@JackSpillaneNB
@jackspillanenb.bsky.social
I’m a career community journalist working as a reporter, editor and columnist working in New Bedford the last 25 years.
My New Bedford Light column today is about some magic Steve Silverstein has cooked up at the old National Club in downtown well Bedford.
newbedfordlight.org/the-new-nati...
newbedfordlight.org/the-new-nati...
New Bedford gateway transformed with new National ClubThe new National Club marks a milestone in New Bedford history - The New Bedford Light
The new National Club is an important step forward in New Bedford’s long fight for rehabilitation from the decline of whaling and departure of the mills.
newbedfordlight.org
November 18, 2025 at 12:39 AM
My New Bedford Light column today is about some magic Steve Silverstein has cooked up at the old National Club in downtown well Bedford.
newbedfordlight.org/the-new-nati...
newbedfordlight.org/the-new-nati...
There’s quality dramatic theater to be had in New Bedford. Check out my review of Stephen Karam’s “The Humans,” which is being staged by Your Theatre at the Steeple Playhouse for two weeks.
newbedfordlight.org/director-suz...
newbedfordlight.org/director-suz...
Director Suzanne Houbre brings powerful new drama to Your Theatre - The New Bedford Light
Fuller and McCaughey carry the amazing “The Humans” in its two-week run in New Bedford.
newbedfordlight.org
November 8, 2025 at 1:59 PM
There’s quality dramatic theater to be had in New Bedford. Check out my review of Stephen Karam’s “The Humans,” which is being staged by Your Theatre at the Steeple Playhouse for two weeks.
newbedfordlight.org/director-suz...
newbedfordlight.org/director-suz...
What drove the vote in the recent New Bedford election? Read my latest New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
Roy and Pemberton won New Bedford elections on doorsteps and mailboxes - The New Bedford Light
Discussion of the issues seems not to be the driving force behind New Bedford election results.
newbedfordlight.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:40 PM
What drove the vote in the recent New Bedford election? Read my latest New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
New Bedford School Committee candidates came to The Chat last week. Listen to our discussion here.
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
New Bedford School Committee candidates campaign for votes - The New Bedford Light
The election special Chats with Jack Spillane concluded Wednesday with an informative hour with the candidates for School Committee.
newbedfordlight.org
November 1, 2025 at 1:42 PM
New Bedford School Committee candidates came to The Chat last week. Listen to our discussion here.
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
‘Plunking’ in the New Bedford at-large elections gives the political insiders an advantage. Read about sudden change to the system in my New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/the-great-ne...
newbedfordlight.org/the-great-ne...
The Great New Bedford election ‘plunking’ controversy - The New Bedford Light
‘Plunking’ gives a voter’s favored candidate an advantage over opponents, and the city’s misleading ballot instructions have permitted it.
newbedfordlight.org
November 1, 2025 at 1:40 PM
‘Plunking’ in the New Bedford at-large elections gives the political insiders an advantage. Read about sudden change to the system in my New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/the-great-ne...
newbedfordlight.org/the-great-ne...
The New Bedford ward candidates came to The Chat last night. Check out their in-depth discussion with me.
newbedfordlight.org/city-council...
newbedfordlight.org/city-council...
New Bedford City Council ward candidates in the spotlight - The New Bedford Light
Contested races in Wards 1, 2, and 5 heat up as the Nov. 4 general election approaches. Coming up Wednesday: School Committee.
newbedfordlight.org
October 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
The New Bedford ward candidates came to The Chat last night. Check out their in-depth discussion with me.
newbedfordlight.org/city-council...
newbedfordlight.org/city-council...
My New Bedford Light column on the novice New Bedford city worker who questioned longevity pay for elected officials
newbedfordlight.org/second-year-...
newbedfordlight.org/second-year-...
Andrea Sanchez: the city worker who questioned longevity pay for pols - The New Bedford Light
Andrea Sanchez was on the job for less than a year before she started to ask why elected officials were getting the same longevity pay as management.
newbedfordlight.org
October 2, 2025 at 7:05 PM
My New Bedford Light column on the novice New Bedford city worker who questioned longevity pay for elected officials
newbedfordlight.org/second-year-...
newbedfordlight.org/second-year-...
Eight of the 12 New Bedford councilor-at-large candidates joined The Chat this week for a lively discussion. Check it out.
newbedfordlight.org/the-chat-cou...
newbedfordlight.org/the-chat-cou...
The Chat: New Bedford’s at-large City Council candidates take center stage - The New Bedford Light
Incumbents and newcomers discuss important issues affecting the city and how to improve life in New Bedford.
newbedfordlight.org
September 24, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Eight of the 12 New Bedford councilor-at-large candidates joined The Chat this week for a lively discussion. Check it out.
newbedfordlight.org/the-chat-cou...
newbedfordlight.org/the-chat-cou...
The Parallel Products’ transfer station could have adverse effect on future of New Bedford Business Park. My New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
New Bedford Business Park could be second victim of Parallel Products - The New Bedford Light
The beautifully landscaped business park could join its suburban neighbors as victims of a trash transfer station that will allow 368 truck trips a day.
newbedfordlight.org
September 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The Parallel Products’ transfer station could have adverse effect on future of New Bedford Business Park. My New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
The New Bedford city solicitor has put An end to longevity pay for elected officials. But neither the mayor’s office nor the City Council office has been able to determine who started it. My New York effort Light column today.
newbedfordlight.org/city-struggl...
newbedfordlight.org/city-struggl...
New Bedford struggles to justify longevity pay for elected officials - The New Bedford Light
Documents show when longevity pay started for union members and managers, but no one can say exactly when the benefit was extended to elected officials.
newbedfordlight.org
August 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The New Bedford city solicitor has put An end to longevity pay for elected officials. But neither the mayor’s office nor the City Council office has been able to determine who started it. My New York effort Light column today.
newbedfordlight.org/city-struggl...
newbedfordlight.org/city-struggl...
newbedfordlight.org/everett-hoag...
My appreciation column for Everett Hoagland who died on July 5 is in The New Bedford Light today.
My appreciation column for Everett Hoagland who died on July 5 is in The New Bedford Light today.
Everett Hoagland’s voice called for our best selves - The New Bedford Light
The commanding figure was not afraid to look America and the world straight in the eye but was also a deeply kind, open-minded person.
newbedfordlight.org
July 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
newbedfordlight.org/everett-hoag...
My appreciation column for Everett Hoagland who died on July 5 is in The New Bedford Light today.
My appreciation column for Everett Hoagland who died on July 5 is in The New Bedford Light today.
newbedfordlight.org/a-day-of-mou...
My column on the. We Bedford City Council cutting out funding for Zeiterion in this year’s budget on the day Armand Marchand died.
My column on the. We Bedford City Council cutting out funding for Zeiterion in this year’s budget on the day Armand Marchand died.
Armand Marchand died on day New Bedford council zeroed out ‘Z’ - The New Bedford Light
City Council zeroes out ‘Z’ budget on day of Armand Marchand’s passing
newbedfordlight.org
July 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
newbedfordlight.org/a-day-of-mou...
My column on the. We Bedford City Council cutting out funding for Zeiterion in this year’s budget on the day Armand Marchand died.
My column on the. We Bedford City Council cutting out funding for Zeiterion in this year’s budget on the day Armand Marchand died.
newbedfordlight.org/closing-of-s...
They held a final Sunday Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Nee Bedford last week. My column on the closing after 92 years.
They held a final Sunday Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Nee Bedford last week. My column on the closing after 92 years.
Closing of New Bedford’s St. Francis Church a bittersweet time - The New Bedford Light
At the last Mass, the pastor reminded parishioners that when one door of happiness closes, another will surely open.
newbedfordlight.org
July 4, 2025 at 1:10 PM
newbedfordlight.org/closing-of-s...
They held a final Sunday Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Nee Bedford last week. My column on the closing after 92 years.
They held a final Sunday Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Nee Bedford last week. My column on the closing after 92 years.
To the rescue of the Star Store in NB comes a Boston-based arts and business organization. This even as UMass Dartmouth and the state turned its back. My New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/boston-nonpr...
newbedfordlight.org/boston-nonpr...
Boston nonprofit sees in Star Store what UMass Dartmouth did not - The New Bedford Light
The Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston could teach local academic administrators a lesson on how to think outside the box.
newbedfordlight.org
June 24, 2025 at 9:43 PM
To the rescue of the Star Store in NB comes a Boston-based arts and business organization. This even as UMass Dartmouth and the state turned its back. My New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/boston-nonpr...
newbedfordlight.org/boston-nonpr...
The ICE raids in New Bedford are yielding immigrants with no crimes other than crossing the border without papers. Here’s my New Bedford Light column today.
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
New Bedford ICE raids target every immigrant - The New Bedford Light
The raids are meant to terrify people into self-deporting, going back to where they came from, which in the case of most brown-skinned immigrants means Central America.
newbedfordlight.org
June 5, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The ICE raids in New Bedford are yielding immigrants with no crimes other than crossing the border without papers. Here’s my New Bedford Light column today.
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
newbedfordlight.org/police-chief...
My New Bedford Light column on The Boston Globe’s “Snitch City” series on New Bedford police confidential informant practices is up this morning, along with hour-long recording of my interview with NB Chief Paul Oliveira.
My New Bedford Light column on The Boston Globe’s “Snitch City” series on New Bedford police confidential informant practices is up this morning, along with hour-long recording of my interview with NB Chief Paul Oliveira.
New Bedford police chief defends city’s confidential informant system - The New Bedford Light
Paul Oliveira talks about The Boston Globe Spotlight team’s recent series on police misconduct and defends the integrity of his department and himself.
newbedfordlight.org
May 2, 2025 at 2:05 PM
newbedfordlight.org/police-chief...
My New Bedford Light column on The Boston Globe’s “Snitch City” series on New Bedford police confidential informant practices is up this morning, along with hour-long recording of my interview with NB Chief Paul Oliveira.
My New Bedford Light column on The Boston Globe’s “Snitch City” series on New Bedford police confidential informant practices is up this morning, along with hour-long recording of my interview with NB Chief Paul Oliveira.
newbedfordlight.org/are-boys-los...
My New Bedford Light column on what’s going on with boys and academics at both the high school and college levels.
My New Bedford Light column on what’s going on with boys and academics at both the high school and college levels.
Girls consistently dominate academics at New Bedford High and Voc-Tech - The New Bedford Light
Increasingly, girls and women dominate traditional academics in New Bedford and beyond.
newbedfordlight.org
April 24, 2025 at 1:28 AM
newbedfordlight.org/are-boys-los...
My New Bedford Light column on what’s going on with boys and academics at both the high school and college levels.
My New Bedford Light column on what’s going on with boys and academics at both the high school and college levels.
In New Bedford, rising trash disposal costs are pitted against residential neighborhoods not wanting to be near a processing/transfer station. My New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/business-and...
newbedfordlight.org/business-and...
newbedfordlight.org
March 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
In New Bedford, rising trash disposal costs are pitted against residential neighborhoods not wanting to be near a processing/transfer station. My New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/business-and...
newbedfordlight.org/business-and...
With President Trump beginning mass deportations and the 18th anniversary of the Michael Bianco raid in New Bedford coming up, here's my contribution to The New Bedford Light series on immigration. It's my memories of then and thoughts about now.
newbedfordlight.org/years-after-...
newbedfordlight.org/years-after-...
Years after Michael Bianco raid, New Bedford immigrants still have to hide - The New Bedford Light
Everyone suffers when the federal immigration policy is unclear and unfair.
newbedfordlight.org
February 19, 2025 at 12:42 PM
With President Trump beginning mass deportations and the 18th anniversary of the Michael Bianco raid in New Bedford coming up, here's my contribution to The New Bedford Light series on immigration. It's my memories of then and thoughts about now.
newbedfordlight.org/years-after-...
newbedfordlight.org/years-after-...
A look back at the women in 2024 who successfully fought to join, and then become major players in, New Bedford’s big Portuguese feast. My New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/2024-in-revi...
newbedfordlight.org/2024-in-revi...
New Bedford’s Portuguese Feast club admits first women members in 2024 - The New Bedford Light
The women festeiras were so successful that two of them were subsequently elected to the club’s governing board.
newbedfordlight.org
December 28, 2024 at 2:03 AM
A look back at the women in 2024 who successfully fought to join, and then become major players in, New Bedford’s big Portuguese feast. My New Bedford Light column.
newbedfordlight.org/2024-in-revi...
newbedfordlight.org/2024-in-revi...
newbedfordlight.org/remembering-...
Here’s my column remembering Maggi Peirce, the grand South Coast storyteller, who died this month.
Here’s my column remembering Maggi Peirce, the grand South Coast storyteller, who died this month.
Maggi Kerr Peirce was South Coast’s magical storyteller - The New Bedford Light
"Our lives are blessed with something special by poetic souls like Maggi Peirce," writes columnist Jack Spillane. "And I know I got a big dose of it."
newbedfordlight.org
December 17, 2024 at 1:24 PM
newbedfordlight.org/remembering-...
Here’s my column remembering Maggi Peirce, the grand South Coast storyteller, who died this month.
Here’s my column remembering Maggi Peirce, the grand South Coast storyteller, who died this month.
My New Bedford Light column on the Far North End’s effort to turn back a regional transfer station proposed near to residential neighborhoods.
newbedfordlight.org/fighting-the...
newbedfordlight.org/fighting-the...
Far North End neighborhood fights South Coast Renewables in all-American battle - The New Bedford Light
Pine Hill Acres residents believe to their core that their Far North End community is not the right place for a regional transfer station.
newbedfordlight.org
December 5, 2024 at 12:09 AM
My New Bedford Light column on the Far North End’s effort to turn back a regional transfer station proposed near to residential neighborhoods.
newbedfordlight.org/fighting-the...
newbedfordlight.org/fighting-the...