Weather whiplash hits home

Also: "Dorchester Bay City" plans take big step forward; why inflation is losing its punch [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  July 13, 2023 🌤️ Partly sunny, with a high of 89 and maybe rain in the afternoon. Good Morning Boston, As if the Sumner Tunnel closure wasn't enough, here's another wrench for your commute: [Shuttle buses are replacing Red Line service]( from Harvard to Broadway this morning due to a [smoking train](. The T says it hopes to get service back on track soon. While you wait for the delays to clear up, let's get to the news: - The floodwaters are still receding, but western New England is already preparing for more rain this week. The forecast is calling for several more rounds of heavy rain over the next few days, after historic rain caused [severe flooding in Vermont]( and [washed out roads and farms in western Massachusetts](. Parts of already-drenched Vermont could get [over an inch more of rain]( that the National Weather Service says [will likely lead to more flooding](. - How they're preparing: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is slowly releasing more than 60 billion gallons of water from dams along the Connecticut River so they don't overflow when the rain comes. Scott Acone, the deputy engineer for the Army Corps' New England district, told WBUR's John Bender the dams have held back a lot of potential floodwater in the past few days. - Surveying the damage: Some farmers in western Massachusetts say the rain wiped out an entire season of crops — another blow after [an already-tough spring](. Susan Scheufele, who works with farmers as part of the UMass Extension program, says next year's harvest could also be affected: "There may be limitations on if they're able to replant and when, and with what crops." Scheufele added the state is working to develop guidance. - Some help: State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, a Northampton Democrat, says state and federal relief money could be tapped to help farmers and others recover, once all the losses are accounted for: "They can't make up this damage on their own." - Go deeper: After [last summer]( who would have thought too much rain would be our problem this season? But that's our new "[weather whiplash]( reality, as WBUR's Miriam Wasser explains. - The plan to transform the former Bayside Expo Center site by UMass Boston in Dorchester into a "[modern-day Harvard Square]( has taken a big step forward. Boston's Civic Design Commission signed off yesterday on the master plan for "[Dorchester Bay City]( (listen, it's better than "[Seaport South]( which The Boston Globe [reports]( would be one of the city’s largest-ever commercial developments. - What it would look like: According to its website, the project includes nearly 2,000 new residential units (20% would be affordable for those making 70% of the area's median income), a 2.7-acre waterfront park, restaurants and — of course — lots and lots of lab space. You can [scroll through the renderings here](. - Next up: The Boston Planning and Development Agency will likely schedule a public hearing on the project in August, [per the Globe](. - Another part of Boston with a potentially big future: White Stadium. Mayor Michelle Wu's administration — which [asked for proposals this spring]( to revamp the aging stadium — is considering [a women-led group's pitch]( to make White Stadium home to a new Boston-based National Women’s Soccer League team. The plan, which was the only response to the city's RFP, includes $30 million in upgrades. - During a tour of White Stadium yesterday, Wu said she was "so excited" about the possibility. (Boston's former NWSL team, the Breakers, folded in 2018.) "We need a professional women's sports team," Wu said. "That will be a huge, huge step for Boston." - More details emerge: A new police report says Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara was driving at least 53 mph in a 25 mph zone last month when she [crashed her car into a house in Jamaica Plain](. - What's next: Lara — who has issued [a general apology for the incident]( — is due in court next week on charges for driving with a revoked license in a car that was unregistered and uninsured. P.S.— The Stanley Cup is coming to Massachusetts today. Bruce Cassidy, the former Bruins head coach who won this year's trophy with the Vegas Golden Knights, is [bringing the cup to Milton. It's in part to promote the launch of his new mental health nonprofit]( in honor of a local teen — a close friend of Cassidy's daughter — who lost her life in 2022. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [How Montpelier, Vermont residents are faring following the worst flooding in living memory]( The city of Montpelier, Vermont experienced its worst flooding in living memory on Monday and Tuesday. Now, businesses and residents are left with the clean up. Some aren't sure when, or if, they’ll be able to recover. [Read more.]( [How Montpelier, Vermont residents are faring following the worst flooding in living memory]( The city of Montpelier, Vermont experienced its worst flooding in living memory on Monday and Tuesday. Now, businesses and residents are left with the clean up. Some aren't sure when, or if, they’ll be able to recover. [Read more.]( [Some Logan travelers have dodged the Sumner closure backups]( Call it luck, time of day or good preparations by the state, but some travelers haven't faced major traffic delays near the airport due to the Sumner Tunnel closure. [Read more.]( [Some Logan travelers have dodged the Sumner closure backups]( Call it luck, time of day or good preparations by the state, but some travelers haven't faced major traffic delays near the airport due to the Sumner Tunnel closure. [Read more.]( [Why inflation is losing its punch — and why things could get even better]( Annual inflation fell to 3% in June, the lowest since March 2021. That probably won't stop the Federal Reserve from raising rates again, but this month's expected hike could be the last. [Read more.]( [Why inflation is losing its punch — and why things could get even better]( Annual inflation fell to 3% in June, the lowest since March 2021. That probably won't stop the Federal Reserve from raising rates again, but this month's expected hike could be the last. [Read more.]( [No death penalty for men charged with killing Whitey Bulger, prosecutor's decide]( Federal prosecutors will not pursue the death penalty against two men charged with the prison killing of notorious Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger, according to court papers filed Wednesday. [Read more.]( [No death penalty for men charged with killing Whitey Bulger, prosecutor's decide]( Federal prosecutors will not pursue the death penalty against two men charged with the prison killing of notorious Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger, according to court papers filed Wednesday. [Read more.]( [New England families are juggling multiple kinds of child care, research finds]( Over a third of New England households with children under five use more than one form of child care, according to new research from researchfrom the University of New Hampshire. [Read more.]( [New England families are juggling multiple kinds of child care, research finds]( Over a third of New England households with children under five use more than one form of child care, according to new research from researchfrom the University of New Hampshire. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Vinyl Nights at the ICA. Bastille Day in Harvard Square. A "Puppet Slam" in Brookline. There are lots of events out there if you're in or around Boston this midsummer weekend. Check out [our arts and culture team's list of five things to do right here](. - The 2023 Emmy nominations for the past year's best TV shows [are in](. Listen to NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour [break down the list of nominees]( (and the most galling snubs). Aisha Harris also [previews what's next]( amid talk of potentially postponing this year's awards. - Anita Diamant [writes in this essay]( that the answer to the climate crisis may lie in the solace of the natural world. Instead of "doom-scrolling," she writes people should get involved, eat less meat or at least take a walk in the woods.  What We're Reading 📚 This section is supported by [Beacon Hill Books]( a new independent bookstore. - How a WBCN deejay and a Harvard dining hall concert helped The Cars get their big break ([The Boston Globe]( - Rebellious birds make nests out of anti-bird pins ([Naturalis]( - In Phoenix, Heat Becomes a Brutal Test of Endurance ([The New York Times](  Life Advice [Here's how 10 minutes of mindfulness can help make or break a family vacation]( Research shows it's possible to generative positive emotions and memories, even amid strife and anxiety. If you're planning a family vacation, a simple meditation exercise can help you keep your cool. [Read more.]( [Here's how 10 minutes of mindfulness can help make or break a family vacation]( Research shows it's possible to generative positive emotions and memories, even amid strife and anxiety. If you're planning a family vacation, a simple meditation exercise can help you keep your cool. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [takes a trip out to East Boston]( to see how passengers are holding up amid the Sumner Tunnel closure. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [A shocking discovery]( at the Christmas Tree Shop. 😎 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? 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