How SCOTUS could weaken gun laws in Mass.

Also: Wu's 'urgent' plan to improve BPS; an end to the state's school COVID testing programs [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  May 27, 2022 ⛅ Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Good Morning Boston, Happy Friday. It's been a challenging week for many across the country, but hopefully this Memorial Day weekend brings you respite and quality time with friends and family. (We also have a fun cookout guide to kick off grilling season in [tomorrow's Weekender newsletter]( But first, the news: - This school year is nearing an end — and so is the state's support for COVID-19 testing in Massachusetts schools. In a memo this week, Education Commissioner Jeff Riley told local K-12 school leaders that the state will "no longer supply self-tests or other COVID testing services to schools and districts" this fall. - That means an end to the state's heralded [pooled testing]( and ["test-and-stay" programs]( when the current semester wraps up next month (though districts can still request a one-time allocation of rapid tests for summer programs). - While schools can buy their own tests this fall (including discounted rapid tests [through a state-negotiated contract]( the Gov. Charlie Baker administration is also "strongly" recommending such programs be limited to symptomatic testing (rather than surveillance testing programs). - Department of Elementary and Secondary Education spokesperson Colleen Quinn told me the reason for the decision is "largely" due to the state's "shifting approach to the pandemic" (local colleges like Northeastern and Boston University are also ending their free testing programs for asymptomatic individuals at the end of this school year). Another factor: the widespread availability of tests these days. According to Quinn, about 75% of the COVID tests students are currently taking are happening at home. - The bill to allow undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts to get drivers licenses is headed to Baker's desk, after both the House and Senate [overwhelmingly approved a compromise version of the legislation Thursday](. - Baker, who has repeatedly expressed reservations about the idea, has 10 days to make a decision on the bill. However, if he vetoes it, there's enough support for the bill in the Legislature to override him. - Also on Beacon Hill, the Senate voted Thursday evening to pass its $50 billion state budget proposal, which includes several policy changes, such as new legal protections for local abortion providers and free phone calls for prison inmates. Lawmakers now have to work out the differences between the House and Senate proposals before it goes to Baker's desk. - PSA: Here's the list of [what's open and closed on Memorial Day](. The long and short of it: Government entities and banks are closed, while many retail stores and supermarkets will stay open. - One Memorial Day-specific quirk: Massachusetts law [requires]( liquor stores to stay closed until noon — so plan your cookout shopping runs accordingly. - Heads up: The MBTA announced that shuttle buses will replace train service to the final two northern stops of the Orange Line (Malden Center and Oak Grove) for nearly all of this August. The diversion will last from the night of July 29 through August 28. - The reason? T officials say they need to accommodate (and accelerate) work to overhaul the Wellington rail yard. P.S.— An extra in an iconic movie was hired as the police chief on the Massachusetts island where it was filmed. Do you know which movie? Then take [our Boston News Quiz]( and test your knowledge of the local stories we covered this week. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Supreme Court could soon weaken gun laws in several states, including Mass.]( The latest mass shootings have prompted gun safety advocates to renew their push for tighter rules. But so far, they are losing the battle. Democrats have had little success passing stricter national laws. And many expect the Supreme Court to soon weaken state laws in several states, including Massachusetts. [Read more.]( [Supreme Court could soon weaken gun laws in several states, including Mass.]( The latest mass shootings have prompted gun safety advocates to renew their push for tighter rules. But so far, they are losing the battle. Democrats have had little success passing stricter national laws. And many expect the Supreme Court to soon weaken state laws in several states, including Massachusetts. [Read more.]( [Facing a potential state takeover, Boston promises 'urgent' improvements in its schools]( Under the terms of the draft agreement, Massachusetts’ largest school district would have to move quickly tackle problems raised by a state review: late school buses, unclean bathrooms, unclear data and more. [Read more.]( [Facing a potential state takeover, Boston promises 'urgent' improvements in its schools]( Under the terms of the draft agreement, Massachusetts’ largest school district would have to move quickly tackle problems raised by a state review: late school buses, unclean bathrooms, unclear data and more. [Read more.]( [The evolving narrative of what happened at Uvalde the day of the shooting]( Law enforcement is still investigating the shooting at Robb Elementary School. But accounts from officials have offered a confusing look at the timeline of Tuesday's shooting. [Read more.]( [The evolving narrative of what happened at Uvalde the day of the shooting]( Law enforcement is still investigating the shooting at Robb Elementary School. But accounts from officials have offered a confusing look at the timeline of Tuesday's shooting. [Read more.]( [MBTA board approves $9.6 billion investment plan amid federal safety inspection]( The budget document shows the T has set aside nearly $2.4 billion for new vehicles, including new bi-level commuter rail cars, new Red and Orange line trains and hybrid and electric buses. [Read more.]( [MBTA board approves $9.6 billion investment plan amid federal safety inspection]( The budget document shows the T has set aside nearly $2.4 billion for new vehicles, including new bi-level commuter rail cars, new Red and Orange line trains and hybrid and electric buses. [Read more.]( [The real COVID surge is (much) bigger than it looks. But don't panic]( Thanks to at-home testing, official reports are missing a lot of the COVID cases circulating now. Is the U.S. in the midst of an invisible surge? Here's how to assess the situation where you live. [Read more.]( [The real COVID surge is (much) bigger than it looks. But don't panic]( Thanks to at-home testing, official reports are missing a lot of the COVID cases circulating now. Is the U.S. in the midst of an invisible surge? Here's how to assess the situation where you live. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Ahead of the Lincoln Memorial's 100th anniversary this holiday weekend, here' a look at how the monument's sculptor [took inspiration from his deep Massachusetts roots](. - There are the [headliners]( at Boston Calling and there are the [young up-and-comers]( — and then there are the [local, old-school performers who can't stop rocking](. - Emergency physician Megan Ranney [writes in this commentary about what she's learned on the frontlines of the gun violence epidemic]( like grieving in ways that do not add to the trauma. - WBUR film critic Sean Burns writes that the splashy summer blockbuster sequel "Top Gun: Maverick" is [a "surprisingly emotional" reflection on the passing of age and time](.  What We're Reading 📚 - Told not to say ‘gay’ in graduation speech, he made his point anyway ([Washington Post]( - America’s unique, enduring gun problem, explained ([Vox]( - The Popular “Ellen DeGeneres Show” Is Ending, But It Leaves Behind A Complicated Legacy ([BuzzFeed News](  Tell Me Something Good [Pops' Fourth of July spectacular returns to Boston for first time since pandemic began]( For the first time since 2019, the Boston Pops will return to the Charles River Esplanade for the Fireworks Spectacular. [Read more.]( [Pops' Fourth of July spectacular returns to Boston for first time since pandemic began]( For the first time since 2019, the Boston Pops will return to the Charles River Esplanade for the Fireworks Spectacular. [Read more.]( Before you go: "[They’re just making up neighborhoods now]( 😎 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.