Just in: Belichick and Patriots to part ways

Also: 24 memories from Belichick's career; Mass. House passes bill to outlaw "revenge porn" [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  January 11, 2024 🌧️ Today is mostly cloudy, with a high of 43. Good Morning Boston, It's the end of an era for New England this morning. Bill Belichick is leaving the New England Patriots after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles as head coach. Here's what we know so far: - According to reports from the NFL and ESPN, Belichick and the New England Patriots organization have parted ways mutually. Since Monday, Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft had been meeting to discuss how each side wanted to move forward after the coach's extensive history with the Pats. Belichick had one year remaining on his contract. - This wasn't a surprise decision: The news announced Thursday confirmed speculation that followed the coach throughout the end of the team's abysmal 4-13 season — his worst ever with the organization. Despite this, Belichick is the second-winningest head coach [in NFL history]( just 14 behind former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula. Belichick led the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins, most recently in 2018. - What's next for the Pats and Belichick? We'll hear more from both Kraft and Belichick today at noon during a press conference at Gillette Stadium. In terms of his coaching career, it's expected Belichick will get some interest from the seven other NFL teams with head-coaching vacancies (one of them being the [Atlanta Falcons]( per ESPN). - A Walgreens in Roxbury will close on Jan. 15, making it the fourth location the drugstore chain has shut down in a predominantly Black and Latino neighborhood in Boston. Over the last two years, Walgreens has shuttered locations in Mattapan, Hyde Park and Lower Roxbury. This recent 416 Warren St. closure is raising concerns about health access and equity for communities of color across the city. - Protestors demonstrated outside the Walgreens on Tuesday, demanding the drugstore, which is located next to a dialysis center, remain open to customers in the Roxbury area. "For Walgreens, this is all about business, but for us, it's a matter of life and death," demonstrator Rev. Miniard Culpepper [told WCVB.]( - In June of last year, Walgreens announced a plan [to close hundreds of stores]( nationally. When asked for comment, Walgreens told WBUR that "pharmacy patients at this location do not have to take any action." The spokesperson said customers' prescription files will automatically transfer to the Walgreens at 1890 Columbus Ave (Columbus & Bray), which is approximately a six-minute drive, 17 minute bus ride or 21-minute walk from the former Warren St. location. Unfortunately, according to Boston.com, [44% of Roxbury residents]( don’t have access to a vehicle. - Zoom out: Boston city councilors raised concerns about creating “pharmacy deserts” in the neighborhoods back in 2o22, but their resolution stalled. - The Massachusetts House unanimously voted to approve legislation yesterday that [strengthens protections for people who may have been the victims of revenge porn]( and other image-based sexual assault. The proposed bill also adds protections against coercive control and domestic violence, extends the statute of limitations for some domestic offenses and revises the state's laws around teen sexting. But the outlawing of revenge porn — a type of digital abuse that involves sharing sexually explicit images or videos without the other person's consent — is a big step for Massachusetts. The state is only one of two that [does not currently ban revenge porn.]( - What are the proposed changes? For adults, the bill would establish a penalty for those who distribute revenge porn under an already existing criminal harassment statute. If found guilty of distributing explicit imagery of other adults without both parties' consent, a person could be sentenced to two and a half years in prison and/or a monetary fine of up to $10,000. - This legislation would also update to the current consequences for teens who exchange explicit photos of themselves or their peers. Right now, minors who sext can be charged with possession of child sexual abuse imagery, which requires them to register as sex offenders. The new legislation would allow teens to go through an educational programming, rather than face criminal punishment, except in extreme cases. - What's next? Now, the measure is off to the Senate for review. Both the House and Senate reviewed a similar bill in 2022, but they couldn't come to a final agreement. P.S. — Trying to eat fresh in the new year? Here & Now resident chef Kathy Gunst is back with [three light, fruit-and-veggie filled recipes]( to help you refresh your palette after the holiday onslaught of cheese and cookies. Hanna Ali Associate Producer, Newsletters Meagan McGinnes Assistant Managing Editor, Newsletters  Support the news  The Rundown [24 memories from the Belichick era]( To mark his 24 years in New England, here are 24 things that we'll remember from the Belichick era. [Read more.]( [24 memories from the Belichick era]( To mark his 24 years in New England, here are 24 things that we'll remember from the Belichick era. [Read more.]( [Christie drops presidential bid at N.H. town hall event]( The former governor of New Jersey has been under intense pressure to exit the Republican presidential primary race as critics of Donald Trump work to unify behind a viable alternative to the former president. [Read more.]( [Christie drops presidential bid at N.H. town hall event]( The former governor of New Jersey has been under intense pressure to exit the Republican presidential primary race as critics of Donald Trump work to unify behind a viable alternative to the former president. [Read more.]( [Mariano says shelter costs are getting 'harder to support']( Three weeks after the Healey administration filed a report with lawmakers outlining a two-year shelter cost forecast and funding gaps, House Speaker Ron Mariano said he does not know exactly what the executive branch will request from the Legislature. [Read more.]( [Mariano says shelter costs are getting 'harder to support']( Three weeks after the Healey administration filed a report with lawmakers outlining a two-year shelter cost forecast and funding gaps, House Speaker Ron Mariano said he does not know exactly what the executive branch will request from the Legislature. [Read more.]( [A top U.N. court opens hearings on genocide charges against Israel]( Judges at the International Court of Justice on Thursday opened two days of legal arguments in a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in its Gaza war. Israel rejects the allegation. [Read more.]( [A top U.N. court opens hearings on genocide charges against Israel]( Judges at the International Court of Justice on Thursday opened two days of legal arguments in a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in its Gaza war. Israel rejects the allegation. [Read more.]( [Boston reaches $2.4 million settlement with police commander over gender discrimination case]( The city has reached a $2.4 million settlement with a high ranking female police commander who accused the department of gender discrimination, her lawyer said Wednesday. [Read more.]( [Boston reaches $2.4 million settlement with police commander over gender discrimination case]( The city has reached a $2.4 million settlement with a high ranking female police commander who accused the department of gender discrimination, her lawyer said Wednesday. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Boston Public Schools students and their families have their Sunday activities squared away thanks to a [new initiative from the city](. Starting in February, BPS families can visit The New England Aquarium, Franklin Park Zoo and five other major museums for free on the first and second Sunday of the month. - Dance it out at the Institute of Contemporary Art tomorrow night at 7 p.m. when you join the museum's Caribbean dance class. The event is free with museum admission. If you miss this one, don't worry, there are several other dates lined up. Looking for more fun around Boston? Check out the arts and culture desk's list of [5 things to do this weekend.]( - America's largest retailer, Walmart, debuted a new generative AI-tool at a trade show in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The search tool, which only works with iOS for now, will suggest relevant products for broader customer search terms, like "football watch party" or "bridal shower." [Learn more about Walmart's online and IRL tech experiments.]( - Cognoscenti contributor Adam Stumacher writes about the stories of motherhood, marathons and family life shared with him [by women in prison]( in this essay.  What We're Reading 📚 - January's Secret: It's the Best Month ([The New York Times]( - Falmouth’s plan to solve severe dispatcher shortage lands in Cape Cod court ([MassLive]( - In Massachusetts’ richest towns, many top-ranked schools cling to outdated methods of teaching reading ([The Boston Globe](  Food For Thought [Au Bon Pain in South Station closes, reportedly the last Boston location of the cafe chain (Boston.com)]( After reports of the South Station location closing, the Boston-born company's website now shows only one Au Bon Pain left in Massachusetts. [Read more.]( [Au Bon Pain in South Station closes, reportedly the last Boston location of the cafe chain (Boston.com)]( After reports of the South Station location closing, the Boston-born company's website now shows only one Au Bon Pain left in Massachusetts. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common is joined by the [new Boston City Council President, Ruthzee Louijeune.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: Next time, [be sure to check your ninja knives.]( 😎 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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