Labor Day weekend is winding down, but the chaos of move-in day has just begun. Yes, about 70% of the city's leases turn over today, Sept. 1. That's a lot of people moving at once so be careful out there, and keep in mind the temporary parking restrictions around the city happening through tomorrow. Plus, don't forget what's open (grocery stores, yay!) and closed (RMVs, the bank, sad!) for the holiday. Now, to the news: Since Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, let's turn our attention to autumn. Specifically, fall temperatures, which are rising in the Boston area. Research group Climate Central released new data last week that shows Boston's average autumn temperature increased by 2.3 degrees between 1970 and 2024. That may not seem like a lot, but the group's senior data analyst, Jen Brady, told WBUR's Amy Sokolow it actually could have big impacts on everything from fall foliage to farmers' crop schedules to the length of allergy season. - Zoom in: According to Climate Central's interactive maps , Boston's temperature change is smaller than the national average of fall, being 2.8 degrees warmer than in 1970. But it does support a trend that the area's "shoulder seasons" — aka spring and fall — are getting edged out. And Brady said anytime you see a shift of even a few degrees, there will be noticeable impacts. "If we see a shift of a couple degrees in our body temperature, it's going to change how we react to things, our behaviors, how we feel," she said. "A couple degrees shift in the overall temperature of an area is going to shift a lot of the biological, physiological things going on in the area. So it's a kind of a bigger system that we have to think about."
- RIP fall foliage? Not yet, but Brady says the data shows nights are getting warmer across all seasons. In fall, we need those crisp temperatures in order to see the vibrant colors the region is known for.
- So, what about this year's foliage forecast? Jim Salge, the foliage expert for Yankee Magazine, told WBUR's Stevee Chapman that, in general, there may be more muted colors this season. The heat is playing a role in this, but Salge said so is all that rain we got in the spring. "That caused a lot of fungus that has really persisted through the forests into the summer," he said. "And then now we're facing increasing drought conditions, and that's gonna cause leaves to turn perhaps early and last less time on the trees." Luckily, Salge said sugar maples, which are the "brightest and most anticipated tree," are faring better than others.
- When to peep: Peak colors should begin in northern New England by late September, according to Salge.
Stop work: Construction on Salem's offshore wind terminal is coming to a screeching halt after the Trump administration announced Friday it would cancel $679 million in federal funding for offshore wind projects at ports. Salem's project — which would have transformed a vacant industrial facility into a terminal — is losing a total of $34 million, and will lay off 800 construction workers in the process, according to Gov. Maura Healey's administration. - Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo's office said in a statement the city "strongly disagrees" with the move, as the funding was awarded over three years ago. They said they're "exploring all options and legal avenues available to ensure this vital project can continue to move forward."
Put down the borg: As the new school year begins, the state's treasurer's office is working to educate college students about the dangers of underage drinking. It's part of the "Operation Safe Campus" initiative in its 20th year. The point is to remind students that underage drinking is illegal and remind liquor stores that selling booze to them is illegal, too. - WBUR's Dan Guzman reports that state Treasurer Deb Goldberg said one new focus area is stopping delivery apps that sell liquor to people under 21. "We've informed all of the delivery services about our standards and what we expect from them," Goldberg said. "But on multiple violations, they can lose their license to deliver."
- For students, the program is not meant to be punitive, so instead of pursuing legal action, regulators will often try to call the student's parents instead. "As a parent, what motivates me is to try to prevent the ultimate horrible situation of losing a child," Goldberg said. "But also, I don't wanna see people abused. I don't wanna see people hurt. So often this happens when people have been over drinking."
P.S. — Today marks the last day of Boston's swan boat season at the lagoon in Boston's Public Garden. If you want to catch a ride on the historical pedal pontoons, flock there today. |
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