The formula fairies helping local moms

Also: Boosters for youngsters; a new mushroom shop in Somerville [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  May 18, 2022 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 73. Good Morning Boston, It's the [hottest work day]( of the week — and honestly just a pretty nice, warm-looking day in general. Speaking of pretty nice, scroll down for a new story about the "formula fairies" helping local moms navigate the national shortage. But first, here's what you need to know today: - With local COVID rates rebounding, the youngest vaccine-eligible residents are now able to get boosted for added protection. Federal officials [authorized a Pfizer's booster Tuesday for all 5-t0-11 year olds]( once they're five months past their second dose of the primary rounds of shots. - The authorization comes as COVID rates in Massachusetts rise to their highest levels since January. The state's seven-day average positive test rate is now about 9% and hospitalizations are above 800, though ICU numbers remain low. - Massachusetts Medical Society President Carole Allen told WBUR's Hannah Chanatry that hospitals have been able to handle the increase, but that residents should get boosted and wear a mask in indoor public places. - Reminder: if you're over 50 or have certain medical conditions, you're [eligible for a second booster](. - U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins is launching an investigation into whether the city of Quincy's long-held opposition to the rebuilding of the Long Island Bridge amounts to a civil rights violation. - The backstory: Boston has long sought to rebuild the bridge (which was demolished in 2015 for safety reasons) to reopen the city's addiction treatment center on the island — the closure of which has been cited as a cause of the worsening situation in the Mass. and Cass. area. However, Quincy officials have fought on multiple fronts to block that effort. Why? Traffic concerns. - The Boston Herald [reports]( that Rollins sent a letter last week telling Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch that her office is looking into whether the city's efforts violate the Americans with Disabilities Act, which includes a ban on discrimination against people with substance-abuse issues. - The Blue Line service is back in business this morning after a weeks-long closure for track work in the tunnel under Boston Harbor (and then subsequent [construction complications](. - That means no more free ferry or shuttle bus service between East Boston and downtown. Just take the train! Although it will be slower than usual to start; the MBTA says [there will be speed restrictions between Airport and Maverick stations]( as the new track and ballast settle. - Heads up, commuter rail riders: Beginning today and "until further notice," buses are replacing trains for much of the Newburyport/Rockport line due to ongoing maintenance work. - For riders on the Rockport branch, buses will bring them to the Orient Heights Blue Line station, where they can take the T to finish their trip into Boston. Buses are also replacing service to Newburyport between Beverly and Boston (they'll also take riders to Orient Heights). - Boston's newest city councilor, Gabriela "Gigi" Coletta, will be sworn in today. She won the special election to replace state Sen. Lydia Edwards earlier this month. The 29-year-old will represent East Boston, Charlestown and the North End. - Pro tip: Gas prices in Massachusetts are continuing to soar to new highs, so it may be worth shopping around to recoup some savings. AAA spokesperson Mary Maguire told Chanatry that she has seen price differentials "of almost 40 cents a gallon" among gas stations within a mile and a half of each other. (I personally have found the [GasBuddy]( app helpful for this.) - According to AAA, the average price of gas in Massachusetts has risen 23 cents over the past week to $4.66 a gallon. - Diesel also is up to $6.40 a gallon — [making construction projects across Massachusetts more expensive](. - For the first time, Gov. Charlie Baker is voicing support for suspending the state's 24-cent-a-gallon gas tax — even though the State House firmly rejected other recent proposals. Baker [told Politico]( that he hasn't seen evidence of gas tax suspensions hurting other states' bond ratings, as some fear. "But [such suspensions] certainly had an impact on the price of gas at the pump," he said. - Gas prices aren't the only things continuing to soar: the median home price in Massachusetts also [hit an all-time high last month](. - That's great if you own a home and are looking to sell — and also don't need to buy a new home. But if you're looking to buy, real estate watchers say the competitive market remains, in a single word, "challenging." P.S.— If you also find congressional redistricting to be a vexing issue, just wait until you try playing [the Washington Post's interactive gerrymandering mini-golf course]( (especially the hole modeled on Maryland's 3rd District). All things considered, I feel pretty good about finishing only seven over par. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [As nationwide shortage continues, 'formula fairies' connect parents to formula through social media]( A group of local moms have banded together on Facebook to help parents and caregivers look for infant formula during a nationwide shortage. [Read more.]( [As nationwide shortage continues, 'formula fairies' connect parents to formula through social media]( A group of local moms have banded together on Facebook to help parents and caregivers look for infant formula during a nationwide shortage. [Read more.]( [In wave after deadly wave, COVID has claimed 1 million lives in the U.S.]( The virus became the third leading cause of death in the U.S., and caused so many to die in the prime of life that the country experienced the biggest drop in life expectancy since World War II. [Read more.]( [In wave after deadly wave, COVID has claimed 1 million lives in the U.S.]( The virus became the third leading cause of death in the U.S., and caused so many to die in the prime of life that the country experienced the biggest drop in life expectancy since World War II. [Read more.]( [U.S. sues casino mogul Steve Wynn over relationship with China]( The department said it had advised Wynn repeatedly over the last four years to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, and is suing now because Wynn refused to do so. [Read more.]( [U.S. sues casino mogul Steve Wynn over relationship with China]( The department said it had advised Wynn repeatedly over the last four years to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, and is suing now because Wynn refused to do so. [Read more.]( [Scandal-plagued Rep. Madison Cawthorn is ousted in North Carolina primary]( The Republican narrowly lost to state Sen. Chuck Edwards, who had received the backing of some Republicans who had tired of Cawthorn's controversies. [Read more.]( [Scandal-plagued Rep. Madison Cawthorn is ousted in North Carolina primary]( The Republican narrowly lost to state Sen. Chuck Edwards, who had received the backing of some Republicans who had tired of Cawthorn's controversies. [Read more.]( [Mass General Brigham promises to slash health care spending by $70 million a year]( The state’s biggest and most expensive hospital system submitted the cost-cutting plan after a watchdog agency said it has a “spending problem.” [Read more.]( [Mass General Brigham promises to slash health care spending by $70 million a year]( The state’s biggest and most expensive hospital system submitted the cost-cutting plan after a watchdog agency said it has a “spending problem.” [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Two years after his murder, many know George Floyd only for how he died. A new biography [reveals how he lived](. - Here's why we need to start [including fungi in the climate change conversation](. - Speaking of fungi, [a new specialty mushroom shop is opening today in Somerville]( — with quirky vibes and lots to teach shoppers about the wide world of mycophilia. - From Medford to Mississippi, local bluesman Ryan Lee Crosby’s new album [captures the moody sounds of the 1930s Delta]( — a rare feat for a New Englander, writes Lauren Daly.  What We're Reading 📚 - Vladimir Putin, Family Man ([The New York Times]( - Cat Litter Could Be Antidote for Climate Change, Researchers Say ([The Wall Street Journal]( - How Red States Are Trying to Snuff Out Green Investing ([New York Magazine](  Tell Me Something Good [An orca whale was spotted off Cape Cod (WCVB)]( A fishing crew that was out scalloping off the coast of Cape Cod was treated to the rare sight. [Read more.]( [An orca whale was spotted off Cape Cod (WCVB)]( A fishing crew that was out scalloping off the coast of Cape Cod was treated to the rare sight. [Read more.]( Before you go: Meanwhile in the Cape Cod Canal: "[Flippah!]( 😎 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 © 2022 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.