Samantha Medeiros

Fully bloomed flower beds and meticulously landscaped yards frame the brightly colored houses — from bubblegum pink to sky blue — on the small section of State Street near Willis and Campbell. This block wasn’t always as vibrant as it is today. When many residents moved in, the homes needed major renovations and maintenance. What’s happened in the last few years has been a grassroots renaissance, and an example of New Bedford neighbors lending a helping hand.

Editor’s Note: These New Bedford scenes were reported by The Light’s 2026 summer interns, who are part of the South Coast Internship program, designed for local students. Chains jingle against the bottoms of docked boats like wind chimes. A briny scent rides the afternoon breeze across Mattapoisett Town Wharf. A few people bike up and down the wharves. “Are we getting ice cream here?” a young girl asks her mother as they approach a small shack by the water.

The number of opioid-related deaths in New Bedford is decreasing, and advocates say increased Narcan training is helping. Opioid-related deaths in New Bedford have declined from 84 in 2022 to 43 in 2024, according to data from the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. However, opioid-related deaths increased from 7 to 12 among people in their 60s between 2020 to 2024.