Expanding Pooled COVID Tests For Child Care Centers

Also: 11 cities hold preliminary elections today; Boston firm Nixon Peabody is switching sides in big affordable housing lawsuits ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( September 21, 2021 Good Morning Boston, 🌞 Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. You'll want to [turn this way up]( while reading the newsletter today. It's only fitting: - Today on Beacon Hill, legislators are talking for the fourth time about how and when they should spend the $4.8 billion in federal money meant to help the state recover from the pandemic. Today's talks will focus on health care, mental health and public health. So far, the Legislature has been wanting to spend the money slowly and Gov. Charlie Baker has been pushing to use it sooner. However, after two more hearings, there may be a vote on the horizon, potentially before breaking for the calendar year on Nov. 17. - Good news for child care providers and parents. Neighborhood Villages, a program that runs pooled coronavirus testing at child care centers, is expanding this fall after teaming up with the state. The nonprofit will be able to offer pooled testing every week at 260 centers – covering at least 13,000 children – across Massachusetts. Who's paying for the tests? The state is working with the federal government to cover the costs. - Ex-Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia had a good day in court yesterday. A federal judge [tossed out eight counts]( of the jury’s guilty verdict, which will likely lessen the sentence he receives. He was previously found guilty by jurors of swindling investors and extorting hundreds of thousands of dollars from marijuana businesses. Even with several convictions gone, he's still facing multiple counts of wire fraud, extortion conspiracy and extortion. What's next? His legal team is pushing for a new trial; prosecutors want 11 years in prison. - To help the state reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, the Baker administration is creating a Clean Heat Commission that focuses on policies to limit heating fuel emissions and shepherd the move to clean energy. Baker says it's the first commission of its kind in the U.S. - Heads up: Some Beacon Hill streets look more like rivers this morning after a 30-inch water main broke at Hancock and Myrtle streets. Some streets in the area are still closed so plan accordingly. - Zoom out: Fully vaccinated foreign nationals can [come to the U.S.]( starting in November. The Biden administration's new policy will replace the travel bans instituted by the Trump administration. P.S.– It's another voting-filled Tuesday for 11 cities across the state today. You can learn more about who is holding preliminary elections for what offices below. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)[In Big Affordable Housing Lawsuits, Boston Firm Nixon Peabody Is Taking The Side Of The Investors]( The law firm has built its reputation in affordable housing — advising nonprofits and developers, churches and housing authorities. But the firm has also become the go-to counsel for an opposing clientele. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [11 Cities In Mass. Hold Preliminary Elections Tuesday]( The cities with elections are Attleboro, Beverly, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Newburyport, North Adams and Taunton. [Read more.]( 3. [Mass. State Troopers' Union Sues Over Vaccine Mandate]( According to court records, the union has requested that workers who don't want the vaccine, or who already had COVID, be allowed to undergo weekly tests and wear a mask instead of getting the shot. [Read more.]( 4. [COVID Has Killed As Many Americans As The 1918 Flu, Despite Scientific Advances]( The U.S. population a century ago was just one-third of what it is today, meaning the flu cut a much bigger, more lethal swath through the country. But the COVID-19 crisis is by any measure a colossal tragedy in its own right. [Read more.]( 5. [The Biden Administration Is Fighting In Court To Keep A Trump-Era Immigration Policy]( Thousands of migrants — many originally from Haiti — have been camped out in squalid conditions since last week. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas visited the site Monday and pledged to ramp up removal and expulsion flights of arriving migrants. [Read more]( Support the news Anything Else? - PSA: All faculty, staff and students who attend on-campus classes at the 15 community colleges in Massachusetts will need to be vaccinated against COVID by January 2022. See the [full list of community colleges here.]( - Black Lives Matter marches kicked off the photographer Philip Keith's career, be he doesn't want to be defined by his protest photos. He's one of the ARTery 25 and you can[read his profile here.]( - Myles Standish committed terrible acts of violence against the Massachusett Tribe, writes Travers Frank [in this commentary](. BU should rename the building after one of Standish's victims. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [ARTery 25]( Mezzo Soprano Haydee Irizarry Is Shifting The Sound Of Heavy Metal]( [Listen]( LIFE ADVICE & TIPS [Parenthood Is A Shock To The System. These Tips Can Help You With The Transition]( Dating Over 50: It's OK To Be Nervous, But Don't Let That Stop You. [Read more.]( How To Successfully Make A Hybrid Setup Work For You And Your Boss. [Read more.]( Chef Kathy Gunst Has Grape Expectations With 3 Recipes Ripe For Harvest Season. [Read more.]( What We're Reading - ‘We’re seeing shock.’ Texas abortion clinics are now operating as trauma centers ([The 19th]( - For young adults, COVID-19 pandemic has been uniquely disruptive — yet also a chance to reset ([The Boston Globe]( - Courtney’s Story ([Defector]( Tell Me Something Good [This French Pianist Has Been Playing For 102 Years And Just Released A New Album]( Colette Maze began playing the piano at age 5 and defied the social conventions of her day to embrace it as a profession rather than a pastime. Her son first arranged for her performances to be recorded when she was in her 90s. Before you go: If you know, [you know](. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📨 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. 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