago to compete from neighboring squares. Which is for you?

COMEDY

Who won comedy last week: Caden Adrien and Iris Kessler

February 12, 2026

Caden Adrien channels Mitch Hedberg and Steven Wright. Iris Kessler, doing comedy for only three months, brought a great joke and needled her show’s judges.

COMMUNITY

Eight stories of all kinds of love for your Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2026

Stories from people about their first encounters of love of all kinds – romantic, platonic, familial and even spiritual – with future spouses, friends and pets.

BUSINESS

Last-minute (and thoughtful) Valentine’s Day gifts in Cambridge and Somerville

February 12, 2026

Because love shouldn’t feel like a CVS candle aisle panic.

BUSINESS

How to love your Valentine’s Day in Cambridge and Somerville

February 11, 2026

A list of restaurants and experiences that couples, throuples, singles who seek or the self-satisfied can enjoy all weekend long for Valentine’s Day.

FOOD

Valentine’s, Galentine’s, as long as it’s chocolate: An anthropologist’s quick history of a holiday

February 11, 2026

Anthropologists love to say “Bet you didn’t know this!” about cultural history and the origins of things in human use – including for Valentine’s Day.

BITE

Egg salad sandwiches at 7-Eleven

February 11, 2026

The company that owns 7-Eleven is trying to change its culinary reputation. It’s started that work with egg salad sandwiches.

OPINION

Artificial intelligence is coming for us, clearly. Not in the smartest way.

February 11, 2026

Problems with the technologies lumped together as artificial intelligence are worsened by the lumping.

COMMUNITY

Black Cantabrigians may be a dwindling tribe, but will not be forgotten

February 11, 2026

The resiliency of a tribe and its complicated relationship with Cambridge was on display at “Lift Every Voice: Saving Our Stories, Sharing Our History.”

OPINION

Black History Month celebrates a century, and so does its backlash

February 10, 2026

On the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, Black History Month is a necessary corrective to revisionist history, selective memory and deliberate attempts at erasure.

MUSIC

Will the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble happen in 2026? It skipped last year for a ‘reset’

February 6, 2026

No news is good news – except when it comes to the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. The long-running battle of the bands, established in 1979, signed off after the 2024 competition with the announcement that it...

ARTS

Black Lives Matter exhibit accepts the debate and stages it

February 2, 2026

“A critical reflection” runs through Black History Month with an Oxford-style debate toward the end on whether “The Black Lives Matter Movement was successful.”

MUSIC

Stormy weather shakes a lineup, but should settle down before the We Black Folks Showcase

January 30, 2026

Your average band preps weeks, if not months, to take the stage on a specific date. It all goes out the window when there's bad weather.

NEWS

Cambridge gets its first gunfire incident of the year, followed by an arrest

January 28, 2026

Two vehicles exchanged gunfire and drove off in opposite directions, witnesses told police in recounting a Cambridge gunfire incident.

NEWS

Homeland Security searches a Lesley University residence hall

January 15, 2026

A federal search of a Cambridge building ignites debate over police cooperation and transparency.

NEWS

Massive file from J6 insurrection trials goes live on the Internet Archive

January 8, 2026

Nearly 3 terabytes of material being uploaded, so much material that it may take days for it all to go live.

ARTS

Comedy Studio hosts Hump! Festival in April, much more than homemade porn

January 8, 2026

The annual touring fest brings five-minute flicks to shock, amuse and arouse.

BITE

Fried delicata squash at La Brasa

January 7, 2026

When french fry fatigue and onion ring ennui sets in, find relief at La Brasa, with its fried delicata squash in thinly sliced rounds with a lime crema dipping sauce.

FOOD

Somerville’s Michette bakery is opening in Cambridge near Inman Square and adding lunch

February 23, 2026

After three years serving French breads and pastries to East Somerville, Thomas Ferté will take advantage of added square footage in Cambridge.

TAXONOMY

Tax tip of the week: Don’t leave your side hustle off when you file with the IRS

February 23, 2026

NEWS

Somerville meetings, Feb. 23-March 2: Kennedy yard improvements and new school ideas

February 22, 2026

Take part in meetings about the McGrath Boulevard project, school improvement plans and funding for school and playing field projects.

NEWS

Cambridge meetings, Feb. 22-March 1: CambridgeSide project sees delays, Healthpeak advances

February 22, 2026

Take part in meetings on school district budgeting, bike lanes on part of Broadway and developments in East Cambridge and the Alewife Quad.

NEWS

What you need to know about the Sunday snowstorm in Cambridge and Somerville

February 21, 2026

A blizzard may dump between 1 and 2 feet of snow between 4 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Tuesday, with gusts of up to 60 mph and whiteout conditions.

NEWS

Survey notes rise in anti-Zionism among Jews in the area, now home to a non-Zionist synagogue

February 21, 2026

There’s been an 8 percent increase in area Jewish households since 2015 – and among them, 38 percent of their inhabitants identify as anti-Zionist.

NEWS

When Donald Trump shut down Snap benefits, it ended talks for a new Central Square grocery store

February 20, 2026

NEWS

Immigration attorney Diann Slavit Baylis wants Governor’s Council seat to appoint better judges

February 20, 2026

While most immigration proceedings are federal, a path to citizenship for unaccompanied minors is determined at the state level, the candidate notes.

BUSINESS

After around a decade of construction, the Beacon Suites Hotel is expected to open this spring

February 19, 2026

A city-line hotel under construction for around a decade is accepting reservations for mid-April after a sale by the initial developer.

LET’S GET COFFEE

Wintry mix, the seasonal coffee of choice

February 19, 2026

An occasional feature mapping our sipping in visits to cafes in Somerville and Cambridge, including Simon’s, Pepita and Cicada Coffee Bar.

FOOD

Kupel’s will bring its ‘god-tier bagels’ to a long-empty Somerville space

February 19, 2026

Kupel’s Bagels is expanding to Somerville from Brookline, creating just its second location since opening nearly five decades ago.

BITE

Tequeños at Carolicious

February 19, 2026

You get five of these breadsticks with a center of queso blanco, a semifirm white cheese, served hot from the air fryer like hearty pigs-in-a-blanket.

NEWS

Somerville meetings, Feb. 17-23: Surveillance technologies and McGrath changes

February 17, 2026

Take part in these meetings on surveillance technologies, later serving hours and new eateries, McGrath Highway changes and more.

NEWS

Cambridge meetings, Feb. 17-24: Traffic infrastructure and school budgets

February 17, 2026

Take part in these meetings on Reid Overpass reconstruction, Mount Auburn Street changes, school district budgeting and more.

NEWS

We have Tuesday office hours, and they launch in Davis Square

February 16, 2026

As part of its mission of community, The Independent plans weekly “office hours” at two convenient locations, and the hours start this week.

TAXONOMY

Tax tip of the week: Why you got a 1099, and what it really means

February 16, 2026

Over time, 1099s have expanded to cover nearly every type of income the IRS wants to track, including gig work or eBay sales.

NEWS

Somerville Arts Council leader Jenkins is asked to leave by mayor

February 14, 2026

The longtime leader of the Somerville Arts Council said he is leaving at the request of new mayor Jake Wilson after nearly 25 years.

BITE-OFF

In a giant-cookie battle of Chip City vs. Crumbl, Harvard Square wins big, even a little too big

February 14, 2026

Two over-the-top chain cookie sellers came to Cambridge a couple of years ago to compete from neighboring squares. Which is for you?

BUSINESS

Last-minute (and thoughtful) Valentine’s Day gifts in Cambridge and Somerville

February 12, 2026

Because love shouldn’t feel like a CVS candle aisle panic.

BUSINESS

How to love your Valentine’s Day in Cambridge and Somerville

February 11, 2026

A list of restaurants and experiences that couples, throuples, singles who seek or the self-satisfied can enjoy all weekend long for Valentine’s Day.

FOOD

Valentine’s, Galentine’s, as long as it’s chocolate: An anthropologist’s quick history of a holiday

February 11, 2026

Anthropologists love to say “Bet you didn’t know this!” about cultural history and the origins of things in human use – including for Valentine’s Day.

BITE

Egg salad sandwiches at 7-Eleven

February 11, 2026

The company that owns 7-Eleven is trying to change its culinary reputation. It’s started that work with egg salad sandwiches.

NEWS

Cambridge gets its first gunfire incident of the year, followed by an arrest

January 28, 2026

Two vehicles exchanged gunfire and drove off in opposite directions, witnesses told police in recounting a Cambridge gunfire incident.

NEWS

Homeland Security searches a Lesley University residence hall

January 15, 2026

A federal search of a Cambridge building ignites debate over police cooperation and transparency.

NEWS

Massive file from J6 insurrection trials goes live on the Internet Archive

January 8, 2026

Nearly 3 terabytes of material being uploaded, so much material that it may take days for it all to go live.

BITE

Fried delicata squash at La Brasa

January 7, 2026

When french fry fatigue and onion ring ennui sets in, find relief at La Brasa, with its fried delicata squash in thinly sliced rounds with a lime crema dipping sauce.

ARTS

Letter-writers worry there won’t be an open process when Somerville replaces Arts Council director

February 22, 2026

An abrupt departure by a longtime champion has artists wondering who will lead the Somerville Arts Council and how they will be chosen.

MUSIC

Biribá Union mixes Bach with beatboxing and bass at a Club Passim tour launch

February 21, 2026

Biribá Union’s nimble parade of genre mashery delivered more rap to Passim’s folkhead patrons than they have probably listened to in the past year.

THEATER

Stunning ‘The Moderate’ unleashes the Internet’s good, bad and ugliest in Central Square

February 20, 2026

OPINION

A new tone at Somerville City Hall

February 20, 2026

The first few meetings Somerville City Council of 2026 have been called “chummy,” but budget season seems likely to strain the cordiality.

OPINION

Jesse Jackson, a defender for LGBTQ+ rights

February 20, 2026

Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday, advocated for the LGBTQ+ community – especially Black LGBTQ+ people – at a time we had no one.

FILM

Boston Underground Film Festival is March 18-22, with Bob Odenkirk bringing his ‘Normal’

February 17, 2026

Badges go on sale at noon Wednesday for The Boston Underground Film Festival's 26th year of horror, fantasy, sci-fi and quirky indies.

MUSIC

Arts Council changes are opaque despite campaign rhetoric, but rock renaissance seems real

February 17, 2026

Can we reflect for a moment on what a hackneyed PR maneuver it is to drop big news at 4:54 p.m. on a Friday before a long weekend?

MUSIC

A stripped-down Katzù Oso comes to The Sinclair on Saturday

February 16, 2026

In advance of his show Saturday at The Sinclair touring with Say She She, Paul Hernandez (Katzù Oso) talked with me about coming up in the Los Angeles music scene, mentors and influences, leaving...

COMEDY

Who won comedy last week: Caden Adrien and Iris Kessler

February 12, 2026

Caden Adrien channels Mitch Hedberg and Steven Wright. Iris Kessler, doing comedy for only three months, brought a great joke and needled her show’s judges.

COMMUNITY

Eight stories of all kinds of love for your Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2026

Stories from people about their first encounters of love of all kinds – romantic, platonic, familial and even spiritual – with future spouses, friends and pets.

OPINION

Artificial intelligence is coming for us, clearly. Not in the smartest way.

February 11, 2026

Problems with the technologies lumped together as artificial intelligence are worsened by the lumping.

COMMUNITY

Black Cantabrigians may be a dwindling tribe, but will not be forgotten

February 11, 2026

The resiliency of a tribe and its complicated relationship with Cambridge was on display at “Lift Every Voice: Saving Our Stories, Sharing Our History.”

OPINION

Black History Month celebrates a century, and so does its backlash

February 10, 2026

On the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, Black History Month is a necessary corrective to revisionist history, selective memory and deliberate attempts at erasure.

MUSIC

Will the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble happen in 2026? It skipped last year for a ‘reset’

February 6, 2026

ARTS

Black Lives Matter exhibit accepts the debate and stages it

February 2, 2026

“A critical reflection” runs through Black History Month with an Oxford-style debate toward the end on whether “The Black Lives Matter Movement was successful.”

MUSIC

Stormy weather shakes a lineup, but should settle down before the We Black Folks Showcase

January 30, 2026

Your average band preps weeks, if not months, to take the stage on a specific date. It all goes out the window when there's bad weather.

ARTS

Comedy Studio hosts Hump! Festival in April, much more than homemade porn

January 8, 2026

The annual touring fest brings five-minute flicks to shock, amuse and arouse.