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By Jay Fitzgerald and Keith Regan 04/02/2021 Riley’s MCAS retreat | Moderate power | Non-existent recipients   Advertisement     Happening Today   Good Friday, Re-scheduled Sox game, COVID-19 vigil   -- Today is Good Friday and is not an official federal or state holiday, but U.S. stock markets and many schools and other organizations are closed in advance of Sunday’s Easter holiday and the last day of Passover. -- Sen. Eric Lesser talks virtually with Alliance for Business Leadership President Jennifer Benson about the organization's policy advocacy in transportation, housing, workplace opportunities, and clean energy, 12 p.m.  -- Revere Board of Health hosts its first mobile vaccination clinic for essential workers employed by the many retailers at Northgate Shopping Center, 2 p.m. -- The Red Sox play their rescheduled Opening Day game this afternoon at Fenway Park after yesterday’s game was cancelled due to rain, 2:10 p.m. -- Massachusetts families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 hold a Global Pandemics Stonewalk Vigil at the State House before heading to Old South Church, 3 p.m. For the most comprehensive list of calendar items, check out State House News Service’s Daily Advances (pay wall – free trial subscriptions available), as well as MassterList’s Beacon Hill Town Square below.     Sponsored L3Harris Technologies, a global aerospace and defense technology innovator, employs 1,000 people in over 8 facilities across the Commonwealth. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. L3Harris provides state of the art communication systems to state, municipal and public safety clients. L3Harris has approximately $17 billion in annual revenue, 50,000 employees and customers in 130 countries. L3Harris is accelerating innovation while moving the Massachusetts economy forward. Learn more at L3Harris.com.     Today's News   Reminder to readers: SHNS Coronavirus Tracker available for free   A reminder to our readers as the coronavirus crisis unfolds: The paywalled State House News Service, which produces MASSterList, is making its full Coronavirus Tracker available to the community for free on a daily basis each morning via ML. SHNS Coronavirus Tracker.     The coronavirus numbers: 32 new deaths, 16,876 total deaths 2,455 new cases   MassLive has the latest coronavirus numbers for Massachusetts.     Riley’s retreat: MCAS requirements waived for Class of 2022   It's not like he's retreating from Moscow. But it’s still a retreat. From the Globe’s James Vaznis: “State Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley, facing a mounting backlash over MCAS testing this spring, proposed a number of changes on Thursday, including one radical measure that would exempt this year’s 11th-graders from passing the tests in order to graduate from high school.” GBH’s Meg Woolhouse and SHNS’s Katie Lannan have more. Meanwhile, from the Herald’s Alexi Cohen: “Massachusetts senators request MCAS testing be delayed until fall.” Boston Globe     Keller at Large     Prefer to enjoy Keller at Large in print rather than audio? You can access Jon’s most recent columns here: 3/22/21 - Will Boston Want More of the Same? 3/15/21 - UMass Amherst Flunks Its Truth Test 3/8/21 - Keller's Pandemic Report Card     Next week’s J&J shots are on the way, but after that …   Rest assured: Next week’s shipment of 100,000 Johnson & Johnson shots will be arriving next week in Massachusetts. But a major mishap at a J&J vaccine manufacturing facility may (or may not) delay future shipments of the one-shot wonders, reports the Globe’s Robert Weisdman and Travis Andersen. Bottom line when it comes to supplies, it seems: One step forward, one step back. We’ll see. As for next week’s J&J vaccines, they’ll be distributed mostly to regional collaboratives and community health centers, MassLive’s Steph Solis reports.     Signed, sealed and almost delivered: State UI-PPP relief bill approved by Baker   Gov. Charlie Baker has finally received and signed a state pandemic relief bill that, among other things, delays unemployment-insurance rate hikes paid by employers and excludes federal PPP loans as taxable income in Massachusetts, reports MassLive’s Steph Solis.  In other tax-related news, from SHNS’s Michael Norton: “IRS: Tax Law Change Will Trigger Wave of Refunds.” MassLive     County windfalls, Part II: Non-existent Suffolk County lands $100M in federal relief funds   Speaking of pandemic relief efforts (of the federal relief kind), from the Herald’s Sean Philip Cotter: “But wait, there’s more! Boston’s expecting to receive a windfall of another $100 million or more in coronavirus recovery money — on top of the $434 million it’s already getting — because the feds budgeted big bucks for the nonexistent Suffolk County government.” This is getting absurd. If you recall, SHNS earlier this week reported that nearly $400M in relief funds are headed to Massachusetts counties – most of which exist in name only. Boston Herald         Struggling renters: Help is on the way – nearly $1 billion of it   And speaking of financial windfalls, SHNS’s Matt Murphy reports that tenants struggling to pay their rent during the pandemic can now “access assistance to cover up to 12 months of unpaid rent as a pair of federal stimulus bills have infused the state with hundreds of millions of dollars, allowing Gov. Charlie Baker to grow the state's eviction diversion program almost sixfold.” We’re talking nearly $1 billion. SHNS (pay wall -- free trial subscription available)     Thinking outside the box and state: Idaho veterans-center chief tapped to head Holyoke Soldiers’ Home   In the end, they went with a potential “transformational” out-of-stater as the new superintendent of the pandemic-ravaged Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, subject to final approval by Gov. Charlie Baker. MassLive’s Stephanie Barry has more on the appointment. Meanwhile, SHNS’s Chris Lisinski reports that Beacon Hill lawmakers are putting off a vote on rebuilding the veterans home as they extend their inquiry into the scores of COVID-19 deaths at the Holyoke facility. MassLive     Quite a turnaround: Cape now eyeing potential ‘record-breaking’ summer   A year ago they were in near panic mode as the coronavirus pandemic took hold and threatened the tourism livelihoods of thousands of businesses on Cape Cod. But now Cape officials are eyeing a potential record-breaking summer of tourism – and a potential shortage of seasonal workers too. The Herald’s Lisa Kashinshy has more. Boston Herald         Walk the talk: Romney pushes Biden on bipartisanship promises   Come on, man. Former Massachusetts Gov. and U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney is calling on President Biden to “live up to the bipartisanship he preached in his inaugural address” amid signs the administration is prepared to use budget reconciliation and its narrow Congressional majorities to muscle Biden’s massive infrastructure plan into law, Lexi Lonas at The Hill reports.  The Hill     Will Biden bend? Warren, Pressley and Healey keep up the pressure to cancel 'nightmare' student loan debts   They’re still hopeful that President Biden will ultimately agree to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student-loan debts per borrower. MassLive’s Benjamin Kail reports on yesterday’s renewed calls by Attorney General Maura Healey, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren to provide loan relief.     The key to Baker’s popularity? Moderation and moderates   The Globe’s Kevin Cullen has a good column this morning explaining the somewhat simple political dynamics driving Gov. Charlie Baker’s popularity in Massachusetts: He’s neither a progressive nor a conservative ideologue. And people seem to like it. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/01/metro/charlie-middle     Advertisement     St. Vincent CEO says nurse strike part of push for statewide staffing standards   She’s not holding back. St. Vincent Hospital CEO Carolyn Jackson is once again saying the nurses striking at her hospital for nearly a month are being used as “pawns” by the Mass. Nurses Association as part of a strategy to prod state lawmakers to require new staffing ratios at all Bay State hospitals, reports the Telegram’s Cyrus Moulton. Meanwhile, tensions from the Worcester strike are spreading to Framingham Union Hospital, where nurses claim management threatened to fire anyone who joined the St. Vincent picket line, Henry Schwanat the MetroWest Daily News reports.  The Telegram     Almost as annoying as VaxFinder, Part II: Vehicle inspections won’t resume till next week   That malware problem that effectively crashed the vehicle inspection systems in Massachusetts and elsewhere across the country? It won’t be fixed, it appears, until early next week, as an RMV vendor works on the problem today and over the weekend, reports the Globe’s Travis Andersen and Brittany Bowker.     ‘Aspirational:’ Northampton backs decriminalizing psychedelic plants   They’re not tripping. The Northampton City Council has voted to support a resolution calling for the decriminalization of psychedelic plants, a position that puts the progressive city at the forefront of a growing national movement on the issue, Will Katcher at MassLive reports. MassLive     Sponsored The legislature demonstrated commitment and resolve when they returned critical climate legislation to Governor Baker’s desk. The Next Generation Roadmap Bill will improve the environment, economy, and public health of Massachusetts. Thank your State Representative and State Senator for their leadership and support.     Healey: Alternative electric retailers have overcharged customers by $426 million   The tally over the past five years is now up to nearly a half billion dollars – and Attorney General Maura Healey isn’t letting up in her campaign against non-utility “competitive suppliers” overcharging mostly unsuspecting electric customers in Massachusetts, according to reports at SHNS and the Globe.     Mayoral candidate’s brother charged with raping 9th woman   Accused serial rapist Alvin Campbell, 39, of Rhode Island, has been hit with yet another rape charge, bringing the total number of rape cases against him to nine, Suffolk County DA Rachael Rollins announced yesterday, according to reports at WCVB and by the Herald’s Marie Szaniszlo. And, yes, he’s the brother of Boston city councilor and mayoral candidate Andrea Campbell. And, no, she’s not her brother’s keeper, but the connection can’t simply be ignored. The media seems to be handling the connection in a rather sensitive manner – and Campbell herself is expressing shock at the new charges and says she’s praying for the victims.     Baker and Healey appoint 9 members to new police-certifying commission   A retired judge, the Pittsfield police chief and a Boston chaplain are among nine people appointed yesterday by Gov. Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey to serve on a new commission tasked with certifying and holding police officers accountable. SHNS’s Chris Van Buskirk and MassLive’s Steph Solis have more on the appointments.     Sunday public affairs TV: Stephen Lynch, Bill Keating and Lisette Le   Keller at Large, WBZ-TV Channel 4, 8:30 a.m. This week’s guest: U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, who talks with host Jon Keller about President Biden infrastructure bill, his clash with the MBTA over cutbacks, and the Boston mayoral race. This Week in Business, NECN, 10 a.m.  Doug Banks of the Boston Business Journal Editor and Shirley Leung of the Boston Globe discuss what the ‘new normal’  might look like for local industries; building the office of the future with Elizabeth Lowery of Elkus Manfredi Architects and Jim Tierney of JLL; and Aubuchon Hardware CEO Will Aubuchon on how the pandemic has fueled the hardware and home projects industry. On The Record, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 11 a.m. This week’s guest: U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, who talks with hosts Ed Harding and Janet Wu, followed by a political discussion with analysts Mary Anne Marsh and Rob Gray. CityLine, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 12 p.m. With host Karen Holmes Ward, this week’s main topic: Amplifying AAPI Voices, with guests including Lisette Le, executive director of VietAid, a non-profit organization to assist the Vietnamese American community in the Fields Corner section of Boston, and Carolyn Chou, director at the Asian American Resources Workshop.         Today's Headlines   Metro   Kim Janey cautions against coronavirus spread over Easter weekend in Boston - Boston Herald Boston's Positivity Rate Jumps Again, But This Time With Less Alarm - WGBH   Massachusetts   Tempers flare as Worcester DA’s assistant alleges due process violation in ethics probe - Telegram & Gazette Over 250 Pittsfield students bow out of full-time classroom learning - Berkshire Eagle Worcester County trailing state, nation in vaccination rates - Worcester Business Journal   Nation   Google speeds partial office reopening and puts limits on remote work - CNBC Inside the ‘Lord of the Flies’ factionalism now plaguing Trumpland - Politico   Jobs   Reach MASSterList's 22,000 Beacon Hill connected and policy-minded subscribers with your job postings. Have friends interested in one of these positions? Forward the newsletter to them! Contact David Art at dart@massterlist.com or call 860-576-1886 for more information.   Recent postings to the MASSterList Job Board:   Reporter - new!, Commonwealth Maintenance Tech - new!, MA House of Representatives Principal Clerk, Collector’s Office - new!, City of Everett Executive Secretary to the Mayor - new!, City of Marlborough Public Affairs Principal - new!, Kivvit Environmental Attorney, Miyares and Harrington LLP Principal Assessor, City of Marlborough Commissioner of Public Health, City of Quincy Senior Account Executive, thinkjet strategies Campaign Manager, Massachusetts and Northeast States, Compassion and Choices Vice President (Labor Communications), 617MediaGroup Policy Analyst, Boston Municipal Research Bureau Account Executive, Tenax Strategies Account Director (Labor Communications), 617MediaGroup   To view more events or post an event listing on Beacon Hill Town Square, please visit events.massterlist.com. Beacon Hill Town Square   Apr. 5, 12 p.m. Energy Policy Seminar: Andrew Light on "International Energy and Climate Policy Outlook" Hosted by: Harvard Kennedy School   Join us for an Energy Policy Seminar featuring Andrew Light, Acting Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, Department of Energy. Mr. Light will discuss "International Energy and Climate Policy Outlook". The seminar will be hosted by HKS Professor Joe Aldi. More Information     Apr. 5, 7 p.m. Virtual Talk - The British Soldiers Who Fought the American Revolution Hosted by: Cary Memorial Public Library   Join author Don N. Hagist for a different side of history on Patriot's Day as he discusses the lives of British soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. For centuries, these soldiers have remained hidden despite their major role in one of the greatest events in world history. There is more to these soldiers than their red uniforms. Who were they? Why did they join the army? More Information     Apr. 6, 10:30 a.m. Regional Spotlight: The Northeast Hosted by: MassEcon   As MassEcon focuses on marketing Massachusetts beyond its borders, we invite you to this Spotlight Series discussion. This free event is open to area business representatives and economic developers. More Information   Apr. 7, 11 a.m. Guns, Safety and the Edge of Adulthood Hosted by: Citizens for Juvenile Justice and MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence   The event highlights the report by the Center for Court Innovation which interviewed over 300 young people who have either carried a gun or have shot or been shot at, followed by a panel of youth workers reflecting on the implications that these research findings can have on Massachusetts productive approaches to youth whose lives are complicated by the intersection of guns, violence and trauma. More Information     Apr. 8, 12 p.m. Your Rights in Recovery: A Toolkit Hosted by: RIZE Massachusetts   RIZE Massachusetts is launching a "Your Rights in Recovery" toolkit designed for people who may not have access to the right supports – often through no fault of their own – to manage their opioid use disorder and begin to recover on their own terms. More Information     Apr. 12, 6 p.m. Biodiversity Where You Are: Boston Area City Nature Challenge Hosted by: Boston Public Library   Join the City Nature Challenge, Boston Public Library and Dr. Colleen Hitchcock from Brandeis University to find out how you can get involved in citizen and community science research this spring by joining City Nature Challenge. Learn about citizen science and nature documentation in the Boston area, how science and the public can work together to document nature, and what we've learned so far. More Information     Apr. 12, 7 p.m. Propaganda, Media Literacy, and Democracy Hosted by: Cary Memorial Public Library   This talk will explore the many efforts in education and journalism to increase the media literacy skills so vital to democracy. We'll examine the challenges of this endeavor with Amy Callahan, who has studied this issue from many angles. A former journalist, public relations professional, and media literacy education scholar, she has an extensive background in teaching and journalism. More Information     Apr. 13, 6 p.m. Escaping Unfreedom: How Cuff Whittemore used his Military Service to Claim his Freedom Hosted by: Boston Public Library   Cuff Whittemore of Arlington fought with his military company at Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill, then seven more years in the Continental Army. Why did this African-American man choose to join the rebellion then re-enlist over and over after it had blossomed into a war? This online program, co-presented by the National Park Service, will happen over Zoom. Registration is required. More Information     Apr. 13, 7 p.m. "I am a daughter of liberty": Women in the American Struggle for Independence Hosted by: Cary Memorial Public Library   The American Revolution brought the sudden and radical entrance of women into political life. Women actively participated in, and ensured the success of the boycotts of British goods that forced the repeal of oppressive legislation. When the war began, women took over the management of farms and shops, served as spies, saboteurs, messengers, and even soldiers. Their stories are worth telling. More Information   How to Contact MASSterList     For advertising questions and Beacon Hill Town Square submissions, please email: dart@massterlist.com. For Happening Today calendar and press release submissions, please email: news@statehousenews.com. For editorial matters, please email: editorial@massterlist.com.   MASSterList, 568 Washington St, Wellesley, MA 02482