Hamming it up

Also: 5 takeaways from the first Republican primary debate; how to outsmart jetlag [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  August 24, 2023 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 77. Good Morning Boston, Today is [unofficial callout sick day](. Whether you're sneaking in a trip to the beach before the rain returns this weekend or actually sick at home scrolling for more details about the [new Boston-based reboot of "Frasier,"]( here's what to know today: - Nearly seven years after Massachusetts voters [overwhelmingly]( backed [a ballot measure]( to require more space for farm animals raised for food, pigs are finally getting their day. Beginning today, pork products from pigs raised in gestation crates are prohibited in Massachusetts, as is the use of the tightly confining cages by local farms. The rules are taking effect despite [a pending lawsuit by national pork producers]( arguing against their constitutionality. But for now, rules are rules. - What do the rules apply to: The [new regulations]( require that most uncooked pork sold in Massachusetts — bacon, ham, ribs, cutlets, etc. — come from pigs that were raised in pens with enough space to freely turn around, lie down and stand up. That effectively bans the use of [gestation crates]( not only by farms in Massachusetts but also by out-of-state producers selling pork meat in the state. - What they don't apply to: The regulations [do not apply to sausage or hot dogs]( or other products not considered "whole pork meat.” - The local angle: The law isn't expected to have a major impact on local farms. Karen Schwalbe, the head of Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, [told New England Public Media's Alden Bourne]( that the kind of confinement the law prohibits is "not used by small-scale farmers like we have in Massachusetts." - The big picture: Bacon fans could still see impacts at the grocery store, since most meat sold in Massachusetts comes from out of state. Industry analysts [have estimated]( that less than 4% of pork in the U.S. meets the new standards. So there are some concerns that the rules could result in price increases or supply shortages, as The Boston Globe [reported earlier this spring](. - What took so long? The original 2016 animal welfare ballot measure gave officials until 2022 to implement the law. While the rules for eggs and veal already took effect, the pork rules were repeatedly delayed — [first by lawmakers worried about a shortage]( and then by [a lawsuit against similar rules in California](. - What's next: We're still waiting to see how [the new lawsuit]( — brought by a group of midwest pork producers — against Massachusetts' law plays out. The group argues that federal law supersedes state laws, though [a similar argument in the California cased]( proved unsuccessful. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6. - UMass Memorial Health is trying to prepare patients for the planned closure of the birthing center at Leominster Hospital. The maternity ward is slated to close next month, because hospital leaders say it doesn't get enough business to keep it open. However, critics say the closure will force many pregnant patients in north central Massachusetts to travel [at least 20 miles]( to give birth. - What the hospital is doing: Leaders are offering to provide transportation to those who need it to the nearest hospitals, like UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. The option would only be available for patients giving birth, not for prenatal and postpartum appointments. Read [more about the plan here](. - Logan Airport is getting $45 million from the federal government to redesign some of its taxiways. The goal to reduce the risk of collisions between planes on the ground, as well as close calls like [the one that occurred last week]( between a Spirit and American Airlines plane. - Logan isn't the only local airport trying to cut down on close calls: [Martha's Vineyard Airport and Worcester Regional Airport]( are both working with federal officials on runway safety next month. - Boston has a new school committee member: Mayor Michelle Wu [appointed Chantal Lima Barbosa yesterday]( the first Cape Verdean woman to serve on the board. Lima Barbosa is replacing former school committee member Lorena Lopera, who resigned earlier this year. She'll serve at least through the end of Lopera's term into 2024. P.S.— Do you have some space in your post-Labor Day schedule? We have two community listening sessions scheduled next month: [Sept. 5 in Chelsea]( and [Sept. 9 in Lawrence]( The small, off-the-record conversations are a chance for us to hear directly from the community about the the issues that are top of your mind. (There will also be refreshments!) RSVP at the links above. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [5 takeaways from the first Republican primary debate]( The first Republican debate of the 2024 election cycle is in the books. Without the frontrunner on stage, each candidate had the opportunity to grab the spotlight, though some had more of an impact. [Read more.]( [5 takeaways from the first Republican primary debate]( The first Republican debate of the 2024 election cycle is in the books. Without the frontrunner on stage, each candidate had the opportunity to grab the spotlight, though some had more of an impact. [Read more.]( [Saint-Gobain announces closure of Merrimack facility at the center of PFAS controversy]( The announcement comes less than a week after the facility was approved for a contentious permit that would have allowed the company to operate in Merrimack through 2028. [Read more.]( [Saint-Gobain announces closure of Merrimack facility at the center of PFAS controversy]( The announcement comes less than a week after the facility was approved for a contentious permit that would have allowed the company to operate in Merrimack through 2028. [Read more.]( [Russian officials say Wagner boss Prigozhin was on passenger list of jet that crashed]( A jet from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed, killing all 10 people on board, officials said. Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the passenger list, officials said, but it wasn't clear if he was on board. [Read more.]( [Russian officials say Wagner boss Prigozhin was on passenger list of jet that crashed]( A jet from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed, killing all 10 people on board, officials said. Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the passenger list, officials said, but it wasn't clear if he was on board. [Read more.]( [As climate change warms coastal waters, a rare bacterial infection could pose more of a threat]( Several people along the East Coast have contracted a rare “flesh-eating” bacterial infection that scientists say is exacerbated by climate change. [Read more.]( [As climate change warms coastal waters, a rare bacterial infection could pose more of a threat]( Several people along the East Coast have contracted a rare “flesh-eating” bacterial infection that scientists say is exacerbated by climate change. [Read more.]( [Drowning death of former President Obama’s personal chef on Martha's Vineyard ruled an accident]( The drowning death of 45-year-old Tafari Campbell in Edgartown Great Pond in July had sparked a frenzy of false claims about what happened. [Read more.]( [Drowning death of former President Obama’s personal chef on Martha's Vineyard ruled an accident]( The drowning death of 45-year-old Tafari Campbell in Edgartown Great Pond in July had sparked a frenzy of false claims about what happened. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Looking to make the most of this final August weekend? What about an escape room in an authentically old-timey setting? Or snack on pierogis (and much more) at Boston's Annual Ukrainian Festival? [Click here for our full list]( of weekend event recommendations. - Cape Cod strands more dolphins than anywhere else in the world, and rescuers have had no choice but to treat the endangered animal on the beach. That's about to change with [the opening of a first-of-its-kind short-term dolphin hospital on the Cape](. - Call them the Talking Heads of Vermont: The art rock quartet Billy Wylder delivers powerful musings on nature and humanity on their African-inspired new release, “Trying To Get Free.” Read critic Charley Ruddell's review [here](. - Miles Howard writes an ode to Boston's "Cop Slide" — and its fleeting moment of viral joy — in [this Cognoscenti commentary](.  What We're Reading 📚 - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About State Supreme Courts ([Bolts]( - Pot prices have tanked. Dispensaries are closing. Is a great crash coming? ([The Boston Globe Magazine]( - A Celebrated Architect’s House Needs Rescuing ([The New York Times](  Life Advice [Planning a long-haul flight? Here's how to outsmart jet lag]( Wondering how to prepare for sleep disruption? Should you take melatonin or other sleep aids? Here's answers from researchers and seasoned travelers — including NPR's international correspondents. [Read more.]( [Planning a long-haul flight? Here's how to outsmart jet lag]( Wondering how to prepare for sleep disruption? Should you take melatonin or other sleep aids? Here's answers from researchers and seasoned travelers — including NPR's international correspondents. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common walks us through [the MBTA program offering discounted fares to low-income riders]( that is nearing reality. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: ["Save a rented moving truck today."]( 😎 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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