Open Newbury's latest changes

Also: 20 years of same-sex marriage; a dam's history butts heads with the river's future [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  May 17, 2024 🌤️ Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Good Morning Boston, TGIF! Today is the 20th anniversary of the first same-sex marriages in Massachusetts — and thus, the country. Since then, over 30,000 LGBTQ+ couples have gotten married in the state. WBUR's Amy Gorel [spoke to four couples about what the right has meant]( for their lives. You can also [check out photos from that historic day in 2004 here](. Let's get to the news: - What's new on Newbury: Boston announced yesterday that [this summer's Open Newbury series]( will run 10 consecutive Sundays — June 30 to Sept. 1. While that's a little shorter than [last year's 16-day schedule]( the city also plans to hold Open Newbury on two days in December (exact times TBD) to encourage holiday shopping in Back Bay — the first winter-time dates in the pedestrian-only program's history. - What's else is new: This year also includes flexibility that allows the city to cancel Open Newbury when the weather looks bad. (Such announcements would be made by Friday evening.) - What's the same: The hours and location will be the same as last year: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., from Berkeley Street to Mass. Ave. - The big picture: Even with a slightly shorter schedule than last year, it's still twice (or more) as many days than any previous year of Open Newbury. A spokesperson for Mayor Michelle Wu's office said they decided "10 dates in the summer and two in the winter would be best for the community" following conversations with Back Bay business owners and residents. Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan said in a statement that she believes the city is "striking the right balance" with the changes, which "will help maintain a special quality to each of the chosen days and provide a chance for businesses to plan." - PSA: Many Massachusetts residents and businesses devastated by [last September's intense flash floods]( can now seek financial help from the feds, after the White House [overturned FEMA's denial of the state's disaster declaration](. Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella told WBUR's John Bender he is "thrilled" about the reversal. - Who can get help? Private property owners in both Worcester and Bristol counties (since North Attleborough was also hit hard) can apply for loans and grants to repair their homes and businesses [via FEMA's website, mobile app or helpline](. The money can cover any losses not covered by insurance. (Mazzarella said 1,400 claims in Leominster have already been filed.) - What's next: Leominster is still waiting to hear if the city will get federal help for repairs to public property, like roads and bridges. - Over the border: A bill that would restrict transgender athletes in grades 5-12 from playing sports on teams that align with their gender identity is headed to the desk of New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu. The Republican-led Senate [voted 13-10 along party lines yesterday]( in favor of the [proposal]( which would base students' eligibility on their birth certificates and would explicitly ban those with male on their birth certificates from playing on girls' sports teams. - What's next: Sununu has not indicated his position on the bill. Supporters say the bill is necessary to protect girls from being injured by larger and stronger transgender athletes. Critics argue there are only five transgender girl athletes in New Hampshire, who will be marginalized by the bill. - Heads up: It might be a good weekend to try the ferry. Two MBTA subway lines and a bunch of commuter rail branches will be partially closed this weekend. You can [read more about the reasons why on the T's website]( but here's quick rundown of what it means for riders: - [Orange Line service between Oak Grove and North Station]( will be replaced by shuttles all weekend, starting tonight at 8:45 p.m. ([The 137 bus]( will also be free during the diversion.) - [Red Line service from Broadway to Braintree]( stations will also be replaced by shuttles Saturday and Sunday, though Ashmont branch trains will run between JFK/UMass and Ashmont. - [Three South Shore commuter rail lines]( — the Greenbush, Kingston, and Middleborough/Lakeville lines — will go dark between Braintree to South Station all weekend. (Their express shuttle bus might be a good option for some Red Line riders, too.) Meanwhile, north of Boston, both the [Newburyport/Rockport line]( and [Haverhill line]( will also undergo partial closures. P.S.— Do you know what ubiquitous company was in a Massachusetts court this week defending its business model? [Take our Boston News Quiz]( and test your knowledge of our recent stories. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters  The Rundown [In Ipswich, a dam's history butts heads with the river's future]( A decade of debate in Ipswich comes to a head May 21, when the town votes on whether to remove Ipswich Mills Dam. On one side, removal-advocates hope to restore rare wetlands and provide a cushion against flooding. On the other, dam enthusiasts the tout the importance of the dam's history and recreation, arguing there are alternatives to full removal. [Read more.]( [In Ipswich, a dam's history butts heads with the river's future]( A decade of debate in Ipswich comes to a head May 21, when the town votes on whether to remove Ipswich Mills Dam. On one side, removal-advocates hope to restore rare wetlands and provide a cushion against flooding. On the other, dam enthusiasts the tout the importance of the dam's history and recreation, arguing there are alternatives to full removal. [Read more.]( [Climate change activists send Healey a message at the Vatican]( On Thursday, Extinction Rebellion Rome took up their Boston allies' outcry, according to the group's Facebook page. At least two protestors staked out Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City holding "No New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure In Massachusetts" signs. [Read more.]( [Climate change activists send Healey a message at the Vatican]( On Thursday, Extinction Rebellion Rome took up their Boston allies' outcry, according to the group's Facebook page. At least two protestors staked out Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City holding "No New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure In Massachusetts" signs. [Read more.]( [Family members of Lewiston shooter call for more action on mental health, traumatic brain injuries]( In emotional testimony before the commission investigating the tragedy, family members of Lewiston shooter Robert Carr called on law enforcement, the media, the Army and others to do better in the future. The relatives said they also blame themselves for not doing more to stop him. [Read more.]( [Family members of Lewiston shooter call for more action on mental health, traumatic brain injuries]( In emotional testimony before the commission investigating the tragedy, family members of Lewiston shooter Robert Carr called on law enforcement, the media, the Army and others to do better in the future. The relatives said they also blame themselves for not doing more to stop him. [Read more.]( [The Dow Jones hits 40,000 for the first time. What to know about this major milestone]( Stock markets received a boost from new data showing inflation is easing. Lower inflation has raised hopes about the U.S. economy — but there are still a lot of unknowns. [Read more.]( [The Dow Jones hits 40,000 for the first time. What to know about this major milestone]( Stock markets received a boost from new data showing inflation is easing. Lower inflation has raised hopes about the U.S. economy — but there are still a lot of unknowns. [Read more.]( [UMass police say most campus arrests involved 'zero force.' Some faculty say students were hurt.]( UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes addressed faculty, administrators, staff and students, calling for “reasoned debate” and “difficult conversations” a week after police arrested about 130 protesters on campus. [Read more.]( [UMass police say most campus arrests involved 'zero force.' Some faculty say students were hurt.]( UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes addressed faculty, administrators, staff and students, calling for “reasoned debate” and “difficult conversations” a week after police arrested about 130 protesters on campus. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - [An autopsy report obtained by the Associated Press]( has confirmed a spicy tortilla chip challenge that had gone viral on social media caused the death of Worcester 10th grader Harris Wolobah last summer. Paqui, the Hershey-owned maker of the chip, pulled the product from store shelves shortly after Wolobah's death. - Fresh off their Somerville Porchfest appearance, the Boston-bred alt-rock group Guster is out with their latest album today. “Ooh La La" is their ninth album in the last 30 years. [And as WBUR's Solon Kelleher reports]( the band is still chasing what’s coming next. - Frederick Hewitt writes about Gov. Maura Healey, Pope Francis and the doctrine of "integrated ecology" in [this Cognoscenti essay](. What We're Reading 📚 - When Did Everything Become a ‘Journey’? ([The New York Times]( - Nurse aid shortage in Massachusetts compounded by English-only state exam ([New England Public Media]( - Adaptive equipment is making national parks more inclusive ([Washington Post](  Tell Me Something Good [Meet Max, the cat receiving an (honorary) doctorate from Vermont State University this weekend]( The tabby will become a "Doctor of Litter-ature" in recognition of his contributions to the Castleton campus, where he has become a regular visitor for the past four years. [Read more.]( [Meet Max, the cat receiving an (honorary) doctorate from Vermont State University this weekend]( The tabby will become a "Doctor of Litter-ature" in recognition of his contributions to the Castleton campus, where he has become a regular visitor for the past four years. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [reflects on the 20th anniversary of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts]( and looks at the ongoing efforts to improve the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the state today. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [A new hat for the pope, courtesy of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.](    Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.