How the housing shortage hits Cape vacation plans

Also: Inside the debate over the future of New England’s electric grid; BAMS Fest is back — and it's bigger than ever [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  June 22, 2023 🌤️ Increasingly sunny, with a high near 70 and a chance of spotty showers. Good Morning Boston, Let's hop into the news like [the Franklin Park Zoo's new animals](. - Summer is officially underway and the long Fourth of July weekend is just around the corner. But business leaders on Cape Cod are warning the region's housing shortage is not only affecting seasonal workers; it could also have tangible impacts on visitors' summer vacations as local businesses adjust. - What to expect: "You'll see restaurants that aren't open as many days or only serve dinner instead of lunch and dinner, and businesses that have to close one day a week just to give their employees a break," Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Niedzwiecki told WBUR's John Bender. - Why? The Cape has traditionally relied on around 5,000 foreign workers on J1 visas, but Niedzwiecki expects closer to 2,000 this year. That's because sponsoring agencies require housing for visa holders. "It all comes back to housing," Niedzwiecki said. - Go deeper: Local officials say the Cape's housing shortage was exacerbated by the pandemic. It became more attractive for owners to occupy their rental properties year-round or [convert them into Airbnbs](. That displaced a lot of workers who used those homes as long-term rentals, according to Niedzwiecki. - Zoom out: As WBUR's Zeninjor Enwemeka [reported last month]( the Berkshires are also facing similar challenges this season. - What's the solution? There's not much room to build on the Cape, so Niedzwiecki argues for more density in areas where infrastructure can accommodate it. Currently, 86% of the Cape's housing is single-family homes, compared to 56% statewide. - Take it from the quahog: At least the weather will be nice. Doug the Quahog, the Cape's unofficial mascot, [predicted Wednesday]( we will have 83 good beach days this summer. - Gov. Maura Healey's administration is moving to update the state's curriculum for health and physical education courses in schools. WBUR's Steve Brown reports it would be the first update to the state's existing Comprehensive Health Curriculum framework since 1999. - What's in it: The [proposed framework]( is modeled after [a bill]( the Massachusetts Senate has repeatedly passed to remodel sex education to ensure material is medically accurate, LGBTQ+ inclusive and age appropriate. - What's next: The state's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education plans to vote next Tuesday to open the draft framework for public comment for 60 days. After any revisions, the plan will likely get a final implementation vote later this summer or fall. - The Celtics are shaking things up a bit. Boston is [reportedly acquiring 7-foot-3, former All-Star center center Kristaps Porzingis]( in exchange for longtime guard Marcus Smart and forward Danilo Gallinari as part of a three-team trade. After struggling with injuries for several seasons, the lanky Porzingis is coming off a solid season with the Washington Wizards, averaging a career-high 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game — and, perhaps most importantly, he's stayed healthy. - Smart, the [former NBA defensive player of the year]( was Boston's longest tenured player and the "[heart and soul]( of the Celtics, according to teammates. He's joining the Memphis Grizzlies. - Simmons University is considering major cuts to its liberal arts programs, due to financial issues from declining enrollment. While no final decisions have been made, The Boston Globe [reports]( the women's college's leaders will vote on a plan this fall. - What's on the chopping block: University officials are looking to close a number of undergrad departments — including modern languages, philosophy, literature, art and music, and sociology — once students finish their majors, according to the Globe. - Happy Fourth of... September? The town of Amesbury is delaying its Fourth of July fireworks until Labor Day weekend, after endangered bobolink birds were found nesting in the fields where crowds gather to come watch the fireworks. - The silver lining: Amesbury residents will now get to enjoy some awesome Labor Day fireworks on Monday, Sept. 4. In the meantime, maybe [listen to some soothing bobolink songs](. P.S.— Do you have student loans or know someone who does? WBUR's education team is looking to speak to local residents about their thoughts on [the Supreme Court's soon-to-be-announced decision on President Joe Biden's loan forgiveness plan](. If you'd be comfortable sharing your thoughts, simply reply to this email to get in touch or email education reporter Carry Jung directly at jungc@bu.edu. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [The U.S. Coast Guard is bringing in more ships, vessels to search for lost Titanic tourist submersible]( The Coast Guard said the search for the vessel and its five passengers continues to track some "banging noises" heard underwater with special equipment. [Read more.]( [The U.S. Coast Guard is bringing in more ships, vessels to search for lost Titanic tourist submersible]( The Coast Guard said the search for the vessel and its five passengers continues to track some "banging noises" heard underwater with special equipment. [Read more.]( [New state rules mean thousands of Cape Cod homeowners may need to replace septic systems]( New state regulations released Wednesday will require thousands of Cape Cod residents to replace or upgrade their septic systems, unless local water districts come up with plans to mitigate nitrogen pollution. [Read more.]( [New state rules mean thousands of Cape Cod homeowners may need to replace septic systems]( New state regulations released Wednesday will require thousands of Cape Cod residents to replace or upgrade their septic systems, unless local water districts come up with plans to mitigate nitrogen pollution. [Read more.]( [New England’s electric grid could be more stable than anticipated in the next few winters]( Energy leaders from across New England gathered to discuss where the region will get its electricity and heat for years to come. [Read more.]( [New England’s electric grid could be more stable than anticipated in the next few winters]( Energy leaders from across New England gathered to discuss where the region will get its electricity and heat for years to come. [Read more.]( [Biden warmly welcomes India's Modi despite questions about human rights issues]( President Biden is welcoming India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a state dinner at the White House. The two leaders share concerns about countering China. [Read more.]( [Biden warmly welcomes India's Modi despite questions about human rights issues]( President Biden is welcoming India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a state dinner at the White House. The two leaders share concerns about countering China. [Read more.]( [Adult woman enrolled and attended 3 Boston high schools, school officials say]( The woman attended the Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Brighton High School and English High School, using the student transfer process and "enrolling under multiple pseudonyms," according to BPS superintendent Mary Skipper. [Read more.]( [Adult woman enrolled and attended 3 Boston high schools, school officials say]( The woman attended the Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Brighton High School and English High School, using the student transfer process and "enrolling under multiple pseudonyms," according to BPS superintendent Mary Skipper. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - BAMS Fest returns to Franklin Park for its fifth year this weekend and it's bigger than ever. WBUR's Arielle Gray [reports the three-day Black music festival expects close to 15,000 attendees]( and will include a conference, women's brunch, food trucks, kids zone and more. “You should feel free to be able to run. You should feel free to be able to do a cartwheel. You should feel free to dance," BAMS Fest founder Catherine Morris told Gray. - Not just BAMS Fest: From a solstice celebration in Salem, to a dance party in Cambridge, to the opening of a news arts and music venue, there are lots of other things going on this weekend in the Boston area. Check out WBUR arts fellow Solon Kelleher's [full events preview](. - The Massachusetts folk quartet Darlingside explore memory and loss in their new single "Rightside." You can listen to the exclusive song premiere — and read music critic Charley Ruddell's review — [here](. - The man that author Alice Sebold identified as her rapist in her book "Lucky" was exonerated in 2021. While Sebold’s publishers rushed to pull her book from shelves, Boston University professor Joshua Pederson [writes in this commentary]( it's important to keep teaching students about "Lucky."  What We're Reading 📚 This section is supported by [Beacon Hill Books]( a new independent bookstore. - Justice Samuel Alito Took Luxury Fishing Vacation With GOP Billionaire Who Later Had Cases Before the Court ([ProPublica]( - Lessons from a ‘doom loop’: What San Francisco’s struggles could mean for Boston ([The Boston Globe]( - Pink Floyd, 'The Wizard of Oz' and Me ([The New York Times Magazine](  Tell Me Something Good [In a neighborhood that once shunned him, a Boston gay rights pioneer finally gets his moment (GBH News)]( A new National Parks Service walking tour highlights the life and advocacy of late Beacon Hill resident Prescott Townsend. [Read more.]( [In a neighborhood that once shunned him, a Boston gay rights pioneer finally gets his moment (GBH News)]( A new National Parks Service walking tour highlights the life and advocacy of late Beacon Hill resident Prescott Townsend. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common takes [a look down the new road for building public housing again]( in Massachusetts. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [I'll never see the shape of this state the same again](. 😎 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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