Without a compass

Also: The noisy alternatives to MCAS; DeSantis' first 2024 swing through NH [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  June 2, 2023 🌦️ Increasing clouds, with a high near 89 and a chance of showers in the afternoon. Good Morning Boston, We'll get some relief from [this heat tomorrow, as the weekend]( kicks off a lengthy cool stretch of 60-degree weather. But first, [much of Massachusetts]( will have to contend today with highs in the 90s. Remember [these tips for staying cool](. Now, to the news: - Without a Compass: Thousands of local patients are scrambling for a new doctor's office, following the sudden closure of Compass Medical. The Quincy-based practice announced Wednesday it was immediately closing all six of its Massachusetts offices. "We are heartbroken and truly sorry as we know the unprecedented impact on our valued patients," the 450-person company said in a statement. - Why? The statement cited a "steady stream of challenges," but did not get into specifics. WCVB [reports]( Compass still owes over $16 million in damages to Steward Health Care System after a partnership between the two companies went sour. In addition to the financial hit, Boston-based health care consultant David Williams told WBUR's Fausto Menard that the legal battle and court order took a toll on Compass's reputation. "People don't want to do business with an entity like that," he said. - What it means for patients: A Compass spokesperson said they're working on a plan to "ensure the continuity" of patients' care and that "most" of their doctors will keep working in their local communities as part of other practices. Compass also [made a form available]( so patients could request their medical records. - Big picture: The health care sector at large has been [struggling with rising costs and staff shortages]( in the wake of the COVID pandemic. The Compass news came shortly after Cambridge Health Alliance announced a round of layoffs Wednesday. Williams said problems may first become apparent with smaller players like Compass and CHC, but that it still puts further strain on the rest of the system. - Also closing: Wegmans [announced yesterday]( it's shutting down its grocery store at the Natick Mall later this summer (exact date TBD). The Natick location is one of the largest Wegmans in the country, as well as the chain's first multi-level store within a major mall. However, the "non-traditional location" was "unable to attract enough customers for our business model to work," the company said. - Wegmans says it will offer all 365 of its Natick employees jobs at [other local locations](. - Unfinished work: Shuttle buses will [replace all Green Line service north of Government Center this weekend](. That means no trolley service on the entirety of the newly opened Green Line Extension, plus Science Park, North Station and Haymarket stations. - The reason: T officials say crews still need to finish some track and drainage work on the GLX project ([not to mention the bike path](. As riders have likely noticed, there's still a 1,500-foot-long slow zone on the Green Line viaduct across the Charles River. - What's next: An identical Green Line diversion will take place next weekend (June 10-11) and MBTA officials have said additional Green Line service disruptions "[may take place later in June.]( - The long-term outlook: MBTA leaders said during a forum yesterday that the improvements in service will be gradual, according to reporting from WBUR's Andrea Perdomo Hernandez. "I think people will see a different T a year from now, but I don’t know if they’ll see a different T in two months," said new T board chair Thomas Glynn. - The crack of the bat, the... dink of the paddle? Love it or hate it, pickleball is [coming to Fenway Park next month](. Twelve courts will be set up in the outfield from July 13-16 to host a professional pickleball tournament. Not only can you go watch, you can compete, too (for a price). Here's how: - Option 1: In addition to the pros, Fenway will host an amateur tournament featuring randomly selected entrants. You can [register for free here]( but if you get picked you have to pay a $150 entry fee. (The registration deadline is Wednesday, June 7.) - Option 2: Pay big bucks to rent a court. [Eighty-minute court reservations]( for up to 10 people are available for $1,500. (Editor's note: OK, who wants to pitch in?) - Important PSA: Today is National Donut Day. Here's [a guide to getting free (or free-ish) donuts]( at major chains, like Dunkin'. P.S.— What industry is growing so quickly in Massachusetts that there's not enough workers to fill positions? Take [our Boston News Quiz]( and test your knowledge of the local stories we covered this week. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Collaborative and a bit noisy: Mass. school districts explore alternatives to MCAS exams]( Changing student demographics, including a growing number of English learners, is causing Massachusetts educators to question the value of the traditional testing regime. [Read more.]( [Collaborative and a bit noisy: Mass. school districts explore alternatives to MCAS exams]( Changing student demographics, including a growing number of English learners, is causing Massachusetts educators to question the value of the traditional testing regime. [Read more.]( [In New Hampshire, DeSantis takes subtle digs at Trump, attacks progressives]( At campaign events in Laconia, Rochester, Salem and Manchester, the Florida governor promoted a slew of conservative campaign pledges, from tax cuts to ending what he calls "woke ideology" in schools and offices. [Read more.]( [In New Hampshire, DeSantis takes subtle digs at Trump, attacks progressives]( At campaign events in Laconia, Rochester, Salem and Manchester, the Florida governor promoted a slew of conservative campaign pledges, from tax cuts to ending what he calls "woke ideology" in schools and offices. [Read more.]( [New England's electric grid operator says it's ready for summer, but severe heat could prompt calls for conservation]( The grid operator says the region should have enough electricity to meet the demand, but in the event of an extended heat wave, for example, they may need to take additional action, like asking people to conserve energy. [Read more.]( [New England's electric grid operator says it's ready for summer, but severe heat could prompt calls for conservation]( The grid operator says the region should have enough electricity to meet the demand, but in the event of an extended heat wave, for example, they may need to take additional action, like asking people to conserve energy. [Read more.]( [Senate sends debt ceiling legislation to President Biden's desk with days to spare]( As the threat of a financial default neared, the Senate approved bipartisan legislation to lift the debt ceiling with just days to spare. [Read more.]( [Senate sends debt ceiling legislation to President Biden's desk with days to spare]( As the threat of a financial default neared, the Senate approved bipartisan legislation to lift the debt ceiling with just days to spare. [Read more.]( [Lawsuit alleges excessive force by Worcester police during 2020 racial justice protests]( The suit comes as the Department of Justice is investigating whether Worcester police have a pattern of using excessive force and discriminatory policing. [Read more.]( [Lawsuit alleges excessive force by Worcester police during 2020 racial justice protests]( The suit comes as the Department of Justice is investigating whether Worcester police have a pattern of using excessive force and discriminatory policing. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - What does the debt ceiling deal mean for student loan repayment? After five extensions, three years and two presidents, the pause on loan payments for 43 million borrowers looks like it will finally end. Here's [everything you need to know](. - A 14-year-old from Florida [won this years's Scripps National Spelling Bee last night]( picking up the title by correctly spelling "poliorcetics," "aegagrus," "schistorrhachis" and — last but not least — "psammophile." (No surprise: His favorite game is Wordle.) - This week on Endless Thread, host Ben Brock Johnson and producer Grace Tatter look at a meme inspired by supermodel Bella Hadid's appeal to compliment each other on attributes other than physical appearance. The show reflects on[what really makes for an authentic compliment](. - Theresa Okokon loved "The Little Mermaid" as a child. Thirty-four years after the original, Okokon [writes in this commentary]( that Ariel's face changed, but the story stayed the same.  What We're Reading 📚 - Lost Illusions: The Untold Story of the Hit Show’s Poisonous Culture ([Vanity Fair]( - How TikTok Beat the Ban (For Now) ([Intelligencer]( - The most interesting startup in America is in Massachusetts. You’ve probably never heard of it. ([The Boston Globe](  Tell Me Something Good [How a 93-year-old visited every national park and healed a family rift in the process]( Grandma Joy Ryan, the 93-year-old behind @grandmajoysroadtrip on Instagram, says she's the "oldest old lady to ever visit every national park." [Read more.]( [How a 93-year-old visited every national park and healed a family rift in the process]( Grandma Joy Ryan, the 93-year-old behind @grandmajoysroadtrip on Instagram, says she's the "oldest old lady to ever visit every national park." [Read more.]( Listen: The Common previews [all the ways to ways to have fun in the sun around Boston this month]( from the Pride parade to music fests. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: Must be [a Massachusetts raccoon](. 😎 Forward to a friend. 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