WBUR TODAY: The push for "Louisa's Law"

                                                                                             

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❤️ Donate Friday, November 13, 2026

☔ Mostly cloudy, with rain through the morning and a high near 40.  Good Morning Boston, It's Friday... the 13th. Time to overcome your fears by brushing up our favorite 23-letter word. (Fingers crossed that you get this Friday morning, as Microsoft Outlook struggles with a global outage.) Let's get to the news: Louisa's Law: The family of Louisa Gag is hoping her death can prompt street safety changes — and not just in Boston. The 36-year-old Boston transportation planner was hit and killed by a truck while biking in Mission Hill in July. Now, WBUR's Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez reports that Gag's family is partnering with state lawmakers and safe streets advocates on a multi-pronged bill they plan to introduce in the State House when the next session starts in 2027. "Louisa's Law" combines several previous bills and initiatives that Gag herself was involved with as an advocate.  "These were things that Louisa worked on and cared about," Brendan Kearney, the executive director of WalkMassachusetts, told Andrea. "And she wasn't able to finish this work." Here are the three main components of the bill. Allow automated cameras for ticketing drivers speeding or running red lights: It's something allowed in 19 states, but not Massachusetts. A bill to change that has repeatedly failed to get through the Legislature since 2020, despite gaining support and other steps in that direction. (Gov. Maura Healey has proposed allowing speed cameras in construction and school zones in her last two budgets, and state lawmakers passed a law last session allowing cameras to fine drivers who don't stop for school buses.) Amid concerns about surveillance and over-policing, supporters note the cameras would only capture the cars' license plates and that the bill would include safeguard to ensure they're implemented equitably. Close a "loophole" in the state's hands-free driving bill: While Massachusetts has prohibited the use of handheld electronic devices while driving since 2020, there's nothing in the law against streaming video, live broadcasting or taking FaceTime calls while behind the wheel. The bill would close that loophole. A similar proposal was shelved this year, but top members of Healey's administration have signaled support. Expand truck safety standards: Currently, Massachusetts requires heavy-duty trucks that are owned or directly contracted by state agencies to be outfitted with certain safety devices, including special mirrors and backup cameras. The bill would expand those requirements to trucks owned by city and town governments that operate on public roads. Mass. questions for Nvida: Rep. Richard Neal is leading an effort by congressional Democrats to investigate President Trump's handling of Nvidia. The leading AI chipmaker's CEO Jensen Huang stepped down yesterday after multiple affairs came to light, including one with a suspected Chinese spy. Multiple outlets have reported that Trump was told about the affair back in May (six months before the news broke publicly this week) as the administration granted Nvidia special approval to sell its chips to China. "He chose to do nothing in the name of our national security against our most existential adversary," Rep. Seth Moulton, a fellow Massachusetts Democrat, said on CNN yesterday. "We don't know exactly why, but we've got to find out, and it's time for members of Congress to be asking these tough questions." Meanwhile: House Republicans are pushing for Huang to testify to Congress in a closed-door meeting on Dec. 1. The local reaction: The Massachusetts High Technology Council said yesterday that a number of local companies, from Thermo Fisher Scientific to Commonwealth Fusion Systems, rely on Nvidia's chips. "The leadership controversy raises serious questions that deserve scrutiny," Chris Anderson, the council's president, told WBUR in a statement. "But NVIDIA's importance extends well beyond any one executive." What's a honeytrap? NPR explains the recent history of the spy tactic that appears to have toppled Huang. Ready or not: Another 2028 ballot question campaign is underway. "The Committee to Restrict Data Centers" announced a campaign yesterday for a ballot question to restrict new data centers in Massachusetts. While not an outright ban, the measure would create strict renewable energy mandates and require a two-thirds vote of approval by residents in the host community, likely discouraging developers from trying in the first place. The campaign plans to begin its signature-gathering efforts next year. Up in the air: Today's stormy weather across the Northeast is affecting dozens of flights at Logan Airport. As of 7:30 a.m., there are nearly three dozen delays and 29 cancellations, according to FlightAware. P.S.— The country’s largest ___ is now fully up and running. Think you know the answer? Take our Boston News Quiz and see how well you know our recent stories compared to other WBUR readers. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Senior Editor, Newsletters Make more room for WBUR. Find more stories, ideas and things to do with these WBUR newsletters. Cognoscenti Explore ideas and perspectives with WBUR’s Cognoscenti newsletter. WBUR Events Stay connected with upcoming WBUR events and conversations. The Weekender Make your weekends more fun with Hanna Ali’s Saturday morning guide to local stories, useful ideas and ways to connect with communities in our own backyard. Make your selections on the next page. Subscribe to more newsletters here The Rundown Behind Alpha’s stalled push into Massachusetts public schools The polarizing for-profit company is best known for its AI-powered private schools. As questions mounted its model, the state's education secretary helped introduce the company to public school leaders this summer. Read more. With mom in ICE custody, a Massachusetts stepdad steps up Nearly nine in 10 people arrested by ICE are men, so mothers are often left caring for kids. But amid a massive ramp-up in enforcement under President Trump’s latest term, more fathers, grandparents, siblings — and stepparents like Martín Gurfinkiel — are assuming the role of primary caretaker. Read more. Offshore wind saved a struggling New Bedford union. Now its future is uncertain The Vineyard Wind project helped revive a historically Black union with steady jobs, higher wages and new opportunities. Now, President Trump’s war on offshore wind threatens the union's hard-won progress. Read more. Chris Van Hollen says he will challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader Van Hollen, a progressive from Maryland, said voters sent a clear message in the midterm elections — that they want "change from the status quo." Read more. Boston Reparations Task Force mulls how to focus the project going forward Historians and an archeologist who have examined Boston’s history with slavery discussed possible paths forward after the city opted not to use a Tufts University study on slavery in Boston when the researcher who prepared the project was found to have falsified past academic research. Read more. Anything Else? Confusion about how much colleges actually cost after discounts and financial aid is exacerbating an existential confidence crisis in higher education. Vermont's Middlebury College exemplifies how a growing number of schools are trying to simplify things. WBUR's Priyanka Dayal McCluskey spoke to Gov. Maura Healey about her "behind the scenes" efforts to avert another nurses strike at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The last-minute contract deal reached this week is still awaiting a ratification vote. The 2027 Grammy nominations come out next week. But the K-pop boyband BTS, one of the world's most popular musical groups, is boycotting over the addition of new categories specifically for Asian pop music. It's the latest chapter in a long, complicated history of Grammy category controversies. As “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” marks its 40th anniversary this year, Jess Tabak writes in this Cognoscenti about her profound connection to Cameron, the anxious, rule-following best friend. What We're Reading 📚 ICE Officer Involved in Maine Shooting Expressed Hatred of Immigrants (The New York Times) ‘I don’t know how to grieve’: LaToya Minus’s daughter was killed 1,800 days ago. She is still waiting for a murder trial. (The Boston Globe) ‘Make Politics Boring Again’ (The Atlantic) Food For Thought New recipes and decorating ideas to try this Thanksgiving Whether you're hosting friendsgiving or Thanksgiving, we've got foolproof turkey recipes, advice on how to stay present while hosting, and directions on how to create a stunning floral arrangement. Read more. Play: WBUR's daily mini crossword. Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: A reminder from the Mount Washington Observatory that today’s weather isn’t that bad. Beware: There have been fraudulent interview invitations using WBUR shows and names that include requests for payment or fake donations. Learn more about the scam and how to protect yourself. 😎 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. 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