A holiday gift to Mass. bus riders

Also: Biden extends student loan payment pause; 5 things to do this holiday weekend [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  November 23, 2022 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 50. Good Morning Boston, Happy Thanksgiving Eve! The pies are in the oven and the turkey is (hopefully) [thawing in the fridge by now](. And you probably want to head out soon [if you plan on braving the highways today](. Some of us are already looking ahead to the rest of the season, with tonight's [lighting of the Faneuil Hall Christmas tree]( [yesterday's arrival]( of the tree for Boston Common, and the return of holiday markets like SoWa's [winter festival this Friday](. But before we get ahead of ourselves, the news: - Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will watch, from afar, as her [fare-free transit vision]( comes to fruition for a month across Massachusetts. Beginning this Friday through the end of the year, the state's 15 [regional transit authorities]( — which run public bus and paratransit services from the Berkshires to the Cape and Islands — are eliminating all fares as part of a 37-day "[Try Transit Holiday]( - The limited-time offer — which does not include the MBTA — is thanks to a $2.5 million grant that state lawmakers included in this year's budget for discounted or fare-free RTA pilot programs. Officials say they're hoping it gives existing riders some relief from high inflation this holiday season and maybe even entices new riders to take a bus ride to their local store or restaurant. - It won't be much of a change in places like [Worcester]( or the [Merrimack Valley]( where local RTAs have already used federal COVID relief funds to get rid of fares on all buses for even longer. - What's next: While fares are set to return for most RTAs come New Year, that may not be the case forever. Governor-elect Maura Healey [has pledged]( to outline "a pathway to fare free buses" throughout Massachusetts. And according to a spokeswoman, Healey will be "reviewing the results of the Try Transit Holiday initiative, as well as other fare-free programs across the state." - [Sen. Elizabeth Warren]( and [Rep. Ayanna Pressley]( are applauding the decision by President Joe Biden's administration to [extend the federal pause on student loan payments through next summer]( while courts [continue to block Biden's loan relief plan](. - Biden has asked the Supreme Court to decide on the legal battle over his plan to [straight-up cancel some loans]( and he says it "isn't fair" to resume payments while the case is still up in the air. - Officials say payments will either resume 60 days after the debt cancellation program is implemented, 60 days after the lawsuits are resolved or 60 days after June 30, if they lose the case. - Meanwhile in Massachusetts, state lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk this week that would prevent state agencies or boards from revoking an individual's professional license over unpaid student debt. Massachusetts is one of only 14 states that allow such licenses to be refused or revoked over a student loan default. - Jobs that require professional licenses include barbers, nurses, mechanics, teachers and social workers. Advocates say the bill would protect them from losing their jobs if they fall behind on their debt and ensure they can keep working to pay it off. - Baker is on a family trip to Ireland for Thanksgiving, so we'll have to wait until he gets back for his decision on the legislation. - PSA: With 1.2 million people expected to travel through Logan airport for the holiday, officials are reminding travelers that only solid food is acceptable to bring in your carry-on luggage. (And yes, cranberry sauce — both homemade and canned — [counts as a liquid]( - "You can bring cake. You can even bring a frozen turkey, but I wouldn't suggest you carry on something that big or heavy," MassPort's Ed Freni told WBUR's Fausto Menard. - If you do bring a frozen turkey through carry on, please send us the photos — and remember to lift with your legs. - MBTA buses, trains and the commuter rail are on a weekend schedule tomorrow for Thanksgiving, and there'll be no ferry service. In fact, almost everything in the state is closed tomorrow — even most supermarkets. So, make sure to hit the store today if you forgot something like, say, [thyme]( for your Thanksgiving dinner. - Here's the [full list of what's opened and what's closed tomorrow](. P.S.— This newsletter will also be closed! We're taking tomorrow off for the holiday, but we'll be back with a special edition on Black Friday with weekend listening tips and — of course — advice for what to do with all those leftovers. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Report: Charles River flooding will increase considerably with climate change]( As rainfall increases with climate change, the report projects that more urbanized downstream towns will likely be the most affected. Here are five key things you need to know. [Read more.]( [Report: Charles River flooding will increase considerably with climate change]( As rainfall increases with climate change, the report projects that more urbanized downstream towns will likely be the most affected. Here are five key things you need to know. [Read more.]( [Supreme Court paves the way for release of Trump's tax returns to a House panel]( The decision likely means that the returns will be released to the Committee immediately, ending a multi-year legal battle. [Read more.]( [Supreme Court paves the way for release of Trump's tax returns to a House panel]( The decision likely means that the returns will be released to the Committee immediately, ending a multi-year legal battle. [Read more.]( [How 4 doctors plan to mitigate the risks of COVID, RSV and flu on Thanksgiving]( There are many warning signs this year. COVID is still killing roughly 300 people a day in the U.S. Pediatric hospitals are full of patients with RSV. And the flu is just beginning to surge. Experts say they plan to use rapid tests and avoid gatherings if they feel sick. [Read more.]( [How 4 doctors plan to mitigate the risks of COVID, RSV and flu on Thanksgiving]( There are many warning signs this year. COVID is still killing roughly 300 people a day in the U.S. Pediatric hospitals are full of patients with RSV. And the flu is just beginning to surge. Experts say they plan to use rapid tests and avoid gatherings if they feel sick. [Read more.]( [Man charged with reckless homicide in Apple store crash held on $100,000 bail]( Bradley Rein, 53, was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of reckless homicide by motor vehicle after an investigation by state and local police into the crash in Hingham. [Read more.]( [Man charged with reckless homicide in Apple store crash held on $100,000 bail]( Bradley Rein, 53, was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of reckless homicide by motor vehicle after an investigation by state and local police into the crash in Hingham. [Read more.]( [Climate change is making the weather more severe. Why don't most forecasts mention it?]( Scientists and forecasters are trying to figure out how to talk about the connection between climate change and severe weather. It could have big impacts on how people think about global warming. [Read more.]( [Climate change is making the weather more severe. Why don't most forecasts mention it?]( Scientists and forecasters are trying to figure out how to talk about the connection between climate change and severe weather. It could have big impacts on how people think about global warming. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Post-Thanksgiving plans? We got 'em. Here are [five things to do over the holiday weekend]( from a theatrical premiere of "Little Women" to the start of the Boston Ballet's holiday run of "The Nutcracker." - From the "Slutcracker" to "The Nutcracker," WBUR's arts and culture team has a guide to [all the holiday shows that Boston-area theater and dance companies are offering up this season](. - Researchers at the University of Maine have unveiled what they say is a promising, climate-friendly response to the nation's affordable housing crisis: [the world's first, bio-based 3D printed home](. - Brown University's baseball team will make history when it starts its season this February. That's because utility player Olivia Pichardo [will be the first woman on the roster of a Division I baseball team](.  What We're Reading 📚 - Desperate for Growth, Aging Casino Company Embraced ‘Degenerate Gambler’ ([The New York Times]( - AP fired a reporter after a dangerous blunder. Slack messages reveal a chaotic process. ([Semafor]( - Hoping to deliver at a Massachusetts birth center? Good luck. ([CommonWealth Magazine](  PSA [Inflation won't win Thanksgiving: Here's NPR's plan to help you save on a meal]( Turkey, stuffing, pie — it's all way more expensive this year. But you don't have to let inflation spoil your meal, if you're willing to get creative. [Read more.]( [Inflation won't win Thanksgiving: Here's NPR's plan to help you save on a meal]( Turkey, stuffing, pie — it's all way more expensive this year. But you don't have to let inflation spoil your meal, if you're willing to get creative. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [cooks for Thanksgiving with the Haley House](. Before you go: Forget politics. Here's the [most polarizing debate at the Thanksgiving table](. 😎 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.