The City Council voted today to hold a hearing on a recent Boston Public Health Commission vote to ban the sale of flavored cigarettes at convenience stores because store owners never had a chance to testify on the proposal before the council.

* The following is an open letter (to councilors George, Wu, Flaherty, Pressley and Zakim) and will be shared with www.universalhub.com

Dear Councilors,

I am writing to oppose Councilor O'Malley's and Councilor Jackson's proposal to stand against the charter expansion referendum in the State of Massachusetts. First, and most importantly, it is about our city's children.

The recent issues at BLS being reported by the media are indicators of a larger problem within the City of Boston, and it's time for constituents of Boston's legislators and officials to hold those truly responsible accountable for their inaction.

For the second time this year, BPS students walked out of class for a protest against program cuts.

Fewer people joined this protest, but there were more than enough people to fill the City Council chambers during a regularly scheduled hearing on the budget for BPS's new "social emotional learning and wellness" program. Read more.

The City Council tomorrow considers a proposal from Councilor Tito Jackson (Roxbury) for a hearing on barring research that involves "aerosolizing" pathogens not currently native to Boston - such as Ebola - at least until after scientists across the country have been able to figure out how to really keep us safe from inadvertent releases from laboratories. Read more.

The Boston City Council voted today to let the BRA continue to have extra powers over some 3,000 acres in the city - including the power of eminent domain.

The council voted 10-3 in favor - Councilors Tito Jackson (Roxbury), Josh Zakim (Fenway, Beacon Hill, Back Bay) and Ayanna Pressley (at large) were the opponents. Read more.

Boston city councilors are going to give Northeastern officials a second chance to show up and discuss their decision to equip the campus police force with high-powered weaponry. Read more.

City officials have started looking at ways to provide snow-shoveling services to elderly and disabled residents who can't shovel their sidewalks and who can't find or afford somebody to do the work for them.

At a hearing this morning, though, City Council President Michelle Wu said the city should look at going even further - and investigate the costs of just clearing all 1,600 miles of the city's sidewalks. Read more.

With additional reporting by Kayla Canne.

City Councilor Sal LaMattina says he enjoys street performers. But faced with complaints about "bullying" from the amplifier-enhanced dancers in front of Faneuil Hall - from both tourists and other performers - he says it's time for Boston to consider some sort of busker regulations. Read more.