Bust out the bug spray

Plus: Dems speak out on Biden's candidacy; converting Boston’s offices to housing [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  July 8, 2024 ☀️ Today is mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Good Morning Boston, It may be Monday, [but at least this isn't your car.]( Now, to the news: - Bug bites are a perpetual summer bother, but around here they can cause more than an incessant itch. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced last week [it detected]( eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus in mosquito samples collected at the end of last month in Carver and Quincy, respectively. There are no reported human cases of either illness yet, but it marks the start of mosquito-borne illness season in Massachusetts. - What to know: Mosquito-borne illnesses, like EEE and West Nile virus, spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile is fairly common; eight out of 10 people infected experience no symptoms, [according to the Centers for Disease Control.]( For the 20% that do, West Nile feels more like a fever or the flu. EEE is more rare, [but also far more serious.]( Infection can lead to fever, seizures and even death. Massachusetts hasn't dealt with any human cases of EEE in the last three years. In 2019, there were 12 cases that resulted in six deaths, and in 2020, there were five cases that resulted in one death. - Protect yourself: Use EPA-approved insect repellent when you go outside, state epidemiologist Dr. Katherine Brown told WBUR's Martha Bebinger. The DPH also recommends covering up from dusk to dawn (peak biting times). To prevent mosquitos from breeding close by, drain any still water from around your home. - In the two weeks since the presidential debate, Democratic leaders nationwide have voiced their opinions on President Joe Biden's shaky performance and whether he should remain the Democratic party’s frontrunner candidate. Among those concerned are four Massachusetts officials: [Gov. Maura Healey]( [Rep. Jake Auchincloss]( [Rep. Seth Moulton]( and [Rep. Jason Lewis](. - Healey broke her silence on the debate performance Friday, urging Biden to ["carefully evaluate"]( whether he can beat former president Donald Trump in November. Moulton's calls have been less ambiguous. "Now is the time for [Biden] to follow in... George Washington's footsteps, and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump," the Massachusetts congressman [told WBUR on Thursday.]( His sentiments mirror those of Rep. Jason Lewis, who [suggested early on that Biden should step aside for another candidate](. Still, some Democratic leaders, including state Rep. Richie Neal, have continued to stand by Biden. - What he's saying: In an interview Friday with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, [Biden said he won't step down]( despite calls from within his party. He attributed his performance to being "exhausted" and a "really bad cold." - Go deeper: You can find out who is — and isn't — backing Biden with NPR's handy public commentary tracker [here.]( - More than 30 beaches in Massachusetts were closed to swimmers this past weekend due to high levels of bacteria in the water, according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Bacteria levels can spike due to storm runoff and hot weather, both of which may increase with climate change. Officials say there are things locals — especially bird lovers — can do to help keep the water clean. - Visitors to state beaches should avoid feeding birds, since the animals "make quite a mess of our facilities," Vanessa Curran, deputy director of water resources for DCR, told WBUR's John Bender. "We'd really encourage people to just admire the birds and not feed them. Picking up after their dogs is huge. And remember that basically every storm drain goes to some body of water," she added. - Know before you go: It's going to be a hot one again this week. Before heading to the beach, check [DCR's website]( for daily updates on beach closures. - The Karen Read saga continues: Massachusetts State Police will hold an internal hearing today to see if disciplinary action should be taken against Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the case against Karen Read. Back in June, [Proctor was reprimanded]( for a series of inappropriate and [offensive texts he'd sent about Read]( who was accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend. Proctor was [relieved of duty]( last Monday, after a judge declared a mistrial in Read's case. P.S. — It's the start of [Shark Week!]( Want a break from the regularly scheduled programming? Discover the different shark species that call Massachusetts' coastline home [in this interactive article.]( Hanna Ali Associate Producer, Newsletters  The Rundown [Converting Boston’s offices to housing is tricky, but it’s starting to happen]( Advocates say conversions could kill two birds with one stone, warding off vacancies while adding desperately needed housing. [Read more.]( [Converting Boston’s offices to housing is tricky, but it’s starting to happen]( Advocates say conversions could kill two birds with one stone, warding off vacancies while adding desperately needed housing. [Read more.]( [Memorial to gun violence victims, made of keepsakes, coming to Boston]( The Gun Violence Memorial Project is an ever-changing collection of quiet and beloveditems. This August, the exhibit is coming to Boston, displaying simultaneously at City Hall, the Institute of Contemporary Art and MASS Design Group through January 2025. [Read more.]( [Memorial to gun violence victims, made of keepsakes, coming to Boston]( The Gun Violence Memorial Project is an ever-changing collection of quiet and beloveditems. This August, the exhibit is coming to Boston, displaying simultaneously at City Hall, the Institute of Contemporary Art and MASS Design Group through January 2025. [Read more.]( [Study highlights gaps in child care subsidy access due to state income eligibility caps]( The study found that in Massachusetts, about 17% of kids who were eligible for child care support under federal definitions actually received assistance in 2020. [Read more.]( [Study highlights gaps in child care subsidy access due to state income eligibility caps]( The study found that in Massachusetts, about 17% of kids who were eligible for child care support under federal definitions actually received assistance in 2020. [Read more.]( [Beryl makes landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane]( Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said more than 2,500 responders have been dispatched across the state, from departments including FEMA, parks and wildlife, health services and transportation. [Read more.]( [Beryl makes landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane]( Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said more than 2,500 responders have been dispatched across the state, from departments including FEMA, parks and wildlife, health services and transportation. [Read more.]( [Britain swings to the center-left in a historic U.K. election landslide]( After 14 years of Conservative rule, Britons elected a new prime minister, Keir Starmer, and Parliament dominated by the Labour Party, which hadn't won a national election since Tony Blair, nearly 20 years. [Read more.]( [Britain swings to the center-left in a historic U.K. election landslide]( After 14 years of Conservative rule, Britons elected a new prime minister, Keir Starmer, and Parliament dominated by the Labour Party, which hadn't won a national election since Tony Blair, nearly 20 years. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Public demand for tinned fish is growing — and Duxbury-based Island Creek Oysters is looking to get in on the game. Their recently unveiled seafood cannery in New Bedford is the first cannery to open in New England in over a century. Island Creek's president, Chris Sherman, [shares why he's diving head first into the tinned fish industry.]( - Heating and cooling accounts for nearly 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. For many, AC is a non-negotiable — which is why the Massachusetts startup Transaera is looking to craft a cooling system that uses less electricity than the conventional air conditioner. [Take a look at their climate-based approach in this segment from Here & Now.]( - The centuries-old game of chess has seen renewed interest over the last few years. This "global chess boom" has even made its way to classrooms in western Massachusetts. New England Public Media reports that at one elementary school in Holyoke, [it's pretty much the only game kids want to play.]( - Everyone's got their own little daily rituals. But according to Rich Barlow [in this Cognoscenti essay]( "there are no more avid ritualists on the planet than parents." What We're Reading 📚 - Major Democratic Donors Devise Plans to Pressure Biden to Step Aside ([The New York Times]( - How the Brain Decides What to Remember ([WIRED Magazine]( - It’s crunch time for the Massachusetts Legislature. Among the bills still in the dark: one promising transparency. ([The Boston Globe)](  ICYMI [Photos: Fourth of July fun takes over the Esplanade]( The Boston Pop's Firework Spectacular was full of star-spangled celebration on the Fourth of July. Here's a look at the fun. [Read more.]( [Photos: Fourth of July fun takes over the Esplanade]( The Boston Pop's Firework Spectacular was full of star-spangled celebration on the Fourth of July. Here's a look at the fun. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [discusses the legality of rental application fees and renters' rights with WBUR senior reporter Simón Rios.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Boston, through a newcomer's eyes.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. 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