Fall River Now — Weekly Recap, Week Ending July 3, 2026

Transcript Welcome to Fall River Now. This is our weekly recap for the week ending July 3, 2026, where we cover the most significant local government news. Topping the news this week, the Fall River City Council voted to reject the mayor's revised budget for fiscal year 2027. The vote took place at a special meeting on June 30th, the final day of the fiscal year. The council also passed a vote of no confidence in Chief Financial Officer Emily Arpke. The meeting highlighted ongoing conflict between the council and the city administration over the budget. Also this week, the Board of Health voted to mandate suspensions for businesses that sell tobacco products to minors. At its meeting on June 29th, the board also unanimously approved five applications for the keeping of animals. In response to a heat wave, Mayor Paul E. Coogan's office announced that the city has opened two cooling centers for residents. The centers are open from Thursday, July 2nd, through Saturday, July 4th. Locations and times are available on the city's website. Officials are advising residents to stay hydrated and check on their neighbors. The city’s Licensing Board met on June 26th and approved a new license for beer and wine sales for Highland Pizza. The board, chaired by Gregory Brilhante, tabled three other items for future consideration. On the city's 311 reporting system, residents filed several complaints about potholes. Reports mentioned deteriorating pavement at the corner of Stevens Street and Brayton Avenue, and on stretches of Eastern Avenue and Augustus Street. Looking ahead, the Fall River Public Schools Grievance Subcommittee has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 7th. The meeting will be held at four-thirty p.m. in the School Committee Conference Room. Fall River Now generates content via AI, like this podcast. Check FallRiverNow.com for more information. In this episode Pothole Reported at Corner of Stevens Street and Brayton Avenue Large Pothole on Eastern Avenue Reported Potholes Reported on Augustus Street Pothole Reported Near North Eastern Avenue Fall River City Council Rejects FY2027 Budget, Votes No Confidence in CFO at June 30 Meeting Fall River Board of Health Votes to Mandate Suspensions for Tobacco Sales to Minors on June 29 6.26.2026 Licensing Board