How to avoid the holiday traffic in Boston

Also: Maura Healey's first sit-down interview as governor-elect; what to expect from the Jan. 6 committee's last hearing [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 19, 2022 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 40. Good Morning Boston, Happy Hanukkah! We're officially in the thick of the holiday stretch, with Christmas less than a week away. And according to AAA Northeast, the year is ending on "a high note travel-wise." That means some busy roads. AAA says about a third of all Americans will travel for the holidays, including over 100 million who will drive to their destinations. Overall, it's expected to be the third-busiest holiday travel season since AAA began tracking the data in 2000. [Unlike Thanksgiving]( the advice for avoiding traffic around the ever-moving winter holidays isn't as clear cut, especially with Christmas on a Sunday this year. So, we asked the experts for some advice: - Overall, AAA says that the Tuesday after Christmas, Dec. 27, will be the worst day to drive nationwide, particularly in the afternoon. But more specifically in Boston, the agency forecasts that the absolute worst congestion will hit Wednesday, Dec. 28 between 3 and 5 p.m. on the Southeast Expressway. You'll also want to avoid the evening rush hour this Friday, Dec.23, before the holiday weekend. - Go deeper: You can read AAA's full list of best and worst travel times for each day through the holiday season [here](. (The TL;DR: avoid the typical afternoon rush hours on non-holiday days; that's when the mix of travelers and commuters will be the worst.) - The silver lining: AAA spokesman Mark Schieldrop told WBUR's Amy Sokolow that the concentration of holiday traffic is getting a little more spread out due to the rise of remote work. It's similar to [what has happened with usual weekday rush hours](. "A lot of folks are going to stay a few extra days with family," Schieldrop said. "So, for the return home, you may end up with less travel volumes or traffic." - If you're taking the train: Due to crowds, Amtrak officials are advising riders to arrive at the station 45-60 minutes before their departure time, especially if their train doesn't have an assigned seat. And remember to [check their carry-on bag policy](. In other news: - Guess what: we published [the first local media interview with Gov.-elect Maura Healey]( since the November election this past Friday. What did we learn from her sit-down with WBUR's Anthony Brooks? Here are some takeaways: - The new guy: Healey announced another new hire Friday, naming [Dr. Patrick Tutwiler as education secretary](. Healey said Tutwiler shares her commitment to promoting early college opportunities — noting that, as Lynn superintendent, he spearheaded a program allowing high school students to earn college credits at community colleges, which she said should be a model for the rest of the state. - Her priority is (still) affordability: When she takes office, Healey said she plans to focus on "tax relief and some tax reform," as well as "strategic investments" in "education, transportation and infrastructure." With the new so-called millionaire's tax [about to take effect]( she'll have a few extra dollars to spend on those things, too. - TBD: There are a lot of things Healey said she can't answer until after she takes office. When should we expect MBTA service to improve? Should the Green Line Extension go farther to Route 16 in Medford? Is there a "big idea" that will define her administration? Healey says we'll have to wait and see. - Regulators at Massachusetts Gaming Commission are aiming to clear out its backlog of sports betting licenses today and tomorrow before heading out for the holidays. They've already [awarded one license to Encore Boston Harbor]( ahead of the planned launch of in-person sports betting next month. However, WBUR's Rob Lane reports that concerns have held up the licenses for the state's other two casinos. - The commission plans to return to MGM Springfield's bid at [today's meeting]( after the company [repeatedly made missteps]( during its application process. And tomorrow, they plan to take a hard look at Plainridge Park Casino's application, after regulators voiced concerns about its owner's ties to (and promotion of) [controversial Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy](. - The regulators may also get to Caesars' sportsbook bid for a mobile license tethered to Encore. But according to Lane, commissioners worry that Caesars has a [track record of marketing to underage people.]( P.S.— 'Tis the season... for Mayor Michelle Wu's monthly appearance on Radio Boston. Tune in at 11 a.m. to hear the mayor live on air, and send in your questions at [@RadioBoston]( or through our text club by texting BOSTON to 617-766-0382. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Finally. Lionel Messi leads Argentina over France to win a World Cup championship.]( Argentina beat defending-champion France in the final. It's the third World Cup title for Argentina but the first for Messi - the only trophy he hadn't won in his storied and remarkable career. [Read more.]( [Finally. Lionel Messi leads Argentina over France to win a World Cup championship.]( Argentina beat defending-champion France in the final. It's the third World Cup title for Argentina but the first for Messi - the only trophy he hadn't won in his storied and remarkable career. [Read more.]( [The Jan. 6 committee is about to have its last hearing. Here's what to expect]( The panel will take up criminal referrals against former President Donald Trump on at least three charges: insurrection, obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress and conspiracy to defraud the United States. [Read more.]( [The Jan. 6 committee is about to have its last hearing. Here's what to expect]( The panel will take up criminal referrals against former President Donald Trump on at least three charges: insurrection, obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress and conspiracy to defraud the United States. [Read more.]( [1,000 days later, experts say the COVID shutdown was the right move]( While hospitals in Massachusetts were strained by COVID, they were never overwhelmed, infectious disease specialists say. They argue the order to shutter "nonessential" businesses made a difference. [Read more.]( [1,000 days later, experts say the COVID shutdown was the right move]( While hospitals in Massachusetts were strained by COVID, they were never overwhelmed, infectious disease specialists say. They argue the order to shutter "nonessential" businesses made a difference. [Read more.]( [The Ukraine war isn't new. These intimate photos show 3 families enduring it for years]( A photographer and writer follow Ukrainian families whose lives have been upended by conflict since 2014. Their stories show an enduring will to live, even as war rages on around them. [Read more.]( [The Ukraine war isn't new. These intimate photos show 3 families enduring it for years]( A photographer and writer follow Ukrainian families whose lives have been upended by conflict since 2014. Their stories show an enduring will to live, even as war rages on around them. [Read more.]( [Ex-Mafia boss 'Cadillac Frank' Salemme dies in prison at 89]( Francis “Cadillac Frank” Salemme, the once powerful New England Mafia bosswho was serving a life sentence behind bars for the 1993 killing of a Boston nightclub owner,has died at the age of 89, according to the Bureau of Prisons. [Read more.]( [Ex-Mafia boss 'Cadillac Frank' Salemme dies in prison at 89]( Francis “Cadillac Frank” Salemme, the once powerful New England Mafia bosswho was serving a life sentence behind bars for the 1993 killing of a Boston nightclub owner,has died at the age of 89, according to the Bureau of Prisons. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - I'm still thinking about [that thrilling World Cup final yesterday](. And despite the off-the-pitch controversies, the entire tournament was filled with memorable surprises, upsets, firsts and lasts. Here are the [top moments and milestones that captured our attention in Qatar](. - WBUR dance critic Iris Fanger writes that perhaps no Boston holiday event creates a sense of community more than the volunteer-led Revels at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre. After over 50 years, the performance is [being rebranded to reflect a more diverse program](. - Trying to figure out what to bring to that holiday dinner or New Year's Eve party? [Certified sommelier André Hueston Mack has got you covered]( with some go-to wine suggestions via All Things Considered. - And may we suggest adding oysters to your menu, too? These filter feeders are not only tasty but good for the environment. The Common host Darryl C. Murphy swung by Island Creek Oysters for [some shucking lessons.]( - "Elden Ring" and "God of War Ragnarök" shook up the video game landscape this year, netting numerous awards to prove it. But there are some other incredible titles released in 2022 worth exploring. [Check out NPR's list of the year's best video games.](  What We're Reading 📚 - The Climate Impact of Your Neighborhood, Mapped ([The New York Times]( - Trapped: Worcester neighborhoods still suffer from the legacy of redlining ([Worcester Business Journal]( - The most popular people names for dogs ([Washington Post](  Tell Me Something Good [WBUR staff and readers share the holiday traditions that bring them joy]( We hope these special sentiments, stories, song suggestions and more from the WBUR staff make you smile — and maybe inspire you to start a new tradition or two. [Read more.]( [WBUR staff and readers share the holiday traditions that bring them joy]( We hope these special sentiments, stories, song suggestions and more from the WBUR staff make you smile — and maybe inspire you to start a new tradition or two. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [reflects on three Cognoscenti essays that really hit home in 2022](. 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