High tensions at Harvard

Also: The State House shelter debate; why people are happy about MBTA closures [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  November 10, 2023 🌤️ Partly cloudy, with a high near 52. Good Morning Boston, Happy Friday! [Parking is free today through the weekend]( at all Massachusetts state parks for [Veterans Day]( in case you're looking to mark the holiday with a sunny — if brisk — fall walk or hike. But first, let's get to the news: - Massachusetts' emergency family shelter system officially hit the state's self-imposed cap yesterday. [As WBUR's Gabrielle Emanuel explains here]( the crossing of the 7,500-household threshold means the state will begin turning away eligible families for the first time today. Instead, families seeking shelter will be put on a waitlist for housing, prioritizing them [based on health and safety risk factors](. The moment has also opened up a divide between Gov. Maura Healey and some top Democrats on Beacon Hill over what to do next. - Earlier this week, House lawmakers [passed a bill that would send an additional $250 million to the shelter system]( — but with strings attached. If passed, the bill would require the Healey administration to set up overflow sites within 30 days to house waitlisted families. (That hasn't been part of Healey's plan.) They even [floated the Hynes Convention Center]( as a possible site. "We wanted to ensure that no family will be forced to be living on the street, in Logan Airport, in South Station, especially as the winter approaches," said state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz. - Healey, however, has said the additional $250 million — which she requested in September — is only enough to house the families already in the system. Meanwhile, her administration is [partnering with United Way to at least set up short-term, overnight shelters]( for homeless families. They've also been asking the federal government to help with more permanent overflow sites. - What's next: Healey has been noncommittal about signing off on the House's overflow site plan. After all, it still needs to get through the Senate, which will review it and then plans to pass its own version. But we could find out soon; the Legislature is under a deadline to finish its formal session by this coming Wednesday, Nov. 15. - Go deeper: Read Gabrielle's story on [how closing shelter doors could push families into illegal and unsafe housing](. - [Phil speed ahead]( The MBTA is planning [more than 200 days of partial shutdowns across its four subway lines]( through the end of next year — and people are sorta happy about it! That's because, for the first time in recent memory, the T is giving riders a long-term preview of their diversion plans. It comes as the agency, under General Manager Phil Eng, pushes to get rid of all 191 slow zones that have been bogging down service by the end of 2024. - See for yourself: [Click here]( get the full schedule or [check out this chart]( for an illustration of the 2024 plans. The Green and Red lines — which have the most slow zones — will see the most diversions, which start the week after Thanksgiving. - Listen: Radio Boston talked to two MBTA experts about [why the new plan is such a huge shift in how the T has typically operated](. - Heads up: As previously announced, shuttles will replace Orange Line service between Oak Grove and North Station [all weekend starting tonight at 8:45 p.m](. Keep that in mind if you're headed to the Celtics games at the TD Garden tonight or tomorrow. - School's out in Andover today, but not because of the Veterans Day holiday. The town's public school teachers are going on strike, after nine months of failed negotiations for a new contract. Andover's teacher's union says they're seeking higher pay and paid family and medical leave, among other things, in the new contract. You can [read their full explanation here](. - Zoom out: Teacher strikes are technically illegal in Massachusetts, but that hasn't stopped teachers in a growing number of other public school districts from striking over the past two years. Here's [why teachers unions say the disruptive actions have been "worth it."]( - And the next president of the Boston City Council is... Ruthzee Louijeune? The first-term, at-large city councilor, who was [the top vote-getter in this week's election]( announced yesterday that she has the votes among her colleagues to become the Council's next president. (The role is currently held by Ed Flynn.) - What it means: As council President, Louijeune would lead council proceedings. She would also step in as acting mayor if Mayor Michelle Wu goes out of town or leaves office. P.S.— Do you know what policy change was made by Massachusetts' largest health insurer this week? [Take our Boston News Quiz]( and test your knowledge of this week's stories. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Harvard confronts fear and division a month into Gaza conflict]( The turmoil has raised questions about how a university can, or should, accommodate a broad and diverse array of stakeholders, including students, staff, donors and alumni, during a moment of collective anguish. [Read more.]( [Harvard confronts fear and division a month into Gaza conflict]( The turmoil has raised questions about how a university can, or should, accommodate a broad and diverse array of stakeholders, including students, staff, donors and alumni, during a moment of collective anguish. [Read more.]( [A temporary Senate rule change could finally end Tuberville's military blockade]( Republican Sen. Tuberville of Alabama has been blocking nearly all military nominations this year — in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy. His fellow senators are getting creative with solutions. [Read more.]( [A temporary Senate rule change could finally end Tuberville's military blockade]( Republican Sen. Tuberville of Alabama has been blocking nearly all military nominations this year — in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy. His fellow senators are getting creative with solutions. [Read more.]( [As Harris fundraises in Boston for Biden, anti-war protesters greet her]( Vice President Kamala Harris made a swing through Boston on Thursday, visiting a union in Dorchester before heading to a sold-out Democratic fundraiser downtown, where pro-Palestinian protesters rallied in the rain. [Read more.]( [As Harris fundraises in Boston for Biden, anti-war protesters greet her]( Vice President Kamala Harris made a swing through Boston on Thursday, visiting a union in Dorchester before heading to a sold-out Democratic fundraiser downtown, where pro-Palestinian protesters rallied in the rain. [Read more.]( [Fran Drescher tells NPR the breakthrough moment that ended the Hollywood strikes]( The longest strike in history by actors against film and TV studios has finally ended. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher says there is a "new dawn." [Read more.]( [Fran Drescher tells NPR the breakthrough moment that ended the Hollywood strikes]( The longest strike in history by actors against film and TV studios has finally ended. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher says there is a "new dawn." [Read more.]( [Sen. Joe Manchin announces he won't seek reelection in 2024]( West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin will not seek reelection to the Senate in 2024, Democrats have a narrow majority and face and uphill battle to retain his seat. [Read more.]( [Sen. Joe Manchin announces he won't seek reelection in 2024]( West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin will not seek reelection to the Senate in 2024, Democrats have a narrow majority and face and uphill battle to retain his seat. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Maine's government [plans to cover the cost of funerals]( for those who were killed in last month's horrific Lewiston mass shooting. - ICYMI: Here's [what we know about all 18 of the people]( who were killed in the shooting, as remembered by friends and family. - To celebrate Diwali this weekend, a Boston brewery has created a beer that truly puts the "India" back in India Pale Ale. [Click here to read the full story]( on the brothers behind Rupee Beer and how they created their history-inspired India Pale Ale. - It's hygge season: As we descend deeper into fall, [take some tips]( from those who know the cold and dark best — Scandinavians — on how to embrace the season of rest and coziness.  What We're Reading 📚 - How to Hijack a Quarter of a Million Dollars in Rare Japanese Kit Kats ([The New York Times]( - Why a climate researcher pushed the limits of low-carbon travel — and his employer’s patience ([Nature]( - Is the web actually evaporating? ([Garbage Day](  Food For Thought [Where to find the best Italian sandwiches around Boston (The Boston Globe)]( Good bread is key in this quest: a little chewy, a little crusty. And the meats must be of the highest quality. From the North End to the North Shore, these are our top picks. [Read more.]( [Where to find the best Italian sandwiches around Boston (The Boston Globe)]( Good bread is key in this quest: a little chewy, a little crusty. And the meats must be of the highest quality. From the North End to the North Shore, these are our top picks. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [celebrates its first birthday]( with a reflection on the team's favorite episodes from the last year. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: We take fall hiking [very seriously]( in New England. 😎 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. 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