The MassGOP has a new leader. Now what?

Also: The first lineup at Suffolk Downs' new concert venue; new Mass. education secretary lays out priorities [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  February 1, 2023 ⛅ Cloudy but gradually clearing, with a high near 32. Good Morning Boston, Welcome to February, the “[honest month]( To be honest, [the frigid cold in the forecast this Friday]( already has me shivering. While it's still relatively mild out, make sure you're prepared with [these extreme cold safety tips]( like checking your car battery and making sure the tank is more than half full. Seriously, [bundle up North Adams](. To the news: - After getting wiped out of statewide office and losing even more seats on Beacon Hill last year, Massachusetts Republicans are changing it up. WBUR's Steve Brown [reports that party members voted last night to replace conservative two-term chairman Jim Lyons with longtime activist Amy Carnevale](. The vote was close — but it means Carnevale will take over as MassGOP chair for at least the next two years. - Who is she? Carnevale currently works as a lobbyist for the law firm K&L Gates. While the Marblehead resident emerged as Lyons' biggest critic, that doesn't necessarily mean she's a moderate like former Gov. Charlie Baker. Carnevale openly supported Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020, and casts herself as someone who can unite the Trump and Baker wings, as Politico's Lisa Kashinsky [said yesterday on Radio Boston](. - Another difference: Allies have argued that Carnevale is [more media savvy than Lyons]( who often refused to talk to local outlets. (In fact, you've probably [heard]( [her before]( [on WBUR programs]( - So, what impact does this vote have? Right now, not much; Republicans have little power to push their agenda at the State House. But Carnavale's election just might help them recruit more competitive candidates in the future. Kashinsky noted that there are people like Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell and former U.S. attorney Andrew Lelling who "could run" for statewide office, but haven't recently had the support of a functional state party. - Meanwhile, the party in power on Beacon Hill appears poised today to put an end to the state's most dragged-out election of 2022. A special House panel [concluded Tuesday]( that Dems should finally seat Kristin Kassner, a North Shore Democrat who [edged out longtime GOP state Rep. Lenny Mirra by a single vote]( after a contested recount. - Now what? The entire House is expected to vote to approve the recommendations today, officially putting Kassner in office. - It's Day 3 of the Woburn teacher strike, which means school is canceled again in the city. WBUR's Max Larkin [reports that the city and union leaders remain at odds over the terms of a new contract](. - Beginning today, Woburn's local teachers' union, as well as the Massachusetts Teachers Association, could face fines starting at $50,000 for each day the strike goes on, under a court order. - State law prohibits public sector employees from striking — which the MTA [wants to change during this legislative session](. But it's unclear if they have the support. During [a GBH interview yesterday]( Gov. Maura Healey declined to take a position on the issue. - School is also canceled for a second straight day today in Nantucket for a very different reason: a ransomware attack. The attack forced the district to shut down its computers, phones and security cameras. After sending students home early yesterday, officials say they're still working to safely restore service. - Nantucket is also warning parents not to use school devices at home until further notice due to security concerns. - PSA: Do you live in Boston and make less than $60,000 a year? Well, then you can get free tax preparation help through the city this year. Mayor Michelle Wu announced yesterday that the [Boston Tax Help Coalition (BTHC)]( will again provide free tax services remotely and in-person at [over 30 neighborhood offices]( in hopes to ensure residents get the most out of their refund. Today also marks the beginning of [a special pilot]( to help visually impaired Bostonians file their taxes. - Zoom out: Free tax services aren't just a Boston thing. As much as [the tax prep giants don't want you to know]( anyone who made up to $73,000 in 2022 can use IRS's Free File program to file their federal taxes for free. Just [follow the IRS's online guide](. - Go deeper: From smaller refunds to deduction changes, [here's everything you need to know about filing your taxes in 2023](. P.S.—[Applications are now open]( to be WBUR's next arts reporting fellow! It's an awesome chance to embed with our team, report on the local arts scene and launch new projects. But don't take it from me; this past year's fellow, Lauren Williams,[wrote about what the experience has been like in last week's ARTery newsletter](. Apply[here]( Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [State freezes admissions at Leominster nursing home after COVID outbreak and 2 deaths]( State officials said a total of 83 people tested positive in the outbreak, including almost half of the facility’s residents and 33 staff members. [Read more.]( [State freezes admissions at Leominster nursing home after COVID outbreak and 2 deaths]( State officials said a total of 83 people tested positive in the outbreak, including almost half of the facility’s residents and 33 staff members. [Read more.]( ['Stabilize, heal and transform': Mass. education secretary announces priorities]( In his first public remarks about his office’s priorities since starting in the role earlier this month, Massachusetts education secretary Pat Tutwiler outlined a framework for education in the state. [Read more.]( ['Stabilize, heal and transform': Mass. education secretary announces priorities]( In his first public remarks about his office’s priorities since starting in the role earlier this month, Massachusetts education secretary Pat Tutwiler outlined a framework for education in the state. [Read more.]( [It's Black History Month. Here are 3 things to know about the annual celebration]( The annual celebration started out in 1926 as Negro History Week and expanded to Black History Month in the 1970s. This year's theme is "Black Resistance." [Read more.]( [It's Black History Month. Here are 3 things to know about the annual celebration]( The annual celebration started out in 1926 as Negro History Week and expanded to Black History Month in the 1970s. This year's theme is "Black Resistance." [Read more.]( [Growing violence against health care workers prompts Mass. hospitals to adopt new codes of conduct]( Massachusetts hospitals reported 13,734 “abusive incidents” last year, a 28% increase from 2021. Most of the violent and verbal attacks came from patients and were leveled at health care workers. [Read more.]( [Growing violence against health care workers prompts Mass. hospitals to adopt new codes of conduct]( Massachusetts hospitals reported 13,734 “abusive incidents” last year, a 28% increase from 2021. Most of the violent and verbal attacks came from patients and were leveled at health care workers. [Read more.]( [Lobster and crab fishing banned in Massachusetts Bay for 3 months to protect endangered whales]( The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Tuesday said, under an emergency rule, lobster and crab fishermen will have to remove their traps, pots and other gear in the restricted area for three months, citing threats to the North Atlantic right whale. [Read more.]( [Lobster and crab fishing banned in Massachusetts Bay for 3 months to protect endangered whales]( The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Tuesday said, under an emergency rule, lobster and crab fishermen will have to remove their traps, pots and other gear in the restricted area for three months, citing threats to the North Atlantic right whale. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - The Stage is set — or should we say, “Re:SET." The new outdoor concert venue at Suffolk Downs [is out with its first slate of concerts in June]( and the headliners include Steve Lacy and LCD Soundsystem. - You can now place in-person bets on organized sports — not to mention a wide selection of international and niche competitions — in Massachusetts at the state's three casinos. But should you? Radio Boston [explores the ethics and the economics of the new industry](. - If you're braving the cold this Friday, the Harvard Film Archive is celebrating filmmaker Joyce Chopra — the co-founder of what became Cambridge's hallowed Club Passim — with a mini-retrospective. [Sean Burns has the details on the event]( which includes a 4K restoration of Chopra's 1985 feature debut, “Smooth Talk.” - In [this Cognoscenti commentary]( Jeremy Gerard ponders the selfie. Do they celebrate our individual selves or remind us of our own insignificance?  What We're Reading 📚 - Fate and the fallen star ([The Boston Globe]( - Jinger Vuolo Hates Conflict. But She’s Speaking Up About Her Childhood. ([BuzzFeed News]( - The Police Cannot Be a Law Unto Themselves ([The New York Times](  Tell Me Something Good [Look up! You can see a bright green comet making a rare trip across the Earth's sky]( Comet C/2022 E3 was first spotted last year. Its path will bring it within 26 million miles of the Earth on Wednesday, allowing it to be visible to the naked eye for perhaps the last time ever. [Read more.]( [Look up! You can see a bright green comet making a rare trip across the Earth's sky]( Comet C/2022 E3 was first spotted last year. Its path will bring it within 26 million miles of the Earth on Wednesday, allowing it to be visible to the naked eye for perhaps the last time ever. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common asks [why the MBTA can't hire enough bus drivers](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: The [secret ingredi-ants]( fueling WBUR's Morning Edition host, Rupa Shenoy. 😎 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.