Mass. to Biden: "More needs to be done"

Also: BU launches inquiry into Center for Antiracist Research; Leominster takes another hit [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  September 22, 2023 ☀️ Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Good Morning Boston, At last, we have [a deal]( — but no details — on tax relief. After months of negotiations, Massachusetts' top legislative leaders announced last night that they have reached an agreement on a long-awaited tax package. The bill should look [something like this]( but we won't know for sure what's included until it's filed next week. We'll have much more to come on the tax package when there's more to report. So for now, let's focus on what we do have details on: - Not enough: That's the response from Gov. Maura Healey's office to President Joe Biden's administration decision to [grant temporary legal status to nearly half a million Venezuelan immigrants]( across the country. The Healey administration says they're "grateful" for the move. However, new arrivals from Venezuela make up just a small percentage of [the families in emergency shelters here](. Officials say most have come from Haiti, but are unable to work due to [a backlogged permitting process](. "More needs to be done," Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand said in a statement. - What exactly does Healey's office want? Hand named three specific items: "additional federal funding [to reimburse the state for the costs of providing shelter], [expedited work permits]( and extended Temporary Protected Status for Haitian families." - Meanwhile, the feds are also hearing it from state lawmakers. More than 60 members of the Legislature [sent a letter to Biden and leaders in Congress this week]( urging them to act on immigration reform. In addition to easing the burden on the state's overflowing family shelters, the group argues reform would also help address the local impacts of [national workforce shortages](. Officials estimate that Massachusetts has 98,000 unemployed workers to fill 242,000 open jobs. (Congress, however, has been focusing on [other things]( this week.) - Your daily diversion update: Shuttle buses are [replacing all service on the T's Fairmount commuter rail line]( today through Monday so crews can finish up work [replacing two very old bridges]( in Dorchester. T officials say this is the final Fairmount line diversion planned as part of the bridge project, but it's possible the rain this weekend could delay work and make an additional diversion necessary. - Red Line riders are probably used to this routine by now, but the Braintree branch is also [shutting down for track work this weekend.]( Beginning tonight at 8:45 p.m. through Sunday, shuttle buses will replace all Braintree trains south of JFK/UMass. - The maternity ward at Leominster Hospital is slated to officially and permanently close tomorrow, despite protests from [nurses]( [local lawmakers]( and [the flood-ravaged city's mayor](. Healey's office [told the Worcester Telegram]( they're aware of the concerns, but so far the governor has declined to use executive action to keep the birthing center open — or, at least delay its closure. - So, what now? Local residents will need to travel to Gardner, Worcester or Concord for labor and delivery services. UMass Memorial Health, which runs the Leominster Hospital, [says they will partner with the local transit authority to offer "curb-to-curb" transportation]( to those hospitals for certain patients who would otherwise have difficulty getting there. Leominster will keep offering prenatal and postpartum care. - Heads up: You'll soon be able to order free COVID tests through the mail again. Starting Monday, [the Biden administration is relaunching COVIDtests.gov]( allowing households to order up to four free COVID rapid tests each. It's an easy way to prep for [the fall virus season](. P.S.— Ten high schools in Boston are offering a new AP course this fall. Do you know its subject? Take our [Boston News Quiz]( and see how well you know the stories we covered this week. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Boston U. launches inquiry into 'management culture' at Center for Antiracist Research]( The Center, led by scholar Ibram X. Kendi, was launched at BU in June 2020. The inquiry comes amid recent layoffs of 19 staffers, with some publicly complaining about the Center’s culture and management. [Read more.]( [Boston U. launches inquiry into 'management culture' at Center for Antiracist Research]( The Center, led by scholar Ibram X. Kendi, was launched at BU in June 2020. The inquiry comes amid recent layoffs of 19 staffers, with some publicly complaining about the Center’s culture and management. [Read more.]( [Mass. officials set sights on replacing the Tobin Bridge]( Acting Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt informed state officials Wednesday that the Healey administration is beginning to plan for the "eventual replacement" of the Tobin Bridge. [Read more.]( [Mass. officials set sights on replacing the Tobin Bridge]( Acting Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt informed state officials Wednesday that the Healey administration is beginning to plan for the "eventual replacement" of the Tobin Bridge. [Read more.]( [A Black Texas student's suspension over his hair renews focus on the CROWN Act]( The high school student has been suspended for more than two weeks for wearing a natural hairstyle that officials say violated a dress code. So far, 24 states have signed the CROWN Act into law. [Read more.]( [A Black Texas student's suspension over his hair renews focus on the CROWN Act]( The high school student has been suspended for more than two weeks for wearing a natural hairstyle that officials say violated a dress code. So far, 24 states have signed the CROWN Act into law. [Read more.]( [Mass. conservationists welcome executive order to protect biodiverse lands and waters]( The order calls for the state Department of Fish and Game to draw up a set of biodiversity conservation targets for state agencies to implement in 2030, 2040 and 2050. [Read more.]( [Mass. conservationists welcome executive order to protect biodiverse lands and waters]( The order calls for the state Department of Fish and Game to draw up a set of biodiversity conservation targets for state agencies to implement in 2030, 2040 and 2050. [Read more.]( [NASA effort to bring home asteroid rocks will end this weekend in triumph or a crash]( NASA's first effort to retrieve samples from an asteroid will send a capsule that contains extraterrestrial pebbles and dust plunging towards a Utah desert on Sunday. [Read more.]( [NASA effort to bring home asteroid rocks will end this weekend in triumph or a crash]( NASA's first effort to retrieve samples from an asteroid will send a capsule that contains extraterrestrial pebbles and dust plunging towards a Utah desert on Sunday. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Did you know America's longest road starts — or ends — in Kenmore Square? Separated by 3,365 miles, two matching green signs in Boston and Oregon mark the ends of Route 20. WBUR's Amanda Beland has [the story of how they got there and the intentions behind them](. - We're nearing the end of this year's fall arts guides with [a preview of the arts exhibits to see this season around Massachusetts](. The lineup includes one exhibit focused on Isabella Stewart Gardner herself and how the museum founder was shaped by her worldly travels. - How will Boston's new women's professional soccer team succeed where past versions have failed? WBUR's Walter Wuthmann[reports]( on why the all-female leadership team behind Boston Unity Soccer Partners believes this moment is different. - Geri Denterlein [writes in this Cognoscenti commentary]( that her late husband and longtime Boston Globe journalist Jack Thomas spent his final days much the same way he spent most days in their 34-year relationship: reading, writing, collecting recipes, gardening and planning ahead. "It was my life that changed," Geri writes.  What We're Reading 📚 - Seattle Police Video Captures ‘Disturbing’ Comments About Pedestrian’s Death ([The New York Times]( - A reporter made sure a retired police chief’s death didn’t go uncovered. Then social media attacked her. ([Poynter]( - Chris Evans Is Having Second Thoughts ([GQ](  🔎 Field Guide [Roxbury: A Boston neighborhood guide]( Long considered the heart of Black Boston, not to mention the city's geographic center, Roxbury is a diverse and rapidly evolving neighborhood. [Read more.]( [Roxbury: A Boston neighborhood guide]( Long considered the heart of Black Boston, not to mention the city's geographic center, Roxbury is a diverse and rapidly evolving neighborhood. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common has [the highlights from this fall's arts guides](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [It's the Loch Ness Monstah](. 😎 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. 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