Going for broke(rs)

Also: MBTA recruits guinea pigs; Trump picks Vance as running mate [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  July 16, 2024 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 96. Good Morning Boston, We're in for [another hot sticky day]( so [take this Blue Line driver's advice]( "Stay cool, stay hydrated" — and let's get to the news. - Breaking up with broker's fees: Buried in [last month's multi-billion dollar housing bond bill]( the Massachusetts Senate quietly advanced a major potential change to one of renters' biggest headaches: broker's fees. The bill would, in most cases, shift the responsibility of paying the fee from tenants to landlords. Supporters of the change say it would ease the sometimes staggering upfront costs renters face when looking for a new apartment in an already challenging housing market. - Catch up: Broker's fees — paid to the real estate pro for listing and/or showing a property — are often equal to the price of one month's rent. (We'll let you [do the math on Zillow]( When combined with other commonly required payments, like a security deposit and first and last month's rent, the fees can put the upfront cost of renting a new unit north of $10,000. - How would that change? The Senate bill would require all broker's fees to be paid by the party who originally hired the broker. That's usually the landlord. (However, renters who reach out to a broker for help finding an apartment would still be on the hook.) - The downside? Doug Quattrochi, the executive director of MassLandlords, says his nonprofit is neutral on the issue. However, if the rule passes, he says property owners would likely find other ways to foot the bill. "They're not going to stop using the broker because of this rule. They're just going to increase the rents to cover that cost," Quattrochi told WBUR's Cici Yu. - What's next: The Senate's proposal was not included in [the House's version]( of the housing bond bill, so it's still unclear whether it will make it to Gov. Maura Healey's desk. The two chambers have until July 31 to reach a compromise. (Healey's office says she “supports efforts to relieve the burden of high rents and fees on renters" and looks forward to reviewing the final bill.) - Soft launch: The MBTA is recruiting riders to test out their new contactless fare technology. The new system — [which will let riders directly tap their bank card or smartphone to pay for fares]( — is set to launch Aug. 1. But as WBUR’s Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez reports, T officials say internal testing has gone well enough for them to open it up to the general public over the next few pre-launch weeks. - Where do I sign up? You can request to participate in the test via [this online questionnaire]( or at pop-up recruitment sessions. (There'll be one this afternoon at Maverick station in East Boston.) - Go deeper: The new system also [opens the door to "fare capping,"]( a policy other transit systems are trying to limit what riders pay and bring more passengers back after the pandemic. - Hitting the road: Healey's office is kicking off six weeks of so-called listening sessions to help policymakers improve child care access and affordability. It begins with an event today at Lynn's North Shore Community College. The statewide tour will include officials from education to economic development to health. - The discussions are open to everyone. But Amy Kershaw, the commissioner of the state's Department of Early Education and Care, tells WBUR's Carrie Jung they particularly want to hear from parents and providers "to understand what they see as the most important solutions." [Check out the schedule here.]( - High and dry: A mild drought has been [declared]( in the Berkshires. The state's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs says the declaration comes after two months of below-average rainfall. - What should you do? If you're a Berkshire resident or business owner, state officials [ask]( that you [minimize water use]( by doing things like limiting outdoor watering and fixing indoor leaks. - Heads up: This week marks the start of a roughly yearlong closure of Haverhill's commuter rail station. The station, which is the last stop on the Haverhill line, will be [closed until next summer]( due to [a bridge project](. Riders who use the station will need to take shuttle buses to Bradford station. Here's a look at [the new schedule](. P.S.— Want to level up your charcuterie game? [Tickets are still available]( for tonight's CitySpace grazing board arranging workshop with cheese expert Kimi Ceridon. It's not a bad way to spend a Tuesday night, especially with National Cheese and Wine Day around the corner. You might even meet your new favorite local cheese! Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters  The Rundown [Who is J.D. Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president]( The father of three is currently the junior senator of Ohio, and author of the 2016 memoir, 'Hillbilly Elegy', a New York Times bestseller. [Read more.]( [Who is J.D. Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president]( The father of three is currently the junior senator of Ohio, and author of the 2016 memoir, 'Hillbilly Elegy', a New York Times bestseller. [Read more.]( [Vineyard Wind says blade debris recovered after "incident" damages turbine]( Developers of offshore wind project Vineyard Wind confirmed Monday evening that large pieces of debris have been recovered following an “incident” that caused blade damage on a wind turbine. [Read more.]( [Vineyard Wind says blade debris recovered after "incident" damages turbine]( Developers of offshore wind project Vineyard Wind confirmed Monday evening that large pieces of debris have been recovered following an “incident” that caused blade damage on a wind turbine. [Read more.]( [Judge dismisses Trump documents case over special counsel appointment]( Judge Aileen Cannon cited how special counsel Jack Smith was appointed to investigate the former president's handling of classified documents. [Read more.]( [Judge dismisses Trump documents case over special counsel appointment]( Judge Aileen Cannon cited how special counsel Jack Smith was appointed to investigate the former president's handling of classified documents. [Read more.]( [Vermont floods raise concerns about future of state's hundreds of aging dams]( Like the rest of New England, Vermont has mostly older, small dams. The remnants of Hurricane Beryl caused the second major flood event to the Green Mountain state in a year, raising concern that the old dams have outlived their usefulness and climate change could bring storms they were never built to withstand. [Read more.]( [Vermont floods raise concerns about future of state's hundreds of aging dams]( Like the rest of New England, Vermont has mostly older, small dams. The remnants of Hurricane Beryl caused the second major flood event to the Green Mountain state in a year, raising concern that the old dams have outlived their usefulness and climate change could bring storms they were never built to withstand. [Read more.]( [Boston lawyer is sentenced to 5-10 years for raping 21-year-old]( A former Boston lawyer and prosecutor who was once named one of People magazine’s most eligible bachelors was sentenced Monday to between five and 10 years in state prison for rape. [Read more.]( [Boston lawyer is sentenced to 5-10 years for raping 21-year-old]( A former Boston lawyer and prosecutor who was once named one of People magazine’s most eligible bachelors was sentenced Monday to between five and 10 years in state prison for rape. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Are you a current or aspiring electric vehicle owner considering a big summer road trip? [Here are 11 tips on how to make that battery-powered long haul more relaxing]( — without the range anxiety.  - In the aftermath of Donald Trump's attempted assassination, Steve Almond [writes in this commentary]( that it's time for the press to remind Americans that politics is about the power to improve the lives of all constituents, not to punish or avenge perceived enemies.  - The cost of a first-class stamp went up 5 cents this week, the latest in a string of increases. [Here's a look]( at the reasons behind the rising prices and why U.S. stamps are still cheaper than those from our global peers. What We're Reading 📚 - How a very unique coloring book helped lead Jarren Duran to the All-Star Game ([WEEI]( - Anchors leaving. Low viewership. No helicopter. At the Boston 25 TV news station, uncertainty reigns. ([The Boston Globe]( - Popular Cape Cod beach likely closed for the summer due to erosion ([Boston.com]( - Adrift In The Harbor, Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy Rescued By Nantucket Coast Guard ([Nantucket Current](  Tell Me Something Good [Mass. native gymnast Frederick Richard wants to bring his sport to the people]( American gymnast Frederick Richard wants to do more than win a medal or two at the Olympics. The 20-year-old from Stoughton says however things go for him in Paris, his mission to bring men's gymnastics to the masses will not change. [Read more.]( [Mass. native gymnast Frederick Richard wants to bring his sport to the people]( American gymnast Frederick Richard wants to do more than win a medal or two at the Olympics. The 20-year-old from Stoughton says however things go for him in Paris, his mission to bring men's gymnastics to the masses will not change. [Read more.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Not sure he's gonna be able to reel that one in.]( 😎 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.