Drying up

Also: Why Boston schools won't be labeled "underperforming" after all; a surprise Jan. 6 committee hearing [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  June 28, 2022 ☀️ Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Good Morning Boston, I'll accept more sticky-weather days like yesterday if it means more [stunning sunset]( and [rainbow photos]( filling up my timeline at the end of the day (I think [this one is my favorite]( of course). But, as it turns out, we could all use more days like yesterday. Here's why: - Despite the humidity and rain on Monday, most of Massachusetts is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions — and the eastern part of the state is actually in what's classified as a "[significant drought]( After yesterday's showers, there's more dry weather on the way this week. That may be good news for your Fourth of July cookout, but less so for trees, [water conservation]( and wildfire risk. - What does that mean for you? For now, drinking water levels aren't a concern, but state officials are asking residents to limit outdoor watering to once a week. They're also asking those in eastern Massachusetts — where the conditions are worst — to only use handheld hoses or cans (i.e. turn off those sprinklers!) and not to water at all between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. - Zoom in: [Over a hundred cities and towns]( have now instituted some sort of restrictions on non-essential outdoor water use. - Crisis averted? State educational officials and the city of Boston [reached a last-minute deal]( to avoid labeling Boston Public Schools as an "[underperforming]( district. WBUR's Max Larkin reports that the three year plan requires BPS to quickly address what the state calls "longstanding deficiencies" in special education, teaching English-language learners and student transportation. And the state will provide $10 million in financial support and technical assistance. - The deal also includes the hiring of an independent auditor to track BPS's performance in those improvement areas, something that had previously been a point of contention. But by avoiding the "underperforming" label, BPS evades additional state oversight that some saw as a step toward receivership. - Both sides say they're pleased with the deal's specific goals and timelines and are eager to move forward. - Gov. Charlie Baker says "there's always opportunities to point fingers." But when it comes to the MBTA's recent woes, he's [pointing them at forces outside the control of his agency and his administration.]( - Baker is placing the blame for the [recent suspension of the Green and Orange lines through downtown Boston]( on the HYM Investment Group, the company demolishing and redeveloping the Government Center Garage — and which owns the column that was found to be deteriorating. - Regular service on the two lines resumed Sunday. However, for the Orange Line (as well as the Red and Blue lines) that means [running what's essentially weekend-level service on weekdays]( due to a staffing shortage the agency is [scrambling to address](. Baker said Monday that his administration has budgeted for the open positions, but added that the T is "not immune" to [the labor issues]( affecting "virtually every part of our economy." - Summer officially began last week, but the season doesn't feel like it's truly begun in Boston until the Common's Frog Pond spray pool reopens — and [that happens today]( at 11 a.m. - The spray pool will remain open for residents to cool off and wet their feet through Labor Day. P.S.— Earlier this month, WBUR's Martha Bebinger published [an in-depth feature]( on how community leaders in Brockton are working to take on a swelling overdose crisis. It's a [compelling, nuanced read that's really worth your time](. That said, we know you may be busy, so we also [published a list of takeaways from Martha's reporting]( on the promising strategies being used to reduce overdose deaths. For instance, naloxone — and the crisis itself — may need a rebranding. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Jan. 6 committee schedules last-minute hearing for Tuesday]( The Jan. 6 committee investigating the attack on the Capitol will hold its sixth hearing tomorrow after previously announcing there would be no more hearings until July. [Read more.]( [Jan. 6 committee schedules last-minute hearing for Tuesday]( The Jan. 6 committee investigating the attack on the Capitol will hold its sixth hearing tomorrow after previously announcing there would be no more hearings until July. [Read more.]( [Congressional leaders call for investigation of Boston's asylum office]( The lawmakers are concerned about an “alarmingly” low rate of approval as compared to other offices across the country. [Read more.]( [Congressional leaders call for investigation of Boston's asylum office]( The lawmakers are concerned about an “alarmingly” low rate of approval as compared to other offices across the country. [Read more.]( [Unburned natural gas contains 21 toxic air pollutants, study finds]( A new study examining the chemical content of natural gas in homes across the Greater Boston region finds evidence of at least 21 air toxics known to cause cancer and other health problems. [Read more.]( [Unburned natural gas contains 21 toxic air pollutants, study finds]( A new study examining the chemical content of natural gas in homes across the Greater Boston region finds evidence of at least 21 air toxics known to cause cancer and other health problems. [Read more.]( [More than a dozen people died in Russia's missile attack on crowded Ukrainian mall]( Russia has been escalating bombardments of Ukrainian cities this week —attacks Moscow says are aimed at military installations but often hit purely civilian targets instead. [Read more.]( [More than a dozen people died in Russia's missile attack on crowded Ukrainian mall]( Russia has been escalating bombardments of Ukrainian cities this week —attacks Moscow says are aimed at military installations but often hit purely civilian targets instead. [Read more.]( [Supreme Court backs a high school coach's right to pray on the 50-yard line]( The 6-to-3 decision is the latest example of the court's conservative supermajority requiring more accommodation for religion in public schools and less separation between church and state. [Read more.]( [Supreme Court backs a high school coach's right to pray on the 50-yard line]( The 6-to-3 decision is the latest example of the court's conservative supermajority requiring more accommodation for religion in public schools and less separation between church and state. [Read more.]( Reasons you should become a WBUR Sustainer - $5 off CitySpace events (virtual and in-person). - Automatic entry into WBUR sweepstakes. - Access to annual thank you gifts like limited-edition WBUR tote bags, mugs and jackets. - Exclusive discounts at local businesses. - Satisfaction of knowing you’re making WBUR available for the whole community. [Support independent journalism now]( to get these benefits and more! Anything Else? - Have you been noticing a lot of green lately? Here's [how it became the color of the abortion rights movement]( (hint: it starts with Argentina). - Boston's busing crisis is revisited in "The Walk," [a new fictionalized film starring Terrence Howard and written by two local filmmakers]( who themselves experienced the impacts of school desegregation. - After two close calls, Julie Wittes Schlack [writes in this commentary]( that nature isn't a place we can choose to separate ourselves from.  What We're Reading 📚 - A Radical Ruling for Radical Times ([Politico]( - I left my husband for the most hated man in America ([The Times]( - An Innovator Sold Jordan’s National Dish in a To-Go Cup. Controversy Ensued. ([The New York Times](  Tell Me Something Good [Wind farm, environmentalists agree on ways to protect whales]( The developers of a wind farm off the coast of New England and New York and three environmental organizations reached an agreement to further protect rare North Atlantic right whales during construction and operation of the energy-generating project. [Read more.]( [Wind farm, environmentalists agree on ways to protect whales]( The developers of a wind farm off the coast of New England and New York and three environmental organizations reached an agreement to further protect rare North Atlantic right whales during construction and operation of the energy-generating project. [Read more.]( Before you go: "Apparently there’s [a new stop on the Red Line between Porter and Davis]( 😎 Forward to a friend. 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