From equity advocates to firefighters helping out in a crisis, these outstanding individuals improved their cities in Massachusetts. trib.al/IECboM2

There are now some 20,000 people in the Massachusetts family shelter system due to housing costs and migrants seeking refuge. trib.al/BDfOvKi

Town Market Andover has reopened as a full-service restaurant and bar following renovations. trib.al/ycd9edB

Powerful storms that dumped heavy rain on the state have led North Andover to declare a state of emergency. trib.al/G3YbHdJ

The $56 billion state budget will fund state departments and many local initiatives through June. trib.al/aSGnUeQ

Plus: EarthGang and Dead Prez at GLD FSTVL, Carnival in Provincetown, Five Seconds of Summer and much more across MA this weekend. trib.al/zpRZtZ4

See the week's top Massachusetts dining news: Complex donuts, town-sponsored beer garden, ice cream recall, more. trib.al/WcjyYVu

Readers raise a stink about dog walkers who let their pets “squat and go,” leaving their neighbors to clean up the mess left behind. trib.al/fVRo5fj

Almost three months before Halloween, the seasonal pop-up retailer has opened a handful of stores in Massachusetts, with more on the way. trib.al/P250vON

The change in state law would make calls free in state houses of correction. Fees now range from 12 to 14 cents per minute. trib.al/xVCiXZd

The answer is yes, but there aren't a ton of options. Here's what Patch found in our quest for affordable housing. trib.al/ZdX8s5j

Cape Cod houses in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island have gable roofs. The pitch allows snow and rain to slide off easily. trib.al/wPV7bCk

Check out the newest homes on the market in and around the North Andover area. trib.al/C8QhVWB

American credit card debt surpassed $1 trillion for the first time. A new analysis shows how much debt Massachusetts households hold. trib.al/mOx8K4H

The sculpture portraying a wounded Indigenous man was thought to be destroyed in the 1950s until it showed up in Virginia 30 years later. trib.al/ct04fW0

Parents in North Andover can mark the first day of school coming later this summer. trib.al/NDY1Jp5

Many of us can point to a teacher whose influence has guided us, our children and our grandchildren. Nominate them for a Teacher Spotlight. trib.al/qWxrWL1

After a wild week of weather, it's possible Massachusetts could be hit with more severe storms and heavy rain late Monday into Tuesday. trib.al/vbDyz4h

The Patriots have reportedly come to terms on a one-year deal with the former Cowboys star. trib.al/kvH5F8k

One of your neighbors published an article in the Politics & Government section. Read their story on Patch. (The views expressed in this post are the author’s own.) trib.al/tFcFyj3