What saying bye to Baker means for next year's election

Also: The race for fusion energy heats up; local holiday markets to shop this season [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 1, 2021 ☁️ Cloudy, with a high near 54. A chance of rain or snow showers in the morning. Good Morning Boston, From Gov. Charlie Baker's big announcement, to the first case of the omicron variant found in the U.S., yesterday was anything but a slow news day. Here's what you need to know: - There will be an open contest for governor next year. Baker announced yesterday that he [won't be seeking a third term]( and neither will Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. When asked why, Baker, who is 65, said he wanted to lead the state over the next year without the distraction of an election: "This next year needs to be about recovery, not about politics." You can read more about his decision and the implications for next year's race below. - What will Baker do next? We don't know yet, but he hinted it will involve working and developing some hobbies. I hope the latter involves many more [Blink-182 concerts](. - Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan bus riders can expect more fare-free bus service options next year. Boston City Council [gave the green light]( to Mayor Michelle Wu’s request for $8 million to provide free service on routes 23, 28 and 29 for the next two years. - A new ruling says that the Massachusetts Department of Correction [can not punish a prisoner]( based on initial testing if mail from their lawyers tests positive for illicit substances. The decision was made on the basis that the tests are not reliable without a lab confirming the results – they return false positives 38% of the time, according to the ruling. That's a big window of error for serious consequences. Normally, if a prisoner's mail tests positive, the person is sent to a restrictive housing unit or solitary confinement. - PSA: UMass Amherst students will be required to get a COVID booster shot before the spring semester. Students were also required to get the vaccine before the fall semester. The university is offering medical and religious exemptions. - There's no place like home (base) in baseball — especially for outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. He's coming back to the Red Sox as part of a trade that sent Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee. The deal came in just before midnight. - Zoom out: The first case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 has been identified in the U.S. The fully vaccinated – sans booster shot – San Francisco resident had recently been in South Africa. You can learn more about this case and why health officials are concerned, but not panicked, [here](. P.S.– Boston's official Christmas tree is about to get merry and very bright tonight. The lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. on the Common. Meagan McGinnes Senior Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [A Massachusetts company leads as the race for fusion energy heats up]( Commonwealth Fusion predicts it will have the world’s first net-energy fusion device by 2025 and is already building a factory in Devens to make the machine. [Read more.]( [A Massachusetts company leads as the race for fusion energy heats up]( Commonwealth Fusion predicts it will have the world’s first net-energy fusion device by 2025 and is already building a factory in Devens to make the machine. [Read more.]( [Gov. Baker says he will not seek a third term]( "We love the work," he said in a statement. "Serving as Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts has been the most challenging and fulfilling jobs we’ve ever had." [Read more.]( [Gov. Baker says he will not seek a third term]( "We love the work," he said in a statement. "Serving as Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts has been the most challenging and fulfilling jobs we’ve ever had." [Read more.]( [The mystery of where omicron came from — and why it matters]( How did this new strain of the novel coronavirus evolve? Researchers are investigating various possibilities. One leading theory involves ... just one person. [Read more.]( [The mystery of where omicron came from — and why it matters]( How did this new strain of the novel coronavirus evolve? Researchers are investigating various possibilities. One leading theory involves ... just one person. [Read more.]( [What happens if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade abortion law?]( Santa Clara University law professor Michelle Oberman discusses what happens when the right to an abortion is not guaranteed in every state. [Read more.]( [What happens if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade abortion law?]( Santa Clara University law professor Michelle Oberman discusses what happens when the right to an abortion is not guaranteed in every state. [Read more.]( [Stacey Abrams announces candidacy in Georgia governor's race]( Abrams rose to national prominence following her narrow loss in Georgia's 2018 governor's race. Her entrance into the contest sets up a potential rematch against Gov. Brian Kemp. [Read more.]( [Stacey Abrams announces candidacy in Georgia governor's race]( Abrams rose to national prominence following her narrow loss in Georgia's 2018 governor's race. Her entrance into the contest sets up a potential rematch against Gov. Brian Kemp. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - PSA: Biden's new winter COVID plan will make private health insurance companies [reimburse you]( for at-home tests. - Still looking for the perfect holiday gift for a loved one? Try one of these [six local holiday markets]( to find creative presents on the spot. - From a Hanukkah celebration to a Charlie Brown Christmas show, here are [five things to do this weekend](. - Whatever has kept you on the sidelines of the fight for abortion rights until today doesn’t matter, writes Jesse Mermell [in this commentary](. You’re here now, and we need you. What We're Reading 📚 - Here’s what people with low trust in news learned attending a morning TV news meeting ([Trusting News]( - Trump tested positive for Covid few days before Biden debate, chief of staff says in new book ([The Guardian]( - What we mean by Black Girl Magic ([The Boston Globe]( Tell Me Something Good [NPR's College Podcast Challenge is back: With a $5,000 prize!]( What does college sound like? Send NPR your best podcasts and their judges will choose a winner from among 10 finalists. [Read more.]( [NPR's College Podcast Challenge is back: With a $5,000 prize!]( What does college sound like? Send NPR your best podcasts and their judges will choose a winner from among 10 finalists. [Read more.]( Before you go: [Wrong answers only]( Governor of Massachusetts edition. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news   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 © 2021 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.