Come on and take a free ride

Also: Lessons from Newton's teachers strike; heat pump goals [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  February 7, 2024 🌥️ Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Good Morning Boston, While you [rethink your Super Bowl guac]( let's get to the news: - Put that CharlieCard away! Boston's [three fare-free buses]( will continue to be free to ride for at least another two years. The original two-year pilot program was set to expire at the end of this month. However, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced yesterday that the city will continue paying the MBTA to keep [the 23, 28 and 29 routes]( — which run through lower-income parts of Dorchester, Mattapan and Roxbury — free through March 2026. - At what cost? Wu's office says the city will pay $350,000 a month to continue the pilot, using American Rescue Plan Act funds (the city has to use that money before the end of 2026). That's a tad more than the $8 million Boston paid for the pilot's first two years. - But think of the savings! During the pilot, Wu's office says more than 12 million trips were taken on the three free routes, which saw [above-average rebounds in ridership](. While half the riders didn't actually save money since they had a MBTA pass or paid a fare elsewhere, the pilot did save a total of $6 million for the other half of riders — an average of $35 a month per rider. - FYI: Wu's office [had been talking with Cambridge officials last year]( about working together to make the MBTA's 1 bus free, too. However, those talks appear to have fizzled. Cambridge spokesman Jeremy Warnick said their understanding is the "pilot is not moving forward at this time," as the T focuses on repairing the system and [developing a broader low-income fare program](. - On Beacon Hill: State House lawmakers will hold their [first hearing today]( on Gov. Maura Healey's proposed $58 billion budget. The plan includes [millions]( to continue free school meals and community college for adults over 25, launch a new [expansion of low-cost preschool and child care subsidies]( and get [much-needed assistance]( for the MBTA. But as WBUR's Walter Wuthmann reports, those priorities are likely to face increasing scrutiny from legislators amid a cloudy fiscal backdrop. - Why? This week, state officials [reported]( January tax revenue lagged expectations for a seventh straight month — by nearly 7%. And Healey has already [slashed hundreds of millions in spending]( from the current budget to account for the ongoing shortfalls. - What's next: Even amid the revenue slide, Healey has contended her budget is "balanced, responsible and forward-looking." She'll make that case in person to legislators during the hearing today. - In related news: The State House is on the verge of getting a new member. The Telegram & Gazette [reports]( that Dudley Selectman John Marsi won yesterday's Republican primary in the special election to replace [GOP former state representative-turned-state Sen. Peter Durant](. (Marsi will be the only one on the March 5 general election ballot, since no Democrats filed.) - New year, same rules: Boston's outdoor dining season will begin on May 1 — and, once again, the North End will mostly be excluded. Wu's office [announced yesterday that they're keeping the same policy as last year](. That means restaurants in most parts of Boston will be able to apply to set up patios on public property like sidewalks and parking spaces, as long as they pay a monthly fee. - The rules are much tighter in the North End, where patios will only be allowed on private property or sidewalks where there's still [at least five feet of room]( for pedestrians. City Councilor Gabriela Coletta, who represents the North End, explained the neighborhood is "uniquely dense," with over 100 restaurants and many narrow sidewalks in one square mile. "At the end of the day, it comes down to our infrastructure," Coletta told WBUR's Fausto Menard. "So, next steps have to include long-term infrastructure fixes and creative alternatives for business owners." - And then there were three: Medford has become the latest city in Massachusetts to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, [following nearby Somerville and Cambridge](. Medford's City Council passed the cease resolution last night. [The resolution]( also pushes for the return of all hostages, and condemns xenophobic violence. P.S.— Valentine's Day is just a week away and you can still save on flowers (and support independent journalism!) if you order through WBUR. [Click here to explore our options]( and schedule a delivery of Winston Flowers roses to almost anywhere in New England. Plus, if you order by Friday, you'll save 10%. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Newton teacher strike offers lessons and a cautionary tale]( With the Newton teacher strike over, statewide union leaders said they expect more districts elsewhere to demand that student mental health supports be included in new contracts. [Read more.]( [Newton teacher strike offers lessons and a cautionary tale]( With the Newton teacher strike over, statewide union leaders said they expect more districts elsewhere to demand that student mental health supports be included in new contracts. [Read more.]( [As Steward Health flails, once-supporters of Ralph de la Torre now criticize the CEO]( Many in the health care industry were unwilling to speak on the record about de la Torre, but in a dozen interviews, some blamed the company's flagging finances on greed. And some are taking particular aim at de la Torre, including those who helped propel his career. [Read more.]( [As Steward Health flails, once-supporters of Ralph de la Torre now criticize the CEO]( Many in the health care industry were unwilling to speak on the record about de la Torre, but in a dozen interviews, some blamed the company's flagging finances on greed. And some are taking particular aim at de la Torre, including those who helped propel his career. [Read more.]( [Mass. joins 8 states in setting new electric heat pump goals]( A new multi-state agreement promises to make electric heat pumps 65% of total home heating unit sales by 2030. [Read more.]( [Mass. joins 8 states in setting new electric heat pump goals]( A new multi-state agreement promises to make electric heat pumps 65% of total home heating unit sales by 2030. [Read more.]( ['None of these candidates' takes the Nevada Republican primary, dealing Haley a blow]( Nikki Haley was the only major candidate left in Nevada's presidential primary election but even that advantage did not help her clinch a win in the contest. [Read more.]( ['None of these candidates' takes the Nevada Republican primary, dealing Haley a blow]( Nikki Haley was the only major candidate left in Nevada's presidential primary election but even that advantage did not help her clinch a win in the contest. [Read more.]( [Authorities target two Texas firms in probe of AI-generated robocalls before New Hampshire's primary]( Authorities issued cease-and-desist orders Tuesday against two Texas companies they believe were connected to robocalls that used artificial intelligence to mimic President Joe Biden’s voice and discourage people from voting in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary last month. [Read more.]( [Authorities target two Texas firms in probe of AI-generated robocalls before New Hampshire's primary]( Authorities issued cease-and-desist orders Tuesday against two Texas companies they believe were connected to robocalls that used artificial intelligence to mimic President Joe Biden’s voice and discourage people from voting in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary last month. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - As the first Black head coach of the New England Patriots, Jerod Mayo is making history. And as WBUR's Khari Thompson [writes in this commentary]( rather than trying to minimize himself and his experience, Mayo has chosen to embrace the discomfort of difference. - After joining NPR at its inception over 50 years ago, former All Things Considered host and senior national correspondent Linda Wertheimer announced yesterday she is retiring. [Read her bittersweet goodbye note here](. - She may not have been the Hasty Pudding's [first choice this year]( but Annette Bening was feted with a raucous parade and celebration yesterday in Cambridge honoring her 2024 Woman of the Year award all the same. Here are [a few photos and highlights from the event](. - Don't look up: The company that was planning to build the world's tallest flagpole in Maine to honor veterans is [now dropping the proposal, due to concerns from local residents](. The pole would have been taller than the Empire State Building, but many residents in the small town were [reportedly stunned by the scale of construction](.  What We're Reading 📚 - One Dalton is selling seven studios, some smaller than 400 square feet. The asking price? Brace yourself. ([The Boston Globe]( - Why scientists are starting to worry about the moon shrinking ([Washington Post]( - Study says state faces growing teacher diversity challenge if action isn’t taken ([CommonWealth Beacon](  Food For Thought [A genetically modified purple tomato is now available to home gardeners]( The plant gets its color — and a boost in antioxidants — from genes from an edible flower. It's the first time gardeners have been able to grow a GMO crop at home. [Read more.]( [A genetically modified purple tomato is now available to home gardeners]( The plant gets its color — and a boost in antioxidants — from genes from an edible flower. It's the first time gardeners have been able to grow a GMO crop at home. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common looks at [what did — and didn't — make it into Newton teachers' new contract following their 11-day strike](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [I told you not to trust Phil!]( 😎 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.