Healey's 90-day public housing push

Also: What to know about respiratory virus season in Mass.; writers reach a deal [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  September 25, 2023 🌧 Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63 and a chance of showers. Good Morning Boston, Get out the flannel; it's the first full week of fall. And once we get past [today's rain]( we'll have a solid week of crisp, dry weather — perfect for those who have been waiting to relish in their inner [Mr. Autumn Man](. But first, let's get to the news: - All hands on deck: Gov. Maura Healey's administration is [launching a 90-day push to fill empty, state-subsidized apartments](. It comes after [a WBUR and ProPublica investigation published last week]( found that nearly 2,300 of the 41,500 public housing units are sitting vacant. WBUR's Todd Wallack reports state officials are acknowledging the "shared responsibility" they have around helping local housing agencies address the issue (many of the problems have been [caused by a centralized waitlist system]( created by the state). Here are three new things they're doing during the 90-day push: - Working overtime: The state says it will help local housing agencies with high vacancy rates pay for employee overtime costs. - Working together: The state will help housing agencies in different cities or towns contract with each other to find qualified tenants and prepare apartments for them. In [a memo]( state officials listed seven housing agencies willing to help with tenant selection. - Checking in: Healey's administration said it will also start conducting weekly check-ins with housing agencies that have vacancy rates above 10% and offer them technical assistance. - What's next: [Healey told Radio Boston last week]( that she plans to unveil a new bond bill with additional funding for public housing. The state has estimated there is a $3.2 billion backlog of repairs needed in public housing, and advocates say more money needs to be put toward regular operating costs. [Click here for more]( on the state's response. - Healey's administration is also taking stock of maternal care options across Massachusetts, following this weekend's [controversial closure of the birthing center in Leominster](. Healey's office said state officials tried to delay the closure, but were told by UMass Memorial Health Care — which runs the Leominster hospital — that they didn't have enough staff to safely keep it open. In response, Healey is [ordering top health officials to conduct two reviews]( this fall (and both reports are due back by Nov. 15). - The first will focus on whether residents — especially in rural and underserved communities — have equitable access to high-quality prenatal, postpartum and birthing services around Massachusetts. It also tasks officials with coming up with ideas to ensure high-quality services are available in all cities and towns. - The second will specifically look at Northern Worcester County — where Leominster is located — to develop a plan to improve access in the wake of the local birthing center's closure. UMass Memorial is [offering transportation]( to nearby hospitals for patients who need nonemergency labor and delivery services. - PSA: You can now [order up to four free COVID-19 rapid tests for your household]( through the federal government's [COVIDtests.gov](. The website is being relaunched today, ahead of a $600 million investment by President Joe Biden's administration that will secure a total of 200 million rapid COVID tests for the feds to distribute. - The national relaunch also comes amid a gradual rise in COVID cases in Massachusetts, though the upswing has remained far more mild than previous surges. Scroll below for more from WBUR's Priyanka Dayal McCluskey on what to expect this fall. - Boston's seat at the table: Mayor Michelle Wu is expected to announce Mary Skelton Roberts today as her pick for the city's [newly created seat]( on the MBTA's Board of Directors, [according to The Boston Globe](. Her first board meeting would be this Thursday. - Who is she? Roberts has a background working for climate nonprofits and currently serves as president of [the inaugural Climate Beacon Conference in Boston]( next month. The Globe reports she is also a regular Orange Line and 39 bus rider. P.S.— Wu is also back on Radio Boston today. You know the drill — send in your questions through [our text club]( And [tune in]( at 11 a.m. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [COVID has been rising and flu is coming. Here’s what you need to know about respiratory virus season in Mass.]( The start of fall marks the beginning of respiratory virus season. COVID has been on an upswing for much of the past couple months— and other viruses, including flu and RSV, are still to come. [Read more.]( [COVID has been rising and flu is coming. Here’s what you need to know about respiratory virus season in Mass.]( The start of fall marks the beginning of respiratory virus season. COVID has been on an upswing for much of the past couple months— and other viruses, including flu and RSV, are still to come. [Read more.]( [Hollywood writers reach a tentative deal with studios after nearly five month strike]( Hollywood production has been halted for months as actors and writers have been on strike. Now, the writers are headed back to work. Actors represented by SAG-AFTRA remain on strike. [Read more.]( [Hollywood writers reach a tentative deal with studios after nearly five month strike]( Hollywood production has been halted for months as actors and writers have been on strike. Now, the writers are headed back to work. Actors represented by SAG-AFTRA remain on strike. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts gets $108 million federal grant to support East-West rail]( The federal government awarded Massachusetts a $108 million grant that will pay to upgrade the infrastructure needed for East-West rail, transit officials announced Friday. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts gets $108 million federal grant to support East-West rail]( The federal government awarded Massachusetts a $108 million grant that will pay to upgrade the infrastructure needed for East-West rail, transit officials announced Friday. [Read more.]( [Fossil fuel company wants to expand gas pipeline in Northeast]( The proposal from Enbridge would involve replacing existing pipes with larger ones, adding some secondary pipes and expanding compressor stations along the Algonquin Gas Transmission line. [Read more.]( [Fossil fuel company wants to expand gas pipeline in Northeast]( The proposal from Enbridge would involve replacing existing pipes with larger ones, adding some secondary pipes and expanding compressor stations along the Algonquin Gas Transmission line. [Read more.]( [5 things to know about the 14th Amendment effort to block Trump from the presidency]( Some legal scholars and activists say an obscure provision of the Constitution, dating back to just after the Civil War, should disqualify Donald Trump from a second White House term. [Read more.]( [5 things to know about the 14th Amendment effort to block Trump from the presidency]( Some legal scholars and activists say an obscure provision of the Constitution, dating back to just after the Civil War, should disqualify Donald Trump from a second White House term. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - This week at CitySpace: Tuesday's in-person event with historian and author Heather Cox Richardson may be sold out, but you can still snag a virtual ticket — which comes with a signed copy of her book, "Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America" — [for $45 on our website](. - We're also hosting a free event Friday for runners of all levels. Come for a short jog around the neighborhood and learn more about the groups, crews and support networks for your future running adventures (plus, free post-run snacks). Bring your running partners or come on your own to meet new ones. [Find the full details here](. - Brookline Village's beloved New Paris Bakery, known for its eclairs, shut its doors for good this weekend after 104 years in business. WBUR's Sharon Brody reports on [the bakery owner's bittersweet farewell to the neighborhood](. - Theater critic Terry Byrne says there's an "ambitious and intriguing" mix of stories being told on stage in the Boston area this season. In the final installment of of our 2023 fall arts guides, find out which 15 productions Byrne considers to be [this fall's must-see shows here](. - And your [2024 Super Bowl halftime show performer]( is... Usher. (However, he was somewhat overshadowed Sunday by [another music megastar's surprise appearance]( in the stands at one NFL game.)  What We're Reading 📚 - Clarence Thomas Secretly Participated in Koch Network Donor Events ([ProPublica]( - He ‘gentle parents’ the squirrels on his balcony. Millions now watch. ([Washington Post]( - The inscrutable Marty Baron ([The Boston Globe](  🔎 Field Guide [The books about Boston that historians think you should read]( We spoke to a range of writers, academics and historians to learn about the titles that inform them on key parts of Boston's history: from the Indigenous inhabitants to the American Revolution; from notorious political leaders to the busing crisis of the 1970s. [Read more.]( [The books about Boston that historians think you should read]( We spoke to a range of writers, academics and historians to learn about the titles that inform them on key parts of Boston's history: from the Indigenous inhabitants to the American Revolution; from notorious political leaders to the busing crisis of the 1970s. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [talks to WBUR's Todd Wallack about why so many of Massachusetts' public housing units sit vacant.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [If you know, you know]( (looking at you, I-93 drivers). 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 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.