President Biden comes to town

Also: A fourth question makes the Mass. ballot this fall; Green Line sparks [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  September 12, 2022 ☁️ Cloudy, with a high near 80. Good Morning Boston, The MBTA says regular service on the Green Live is [back this morning]( after an overhead wire fell on a trolley at Park Street station yesterday afternoon, resulting in a smokey evacuation and the closure of most of the line's underground stops. WBUR's Walter Wuthmann was there when it all happened and has more on the mildly chaotic scene in "The Rundown." But first, here's what else is up today: - The Bidens must have really missed us. Less than two months after [he]( and [his wife]( last visited the state, President Joe Biden is coming back to Massachusetts today. He's scheduled for two events in Boston. First, he'll appear with local officials at Logan airport around 11 a.m. to promote the impact of last year's infrastructure law. Then, Biden will head over to the JFK Library in Dorchester to mark the 60th anniversary of the former president's [famous moon speech]( and give a speech about his own moonshot: ending cancer "as we know it." - State Police are warning drivers and bus riders that Biden's visit [may cause some traffic disruption]( — or at least more than we're accustomed to during the usual morning commute. So, plan ahead. - If the cancer initiative sounds familiar, it's because it [dates back to 2016 when Biden was vice president](. He [relaunched the project in February]( setting a goal of cutting cancer death rates by 50% by 2047 — building on the 25% decrease over the past 20 years. - How? While there's an emphasis on getting Americans to [catch up on screenings]( the plan also [outlines]( work on scientific advancements: from to detention methods to more targeted treatments to quicker trials (as the COVID vaccine proved possible). - What's next? White House officials announced [an executive order this morning]( to boost the U.S. biomanufacturing industry. And against the backdrop of Boston's biotech hub, Biden is [expected]( to talk about how biomanufacturing — a process in which scientists reprogram microbes — can help in the cancer fight. - There will officially be [a fourth question on the Massachusetts ballot this fall](. The Republican-led effort to repeal the state's recently passed law, which allows undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses, easily cleared the number of signatures required to put a referendum on the ballot, Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office [said late Friday afternoon](. - Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Jim Lyons told WBUR that it shows their repeal effort has solid grassroots support and that the Democrat-controlled Legislature — which [overrode GOP Gov. Charlie Baker's veto to pass the law]( — is "out of touch." While a poll last spring [found voters split on the law]( a [more recent survey in July]( suggested a majority of residents support keeping it. - Supporters argue that the law makes the roads safer, since it means all drivers — regardless of immigration status — are subject to the same rules, road test and insurance requirements. A 2017 study [found that a similar law in California]( had no effect on accident rates, but reduced the likelihood of hit-and-runs. Sixteen other states also allow undocumented immigrants to get licenses. - Baker vetoed the legislation — which won't take effect until next July — primarily over concerns it could allow ineligible voting. That said, Galvin's office is [working with the RMV on safeguards]( against that occurring. - The referendum will be Question 4 on the ballot — joining questions on a so-called millionaire's tax ([Question 1]( dental insurance regulations ([Question 2]( and alcohol sales ([Question 3](. - It's not all smoke and chaos on the MBTA. The agency also launched two new experimental service projects this morning: - First, the T began [all-day ferry service that will shuttle commuters every 30 minutes between downtown and East Boston]( this fall and spring for the same price as a subway trip. - Second, the T also kicked off [a new year-long Foxborough commuter rail pilot]( that will offer regular weekday trips and free parking to test interest in the service. - One other thing: We're now less than a week away from the end of the Orange Line (and partial Green Line) closure. P.S.— It's registration week for next year's Boston Marathon. Qualifying runners [can sign up for the 2023 race online from 10 a.m. this morning]( though Friday at 5 p.m. Unlike last year, athletes are not currently required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in the marathon, though it is encouraged. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Sparks, smoke and loud bangs: Green Line shuts down after power line falls on train]( People on the platform described showering sparks and loud explosions which filled the underground station with smoke. [Read more.]( [Sparks, smoke and loud bangs: Green Line shuts down after power line falls on train]( People on the platform described showering sparks and loud explosions which filled the underground station with smoke. [Read more.]( [New 988 mental health crisis line sees jump in calls and texts during first month]( Mental health advocates say the numbers are encouraging, but there's more work to be done to build up state and local resources. [Read more.]( [New 988 mental health crisis line sees jump in calls and texts during first month]( Mental health advocates say the numbers are encouraging, but there's more work to be done to build up state and local resources. [Read more.]( [Social media firms are prepping for the midterms. Experts say it may not be enough]( Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok are bringing back familiar strategies from 2020 to fight the spread of disinformation in the 2022 midterm elections. [Read more.]( [Social media firms are prepping for the midterms. Experts say it may not be enough]( Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok are bringing back familiar strategies from 2020 to fight the spread of disinformation in the 2022 midterm elections. [Read more.]( [Ukrainian forces break through Russia's front lines in the east and retake key towns]( Ukrainian officials claim to have taken Izium, Balakliya and Kupiansk — all of which have been controlled by Russian forces for months. [Read more.]( [Ukrainian forces break through Russia's front lines in the east and retake key towns]( Ukrainian officials claim to have taken Izium, Balakliya and Kupiansk — all of which have been controlled by Russian forces for months. [Read more.]( [The 'triple-dip La Niña' explained – and how it affects the weather in your area]( It's the first time this century that La Niña has returned for three consecutive years, according to the UN's weather agency. The pattern influences weather events worldwide. [Read more.]( [The 'triple-dip La Niña' explained – and how it affects the weather in your area]( It's the first time this century that La Niña has returned for three consecutive years, according to the UN's weather agency. The pattern influences weather events worldwide. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Our fall arts guide kicks off this week, and it begins with — what else?— art! Here are [13 exhibits to check out this fall]( from the Obama portraits to photography to the world of alternative comics. - The 74th Annual Emmy Awards are tonight! Here are [the nominees]( to TV's highest acclaims, [how to watch the show]( and [what to expect](. - Carlos Alcaraz wasn't the only one [making history at this year's U.S. Open](. Here's how this year's open was a "[tournament of firsts]( - Not everyone is mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Read [this NPR look]( at how her memory is complicated by the legacy of British colonialism. Speaking of complicated, there's also [this piece on the media's relationship with the queen](. And don't miss [this retrospective on all her formal, fun and awkward meetings]( U.S. presidents.  What We're Reading 📚 - Your Career Is Just One-Eighth of Your Life ([The Atlantic]( - Putting the ‘T’ in tattoo: Commuters express their love (or disdain) for the MBTA with ink ([The Boston Globe]( - Why Is Pickleball So Popular? ([The New York Times](  Tell Me Something Good [A guide to Oktoberfest celebrations in Massachusetts (Boston.com)]( From mid-September into October, breweries, bars and restaurants across Massachusetts are celebrating the German holiday with a variety of activities. [Read more.]( [A guide to Oktoberfest celebrations in Massachusetts (Boston.com)]( From mid-September into October, breweries, bars and restaurants across Massachusetts are celebrating the German holiday with a variety of activities. [Read more.]( Before you go: Where does Cape Cod begin? A [surprisingly contentious]( debate. 😎 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. 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