Fall River

On the platform in Fall River, Ollie Couto said he remembers trains in the city during his childhood in the 1950s, and he’s glad they’re back after all these years.

The region hasn’t had a train to Boston since the 1950s, when highways became king. Now, after more than three decades of political promises and $1 billion spent, South Coast Rail is scheduled to open Monday.

An official at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority tells CAI the Federal Railroad Administration gave the OK today.

Once open, South Coast Rail will extend Boston commuter rail from its current terminus in Middleborough to New Bedford and Fall River, fulfilling a decades-old promise by state officials.

This week, the House and Senate passed a bill that says come January 1, 2027, no firefighting turnout gear can be sold if it’s made with “intentionally added” PFAS.

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is suing the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a Quincy-based group that guides national standards for firefighters’ protective gear, alleging that the NFPA is colluding with gear manufacturers and profiting from the standards that effectively require PFAS to be included in firefighters’ protective suits.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks a step forward in the decades-long effort to bring commuter rail service to New Bedford and Fall River.

Firefighters from Fall River, Hyannis, and Nantucket are participating in a study to see whether PFAS chemicals are working their way from firefighters’ gear into their bodies. The results could eventually help lead to the standardization of protective apparel that’s made with less – or even zero – PFAS.

About two hundred people gathered in Fall River Tuesday evening for a candlelight vigil to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. The event included musical performances and a release of about a dozen white doves to commemorate those who died by overdose in the past year.

This week, construction crews continued work on the Fall River Depot, which will connect commuters to Boston via the South Coast Rail project. A second line, linking Boston with New Bedford, is also under construction.