Wu burns through Boston's expired union contracts

Also: Mass. approves first sex ed curriculum overhaul since 1999; screens on lock in schools [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  September 20, 2023 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 74. Good Morning Boston, Now, [this]( is the September weather we've all been waiting for. Let's get to the news: - Boston's firefighters are about to get some money to burn: The Boston City Council is slated to sign off on $27 million in spending today to cover the city's newly ratified contract with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 718, the city's firefighter union. The three-year deal — which applies retroactively back to July 2021 — ultimately gives a more than 10% raise to each union member. - The big picture: Mayor Michelle Wu previously said that "[every single one]( of the 21 unions representing city workers had an expired contract when she took office. But [according to The Boston Globe]( this new deal means she has reached an agreement with all of them, except for several police unions. (Those negotiations have [been a bit more tense]( as Wu pushes for police reforms within the new contract.) - What's next: It may not be long before the two sides are back at the negotiating table. Since Boston's firefighters have been working for over two years without a contract, the new three-year version only runs through next June. Wu's office told the Globe the city hopes to use future negotiations to push for certain fire department reforms that didn't make it into this round. - Election results: [Over a dozen Massachusetts cities and towns]( held preliminaries yesterday to narrow down their choices for the general election. Here's a look at a few notable results — and the races ahead: - In Revere's open mayoral race, former mayor and top vote-getter Dan Rizzo will face city councilor and interim Mayor Patrick Keefe. - Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan got nearly 6o% of the preliminary vote and will be up against former mayor Sam Sutter in the general election, [according to The Herald news](. - And in Pittsfield, City Council President Peter Marchetti will face off against former councilor John Krol in November to replace outgoing Mayor Linda Tyer, [per New England Public Media](. - PSA: If you're asked to pay out of pocket for the latest COVID-19 vaccines, get in touch with your insurance company. A spokesperson for Tufts Health Plan said the insurer has “heard anecdotally" that some members have been getting asked to pay upfront for their vaccines "due to coding issues.” (We've heard the same from multiple readers insured through Tufts who said CVS's online appointment system asked them to pay over $190 to get the new COVID shot.) - Tufts says the coding issues should be fixed within the next few days. While the feds are no longer footing the bill for COVID vaccines, insurance companies are [required to cover the shots for almost everyone]( under Affordable Care Act rules. If you don't have insurance, you [can still get the vaccine for free at select locations](. - Must-read: WBUR's Priyanka Dayal McCluskey talked to Dr. Ashish Jha about the new COVID shots, the coming virus season and what he learned in the White House. [Read the full Q&A here](. - Finally, a trifecta of New England train news: - The MBTA has [added two more partial Red Line closures to the schedule]( in the coming weeks. During the weekends of Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 and Oct. 7-8, shuttle buses will replace all train service south of Broadway (i.e. both the Braintree and Ashmont branches). This is in addition to [the 16-day closure of the Red Line's Ashmont branch and Mattapan trolley]( beginning on Oct. 14. - Commuter rail service to Fitchburg is [back on track]( after flash floods in the Leominster area last week [washed away the stone bedding beneath a stretch of track](. That means no more shuttle buses between Wachusett and Shirley. - Maine Public [reports Downeaster fares could go up by as much as $6 per individual ticket]( (which currently cost $29 to go on-way between Boston and Portland). That's under a new proposal by the state's passenger rail authority. [A final decision will be made Oct. 23]( with fare changes expected to take effect around Nov. 1. P.S.— Maura Healey will be live on Radio Boston this morning, shortly after announcing a new process to allow veterans discharged under the old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy to apply for state-based veteran benefits. [Tune in]( at 11 a.m. for details on the new program, and [send in your questions through the Radio Boston text club](. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Why some Mass. schools made the call to lock up student phones]( Salem High School began requiring students to lock up their cellphones for most of the school day starting this fall. The crackdown is part of a larger trend in Massachusetts schools to minimize distractions during school hours. [Read more.]( [Why some Mass. schools made the call to lock up student phones]( Salem High School began requiring students to lock up their cellphones for most of the school day starting this fall. The crackdown is part of a larger trend in Massachusetts schools to minimize distractions during school hours. [Read more.]( [Mass. board of education approves first health curriculum update since 1999]( The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously voted to adopt a new set of curriculum frameworks on health and sex education that is intended to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community and teach about bodily autonomy, mental and emotional health, dating safety, nutrition, sexually transmitted infections and consent. [Read more.]( [Mass. board of education approves first health curriculum update since 1999]( The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously voted to adopt a new set of curriculum frameworks on health and sex education that is intended to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community and teach about bodily autonomy, mental and emotional health, dating safety, nutrition, sexually transmitted infections and consent. [Read more.]( [Trump to skip second GOP debate and head to Detroit to court striking autoworkers instead]( Former President Donald Trump won't be at the second Republican debate, unsurprisingly. His counter-programming this time involves union autoworkers, engaged in a strike against Detroit automakers. [Read more.]( [Trump to skip second GOP debate and head to Detroit to court striking autoworkers instead]( Former President Donald Trump won't be at the second Republican debate, unsurprisingly. His counter-programming this time involves union autoworkers, engaged in a strike against Detroit automakers. [Read more.]( [State education officials say pandemic achievement slide among test takers has 'halted']( While MCAS scores have stopped dropping, there’s still a “lot of ground to make up” before they regain their pre-pandemic levels, according to Rob Curtin, head of assessment and accountability at the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. [Read more.]( [State education officials say pandemic achievement slide among test takers has 'halted']( While MCAS scores have stopped dropping, there’s still a “lot of ground to make up” before they regain their pre-pandemic levels, according to Rob Curtin, head of assessment and accountability at the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. [Read more.]( [NOAA receives 'historic' $82 million to conserve endangered right whales]( Roughly $82 million in federal funds will help scientists better track and protect North Atlantic right whales, whose distribution patterns have changed within the last decade due to warming waters. [Read more.]( [NOAA receives 'historic' $82 million to conserve endangered right whales]( Roughly $82 million in federal funds will help scientists better track and protect North Atlantic right whales, whose distribution patterns have changed within the last decade due to warming waters. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - What kind of bear is [best]( Not the one in front of you. As more bears and coyotes are sighted around the Boston area, state officials are working to raise awareness about what to do if you encounter large wildlife. Here are [some tips from state biologist Dave Wattles](. - Small wildlife can pose issues, too! WBUR's Katie Cole explains [why some Massachusetts cities and towns have put out a squash-on-sight call]( for the colorful-but-pesky spotted lanternfly. - A painting from the very first episode of Bob Ross's "The Joy of Painting" is up for sale — for the cool price of nearly $10 million — and it's a remarkably rare opportunity. Here's [why the lack of Ross work for sale has been called one of "the internet's greatest mysteries."]( - The cell phone turned 50 this year. Ethan Gilsdorf [writes in this commentary]( that he'd like to celebrate by being less connected.  What We're Reading 📚 - The Bizarre Story Behind Shinzo Abe’s Assassination ([The Atlantic]( - ‘An endless stream of scandals’: As chairless cannabis board meets, lawmakers push for oversight hearing ([The Boston Globe]( - The Game of Their Lives ([The New York Times](  🔎 Field Guide [Mission Hill: A Boston neighborhood guide]( Just three-quarters of a square mile in area, Mission Hill is nonetheless a massive collegiate hub. Centrally located by several schools, it offers a laid-back atmosphere, mix of restaurants, T stop and entertainment options. [Read more.]( [Mission Hill: A Boston neighborhood guide]( Just three-quarters of a square mile in area, Mission Hill is nonetheless a massive collegiate hub. Centrally located by several schools, it offers a laid-back atmosphere, mix of restaurants, T stop and entertainment options. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [digs into the fight against green crabs]( and how it could be coming to a restaurant near you. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: New York's most famous slice [comes to Boston](. (Well, Cambridge, technically.) 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: [newsletters@wburl.org](mailto: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.