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Happy Third of July! We have another beautiful, dry day for the nearly 20 Massachusetts communities holding fireworks tonight. And while your Fourth plans may have to contend with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms, meteorologist Danielle Noyes says the skies should clear for the big Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular tomorrow night.
Check out Noyes’ full holiday forecast here. Now, to the news:
We’re less than 48 hours away from round two of the Sumner Tunnel closure. The monthlong shutdown — running this Friday until the morning of Aug. 5 — is the shorter sequel to last summer’s two-month shutdown of the Boston Harbor tunnel. And as anyone who lives in East Boston or got stuck coming back from Logan Airport last year knows, the 24/7 closure wasn’t an especially fun time (unless you’re a ferry commuter; we know, your lives are great.) However, it turns out there could be a silver lining:
- A boost for biz: Shirley Fabbo, the president of East Boston’s Chambers of Commerce, says some local businesses saw an “influx in clientele” during last year’s tunnel closure. Whether it was detoured airport travelers or local residents just deciding to stay put, Fabbo said the closure meant they were “more apt” to visit a restaurant, store, salon or car shop in East Boston. “People do tend to kind of get fish-bowled here, and so there is a windfall of sorts with that,” Fabbo told WBUR’s Josie Guarino.
- Still, the closure can be disruptive, especially for residents and small businesses that aren’t prepared, Fabbo said. (Not you, though! You’ll be ready when you read our full, updated guide to getting around the tunnel closure here.)
- Spending time in Eastie this summer? Check out our neighborhood guide to learn the lay of the land, as well as East Boston residents’ favorite attractions, cafes and restaurants.
ICYMI: Scott Brown is mulling a political comeback. During an interview yesterday on Radio Boston, the former Massachusetts senator-turned-New Hampshire resident said he believes he has “one more run.” Following last week’s debate, the Republican said the state of national politics is motivating him to give it another go. “I’m sad and I’m mad and I’m angry, and I’m thinking about whether there’s another run sooner rather than later,” he said.
- It’s been 10 years since Brown’s last bid for elected office. In 2014, he lost a Senate race in New Hampshire, two years after Sen. Elizabeth Warren ousted him from his Massachusetts seat. Brown said his next run is “not gonna be 2024,” but otherwise didn’t give a timeline or say what race (or state) he might run in.
- Listen to the full interview, which ranged from Brown’s views on President Biden and Donald Trump to his rock band.
A popular syringe collection program in Boston has come to an end. According to the Boston Public Health Commission, money for the Community Syringe Redemption Program — which offered up to $10 for needles turned in off the street — ran out last month. The program was launched in 2020 with federal pandemic recovery funds. Since then, organizers estimate the program collected about 5 million syringes.
- Boston officials say they’ll continue to operate clean-up programs that employ people with substance use disorders. City teams will also still sweep parks and streets for needles.
Moving forward: It looks like there’ll be at least one Uber/Lyft-related question on the Massachusetts ballot this fall. The campaign to let rideshare drivers unionize submitted the last round of signatures necessary for a November ballot question yesterday.
- The move comes less than a week after Massachusetts settled a lawsuit with Uber and Lyft over driver pay and other benefits. Attorney General Andrea Campbell — who is supporting the unionization ballot effort — says that settlement provided a floor that should be built upon. Campbell said in a statement that a union would allow workers to bargain for even greater pay and benefits.
Next up for mRNA: A bird flu vaccine? The federal government announced it will pay Cambridge-based Moderna $176 million to develop a vaccine to treat bird flu, using the same mRNA technology that allowed for the rapid development and rollout of COVID vaccines.
P.S.— What delectable local bites are essential when you’re planning a picnic in the park, at the lake or by the beach? A special brie from Formaggio Kitchen? A fresh loaf from Clear Flour? Message us at newsletters@wbur.org to share your favorite snacks, sandwiches, pastries, cheeses and more to pack for a picnic, and we might include your recommendation in a future newsletter.
