☕ Steeped in myth

Also: A Southie public housing makeover; two Boston-area breweries form an alliance [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 15, 2023 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 51. Good Morning Boston, Tomorrow is the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Scroll below for a look at what many people get wrong about the historic event in American history. But before we spill the tea, let's get to the news: - McCormack makeover moves forward: The city of Boston is set to raze and rebuild its second-largest — and oldest — public housing development. Last night, the Boston Planning and Development Agency voted to approve the first phase of a $2 billion plan to redevelop the Mary Ellen McCormack complex in South Boston. First built in 1938, the massive 31-acre public housing community was [where Whitey Bulger grew up]( it has also faced [recent scrutiny over its conditions](. However, Boston Housing Authority administrator Kenzie Bok says it's about to undergo a "real transformation." - Bigger: The entire project includes replacing all of the existing 1,016 apartments, and adding more than 2,000 units at middle-income and market rates (in a mix of both apartment buildings and row houses). It will also add a community center, retail space (maybe a grocery store) and new streets to make the insularly designed complex more accessible. "It's going to be knit back together into the street grid of the rest of the larger neighborhood," Bok told WBUR's John Bender. You can check out the renderings on [the project website](. - Greener: The complex — located next to Southie's Moakley Park — is in a flood plain, according to Bok. So, the plan also includes key climate resiliency measures, like raising the ground floors of buildings throughout the complex and installing green infrastructure, like rain gardens and berms to protect against flooding. - What's next: The first phase of the project will replace 529 public housing units and add 781 new mixed-income apartments over the coming decade. Bok says the multi-phased approach aims to minimize the disruption to current residents. "The very first building that we build will actually be located on what's currently a blank pad ... so that we can have a bunch of families make a one-way move from their current public housing apartment into a brand-new apartment," Bok said. - Zoom out: The McCormack makeover is just one part of a major overhaul of the area around Carson Beach and Moakley Park, which Bok calls a "gem" of the city. Southie's nearby Old Colony public housing complex is finishing up its [own redevelopment project](. And to the south, the "[Dorchester Bay City]( project will turn the old former Bayside Expo Center into a totally new 2,000-apartment neighborhood on Harbor Point. - Rhode rage: Two-way traffic has resumed on I-195 in Rhode Island, after officials [reopened two emergency westbound bypass lanes]( this morning on the Washington Bridge. The news comes after all westbound lanes on the Providence bridge — located over the border from Massachusetts — were [abruptly closed Monday due to a critical structural failure]( paralyzing local traffic and [even closing some schools](. - What's next: Repair work on the bridge is expected to take several months. To help relieve the traffic, Rhode Island plans to [run a temporary ferry service]( between Bristol and Providence. - Jobs in jeopardy: More than 600 Boston Public Schools jobs could be on the line, as millions of dollars in federal pandemic funding runs out next year. The Boston Globe [reports]( the cutoff is likely to spur budget cuts and at least one school merger in the district — even with additional city funding to make up for some of the loss. - BPS principals are planning to meet with teachers, students and parents over the next month to decide which cuts to make, [according to the Globe](. - Brew news: Two local breweries are merging to form a new company. Aeronaut and Dorchester Brewing announced yesterday they will form a new company next year called "Tasty Liquid Alliance" to pool resources and expertise. Dorchester Brewing CEO Matt Malloy told WBUR's Dave Faneuf that the two breweries have a lot in common: "We share a similar culture, we celebrate diversity in our taprooms and with our staff, and the real important thing is we both care rabidly about making high quality products." - What stays the same: The two breweries will continue to function as separate and independent brands, and both taprooms (in Somerville and Dorchester, respectively) will stay open. - What changes: Aeronaut plans to close its production site in Everett and shift most of its brewing (and production workers) to Dorchester Brewing's facility. Aeronaut's "Cannery" taproom in Everett will also likely close at some point next spring. P.S.— Two top managers at the state’s ___ were suspended this month. Do you know what embattled agency it was? Then [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 [The Boston Tea Party at 250: History steeped in myth]( The Boston Tea Party had very little do with tax hikes. And despite the name, it wasn't a party. But it drew the ire of colonial leaders like George Washington. Now, on the 250th anniversary, historians are hoping to revisit one of the most sensationalized moments in U.S. history. [Read more.]( [The Boston Tea Party at 250: History steeped in myth]( The Boston Tea Party had very little do with tax hikes. And despite the name, it wasn't a party. But it drew the ire of colonial leaders like George Washington. Now, on the 250th anniversary, historians are hoping to revisit one of the most sensationalized moments in U.S. history. [Read more.]( [Man accused of making death threats to Ramaswamy released, can't have contact with any candidate]( A judge has released from jail a New Hampshire man accused of sending text messages threatening to kill a presidential candidate. The judge says thirty-year-old Tyler Anderson must avoid contact with any presidential candidate and their political campaigns. [Read more.]( [Man accused of making death threats to Ramaswamy released, can't have contact with any candidate]( A judge has released from jail a New Hampshire man accused of sending text messages threatening to kill a presidential candidate. The judge says thirty-year-old Tyler Anderson must avoid contact with any presidential candidate and their political campaigns. [Read more.]( [Israel is using an AI system to find targets in Gaza. Experts say it's just the start]( Israel's military says the system makes it more efficient and reduces collateral damage. Critics see a host of problems with the nation's use of AI, but other militaries will likely follow suit. [Read more.]( [Israel is using an AI system to find targets in Gaza. Experts say it's just the start]( Israel's military says the system makes it more efficient and reduces collateral damage. Critics see a host of problems with the nation's use of AI, but other militaries will likely follow suit. [Read more.]( [MBTA adds to its pile of safety incidents]( MBTA workers experienced three safety incidents in the past two weeks, the latest speed bumps as higher-ups work to address deep-rooted problems and overhaul the transit agency's culture.. [Read more.]( [MBTA adds to its pile of safety incidents]( MBTA workers experienced three safety incidents in the past two weeks, the latest speed bumps as higher-ups work to address deep-rooted problems and overhaul the transit agency's culture.. [Read more.]( [Judge finds 'no evidence' of malice in NHPR journalist's notes on sexual misconduct story]( A man suing New Hampshire Public Radio over unflattering coverage has 30 days to produce evidence before his suit is dismissed, a superior court judge ruled Wednesday. [Read more.]( [Judge finds 'no evidence' of malice in NHPR journalist's notes on sexual misconduct story]( A man suing New Hampshire Public Radio over unflattering coverage has 30 days to produce evidence before his suit is dismissed, a superior court judge ruled Wednesday. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - The new "Wonka" movie starring Timothée Chalamet opens in theaters nationwide today. NPR's Linda Holmes [explains in this review]( how the "upbeat, imaginative" film is a lot different than the original with Gene Wilder. (There is also an appearance by one Oompa-Loompa, played by Hugh Grant.) - The musical adaptation of “Real Women Have Curves” is making [its world premiere at the American Repertory Theater](. Jacquinn Sinclair writes that the story reminds us that body positivity and a heartwarming message don't have an expiration date. - Kent Greenfield [writes in this commentary]( that private institutions like Harvard, Penn and MIT have the right to establish speech policies that embody their core values, and should not be allowed to throw up their hands and say the issue is not for them to decide. - In [this week's episode]( Endless Thread goes down a musical TikTok rabbit hole with resident Gen Z-er Jacob Garcia.  What We're Reading 📚 - Boston Tea Party? Rhode Island says its rebellion was first — and just as important. ([Washington Post]( - Dubbed the ‘Teele Square Pit,’ a vacant lot in Somerville has become the source of many questions — and quips ([The Boston Globe]( - How Police Have Undermined the Promise of Body Cameras ([ProPublica](  Tell Me Something Good [These artists share what inspired them in 2023]( As we reflect on the year, and all of the moments that brought us joy, we checked in with a group of folks that have inspired us at WBUR: members of The Makers and ARTery 25 cohorts. They share the art that inspired them this year. [Read more.]( [These artists share what inspired them in 2023]( As we reflect on the year, and all of the moments that brought us joy, we checked in with a group of folks that have inspired us at WBUR: members of The Makers and ARTery 25 cohorts. They share the art that inspired them this year. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common looks at [what's next for Harvard President Claudine Gay]( following a contentious and pivotal two weeks. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [A little holiday miracle]( courtesy of Matt Shearer. 😎 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.