Orders that could change life significantly for Cambridge’s lower-income residents were approved Monday by city councillors, including a call to put some of the $65 million in federal Covid aid the city is getting into a guaranteed-income program and one that would give all high school students free CharlieCards for bus and subway rides.

While there is no shortage of suggestions regarding how to address a teachers’ mental health crisis, suggestions are not enough – action needs to be taken. Failing to do so will have devastating effects for our kids.

Public meetings this week look at approvals and timelines for the next set of bike lanes and a study of their business impacts, a 400-foot tower for Kendall Square that would be the city’s tallest, a pause on office and lab development around Alewife, a possible guaranteed income program for the city’s poorest and much more.

Cambridge has a dozen elementary schools, all with names reflecting a complex history of people deserving honors – sometimes replacing people we decide do not – that might come after moves, divisions or mergers.

Gig-economy employers such as Uber and Instacart, and a state bill that could free them from obligations expected for companies with full-time workers, were condemned Monday by city councillors as “trying to put the screws” to working-class people, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology drew criticism for “union-busting” in the run-up to a vote.

Throughout Cambridge’s history, women have led the charge in creating change, progress and growth for the city. Their contributions have inspired individuals and moved Cambridge forward.

In preserving some almost-lost pieces of Necco history, the founder of the Candy Wrapper Museum became convinced it should be shared with the world in a book – a piece of New England’s confectionery legacy composed of Necco candy wrappers and ephemera.

The Irish community’s first U.S. celebrations honoring St. Patrick were described in Cambridge papers as an excuse for drunkenness, violence and other unsavory behavior. It wasn’t long before the events were filled instead with breakfasts, lectures and concerts – all very publicly devoid of alcohol and on the path to mainstream acceptance.

The Black Response is working with groups in Somerville and wants to be part of a solution that decreases harm of all sorts – looking at root causes rather than making arrests and increasing surveillance, leader Stephanie Guirand says.

A special meeting to stem increasing youth violence would include Cambridge and Somerville mayors, councils and their police departments.