Trahan, Lori RSS Articles

Trahan Announces Acton-Boxborough High School Student as Congressional Art Competition Winner

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition in Massachusetts' Third District. The winners were announced at her annual art competition reception held at The Chelmsford Center for the Arts.

“Every year, this competition reminds me just how much talent we have right here in the Third District,” said Congresswoman Trahan. "Nate's painting stopped me in my tracks – there's a real stillness and maturity to it that you don't expect from a high school student. I'm so proud of him and every student who had the courage to put their work in front of a panel of judges. The fact that 'Midsummer Indolence' will hang in the United States Capitol is a tribute not just to Nate, but to the incredible arts community we have across this district."

The winner of this year's competition is Nate Kim, an 11th grader at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. His piece, titled "Midsummer Indolence," was created using oil paint on canvas and depicts a young child fishing by a pond, surrounded by lush green grass and plants. The painting will be displayed in the United States Capitol later this year alongside winning pieces from other congressional districts.

Trahan also announced the runners-up for this year's competition:

Second Place: Yumeng Mia Li from the Groton School with her submission titled "The Wash"

Third Place (tie): Westford Academy student Navya Katru's "Suspension" and Concord Academy student Krithik Davarjan's "Green Miles of the Routine: The Milkman"

This year's winners were selected by a three-judge panel: Sara Bogosian, President and Executive Director of the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell; Eileen Williston, Executive Director of The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord; and Emily Mazzola, Curator at the Fitchburg Art Museum.

About the Congressional Art Competition: Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the country and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 700,000 high school students have participated. Students submit entries to their representative's office, and panels of local artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. First-place pieces are displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and the winner will be invited to a celebratory reception in Washington, D.C. in June.

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Trahan Introduces Bipartisan Campus Lifeline Act

Tue, 05 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) led the bipartisan introduction of the Campus Lifeline Act of 2026, legislation aiming to expand awareness and access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for students and young adults. Trahan was joined by Representatives Erin Houchin (R-IN-09), David Valadao (R-CA-22), and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02).

“Every young person deserves access to compassionate, lifesaving mental health care when they need it most,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I was proud to lead the Garrett Lee Smith Reauthorization Act to strengthen and expand suicide prevention programs for young people, and this bipartisan legislation builds on that work by increasing awareness of and access to these vital services. By leveraging the reach of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we can connect more teens and young adults with the support they need, ensure they know help is available, and reach more young people before a crisis becomes a tragedy.”

In 2023, 40 percent of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, and nearly one in ten attempted suicide, yet awareness of the 988 Lifeline remains low among teens and young adults. The Campus Lifeline Act clarifies that the 988 Lifeline can be printed on driver’s licenses and student identification cards, helping ensure young people have immediate access to critical resources. The bill also strengthens campus mental health efforts by allowing Garrett Lee Smith grants to support student-led early intervention and outreach.

“We have a responsibility to make sure young people know where to turn in a moment of crisis,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “During Youth Mental Health Awareness Week, I’m proud to introduce the Campus Lifeline Act to expand access to the 988 Lifeline and strengthen support on campuses. This bill promotes early intervention, student engagement, and life-saving mental health resources. It’s our goal to make sure every young person knows help is available.”

“Young adults are facing a growing mental health crisis, but too many still don’t know where to turn for help,” said Congressman Valadao. “While California law requires the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline be printed on student ID cards, access to this lifesaving resource shouldn’t depend on your zip code. By expanding existing Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Grants and ensuring 988 is added to new IDs nationwide, we can raise awareness for mental health care, connect more people to support, and help prevent tragedies before they happen.”

“The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has saved lives. There’s no question about it,” said Congressman Pocan. “The more awareness we can raise about 988, especially among our young people, the better. I’m glad to help lead this effort with Reps. Houchin, Trahan, and Valadao.”

As a Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, Trahan has emerged as a leader in Congress in advancing bipartisan solutions to the addiction and mental health crises affecting millions of Americans. She introduced and passed the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Reauthorization Act to strengthen community-based youth and young adult suicide prevention efforts that were set to go offline. Earlier this year, she successfully led a bipartisan group of 100 House members demanding the Trump administration reverse its decision to terminate thousands of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants that fund local mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the country.

“Youth-informed policy is not only powerful, it’s necessary. The best policies and laws are shaped by those with firsthand experience who understand both the challenges and the solutions,” said Anika Rahman, Director of Policy at Active Minds. “We are grateful to Representatives Houchin (R-IN), Trahan (D-MA), Valadao (R-CA), and Pocan (D-WI) for recognizing the importance of youth-led solutions and for their bipartisan leadership on the Campus Lifeline Act. What began as a youth-led initiative to place 988 on the back of student ID cards on campuses has now grown into the introduction of federal legislation with the potential to create nationwide change. Awareness and education around mental health resources are vital, and when young people lead, they help create solutions that are practical and accessible.”

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Trahan Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Marking National Fentanyl Awareness Day

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) was joined by U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), and Addison McDowell (R-NC-06) in introducing bipartisan legislation recognizing April 29, 2026 as National Fentanyl Awareness Day in order to increase awareness about the growing threat of counterfeit fentanyl pills and their devastating impact on families and young people across the United States.

“The fentanyl-fueled overdose crisis is devastating families and communities in every corner of our country,” said Congresswoman Trahan, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “By establishing National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we not only honor the lives lost, but also shine a light on the urgent need for action. This bill is about raising awareness, saving lives, and reaffirming our commitment to ending this crisis.”

The resolution seeks to unite the public and policymakers in the fight against this deadly epidemic as fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise. In 2025 alone, law enforcement seized 47 million counterfeit pills, equating to over 369 million lethal doses.

“Like so many Americans, my family has been impacted by the opioid epidemic,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “My mom first became addicted to prescription opioids that led to a decades-long struggle, including heroin and fentanyl, but she’s one of the lucky ones. She finally got the medical care she desperately needed and will be celebrating 9 years in recovery this August and is an example of what’s possible. On National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we increase awareness about the dangers of this drug to prevent further tragedies and make sure people like my mom aren't again left with nowhere to turn.”

“Counterfeit fentanyl is now the leading killer of young Americans, devastating families in every corner of our nation,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “I’ve seen the human cost of this crisis firsthand. As Co-Chair and a founding member of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, I’m working to turn awareness into action—stopping the flow of deadly counterfeit pills, strengthening prevention and enforcement, and saving lives. Recognizing National Fentanyl Awareness Day is a critical part of that mission and of building the national response this crisis demands.”

“Fentanyl-related overdoses and drug poisonings have had a devastating impact on communities across my home state of Colorado,” said Congressman Neguse.“In championing an effort to designate April 29th as National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we are not just bringing attention to this crisis but also sharing information and best practices for preventing the spread and sale of synthetic opioids—and, ultimately, fighting to save lives.”

“Last year, Congress acted on a number of key pieces of legislation aimed at combatting the fentanyl crisis. I was proud to stand with President Trump as he signed the major HALT Fentanyl Act into law,” said Congressman McDowell. “I lost my brother, Luke, to fentanyl at just 20 years old. I’ll keep fighting alongside anyone willing to take this on until no family has to endure the kind of loss mine did.”

Text of the resolution can be found HERE.

Trahan has been a leader in Congress in advancing bipartisan solutions to the addiction and mental health crises affecting millions of Americans. She spearheaded the passage of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act into law to require that prescribers of opioid medications had baseline training in addiction identification and treatment. She also introduced and passed the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Reauthorization Act to strengthen community-based youth and young adult suicide prevention efforts that were set to go offline. Earlier this year, in her role as Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, she successfully led a bipartisan group of 100 House members demanding the Trump administration reverse its decision to terminate thousands of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants that fund local mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the country.

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Trahan Statement on Supreme Court Voting Rights Act Decision

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) issued the following statement following the Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais decision:

“Today, the Supreme Court's Republican majority finished what they started – gutting the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and making it easier to silence Black voters and communities of color ahead of a pivotal midterm election.”

“For the past year, Republicans in Congress and in state legislatures across the country have raced to rig their maps and hold onto power – power they have surrendered to Donald Trump, who has raised prices on American families, ripped health care away from people who need it, and sent U.S. servicemembers to fight in a new forever war in the Middle East. Today's decision is the culmination of the GOP's effort to ensure that the same families being screwed over by this administration and their Republican enablers in Congress have even less power to hold them accountable at the ballot box.”

“This is a power grab, plain and simple. And just as we did when Republicans kicked off their mid-decade redistricting scam, Democrats will respond in kind. We didn’t start this fight, but it’s on us to finish it.”

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Trahan, Ashby Town Leaders Tout Safety Improvements from BIL-Funded Intersection Project

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) met with Ashby town leaders to discuss the significant safety improvements from the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project, which was completed thanks to $3,301,715.56 in federal funding Trahan secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Since the project’s completion, the town has seen a noticeable decrease in accidents at the intersections.

“When I visited this intersection back in 2021, the need for improvement was clear,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I'm proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivered the federal investment to get this done. Too often, federal dollars flow to larger cities while smaller communities like Ashby get overlooked – that's not acceptable. Every resident in this district deserves safe roads, and this project is proof that when we fight for small towns, we can deliver real results.”

“The Town extends sincere appreciation to Congresswoman Lori Trahan and MassDOT for their collaboration and support in advancing this critical infrastructure project. The intersection of Turnpike Road and Greenville Road experienced numerous traffic accidents over the years, underscoring the need for improved safety measures. The improvements have significantly enhanced traffic flow and are already reducing the risk of collisions, creating a safer environment for our residents, commuters, and emergency responders. This project reflects Ashby's ongoing commitment to improving roadway safety and highlights the importance of strong partnerships between local, state, and federal agencies in addressing community needs,” said Mary Daughraty, Ashby Town Administrator.

The Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection sits at a critical crossroads in Ashby, serving as a key connector for the town's roughly 4,200 residents as they go about their daily lives. For years, the intersection posed real safety concerns for the drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians who rely on it, concerns that Congresswoman Trahan saw firsthand during a site visit in August 2021. Getting this intersection right was a priority not just for the town's highway team, but for residents who depend on these roads to get to work, to school, and to the places that make Ashby home.

The project involved the creation of a four-exit rotary, milling and resurfacing the roadways, and updated pavement markings to ensure the safety of drivers passing through the corridor. Before finalizing the design, engineers conducted a full alternatives analysis to ensure the most effective traffic control method was deployed. The total project cost was $3,340,303, with 90 percent of that, $3,301,715, covered by federal dollars through the Highway Safety Improvement Program, a program that received a significant funding boost as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The remaining 10 percent was covered by the state.

“Partnerships are key to community-building, and this federal-state one is what made the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project a much-needed and successful reality,” said State Representative Margaret Scarsdale. “Congresswoman Trahan is a fierce advocate for Ashby, and we appreciate her leadership.”

Shortly after visiting the Ashby intersection in 2021, Trahan helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, paving the way for more than $9.5 billion in federal investments to upgrade the Commonwealth’s infrastructure, including the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project.

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Trahan Tours Federally Funded Senior Housing Facility in Westminster

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) joined Westminster town officials to tour the Westminster Senior Residences, a 50-unit affordable senior housing facility that was constructed using significant federal investments.

“After more than a decade of planning, it’s inspiring to see this project completed and fully leased,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This is what happens when federal, state, local, and private partners work toward a shared vision, and it’s what smart public investment looks like. I’m especially proud that federal ARPA dollars and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits helped close the financing gaps and ensure these homes remain affordable for years to come. The thoughtful design, the proximity to the Senior Center, and the partnerships with local service providers will help longtime Westminster residents stay connected, engaged, and supported in their community. This should serve as a model for senior housing not just in Massachusetts, but across the country.”

“This senior housing project was on the Town’s wishlist for decades,” said Westminster Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen. “We partnered with Commonwealth Community Developers and although it took multiple grant applications and several years, we finally found the right mix of federal and state assistance along with an ARPA contribution from the Town that made the project possible and brought us to where we are today. Thanks to the support and efforts of our townspeople and local officials, we were able to achieve this milestone for our senior community.”

The Westminster Senior Residences is a 100% affordable, age-restricted (62+) development located directly behind the Town of Westminster’s Senior Center. The project, more than a decade in the making, was developed by Commonwealth Community Developers and is managed by Maloney Properties. After opening last fall, all 50 one-bedroom units were fully leased by the end of the year.

“We’re grateful for the strong support for the development from all of our elected officials,” said James J. Perrine, President of Commonwealth Community Developers. “Congresswoman Trahan has been with us from the start, resulting in the receipt of $1.2 million federal tax credits, enabling us to raise $10.6 million in private equity. She also supported over $4.3 million in federal ARPA funds from the State’s Executive Housing and Livable Communities and another $200,000 for the Town of Westminster’s local ARPA funds. The Town originated the project, provided the land adjacent to the senior center, and contributed $200,000. This truly is the result of partnership at all levels of government, and we are grateful for the Congresswoman’s leadership.”

The project’s total development cost of approximately $22.4 million was financed through a mix of federal, state, local, and private sources. Federal investments were central to making the project financially viable, including $1.2 million per year in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) over 10 years, which generated more than $10.6 million in private equity. The project also received $4,577,965 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which Trahan supported passage of and helped close critical financing gaps to ensure long-term affordability for low-income seniors. The Town of Westminster contributed $200,000 in local ARPA funding, a 99-year land lease, and fee waivers exceeding $200,000.

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Trahan Demands Release of 14-Year-Old Marlborough Resident Detained by Federal Immigration Agents

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) demanded the immediate release of a 14-year-old Marlborough resident who was detained yesterday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents:

“Yesterday, a 14-year-old girl from Marlborough was detained by federal immigration agents. A child with no criminal history was taken into custody in an apparent overnight attempt to use her as a hostage to coerce her father into turning himself in for deportation. As a mother to 15- and 11-year old daughters, I am furious. This is not immigration enforcement. It’s the deliberate targeting of a child to inflict maximum pain on her family.”

"Two months ago, ICE detained five-year-old Liam Ramos in Minnesota under similar circumstances. The nation watched in horror as a little boy with a blue bunny hat and Spiderman backpack was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities. The ordeal was so heinous that a federal judge ordered his release and called it ‘cruel’ and ‘bereft of human decency.’ But now, federal immigration agents seem to be doing it again, this time here in Massachusetts.”

“I am demanding her immediate release. She should be returned home to her family this afternoon and able to go back to school tomorrow. In the meantime, DHS must abandon its clearly adopted policy of using children as bait to detain and deport family members and instead focus its efforts on violent criminals.”

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Trahan Statement on U.S. Military Strikes in Iran

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump announced significant U.S. military strikes on Iran:

“President Trump is drawing the United States into another foreign conflict, returning American servicemembers to the Middle East once again less than five years after the end of our 20-year War in Afghanistan. The American people deserve answers. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to decide whether our nation goes to war – and that responsibility cannot be bypassed. Any military action against Iran must be openly debated and authorized by Congress.”

“I’m praying for the safety of our servicemembers in the region who have been placed in harm’s way yet again and for their families who have already borne enormous sacrifice. Like all Americans, they were told just 10 months ago – when Trump ordered strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites – that Iran’s nuclear capability was set back years as a result. Now, we’re being told something altogether different: that those strikes failed, and that Iran may be more dangerous than ever. Our men and women in uniform deserve a clear mission, defined objectives, and a strategy that protects U.S. interests and regional stability without sliding into another forever war.”

“Every dollar and every American servicemember committed to an open-ended conflict abroad is a dollar and a life not invested here at home – in the families already stretched thin at the grocery store, on their utilities, and at the doctor’s office. At a moment of real economic pressure, driven in part by reckless policies advanced by this administration, the last thing our country needs is a costly war launched without congressional debate or a clear strategy. I will continue pressing for transparency and oppose any unilateral rush to war that puts politics ahead of our troops and the wellbeing of the American people.”

Trahan Unveils Report Outlining Bipartisan Path to Update the Privacy Act

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) released a new staff report titled Privacy, Trust, and Effective Government: A Bipartisan Blueprint for Modernizing the Privacy Act. The report was developed following extensive stakeholder input submitted in response to a Request for Information (RFI) Trahan circulated in 2025 examining potential updates to the Privacy Act of 1974.

The report comes amid growing concerns about the federal government’s handling of Americans’ sensitive personal data, including recent incidents that have exposed weaknesses in existing privacy protections and oversight mechanisms.

“The Privacy Act was written for a world of file cabinets and mainframe computers, not one defined by cloud storage, data brokers, and AI,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Americans should be able to trust that their personal information is handled responsibly by their government. This report lays out practical, commonsense updates to strengthen privacy protections, restore public trust, and ensure the federal government can operate effectively in the digital age.”

The staff report outlines a bipartisan framework to modernize the Privacy Act of 1974, including recommendations to:

Strengthen limits on the collection, use, and sharing of Americans’ sensitive personal data.
Update definitions and safeguards to reflect modern systems, technologies, and practices.
Improve transparency so individuals can understand how their data is used by the federal government.
Enhance oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse of personal information.
Bolster enforcement to ensure timely and meaningful redress when abuse occurs.
Right-size requirements to promote compliance while enabling effective government operations.

Enacted more than 50 years ago, the Privacy Act of 1974 has not kept pace with the scale, speed, or complexity of how the federal government now collects and uses personal data. As agencies increasingly rely on digital systems and third-party contractors, outdated protections leave Americans vulnerable to privacy abuses while hindering responsible data processing and eroding trust in government.

The report is intended to inform bipartisan, bicameral efforts to modernize federal privacy law and ensure that government data practices meet the expectations of the American people in the 21st century.

A copy of the report released today can be accessed HERE.

This report is the latest step in Trahan’s push for government privacy reform. Its release follows efforts Trahan has led regarding DOGE’s alleged mishandling of Americans’ sensitive data housed in the Treasury Department’s payment system and separately at the National Labor Relations Board and Department of Interior. Trahan has similarly led House Democrats in investigating the Trump Administration’s data consolidation efforts at key benefits agencies . In March 2025, Trahan issued her RFI to rewrite the Privacy Act for the first time since its passage in 1974.

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Trahan, Massachusetts Members Demand Accountability After Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle ARPA-H Investor Catalyst Hub

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, was joined by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Representatives Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Richard E. Neal (MA-01) in demanding immediate answers from the Trump Administration following reports that the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has issued a stop-work order and notice of intent to terminate and wind down the ARPA-H Investor Catalyst Hub.

In a letter to President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the lawmakers called for an immediate explanation and justification for the decision, warning it could disrupt lifesaving biomedical innovation and waste years of federal investment.

“Terminating the Investor Catalyst Hub’s work at this stage would be a profound mistake and a blatant waste of taxpayer dollars and federal investment,” the lawmakers wrote. “Halting this work now would squander years of progress, disrupt momentum across multiple ARPA-H programs, and undermine the agency’s core mission of translating high-impact research into treatments and cures that reach the American people.”

The Investor Catalyst Hub, based in the greater Boston area, plays a central role in ensuring promising innovations successfully transition from federal research investment into real-world treatments and cures. The Hub was strategically located in Massachusetts because of the Commonwealth’s globally recognized life sciences and biotechnology ecosystem, and unmatched concentration of research institutions, hospitals, and health innovators.

Congress recently reaffirmed its commitment to ARPA-H by appropriating $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2026 funding to accelerate high-impact biomedical innovation and strengthen pathways that move breakthroughs from discovery to deployment. The delegation noted that the Investor Catalyst Hub has been fully operational for two years and is already supporting projects focused on improving cancer surgery, expanding hospital-level care to rural communities, and advancing the diagnosis and treatment of lymphatic diseases.

“With Congress' support, the Investor Catalyst Hub was created precisely to ensure that ARPA-H–funded breakthroughs do not stall out in the lab but instead move efficiently toward real-world deployment,” the lawmakers continued.

The members requested a congressional briefing, a clear justification for the decision, and a detailed contingency plan explaining how ARPA-H will maintain continuity of the Investor Catalyst Hub’s work. They asked the Administration to respond no later than February 13, 2026.

A copy of the letter sent today can be accessed HERE.

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WINTERFEST FEB. 21 - 22, 2020

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Lowell's annual Winterfest weekend in downtown Lowell is a fun event featuring everything from a carousel and ice-skating to an all-you-can-eat chocolate festival.

Click here to learn more