Itchy eyes, full nose, can lose 🤧

Also: 5 takeaways from U.S. Attorney Rollins investigations; recs for things to do this weekend [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  May 18, 2023 🥶 A cold start, but sunny and warming to highs near 65. Good Morning Boston, Or should I say brrr! It's so chilly this morning you may be seeing frost (and if so, the National Weather Service [wants to hear about]( it for its map). Don't worry: temps will get up to the mid-60s this afternoon. But there may be a bright yellow something keeping you indoors... - If you're sneezing, have itchy eyes and been clutching tissues, you're not alone. Allergies are rough this year and climate change is one of the main reasons why. - How bad are we talking? Dr. Aleena Banerji, the clinical director of Allergy and Immunology at Mass General Hospital, told WBUR's Jacob Garcia that allergy season is a whopping 20-30 days longer now than it was in previous decades. "The season is starting earlier," Banerji said. "It's lasting longer and we're actually seeing higher pollen counts in the spring season. So, I think all of those factors together is really why we're seeing that the pollen and symptoms are worse." - More from NPR: Recent research suggests rising temperatures will also cause some plants, such as oak and cedar trees, to release [more pollen overall](. And in the fall, weeds and grasses could keep releasing pollen up to 19 days later. - From a health perspective, about 30% of the world's population suffer from pollen-related allergies. A higher pollen count for longer means higher rates of allergy attacks and asthma, so please be safe out there. For tips on how to mitigate your allergy symptoms, [listen to this helpful 2022 Radio Boston segment]( (yes, it's talking about fall allergies, but the suggestions are still relevant). - Some good news: Banerji says tree pollen should taper off in June. - Some bad news: Banerji also says the wind down of spring tree pollen will come just in time for grass pollen season. - A little breathing room? As Boston scrambles to re-do its redistricting maps, Boston City Council voted yesterday to give candidates in upcoming elections a little extra time to file to run. - The City Council voted to push back the filing deadline from the end of May to the end of June. But the change is not official yet. Now, it's headed to state lawmakers to sign off on the move. - Why are they doing this again? [Earlier this month]( a federal judge threw out the city's previously approved district map, writing that councilors may have considered race too heavily in drawing districts. Now it's back to the drawing board, but in the meantime candidates running in upcoming elections for those contested neighborhoods — mainly in Dorchester — are in a tough spot. - Those brushfires in Lynn were not an accident, according to the city's fire marshal. Investigators say at least eight fires were set intentionally in the last week. Because of recent dry and high winds, they burned more than 400 acres of land near the Lynn Woods. - PSA: With increased fire conditions, remember to continue to avoid outdoor burning and be super careful handling matches and cigarettes outdoors. - Bridging the cost gap? Gov. Maura Healey said the state is now willing to spend up to $700 million to replace the Sagamore and Bourne Cape Cod bridges. But that's not anywhere near the full price tag — and the state needs help from the feds to make up the difference. - In January, the feds rejected a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers grant application looking for $1.88 billion in order to replace the two bridges. This came a few months after Washington had already turned down another application requesting more than $1 billion in funds. - So ... is that it? Not yet. State officials are still chatting with the feds to see if they can find a way forward. P.S.— Taylor Swift fans are [already swarming Gillette Stadium for merchandise this morning]( and there is a safety press conference later today all about the pop star's three weekend performances as part of her Eras tour. To avoid having bad blood with fans, stay clear of Foxborough this weekend as there will likely be a ton of traffic. (And can some lucky one who got tickets grab me a T-shirt? #swiftie4life) Meagan McGinnes Asst. Managing Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [5 takeaways from U.S. Attorney Rollins investigations]( Federal investigators detailed in some 250 pages withering accounts of ethical lapses and possible federal crimes allegedly committed by the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts. She announced Tuesday, ahead of the reports being released, that she plans to resign by Friday. [Read more.]( [5 takeaways from U.S. Attorney Rollins investigations]( Federal investigators detailed in some 250 pages withering accounts of ethical lapses and possible federal crimes allegedly committed by the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts. She announced Tuesday, ahead of the reports being released, that she plans to resign by Friday. [Read more.]( [How are some districts responding to the teacher shortage? With H-1B visas]( About 48% of school leaders in the Northeast reported feeling understaffed going into the current school year, according to a recent U.S. Department of Education survey. Districts in need of bilingual teachers say their staffing woes are even more acute. [Read more.]( [How are some districts responding to the teacher shortage? With H-1B visas]( About 48% of school leaders in the Northeast reported feeling understaffed going into the current school year, according to a recent U.S. Department of Education survey. Districts in need of bilingual teachers say their staffing woes are even more acute. [Read more.]( [Mass. airman accused in leak case was previously caught accessing classified documents, feds say]( Prosecutors say that twice last year, in September and October, Teixeira was caught taking notes in a secure facility and was told to "cease-and-desist any deep dives into classified intelligence information." [Read more.]( [Mass. airman accused in leak case was previously caught accessing classified documents, feds say]( Prosecutors say that twice last year, in September and October, Teixeira was caught taking notes in a secure facility and was told to "cease-and-desist any deep dives into classified intelligence information." [Read more.]( [Where's the opposition to over-the-counter birth control?]( The FDA is expected to make a decision by this summer on whether or not Americans can purchase birth control over the counter. But unlike abortion, there hasn't been a big polarized debate. Here's why. [Read more.]( [Where's the opposition to over-the-counter birth control?]( The FDA is expected to make a decision by this summer on whether or not Americans can purchase birth control over the counter. But unlike abortion, there hasn't been a big polarized debate. Here's why. [Read more.]( [Montana becomes the first state to completely ban TikTok]( Gov. Greg Gianforte banned the app on state government electronic devices last December, and has said he is concerned about people's user data being compromised by the Chinese government. [Read more.]( [Montana becomes the first state to completely ban TikTok]( Gov. Greg Gianforte banned the app on state government electronic devices last December, and has said he is concerned about people's user data being compromised by the Chinese government. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - From the return of Seaport x Black Owned Boston Market to a free Cape Cod fair showcasing hand-blown glass recreations of all things nautical, here are [five things to do this weekend]( from our arts & culture team. - Paul Schrader's new film "Master Gardener" is the conclusion of a loose, late-career trilogy of what he likes to call his “men in a room” movies, [according to WBUR film critic Sean Burns](. He writes, “his anti-heroes are ticking time bombs who tend to explode in bloody, cathartic conflagrations. Until now, that is.” - Dr. Luz Marilis López took students on a 10-day trip to the Rio Grande Valley. [In this Cognoscenti commentary]( he writes they saw desperation and frustration at the border first-hand, but also got to know the families, and the stories that brought them there. - If you love to daydream and drool over a good travel food blog, [check out this LA walking food tour]( from Here & Now resident chef Kathy Gunst. (Want a taste? There are tacos, doughnuts and mochi!)  What We're Reading 📚 - This bridge needed lifesaving barriers. It took a grieving mother to get them. ([The Boston Globe]( - On the front lines of wars – and their profession – 3 NPR foreign reporters recall their work ([Poynter]( - Naomi Klein investigates ‘conspiracy theory culture’ that has shaken her life ([The Guardian](  Tell Me Something Good [Jayson Tatum saw himself in a young cancer patient. Their bond took everyone by surprise. (The Boston Globe)]( Tatum was drawn to Xavier, who is battling a rare form of cancer. And when Tatum had the chance to give away the historic Game 7 ball, he knew exactly the person who deserved it most. [Read more.]( [Jayson Tatum saw himself in a young cancer patient. Their bond took everyone by surprise. (The Boston Globe)]( Tatum was drawn to Xavier, who is battling a rare form of cancer. And when Tatum had the chance to give away the historic Game 7 ball, he knew exactly the person who deserved it most. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common hits the road with [Newton's first cannabis delivery business.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Solving a whale of a North Shore mystery](. Correction: In yesterday's newsletter, we incorrectly said that Ed Augustus will be Massachusetts' "first-ever" housing secretary; in fact, the state used to have a housing secretary until former Gov. Bill Weld eliminated the position in the early 1990s. 😎 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.