Judging the process

Also: Inside BPS's budget plan; 5 things to do this weekend [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  February 8, 2024 🌤️ Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Good Morning Boston, You can officially [start booking your summer Nantucket ferry trips]( today at 8 a.m. — for real this time, after the Steamship Authority had [some technical difficulties last month](. (Martha's Vineyard ferry tickets go on sale same time next Wednesday.) But first, a quick cruise through today's news: - Gov. Maura Healey's second nominee to Massachusetts' highest court has proved to be a controversial one in some circles. Healey announced yesterday that she has picked Appeals Court Judge Gabrielle Wolohojian to fill the [newly open seat]( on the Supreme Judicial Court. By all measures, Wolohojian looks like a very qualified nominee. Where it gets sticky is that she also happens to be Healey's former longtime partner. (The two lived together in Charlestown, before separating several years ago.) [As WBUR's Deborah Becker and Walter Wuthmann report]( that past relationship has raised questions about conflicts of interest, even as Healey defends the process. - What we know about the process: Candidates for SJC seats put themselves forward by filling out a detailed application. Then, a special nominating committee interviews candidates to decide whose name will be sent to the governor for consideration. According to Healey’s office, a five-member committee screened candidates — and unanimously selected Wolohojian. - What we don't know: Was Wolohojian the only name submitted to Healey? Or did she pick from a list? Healey declined to say when asked that question by reporters yesterday at the State House. Rather, she stressed Wolohojian had the “unanimous and unqualified support" of the nominating committee. - What's next: Wolohojian's nomination needs approval from the Governor's Council, where there appears to be mixed views. Councilor Tara Jacobs told New England Public Media the pick could be a conflict of interest, since the SJC regularly hears cases related to the governor's policies. However, others say it's not an issue. “She’s extremely qualified. I don’t think she should be punished for her prior relationship with the governor," Councilor Terrence Kennedy told Deb. Read more of the (mostly supportive) reactions from legal experts [in Deb and Walt's story](. - Supermarket scuffles: Medway schools are asking parents to help stop a string of recent disruptive behavior by their kids. According to school leaders, over 100 middle schoolers head to the nearby Shaw's supermarket after school and ride in carriages and electric carts, knock over displays, build forts out of paper towels, and steal. - In an email to parents earlier this week, Medway Middle School principal Amanda Luizzi said the loitering and bad behavior is especially prevalent during half-day Wednesdays, The Boston Globe [reports](. While the grocery store has not yet banned the students, local police have been notified. - On the trading block: The NBA trade deadline is this afternoon, but the Celtics are not ones to procrastinate. Yesterday, the team sent Lamar Stevens and two second-round draft picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for 25-year-old big man Xavier Tillman. - Why'd they make the trade? Tillman is a defensive-minded forward (kinda [like Charlie Baker back in the day](. So, he'll give the Celtics front court a little depth behind (the relatively fragile) Kristaps Porzingis and (the relatively old) Al Horford. - Brockton hospital will reopen this spring, after being forced to close by [a nine-alarm fire last winter](. Parent company Signature Healthcare announced the news yesterday on the first anniversary of the fire, which destroyed most of the hospital's electrical wiring. - Hobo no-go: Pour one out for Somerville residents who won't have a new Lord Hobo location around the corner after all. The Woburn-based brewery had been planning to open a new taproom at the former ONCE Lounge and Ballroom on Highland Avenue for the past two years. But CEO Simon Thorpe [told the Globe]( that those plans for Somerville are canceled in order “to focus on the continued development of Seaport and Woburn locations.” P.S.— [General admission tickets]( are still available for tonight's CitySpace talk with former NPR host Michele Norris. She'll also be signing copies of her new book after the show. [Join us!]( Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Supreme Court to consider whether Trump can be removed from primary ballot]( The Supreme Court will hear a case Thursday that could upend the presidential election in November. While the dispute comes from Colorado, the ruling could have national implications for Trump and his political fate. [Read more.]( [Supreme Court to consider whether Trump can be removed from primary ballot]( The Supreme Court will hear a case Thursday that could upend the presidential election in November. While the dispute comes from Colorado, the ruling could have national implications for Trump and his political fate. [Read more.]( [Boston Public Schools unveils proposed $1.5B budget and priorities]( BPS hopes to invest in inclusive learning opportunities for students with disabilities and English language learners and to help offset rapidly increasing costs in services due to inflation. [Read more.]( [Boston Public Schools unveils proposed $1.5B budget and priorities]( BPS hopes to invest in inclusive learning opportunities for students with disabilities and English language learners and to help offset rapidly increasing costs in services due to inflation. [Read more.]( [Shelter in Roxbury rec center fills up quickly]( A newly opened migrant overflow shelter at a Roxbury community center is nearing its capacity of 400 individuals, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Wednesday. [Read more.]( [Shelter in Roxbury rec center fills up quickly]( A newly opened migrant overflow shelter at a Roxbury community center is nearing its capacity of 400 individuals, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Wednesday. [Read more.]( [A man accused of killing his girlfriend in Massachusetts escapes from police custody in Kenya]( Police in Kenya say a murder suspect who was awaiting extradition to the United States has escaped from police custody. He is being sought in Massachusetts for allegedly killing his girlfriend and leaving her body in a car at Logan Airport before boarding a flight to Kenya. [Read more.]( [A man accused of killing his girlfriend in Massachusetts escapes from police custody in Kenya]( Police in Kenya say a murder suspect who was awaiting extradition to the United States has escaped from police custody. He is being sought in Massachusetts for allegedly killing his girlfriend and leaving her body in a car at Logan Airport before boarding a flight to Kenya. [Read more.]( [A local redistricting battle in a New York City suburb may lead to a national fight]( In one of the most segregated U.S. regions — New York's suburbs — voters of color are waging an unprecedented redistricting fight with an emerging tool for protecting voting rights at the local level. [Read more.]( [A local redistricting battle in a New York City suburb may lead to a national fight]( In one of the most segregated U.S. regions — New York's suburbs — voters of color are waging an unprecedented redistricting fight with an emerging tool for protecting voting rights at the local level. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - From ice sculptures (and chocolate!) taking over downtown Salem to a Black History Month film series at Showcase Cinemas, here are [five local events you should have on your to-do list this weekend](. - Boston-born artist Lorraine O'Grady graduated from Wellesley College nearly 70 years ago. Now, [a retrospective at her alma mater takes visitors through decades of her work]( in all its nuance. - Frederick Wiseman's newest documentary — opening this Friday at the Coolidge Corner Theatre — is a tranquil look at a Michelin-starred French restaurant. [As film critic Sean Burns writes in his review]( the 94-year-old, Cambridge-based documentarian takes us through nearly every aspect of meal preparation and service in “Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros.” - Awards shows are full of personalities, posing and performing. But in the utter silence that descended on the room when Joni Mitchell began to sing from the Grammy stage, another message emerged, writes Alysia Abbott [in this Cognoscenti commentary](.  What We're Reading 📚 - Where Are All These Journalists Going to Get a Sense of Self from Now? ([Hazlitt]( - Locals don’t really go to Faneuil Hall, say the locals we found at Faneuil Hall ([The Boston Globe]( - What Are We So Afraid Of? Here’s the Expert to Ask. ([The New York Times](  Tell Me Something Good [Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona is the 2023 USAA Salute to Service award winner]( New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona is the USAA 2023 Salute to Service award winner. The award recognizes the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL family to honor and support the military community. [Read more.]( [Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona is the 2023 USAA Salute to Service award winner]( New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona is the USAA 2023 Salute to Service award winner. The award recognizes the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL family to honor and support the military community. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [talks to a local expert about the recent Israel-Hama ceasefire resolutions passed by local cities](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: A [more acceptable nickname]( than Beantown. 😎 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.