WBUR Today 7/17/23

[Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  July 17, 2023 🌤️ Humid and hazy, with a high near 88. Good Morning Boston, Today will be hot and sticky, but at least it'll be better than yesterday (I know, that's setting a low bar). We set [a daily rainfall record Sunday in Boston]( and [saw the first tornado touch down in Massachusetts in two years](. There's [more heavy rain possible]( tomorrow afternoon. Until then, let's make the best of this sunshine and remember: don't [take your frustrations out on the net post](. To the news: - The B stands for bus: Today marks the beginning of the MBTA's [12-day shutdown of the Green Line's B branch](. The branch will be closed through next Friday so crews can accelerate repairs on over 2,000 feet of track in Allston, particularly around the curved Green Line crossover in Packard's Corner. - If you take the B line: Trolleys will be replaced by (free) shuttle buses between Kenmore and Boston College — though it's worth noting they'll skip certain stops. (More details on that [here]( - If you drive (or bike) along Comm. Ave.: You may also be impacted by detours. Those traveling west through Packard's Corner won't be able to turn left on Comm. Ave. and those going east on Brighton Ave. won't be able to drive across the intersection. There'll also be westbound lane closures on Comm. Ave. between Allston Street and Harvard Ave. [This diagram]( has more details on the road detours. - What's the reason for this again? The curved stretch of track by Packard's Corner hasn't gotten an upgrade in over two decades. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng says [a derailment last month at the intersection]( — where the tracks cross the street — was a "stark reminder" of that, so they fast-tracked repair plans. - The hope is that — when the branch reopens on July 29 — trolleys are able to go a lot faster than [the 6 mph speed limits they've been restricted to in that area for the last year](. In fact, shuttles might be an improvement over the current service, as B branch rider Cody Leung [told WBUR's Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez]( “I actually think the buses will be faster than the T." - The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is unveiling its newly rebuilt emergency department today. It took about $5 million to modernize and expand the clinic's emergency and urgent care services. - It's good timing: The unveiling comes amid [concerns about the impact of the closure of Sumner Tunnel]( — which connects Eastie to many of the area's largest hospitals — on ambulances and emergency responses. - Massachusetts state representatives plan to meet behind closed doors today so leaders can clear up "misconceptions and confusion" about [a new gun control bill](. House Speaker Ron Mariano [told reporters last week]( that he wants to pass the bill before lawmakers' usual August break. - What's the confusion over? It's a big, complex bill that's 140 pages long. It includes new requirements for tracking homemade "ghost guns," a ban on carrying firearms in places like schools or government buildings, and new offenses for firing a weapon near a dwelling. While the bill would also streamline the gun license application process, gun rights groups are already rallying against the wide-ranging legislation. - Sorry Patriots fans: The Pats will have to make do this season without DeAndre Hopkins. The star free agent wide receiver — who Bill Belichick and company were targeting this offseason — is [reportedly signing]( with the Tennessee Titans. - An official announcement is expected this week, but Hopkins already [confirmed his decision last night on Twitter](. P.S.— Do you love barbecue? How about culinary reality shows? If your answer is "yes" to both, don't miss Radio Boston's barbecue smackdown this Thursday at CitySpace. You'll have a chance to take in the sweet, smoky flavors of BBQ (including vegetarian options) prepared by local chefs and judge a winner at the end. (Yes, there will be an outdoor grill.) [Grab your tickets here](. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [After affirmative action ban, one small Massachusetts college plots a course to maintain racial diversity]( As a small college with a highly personalized admissions process, Olin College in Needham hopes to maintain a diverse student population, despite the end of race-conscious admissions. [Read more.]( [After affirmative action ban, one small Massachusetts college plots a course to maintain racial diversity]( As a small college with a highly personalized admissions process, Olin College in Needham hopes to maintain a diverse student population, despite the end of race-conscious admissions. [Read more.]( [Under strain, the state hopes locals will open their homes to support newly arrived immigrant families]( The state’s new Family Welcome Center in Allston is recruiting, vetting and onboarding host families. Experts say the host home model has been used for refugee resettlement and unaccompanied minors but it has not been broadly applied to family homelessness in the past. [Read more.]( [Under strain, the state hopes locals will open their homes to support newly arrived immigrant families]( The state’s new Family Welcome Center in Allston is recruiting, vetting and onboarding host families. Experts say the host home model has been used for refugee resettlement and unaccompanied minors but it has not been broadly applied to family homelessness in the past. [Read more.]( [Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon, his second major trophy]( It's the first championship at Wimbledon second Grand Slam trophy overall for Carlos Alcaraz. The No. 1-ranked Alcaraz prevented Djokovic from what would have been a record-tying eighth title. [Read more.]( [Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon, his second major trophy]( It's the first championship at Wimbledon second Grand Slam trophy overall for Carlos Alcaraz. The No. 1-ranked Alcaraz prevented Djokovic from what would have been a record-tying eighth title. [Read more.]( [Vermont starts long road to recovery from historic floods, helped by army of volunteers]( Vermonters are working to dry out homes and businesses damaged by this week's historic flooding and keeping a wary eye on the horizon with another round of storms on the horizon. [Read more.]( [Vermont starts long road to recovery from historic floods, helped by army of volunteers]( Vermonters are working to dry out homes and businesses damaged by this week's historic flooding and keeping a wary eye on the horizon with another round of storms on the horizon. [Read more.]( [She saved the diary of a Ukrainian writer killed by Russia. Then she was killed, too]( Award-winning novelist Victoria Amelina, who retrained as a war crimes researcher to document Russian atrocities and preserve Ukrainian culture, has met a tragic end. [Read more.]( [She saved the diary of a Ukrainian writer killed by Russia. Then she was killed, too]( Award-winning novelist Victoria Amelina, who retrained as a war crimes researcher to document Russian atrocities and preserve Ukrainian culture, has met a tragic end. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - [ArtBeat]( has come and gone, but there's another Somerville music festival on the near horizon. With more than 70 artists split between Crystal Ballroom and The Rockwell in Davis Square this coming weekend, WBUR contributor Charley Ruddell reports [the third annual DIY-centric "NICE" fest is poised to have its biggest year to date](. - A new play inspired by the early life of Jimi Hendrix has begun its run at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. Playwright Idris Goodwin tells Noah Schaffer the kid-friendly show, "The Boy Who Kissed the Sky,” is "more of a universal fable.” [Read more here]( and check out the photos from WBUR's Jesse Costa. - For many Americans, the taste of summer is an icebox cake: whipped cream layered with cookies. Though the famous Nabisco chocolate wafers — almost synonymous with icebox cakes — have been discontinued, this delicious summer treat lives on. [Learn how to make your own chocolate wafers]( for an icebox cake. - New Jersey’s million-acre Pinelands offers powerful lessons in salvaging biodiversity, Rich Barlow writes in this essay. What [can Massachusetts learn]( from the Garden State's Pinelands management?  What We're Reading 📚 This section is supported by [Beacon Hill Books]( a new independent bookstore. - A gay couple ran a rural restaurant in peace. Then new neighbors arrived. ([The Washington Post]( - Take It from Me, Capitalism: Remote Work Will Make You Sick and Die ([McSweeney's Internet Tendency]( - Inside the Saudi Soccer Gold Rush ([The New York Times](  PSA [5 tips to keep your pet safe — and comfortable — in extreme heat]( "If it's hot outside for you, it's most likely even hotter for your pet," one expert tells NPR. Here's how to protect your pet outdoors, keep them engaged inside and respond to signs of heat stroke. [Read more.]( [5 tips to keep your pet safe — and comfortable — in extreme heat]( "If it's hot outside for you, it's most likely even hotter for your pet," one expert tells NPR. Here's how to protect your pet outdoors, keep them engaged inside and respond to signs of heat stroke. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [takes a closer look]( at how flooding is impacting Vermonters. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [They've got places to be.]( 😎 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 © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.