Baker nudges colleges (again) on COVID rules

Also: Starting anew in a Newburyport church basement; House passes bill to let undocumented residents get drivers licenses [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  February 17, 2022 🌬️ Mostly cloudy and windy, with a high near 59. Good Morning Boston, It's second false spring already? We're in for some practically balmy February weather [over the next week or so](. But make sure to pack your windbreaker today; it's a gusty one out there. Let's get to the news: - The Massachusetts House [passed a bill Wednesday evening]( that would allow undocumented residents to obtain driver's licenses. Why? Supporters — which include [a significant number of law enforcement leaders]( — say it's a matter of public safety, making sure all drivers in the state are licensed and trained to drive. - As The Boston Globe [reported last week]( there's around 200,000 undocumented residents in Massachusetts, and it's [estimated]( that 43,000 to 78,000 would get licensed within the first three years of the law’s enactment. - Next, it goes to the Senate – and Senate President Karen Spilka has already expressed support. But earlier this week, Gov. Charlie Baker said he opposes the change and is happy with the current law. He refrained from threatening a veto (the bill passed the House with more than a veto-proof majority). - With COVID rates plummeting to their lowest levels in three months, Baker's administration is urging local colleges to relax their mask rules. It's a nudge by the state to get highly vaccinated universities to adopt an endemic-like approach. - Two top cabinet officials sent a letter to colleges urging them to follow the lead of WPI, which has relaxed some indoor masking guidances. They noted that "virtually all" college students and staff are fully vaccinated, regularly test for COVID and are mostly in "low-risk age groups." - But not so fast: WBUR's Max Larkin reports that some colleges are taking their cues from municipal officials. For example, Harvard and Lesley said they'll continue to require masking indoors as long as the city of Cambridge does. - For the first time in a quarter-century, Massachusetts has [commuted the life sentences of two men convicted of first-degree murder](. The Governor's Council unanimously approved Baker's recommended commutations for [William Allen]( and [Thomas Koonce]( two Brockton men imprisoned for their involvement in separate killings decades ago (I recommend clicking the above links to understand their respective backstories and why they were recommended for a lighter sentence). The reduced sentences now mean both Allen and Koonce have a good shot of being released on parole. - Why are home prices rising? It's as simple as supply and demand. The average home sales price in Massachusetts [increased to $495,00 last month]( a 10.7% increase compared to the previous January, while the number of sales fell. Warren Group CEO Tim Warren said the lack of inventory is the "problem," and that, unless you're a seller, the "out of whack" balance may persist through 2022. - PSA: Did you recently buy any Dog Gone Dog Treats? State health officials [say you should toss them](. Three cases of Salmonella have been linked to individuals handling the Georgetown-made dried dog treats. They're sold at several locations around the North Shore. P.S.— Do you have a 9-year-old who would like to talk about what the pandemic has been like? WBUR's Lisa Mullins and Lynn Jolicoeur are working on a segment for All Things Considered about kids who were in their early elementary school years when COVID first hit. We want to hear about the good and the bad of the last two years, how they've gotten through the tough times. Reply to this email if you have a fourth grader who'd be interested in sharing with us (we'll pre-tape the interview virtually). Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Two Afghan families start anew in a Newburyport church basement]( They escaped their homeland during the American evacuation and Taliban takeover in late August and are among the 2,000 evacuees resettling in Massachusetts. [Read more.]( [Two Afghan families start anew in a Newburyport church basement]( They escaped their homeland during the American evacuation and Taliban takeover in late August and are among the 2,000 evacuees resettling in Massachusetts. [Read more.]( [The politics of getting to the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic]( With the omicron surge fading, the Biden administration is looking to the next phase of the pandemic. Americans appear eager to get there. [Read more.]( [The politics of getting to the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic]( With the omicron surge fading, the Biden administration is looking to the next phase of the pandemic. Americans appear eager to get there. [Read more.]( [Vice President Harris is meeting leaders in Munich to talk about Russia and Ukraine]( Harris will be speaking at the the annual gathering of the world’s top national security officials in Germany. [Read more.]( [Vice President Harris is meeting leaders in Munich to talk about Russia and Ukraine]( Harris will be speaking at the the annual gathering of the world’s top national security officials in Germany. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts firefighters sue equipment makers over 'forever chemicals' in gear]( The suit is the latest in a growing number of legal battles that firefighters are waging against companies over the use of chemicals in firefighting gear. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts firefighters sue equipment makers over 'forever chemicals' in gear]( The suit is the latest in a growing number of legal battles that firefighters are waging against companies over the use of chemicals in firefighting gear. [Read more.]( [The U.S. census sees Middle Eastern and North African people as white. Many don't]( People with Middle Eastern or North African roots are counted as white by the federal government. But a study finds many do not see themselves as white, and neither do many white people. [Read more.]( [The U.S. census sees Middle Eastern and North African people as white. Many don't]( People with Middle Eastern or North African roots are counted as white by the federal government. But a study finds many do not see themselves as white, and neither do many white people. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Any plans this Presidents' Day weekend? WBUR's arts team has [five recommendations]( including a classic cartoon festival at the Brattle Theatre and an "Immersive Frida Kahlo" exhibit. There's also [a new ICA exhibit highlighting the work of Boston artist Napoleon Jones-Henderson]( and the vibrancy of Black culture. - The average American spends 5.4 hours a day on their phone — and just devotes 17 minutes reading a book. In this commentary, Rich Barlow [reflects on Johann Hari's new book on distraction]( and how tech plays a big factor. - When it comes to reducing your consumption of animal products, Joshua May and Victor Kumar [argue in this commentary]( that individuals should embrace "impurity." In other words, their "best bet" may be to become a “reducetarian,” rather than going 100% vegan. What We're Reading 📚 - The Inimitable P. J. O’Rourke ([The Atlantic]( - Mayor Wu confronts a big challenge: Bringing people back downtown ([The Boston Globe]( - When in Doubt, Roast a Duck ([The New Yorker]( Tell Me Something Good [How to crack the code to happiness in the second half of life]( Aging can be hardest for strivers, says social scientist Arthur Brooks, because they sometimes mourn that their biggest successes are in their rearview mirror. [Read more.]( [How to crack the code to happiness in the second half of life]( Aging can be hardest for strivers, says social scientist Arthur Brooks, because they sometimes mourn that their biggest successes are in their rearview mirror. [Read more.]( Before you go: [Explain yourself Norway]( 😎 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.