A new rule for move-in week

Also: What's next for Wu's new Mass. and Cass plan; Nantucket's uniquely dark sky [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  August 28, 2023 ☀️ Today is mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Good Morning Boston, It's move-in week across the Boston area — and also move-out week. As Sept. 1 approaches, there's a new rule to know, especially if your current mattress isn't making it into that third-floor walk-up. - Curbing mattress waste: Local officials have never been huge fans of people leaving their used mattresses out on the curb for trash pickup (most are recyclable) or for others to take ([bedbugs, yuck](. But under [new state rules that took effect last November]( mattress recycling is now the law of the land. That means you're not allowed to leave your old, unwanted mattress out for weekly trash pickup. For most Boston-area residents, you'll have to schedule an appointment to get your mattress picked up and taken to a recycling center. - What will they recycle for me? Basically all sizes and types of mattress types — including memory foam, spring, hybrid and latex. All box springs, too. (Airbeds depend on the city, but both Boston and Cambridge will take them.) - What they won’t take: No futons or mattress toppers, please. Those can still be put out with the trash. - How does the process work? Boston offers free, appointment-based mattress pickup for all residents living in a building with six units or less. Just call 311 (or 617-635-4500) to schedule pickup. ([More details on the process here]( [Cambridge]( and [Somerville]( also offer free mattress pickup services, while [Brookline]( charges a $55 fee per mattress or box spring. - What if I live in a bigger Boston apartment building? The city suggests checking with your building manager. They also [have a list of private mattress recyclers](. - How will me mattress be reused? Officials say around 70% to 90% of your mattress can be recycled. At the recycling center, crews will deconstruct the parts, which will be used to make stuff like insulation, carpet padding, mulch, and new metal items. - Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is expected to file an ordinance this week to give city police more power to remove tent encampments from the area known as "Mass. and Cass." The proposal — which requires approval from the City Council — is part of Wu's [new plan to deal with homelessness, violence and drug use in the area](. If passed, Wu said the changes could take as long as two months to be implemented. - Meanwhile, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson said she was mugged this weekend while observing conditions at a tent encampment in the Mass. and Cass area. [According to the Boston Globe]( Anderson said a man "charged" her and took her cell phone while she was taking pictures Saturday night. (Anderson, who was uninjured and eventually got the phone back, said she was there to do research ahead of the vote on Wu's ordinance.) - Tune in: Wu was on Radio Boston immediately after unveiling the Mass. and Cass plan Friday to discuss the change in approach, which also includes 30 additional shelter beds. Listen to [the full interview (or read the highlights) here](. - Time is running out on [the MBTA perk]( that lets riders flash their CharlieCard to use the commuter rail for free from certain Boston-area stations. MBTA officials say that this Thursday will be the last day that riders can take advantage of the benefit. Starting Friday, they'll have to pay commuter rail fares as normal. - The MBTA [rolled out the perk]( [in March]( to give riders an alternative to the widespread slow zones that have since plagued the system. However, a T spokesperson said they're ending it as part of the larger shift back to normal fares Friday [when the Sumner Tunnel reopens]( — even though slow zones persist across [more than a quarter of the MBTA subway system](. - What else changes Friday: When the Sumner reopens, the Blue Line and East Boston ferry will no longer be free, and prices for the Lynn and Winthrop ferries will go up from $2.40 to [$7]( and [$6.50]( respectively. - But there is some positive news for MBTA riders: Under [the new fall schedules starting this week]( the average weekday wait times on the Orange and Red Lines are going down by a minute or two. - PSA: Don't go to ChatGPT for information on cancer treatment. That's the big takeaway from [a new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital](. WBUR's Priyanka Dayal McCluskey reports that the study found ChatGPT’s answers were often incorrect when asked questions like “What is the treatment for breast cancer?” - Remember, while ChatGPT may sound increasingly fluent on the topic, researchers say patients should always consult with (real, human) medical experts for their treatment options. P.S.— Speaking of move-in week, make sure to [check out our moving-to-Boston checklist]( if you're new to the city — and then [sign up for our soon-to-launch newsletter]( with an easy-to-follow series of guides to everything Boston newcomers need to know. (If you’re someone who’s already settled in, consider forwarding this email to a new-to-Boston friend, family member or colleague who could use the free tips!) Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [You can see the Milky Way from Nantucket. Residents want to keep it that way]( Nantucket, with its dark sky, is unique: it’s one of the few places in eastern Massachusetts where people can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. But light pollution is threatening that clear view _ and increasing health risks. [Read more.]( [You can see the Milky Way from Nantucket. Residents want to keep it that way]( Nantucket, with its dark sky, is unique: it’s one of the few places in eastern Massachusetts where people can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. But light pollution is threatening that clear view _ and increasing health risks. [Read more.]( [8 shot, injured at Caribbean Carnival parade in Dorchester]( The victims are expected to survive, Boston police said. The city's police commissioner said officers arrested two suspects and recovered several weapons at the scene. [Read more.]( [8 shot, injured at Caribbean Carnival parade in Dorchester]( The victims are expected to survive, Boston police said. The city's police commissioner said officers arrested two suspects and recovered several weapons at the scene. [Read more.]( [Tropical Storm Idalia could reach hurricane strength before hitting Florida this week]( Forecasters say the storm is expected to intensify as it moves north over the Gulf of Mexico, but it's still unclear how strong it will be and what path it will take. [Read more.]( [Tropical Storm Idalia could reach hurricane strength before hitting Florida this week]( Forecasters say the storm is expected to intensify as it moves north over the Gulf of Mexico, but it's still unclear how strong it will be and what path it will take. [Read more.]( [Yale University settles lawsuit alleging it pressured students with mental health issues to withdraw]( Yale University is settling a federal lawsuit that said the Ivy League school discriminated against students with mental health disabilities, including pressuring them to withdraw. [Read more.]( [Yale University settles lawsuit alleging it pressured students with mental health issues to withdraw]( Yale University is settling a federal lawsuit that said the Ivy League school discriminated against students with mental health disabilities, including pressuring them to withdraw. [Read more.]( [Former residents of New Hampshire's youth center demand federal investigation into abuse claims]( Close to 1,000 men and women have sued the state alleging physical, sexual or emotional abuse at its only youth detention center. But the slow pace of the criminal and civil proceedings has some calling for the federal Department of Justice to step in. [Read more.]( [Former residents of New Hampshire's youth center demand federal investigation into abuse claims]( Close to 1,000 men and women have sued the state alleging physical, sexual or emotional abuse at its only youth detention center. But the slow pace of the criminal and civil proceedings has some calling for the federal Department of Justice to step in. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Tonight at CitySpace: We're hosting [a game night]( There'll be free snacks, grog for purchase and everything from chess to Catan to Codenames, thanks to our friends at Knight Moves Board Game Cafe. Bring some friends — or make some new ones. [Admission is free]( and doors open at 6:30 p.m. - Inspired by a recent interview with "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig gave, Cambridge's Brattle Theatre is [screening a 13-film retrospective this week titled "Barbie's Roots"]( that takes audiences through some of Gerwig’s inspirations for her billion-dollar blockbuster. - Longtime "Price is Right" host Bob Barker died Saturday at the age of 99. Barker's prolific career as a game show host and television presenter spanned over 80 years. See photos of Barker's life through the ages, and behind the scenes of "Price is Right," [here.]( - Mortgage rates have climbed to the highest level in more than two decades — and led to an unusual housing market. From priced-out buyers to a shift toward smaller houses, here are [five things to know](.  What We're Reading 📚 - One Morning in Maine, 225 People Went to the Library ([The New York Times]( - Why Are We So Obsessed With Wegmans? ([Philadelphia Magazine]( - The Last Days of Wagner’s Prigozhin ([The Wall Street Journal](  Tell Me Something Good [This Eastie apartment includes free pizza. The current tenants didn’t know. Now they get one pie a week. (The Boston Globe)]( The owner of a Maverick Street apartment (and the restaurant downstairs) wanted to find a competitive edge for the unit. He landed on a cheesy perk. [Read more.]( [This Eastie apartment includes free pizza. The current tenants didn’t know. Now they get one pie a week. (The Boston Globe)]( The owner of a Maverick Street apartment (and the restaurant downstairs) wanted to find a competitive edge for the unit. He landed on a cheesy perk. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [tells the story of how one resident on Nantucket made it her full time job]( to protect the island’s night skies. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [We can dream.]( 😎 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.