Mass. responds to attacks on Israel

Also: Flu and RSV join the COVID dashboard; what to know before you visit Salem [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  October 9, 2023 🍂 Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Good Morning Boston, Here's hoping you're reading this on a day off from work to mark either Indigenous Peoples' Day or Columbus Day, depending on which your city commemorates. (You can listen to a [great episode from The Common here]( to better understand the movement to officially change the holiday's name to the former.) Still, whether you're back to the grind or ready to frolic through another fine fall day, be aware of [what's opened and closed for the holiday.]( Now to the news: - Massachusetts leaders are reacting to the conflict in Israel that was sparked this weekend after militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented attack early Saturday morning. Gov. Maura Healey is expected to attend a gathering on Boston Common today to show "solidarity with Israel." [According to NPR]( as of this morning, more than 700 people were killed by Hamas, per Israeli media. The Associated Press reported the militants claimed to have taken 130 captives, including women and children, but that number has not yet been officially confirmed. In Palestine, NPR reports that health officials said at least 493 people have been killed in Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip, including 91 children and 61 women; about 2,750 have been reportedly injured. - What Healey (and others in the "all Dem" delegation) are saying: Healey has called the violence "unconscionable." Rep. Seth Moulton described the situation as "devastating." Sen. Ed Markey shared he thinks a war between Israel and Hamas would be "catastrophic." Rep. Ayanna Pressley called for an immediate cease fire and de-escalation, saying the weekend violence was "deeply alarming." - From the White House: President Biden said he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. “stands with the people of Israel in the face of these terrorist assaults. Israel has the right to defend itself and its people, full stop. There’s never a justification for terrorist attacks and my administration’s support for Israeli’s security is rock solid and unwavering.’’ He added that his administration pledges to ensure Israel has “what it needs to defend itself.” You can read more about Biden's full remarks [here](. - Study abroad woes: Northeastern University is working to evacuate three of its students from Israel; they have been studying there as part of a co-op program. University officials say the students are safe. - Zoom out: To understand what's happening in Israel now, you must know the timeline and context of the deadly clashes of recent decades. The New York Times did a good job [breaking down the main events of the centuries-long conflict here]( we highly recommend the read. - Dashboard redesign: Massachusetts health officials [have given the COVID data dashboard we got to know over the past few years an overhaul]( to include other respiratory diseases, too. With peak season for respiratory illnesses approaching, the dashboard now incorporates hospital admissions due to flu and RSV. It also shows COVID and flu season severity levels, a little like a Smokey Bear fire danger sign. Officials plan to keep updating it every Thursday. - Another change: The [dashboard]( now highlights the percentage of residents who are keeping up with their annual COVID and flu shots. The current rates: 2.5% of Massachusetts residents have gotten the new COVID vaccine and 8.96% have gotten the flu shot. - Eye on the (Nobel) prize: [Another]( Massachusetts local has earned the most prestigious prize out there. [Claudia Goldin]( a Harvard professor, won this year's Nobel Prize for economics this morning. Her work studying the gender pay gap earned her this major recognition. - A little about Goldin: She's been at Harvard since 1990 and was the first woman to be offered tenure in the school's economics department. - Heads up: Jamaica Pond is closed thanks to a harmful algae bloom. You can still walk around the path, but Boston Health officials say the bacteria causing the bloom can be harmful to people and pets, which is why they want you to stay out of the water. The pond will re-open for swimming and fishing once the bacteria is back to a safe level. How long will that take? Up to three weeks, so plan accordingly. P.S.— Next year's [solar eclipse]( is now less than six months away, and local cartographer Andy Woodruff has created [a neat, interactive tool to track its timing and path]( including through New England. Better start making those Vermont Airbnb reservations pronto! Meagan McGinnes Assistant Managing Editor, Newsletters [Follow]( Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Israel is trying to regain full control of its territory following Hamas attack]( Israel's military said it is still fighting Hamas militants in southern Israel after they broke through the Gaza border to launch an unprecedented wave of attacks. Israel responded with air strikes. [Read more.]( [Israel is trying to regain full control of its territory following Hamas attack]( Israel's military said it is still fighting Hamas militants in southern Israel after they broke through the Gaza border to launch an unprecedented wave of attacks. Israel responded with air strikes. [Read more.]( [How Mass. won the competition to host a 'NASA for health care']( A group of public officials, scientists, business leaders and community advocates made a pitch — and it paid off. Cambridge’s Kendall Square will become a hub for the new federal health agency, ARPA-H. [Read more.]( [How Mass. won the competition to host a 'NASA for health care']( A group of public officials, scientists, business leaders and community advocates made a pitch — and it paid off. Cambridge’s Kendall Square will become a hub for the new federal health agency, ARPA-H. [Read more.]( [Visiting Salem for Haunted Happenings? Here's what to know before you go]( "This October, take the train, take the ferry, come by bike, or come by broom – but leave your car at home," said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. [Read more.]( [Visiting Salem for Haunted Happenings? Here's what to know before you go]( "This October, take the train, take the ferry, come by bike, or come by broom – but leave your car at home," said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. [Read more.]( [Former Tropical Storm Philippe's remnants headed to waterlogged New England]( The remnants of former Tropical Storm Philippe are bearing down on New England with the promise of rain, wind and isolated power outages. The storm is expected to hit late Saturday night. [Read more.]( [Former Tropical Storm Philippe's remnants headed to waterlogged New England]( The remnants of former Tropical Storm Philippe are bearing down on New England with the promise of rain, wind and isolated power outages. The storm is expected to hit late Saturday night. [Read more.]( [The House has no speaker, but plenty to do. Here are 5 of the most pressing issues]( The House can't do legislative business until it elects a new speaker. Their growing to-do list includes keeping the government open, as well as policy issues like Ukraine aid and defense spending. [Read more.]( [The House has no speaker, but plenty to do. Here are 5 of the most pressing issues]( The House can't do legislative business until it elects a new speaker. Their growing to-do list includes keeping the government open, as well as policy issues like Ukraine aid and defense spending. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - This week at CitySpace: The Moth is back tomorrow night for [an "adulting"-themed StorySLAM](. Then on Thursday, legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog is [coming to Comm. Ave to discusses his long-anticipated memoir]( with Here & Now co-host Robin Young. (The event is sold out, but you can still [get tickets to watch online for $5]( - Ahead of Herzog's visit, film critic Sean Burns [recommends five of the director's best titles]( that you can stream online right now. - PSA: Claiming the federal $7,500 tax credit for buying an electric car is about to get a whole lot easier — and much faster. Beginning this January, EV car shoppers will be able to get the cash in hand on the day of their purchase, rather than waiting for tax season (though there are some caveats). Here's [what to know about the new rebate process](. - Would you consider this week's crisp fall temps to be "beach weather"? Some do. "Ice dipping," or cold plunging, has grown in popularity over the last few years, with many claiming the practice helps with anxiety and stress. Scientists who study cold exposure [corroborate some of the benefits of this activity]( — and explain which health claims are a little flimsy.  What We're Reading 📚 - Trump Said to Have Revealed Nuclear Submarine Secrets to Australian Businessman ([The New York Times]( - US government considers protecting octopuses used in research ([Ars Technica]( - The 9/11 Museum Is an Atrocity Exhibition ([The Nation](  🔎 Field Guide [The South End: A Boston neighborhood guide]( The South End is a diverse neighborhood with quaint townhouses covered in ivy and a fine dining scene untarnished by tourist attractions. [Read more.]( [The South End: A Boston neighborhood guide]( The South End is a diverse neighborhood with quaint townhouses covered in ivy and a fine dining scene untarnished by tourist attractions. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common is delivering a story from the newsroom today on [MASS MoCA's new exhibit]( centered around the deaf experience. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: What Massachusetts [looks like to AI](. 😎 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.