Katy Jordan
Boston's Pine Street Inn hosted its 10th annual job training graduation, where men and women overcame odds, and took part in pomp and circumstance.

Andi Rothwell

Emerson comedians won second place at Rooftop Comedy Festival in Aspen, Colo. Thirty two college teams of four competed in four regions. Emerson was the champion of the East.

Andi Rothwell
More than 170,000 people sampled food and browsed booths filled with jewelry, art, clothes and crafts at the 30th Annual Cambridge River Festival in Cambridge.

Alexis Hauk
The Somerville Hospital detox unit shuttered its doors June 30), emptying 26 beds previously occupied for inpatient substance abuse treatment. Patients may now be detoxing in hospital emergency rooms, or in jail, neither of which may be as effective. The move to close is due to steadily decreasing numbers over the last six years, and lack of funds from the State, Cambridge Health Alliance spokesman Doug Bailey said.

Joe Zarbano
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act that was passed in 2007 has finally gone into effect. Senator Kennedy has urged all Massachusetts college presidents to make sure that students across the state know they have an easier option to repay their loans. Listen to reaction above from locals that are effected by the new act.

Katy Jordan
City officials support the idea that the Boston Common host two new restaurants, in an effort to revitalize America's oldest public park. Emerson is giving up its money-losing cafe space on Boylston and Tremont.

Andi Rothwell
No Doubt and Paramore rocked out the Comcast Center in Mansfield June 20. More than 19,000 people sang along the female lead singers, while the boys handled the instruments.

Alexis Hauk
The army recruitment center on Tremont Street recruited dozens of area college students last year. Its director says it's like "mining for gold." Boston peace activists have concerns.

Liz Poland
From afar it looks like a adult version of musical chairs, but its called "speed dating"-a 21st century version of going on a date, and its quickly replacing the more conventional means of getting to know the opposite sex.

Joe Zarbano
The Red Sox opened up a three-game series at Fenway Park against the New York Yankees last night. The Sox dominated the Yankees 7-0 and won their sixth straight game against New York. Click on the headline to listen to post game sound and reaction. Above: Josh Beckett, photo courtesy of the Associated Press.

Joe Zarbano
Brookline native Conan O'Brien took over the Tonight Show Monday as the 5th host of the show. He replaced Emerson alumnus Jay Leno, who had hosted the show for 17 years. Listen to local reaction and to some clips from the show.

Alexis Hauk
Boston Poet Laureate Sam Cornish read in Brighton Friday and declared his respect for unpretentiousness.

Alexis Hauk
Emerson students and faculty discuss how they are affected by the Boston Globe's drastic reduction in workers' salaries, another step down in the long, slow decline in newspaper journalism.

Alexandra DelHoyo and Elizabeth Poland
You don't have to be Greek to enjoy the plates piled high with lamb, pita, and other traditional Greek treats. For almost half a century, the Watertown community has gathered at the Taxiarchae-Archangels Greek Orthodox Church's Festival to laugh, dance, and mostly eat.

Liz Poland

Last Tuesday's announcement by Harvard University's President Drew Faust sent shock waves throughout the city of Cambridge. Harvard University, which is Cambridge's top employer, is going to lay off 275 employees. Faculty members, students and concerned citizens joined together last Thursday to protest against the University's largest set of layoffs in recent history.

Lily Yuhas
City Hall Plaza came alive Saturday afternoon with entertainment, giveaways, costumed characters, and hundreds of people at the See New England Festival, sponsored by Magic 106.7.

Alexis Hauk
Older driver licensing is heavily debated by lawmakers in the wake of recent accidents. There are least four bills on the state house/senate floor. Photo: AP Images.

Katy Jordan
Boston residents express concerns over cell phone towers, which are growing increasingly closer to city homes and offices, demanding more municipal oversight.

Robin Lewis
In an effort to combat a frail economy, Boston Mayor Menino is attempting to kill two birds with one stone. The mayor made his third of four announcements today, unveiling a new program to create 150 green-collar jobs, while greatly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Matthew McLaughlin
Mayor Menino recently launched a video game awareness campaign to warn parents "to use Entertainment Software Rating Board's (ESRB) information to choose age-appropriate games for children."

Liz Poland
"Going green" seems to be seeping into all areas of our life, so its not surprising that eco-friendly clothing is catching on.

Alexis Hauk
Q&A with Andy Ofiesh, the 41-year-old software developer who started Naked Comedy Showcasethe, which performs monthly at Improv Boston.

Misty D. Hamel
Domestic violence has been increasing with the declining economy. Above: Serena Skinner, holds 4-year-old Emily and 9-year-old Harley, as they observe a moment of silence during a candlelight vigil held to remember those affected by domestic violence in Roswell, N.M. AP Images photo.

Misty Hamel
The Boston Police Department has teamed up with CrimeReports.com in an effort to make crime statistics readily available to citizens. This partnership will allow Boston residents the opportunity to receive email alerts about their neighborhoods and monitor the crime in their area.

Liz Poland
On June 2 Brookline Town Meeting members voted to prematurely end the year-long security camera trail period just two months into it. They cited privacy concerns and fear of "big brother" type surveillance by the federal government. JSONS Reporter Liz Poland spoke with Board of Selectman members and Brookline Chief of Police about the issue.

Misty D. Hamel
The Netherlands has announced it will be shutting down eight prisons, because only 12,000 of the 14,000 capacity has been filled. To many this seems that liberal policies of the Dutch are working, but others believe that there are no less criminals just fewer punishments. Above: a man being arrested for theft in a grocery store in Amsterdam. Photo by Misty Hamel.

Joe Zarbano
The Life is Good Festival celebrated its 6th Annual event on the Boston Common Saturday. The event benefits the charity Project Joy. Above: Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, who participated in the event. Photo: Joe Zarbano.