Plowing through a driver shortage

Also: Another go at the supp; the latest on COVID rates in Mass. [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 4, 2023 ☁️ Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Good Morning Boston, Congrats to everyone who made it through that dreary — in [more ways than one]( — Patriots game. Today will at least be a little sunnier. While we eye [the chances of some snow]( later this week, here is what's ahead today. - Supp?: Democratic leaders in the State House will try (again) to pass a supplemental budget in informal sessions today, after House Republicans blocked the bill [three times]( late last week. The [$2.8 billion spending deal]( includes extra funding for the state's strained emergency shelter system and raises for unionized state workers. Despite their massive majority in both chambers, Democrats [failed to reach a compromise]( on shelter funding before the formal legislative session ended last month — meaning any single lawmaker can voice an objection and block legislation during informal sessions. - Republicans are using that power, arguing the shelter system funding should be addressed in a formal session. "The migrant shelter crisis is unsustainable, and we need systematic reforms," MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale [told WCVB on Sunday](. "So, I really applaud our Republican leadership in the House and Senate for standing up to this broken process to demand accountability." - Meanwhile, Democrats are blaming the small GOP minority for holding up the bill ahead of the holiday season — particularly the raises for state workers. "People who were set up to buy a home have to delay and have to stop the process, because they can't afford it until these raises come through," Dave Foley, president of the local Service Employees International Union chapter, told WBUR's Irina Matchavariani. - Listen: Amid the stalemate on Beacon Hill, WBUR's Gabrielle Emanuel has the latest on the shelter system situation [here](. - Plowing ahead: With winter — and [a possible "Snowmageddon"]( — on the way, some communities in Massachusetts are getting creative in the face of the perennial snowplow driver shortage. While many have increased the hourly pay for drivers, Arlington is going a bit further, offering a base of $3,500 to plow drivers who commit to work for the town this winter — regardless of whether or not it even snows. - Why? The guaranteed minimum earning incentive is designed to address the rising upfront costs that many plow drivers face — from special commercial insurance to equipment to vehicle repairs. Arlington Town Manager Jim Feeney told WBUR's Samantha Coetzee they've seen a decline in plow contractor interest, due to those costs and the region's relatively snowless winters of late. "It's not necessarily as lucrative or even worth it sometimes for folks to sign up to be plow truck drivers," he said. - The big picture: Those factors have compounded what is already a generally tight labor market for truck drivers, according to Feeney. MassLive [reported last month]( that Springfield is offering drivers a $750 "performance bonus," while other cities across the state are offering hourly rates ranging from $100 to $260. MassDOT has also increased its base rates for drivers. - Getting back on track: Green Line trolleys are slated to return to the tunnels this Wednesday. But first, the MBTA is expanding [the downtown service suspension]( today and tomorrow from North Station out to Lechmere. Shuttle buses will replace service along [the brief stretch]( as the sprawling, nine-day diversion wraps up. - Remember: Even when downtown service resumes Wednesday, the Green Line will [still be suspended]( between North Station and Government Center until Dec. 16, due to demolition work on the Government Center Garage. The Green Line Extension will [also continue to close early]( at 8:45 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 10. - Shuttles are also [replacing some trains on the Haverhill commuter rail]( and tomorrow between Haverhill and Andover due to work on a condemned pedestrian bridge in Lawrence. - On the docket: Massachusetts' top court will hear a challenge today to the state's ban on carrying switchblades. While the ban has been in place for decades, a petition argues it is unconstitutional in the wake of [a 2018 ruling]( overturning the state's ban on stun guns. It also comes amid the Supreme Court's [more conservative]( recent interpretations of the Second Amendment. - Go deeper: As CommonWealth Beacon [recently reported]( the case stems from a Boston man's arrest in 2020 for carrying a switchblade, but never using or threatening anyone with it. P.S.— The first episode of HBO's new docuseries on the infamous Charles Stuart murder and how its fallout was felt across Boston airs tonight. [Watch the trailer and read critic Erin Trahan's review]( of what the three-part documentary does — and doesn't — do well. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Palestinian student shot in Vermont is paralyzed from chest down, his family says]( 20-year-old Hisham Awartani is scheduled to be released from the hospital next week and begin a long recovery after one of the gunman's bullets lodged in his spine. [Read more.]( [Palestinian student shot in Vermont is paralyzed from chest down, his family says]( 20-year-old Hisham Awartani is scheduled to be released from the hospital next week and begin a long recovery after one of the gunman's bullets lodged in his spine. [Read more.]( [Divers found wreckage, remains from Osprey crash that killed a Mass. airman, U.S. Air Force says]( The U.S. Air Force says divers have discovered wreckage and remains of crew members from a U.S. Air Force Osprey aircraft that crashed last week off southwestern Japan. The Osprey carrying eight American personnel, including Pittsfield native Jacob Galliher, crashed last Wednesday off Yakushima island during a training mission. [Read more.]( [Divers found wreckage, remains from Osprey crash that killed a Mass. airman, U.S. Air Force says]( The U.S. Air Force says divers have discovered wreckage and remains of crew members from a U.S. Air Force Osprey aircraft that crashed last week off southwestern Japan. The Osprey carrying eight American personnel, including Pittsfield native Jacob Galliher, crashed last Wednesday off Yakushima island during a training mission. [Read more.]( [COVID rates are ticking up in Mass. Thanksgiving may not be the only reason]( COVID levels have inched up in recent weeks, but the trend began before many holiday gatherings took place. Overall, data suggests levels of the virus remain lower than in prior surges. [Read more.]( [COVID rates are ticking up in Mass. Thanksgiving may not be the only reason]( COVID levels have inched up in recent weeks, but the trend began before many holiday gatherings took place. Overall, data suggests levels of the virus remain lower than in prior surges. [Read more.]( [Boston police union and city agree to tentative 5-year contract after years of delay]( Wu made police reform a primary focus of her 2021 campaign for mayor. She promised not to sign any new contract that did not include "significant" reforms to the disciplinary process and overtime pay. [Read more.]( [Boston police union and city agree to tentative 5-year contract after years of delay]( Wu made police reform a primary focus of her 2021 campaign for mayor. She promised not to sign any new contract that did not include "significant" reforms to the disciplinary process and overtime pay. [Read more.]( [State treasurer alleges inappropriate comments by cannabis commission chair]( In a court filing, Goldberg cites a commission investigation that alleges O'Brien made "racially, ethnically, culturally insensitive statements." O'Brien denies the allegations. [Read more.]( [State treasurer alleges inappropriate comments by cannabis commission chair]( In a court filing, Goldberg cites a commission investigation that alleges O'Brien made "racially, ethnically, culturally insensitive statements." O'Brien denies the allegations. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - This week at CitySpace: Swing by Commonwealth Ave tonight! Our Curated Cuisine series will host chef and writer Klancy Miller for [a discussion on her new book about women of color in the food industry]( (along with some smoked okra dip). And while the rest of this week's CitySpace events are sold out, you can still [get virtual tickets to the Circle Round podcast's live holiday-themed show]( on Saturday. - The commercial fishing of New England shrimp — also known as Maine shrimp or pink shrimp — peaked at nearly 30 million pounds per year in the late 1960s. However, the industry, which has fallen victim to warming waters, will remain closed indefinitely, under [a new ruling by regulators](. Some experts don't believe it will ever return. - When many movies featuring transgender characters tend to emphasize trauma and abuse, film critic Sean Burns writes it's heartening to see one so full of joy as "Orlando, My Political Biography." [The documentary hybrid]( — which uses a Virginia Woolf book that many have called the first trans novel — begins its run at the Brattle Theatre this Friday. - ICYMI: Gov. Maura Healey's administration released its first annual climate report card Friday, showing the state is on track to meet its 2025 emissions goals — though more work is needed for 2030 and beyond. WBUR's Miriam Wasser has [a breakdown of the takeaways](.  What We're Reading 📚 - The untold story of the Charles and Carol Stuart shooting ([The Boston Globe]( - Nesting Penguins Take More Than 10,000 Mini Naps Every Day ([Scientific American]( - “Not So Fast”: The Oral History of ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ ([The Ringer](  Life Advice [Feeling alone? 5 tips to create connection and combat loneliness]( We all feel lonely at some point, but long-term social isolation can damage our mental and physical health. A new book called Project UnLonely shows how creative expression can foster friendships. [Read more.]( [Feeling alone? 5 tips to create connection and combat loneliness]( We all feel lonely at some point, but long-term social isolation can damage our mental and physical health. A new book called Project UnLonely shows how creative expression can foster friendships. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common looks at the possibility of [a basic income program coming to Boston](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Aunt Donna isn't holding back.]( 😎 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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