The weather outside is frightful

Also: The Jan. 6 committee releases its final report; sports betting soft launch [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 23, 2022 🌧️ Rainy through at least 4 p.m., with a high of 57. Good Morning Boston, If we’re [airing grievances today]( let’s start with this weather. - Pack an umbrella and rain jacket if you’re doing any last-minute holiday shopping, and make sure to charge your phone. Today will be a windy washout for basically all of New England — with isolated gusts up to 60 mph threatening to knock out power in some areas. State officials are [reporting]( nearly 56,000 households without power as of the send of this newsletter — and the number has been rising.The National Weather Service says [the winds will peak this morning](. If you're in Boston, officials are asking you to report downed trees or power lines to [311](. - You can [read meteorologist Danielle Noyes' full report on the storm's timing and impacts here](. In addition to power outages, the big concern is travel disruption amid the busy holiday season. - By land: Drive carefully. Noyes warns there's a high risk of hydroplaning with the gusty wind and water ponding on the roads. While we won't get any snow from this storm, it's not a bad time to [study up on these winter driving tips](. The MBTA says trains and buses [will be taking it extra slow, too](. Flooding could also be a problem in low-lying coastal areas. - By sea: The MBTA [canceled all ferry service today](. The Steamship Authority has also [canceled all service today to Nantucket]( and there'll be no ferries to Martha's Vineyard through at least 10 a.m. - By air: According to the website Flight Aware, more than 200 flights leaving or arriving at Logan airport have been canceled today. Nearly 70 are Cape Air flights, along with dozens of JetBlue and American Airlines flights, as the massive cold weather system [wreaks havoc on travel across the country](. - The storm is also giving some students an early start to their holiday break. WCVB reports there are [over two dozen school closures and counting](. - Remember: the mild temperatures are also expected to drop rapidly tonight (we meet again, [bombogenesis](. And while the high winds should dry roads relatively quickly, there is a chance of a flash freeze Friday evening. So, to reiterate, drive carefully. - Massachusetts regulators are eyeing Jan. 30 for a "soft launch" of in-person sports betting, followed by a full public launch the next day. That means the state's three casinos would take bets from staff and invited guests only on Jan. 30 to test out their equipment and operations, before allowing the general public to join Jan. 31. - The state's Gaming Commission didn't officially vote on the date, so it could still be moved, depending on whether the casino's kiosks and technology can be inspected in time. - But if they stick to the plan, it means in-person betting will be up and running by the Super Bowl — but just a little too late for the NFL's semifinal conference championship games. - Gov.-elect Maura Healey is hoping her search for a new MBTA general manager takes "[a matter of weeks and not several months]( But however long it takes, we found out yesterday who will be replacing [Steve Poftak]( for the time being. Poftak's deputy, [Jeff Gonneville]( a 20-year MBTA veteran, [will take over as interim GM on Jan. 4](. (He also subbed in as interim GM before Poftak took the job in 2018.) - Healey's transition team hired an executive search firm earlier this week to begin looking "statewide, nationally and internationally" for the T's next permanent leader. - Gov. Charlie Baker's administration released this week an updated outline of the state's plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions. And while the roadmap mostly echoes the state's previously released plans, it does provide an interesting, detailed glimpse of what the outgoing administration envisions the state will look like in 30 years: - State House News Service reports the administration projects that "virtually all" of the state's 5 million cars will be electric and 80% of homes will have electric heat pumps. Overall, the state would reduce its emissions 85% below 1990 levels, while the remaining carbon would be offset by natural lands like forests. - Go deeper: Read [the SHNS's full report]( to get into the weeds on the state's policies to work toward these goals. P.S.— 2022 has been a busy year. The T had one debacle after another, Massachusetts voters elected a new governor and scientists are learning new ways to cope with climate change. Test your knowledge of what was in the news this year with this special edition of our [Boston News Quiz]( Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [The House Jan. 6 committee releases its final report on the Capitol attack]( The summary of the committee's report included criminal referrals for the former president, who inspired the deadly insurrection that took place nearly two years ago. [Read more.]( [The House Jan. 6 committee releases its final report on the Capitol attack]( The summary of the committee's report included criminal referrals for the former president, who inspired the deadly insurrection that took place nearly two years ago. [Read more.]( [Many Venezuelans living in the U.S. mobilize to help fellow migrants transition]( Many Venezuelan immigrants across the U.S. saw their own journeys reflected back at them in the experiences of new arrivals here. Though each of their stories is unique, what’s similar is the way recent headlines have galvanized the community to act with compassion to help their fellow countrymen. [Read more.]( [Many Venezuelans living in the U.S. mobilize to help fellow migrants transition]( Many Venezuelan immigrants across the U.S. saw their own journeys reflected back at them in the experiences of new arrivals here. Though each of their stories is unique, what’s similar is the way recent headlines have galvanized the community to act with compassion to help their fellow countrymen. [Read more.]( [The Senate passes election reform designed to head off another Jan. 6]( The bipartisan legislation would update the certification process for presidential elections, which Donald Trump and his allies tried to exploit after the 2020 election. [Read more.]( [The Senate passes election reform designed to head off another Jan. 6]( The bipartisan legislation would update the certification process for presidential elections, which Donald Trump and his allies tried to exploit after the 2020 election. [Read more.]( [How life got pricier (and, yes, cheaper!) this year — in 7 charts]( Boy, have we talked a lot about inflation. It affected every part of our lives (and the economy) in 2022. Here are some of its highest highs and lowest lows. (It wasn't all bad news!) [Read more.]( [How life got pricier (and, yes, cheaper!) this year — in 7 charts]( Boy, have we talked a lot about inflation. It affected every part of our lives (and the economy) in 2022. Here are some of its highest highs and lowest lows. (It wasn't all bad news!) [Read more.]( [App-based drivers in Mass. revive push for union rights]( After an election cycle where ride-hailing and food delivery drivers' rights were originally planned to be on the ballot, drivers for apps such as Uber, Lyft, Doordash and Instacart joined with labor advocate allies to attempt to reinvigorate calls for a union ahead of the new legislative session set to start in two weeks. [Read more.]( [App-based drivers in Mass. revive push for union rights]( After an election cycle where ride-hailing and food delivery drivers' rights were originally planned to be on the ballot, drivers for apps such as Uber, Lyft, Doordash and Instacart joined with labor advocate allies to attempt to reinvigorate calls for a union ahead of the new legislative session set to start in two weeks. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Listen: On Point [breaks down the Jan. 6 committee report's findings]( what actions the Department of Justice might take next. - “The Muppet Christmas Carol” turns 30 this year — and Cognoscenti editor Sara Shukla is [here to sing its praises in this commentary](. She writes that the film's ending is resoundingly joyful because of the fact it "doesn’t shy away from the dark places life inevitably takes us." - When producer Quincy Walters came to an Endless Thread team brainstorming meeting talking about "Goosebumps The Musical," there were two questions: “That’s a thing?!” and “Is it good?” The answer to both is yes — and there's even an effort to get it on Broadway. [Listen here](. - You read Cognoscenti's [best stories of this year]( but what about their best stories of the last 10 years? As WBUR's home of essays and opinions caps off its 10th birthday celebration, [take a look at the 15 most-read Cog pieces of all time](.  What We're Reading 📚 - Uvalde records reveal chaotic medical response as victims lost blood ([Washington Post]( - Polar Park builders will pay $1.9 million to settle charges they misled Worcester on minority inclusion ([GBH News]( - ‘Life is more fun with a dog’ and other travel truths from Elizabeth Warren ([The Boston Globe](  Tell Me Something Good [Dorchester's Renovation Husbands Deck the White House Halls (Boston Magazine)]( Stephen and David St. Russell,the husband-and-husband content creator duo known as the Renovation Husbands,picked up an unexpected holiday project this year: Decorating the White House. [Read more.]( [Dorchester's Renovation Husbands Deck the White House Halls (Boston Magazine)]( Stephen and David St. Russell,the husband-and-husband content creator duo known as the Renovation Husbands,picked up an unexpected holiday project this year: Decorating the White House. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common goes inside [the story of the Venezuela migrants who came to Massachusetts long before the Martha's Vineyard stunt](. Before you go: [Can't stop. Won't stop.]( 😎 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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