WBUR TODAY: The fight over the last elephant in Mass.

 

                   

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❤️ Donate Thursday, September 10, 2026 ⛅ Cloudy but gradual clearing, with a high near 87. Good Morning Boston, The Patriots' new season didn't exactly start the way they wanted last night. Star wide receiver A.J. Brown left his debut with an injury, while quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions for the first time in his career (all in the fourth quarter), sinking the team's hopes for a little Super Bowl payback against the Seattle Seahawks. The Pats now get 10 days to collect themselves before their Foxborough opener Sept. 20 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now to today's news: Orange you over Orange Line diversions? Shuttle buses are replacing all Orange Line service south of Back Bay this morning. MBTA officials say the five-day partial shutdown starting today between Forest Hills and Back Bay will allow crews to work on a slew of projects (signal upgrades, improvements to Ruggles and Jackson Square stations, repairs to a Green Street staircase). Regular service is set to resume Tuesday, Sept. 15. In the meantime: The MBTA warned that shuttle bus riders should expect the trip downtown from Forest Hills to take at least 30 minutes longer than the normal Orange Line commute. However, the commuter rail between Forest Hills and South Station will also be free during the diversion. And according to the T, the trip between Forest Hills and Back Bay is just 10 minutes. Check the Franklin/Foxboro, Needham and Providence/Stoughton line schedules here. The big picture: This is the latest in a series of summer T shutdowns, including a closure on the north end of the Orange Line that wrapped up just 10 days ago. Despite the repeated disruptions, MBTA General Manager Phil Eng says the multi-day closures are the best option to catch up on all the work needed to get the system back in decent shape. Down in Rhode Island: Gov. Dan McKee became the first incumbent governor in the U.S. to lose a primary election since 2018 last night. Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes trounced McKee by double digits in the state's Democratic primary: 62% to 38%, with 97% of the ballots counted as of this morning. As the Associated Press reports , McKee's campaign was mainly dogged by the Washington Bridge saga. Foulkes now heads to the general election, where she'll be a heavy favorite. Meanwhile: McKee wasn't the only major Rhodey incumbent to fall. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley was ousted by a challenger from his left: state Rep. David Morales, a 27-year-old democratic socialist who primarily campaigned on Smiley's opposition to rent control. (Morales also moonlights as a wrestler.) Ocean State Media has more on the upset here. Pell yeah: Massachusetts residents could soon get Pell Grants — federal grants usually aimed at college undergrads — for certain short-term job training programs. Gov. Maura Healey's administration announced yesterday it's opening the application process for higher education institutions and eligible training providers to offer short-term programs through a new federal Workforce Pell Grant program. FYI: The grant application process has not yet opened for individuals. But the Healey administration says the first programs could begin enrolling students by early 2027. You can get more details here. In other financial aid news: Wellesley College is joining the growing list of colleges offering free tuition to students from households that make less than $200,000 a year. That offer begins next fall. In Springfield: School is canceled for the rest of the week, as Springfield Public Schools officials grapple with the aftermath of a "severe" cyber attack. But they are planning to have students back in class by Monday, Sept. 14. School leaders announced last night that Friday will serve as a professional development day for teachers to prepare to work "under temporary procedures while technology systems remain limited" next week. On another note: The Boston Public Library is now offering space for piano practice — which officials say is a first for any American public library system. Thanks to a donation from the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, the city is installing six pianos the public can use for free across four BPL branches, including the Central Library in Copley Square. They'll also be outfitted with tablets and piano lesson software to help users learn the basics. P.S.— It's time to go earn that nature badge. Massachusetts state parks will offer free parking this weekend for the eighth annual "Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend." The yearly tradition includes special events across 10 state parks, such as treasure hunts and animal-focused activities. See the full list here. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Senior Editor, Newsletters The Rundown The jumbo fight over Emily, the last elephant in Massachusetts As calls to move 61-year-old Emily into a sanctuary grow, Buttonwood Park Zoo leaders say the “best choice” for her welfare is to keep the Asian elephant with them. Read more. 25 years after Sept. 11, a Massachusetts man honors his brother's memory by sharing impact of that day Pat Bavis's brother Mike was aboard one of the flights that hit the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001. As a way to heal, Bavis has dedicated his life to telling his brother’s story and sharing the impact of that day with students in Massachusetts classrooms and assemblies.  Read more. If Clancy is retried, experts expect an 'intense' and long jury selection process Legal experts said potential jurors would have to be carefully questioned before 12 people could be chosen to decide a verdict, and they said the process would likely be complicated by the intense attention and debates surrounding the case. Read more. Fewer Boston school buses are making it to school on time this year Just 61% of morning Boston school buses were on time while 73% of afternoon buses were on time for the first day of school. Read more. Man accused of Memorial Drive shooting faces new charges The man accused of shooting hundreds of rounds at people along Memorial Drive in May is due back in court Thursday. Read more. Anything Else? Apple's new CEO, John Ternus, unveiled yesterday a years-in-the-making new product: an iPhone that folds. The so-called Duo is the most radical iPhone design update in nearly 20 years. Massachusetts recreational marijuana industry officially surpassed $10 billion in all-time gross sales this past weekend. Ahead of the 10-year anniversary of the vote to legalize adult-use marijuana, the industry now stands at an important crossroads. In this Cognoscenti commentary, Claudette Mestayer writes about her experience with postpartum psychosis, the dangerous condition Lindsay Clancy's lawyers argued she had. But Mestayer shares she had something Clancy may not have had: quick access to a specialist and a support group who took her symptoms seriously. The first “Practical Magic” — which starred Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters in a family of modern-day witches in a fictional Massachusetts town — developed a devoted fanbase over the last few decades. But in his latest review, film critic Sean Burns writes the newly released sequel "immediately undoes the emotional arcs and hard-won conclusion" of the original picture. What We're Reading 📚 Amanda Hirsch Says Her Lindsay Clancy Polymarket Ad Was ‘Wrong’ (The Cut) Politics News Site NOTUS Rebrands as The Washington Sun (The New York Times) The Great College Reckoning: Is Higher Education Still Worth It? (Boston Magazine) Tell Me Something Good What to watch this fall: Here are 16 TV shows we're looking forward to An East of Eden adaptation, a reboot of A Different World, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson playing (possible) brothers. Here's a sneak peek at what NPR critics will be watching in the next few months. Read more. Play: WBUR's daily mini crossword. Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: All of the light(house)s. 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. Check out all of our newsletter offerings. 📱 Download the WBUR App for iPhones and iPads or Android devices.               Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? Click here. Trustees of Boston University on behalf of WBUR 890 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA, 02215, US Copyright © 2026 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.

WBUR TODAY: A back-to-school freebie

           

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 SLOW ZONE SHORTSLEEVE, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 

        OF MASSACHUSETTS BRAGS ABOUT HIS LEGACY AT THE MBTA...IF 

        SLOW ZONE SHORTSLEEVE DID AS HE BELIEVES....HMMM! 

        REVIEW HIS RECORD BEFORE SUPPORTING THIS INCOMPETENT! 

        HIS CLAIM TO FAME IS THE NO-BID BATHROOM/LUNCHROOM THAT WHITE 

        TOOTHED GOV. CHARLIE BAKER DEFENDED - EVEN PRIVATE INDUSTRY 

        WOULD EXPECT MORE THAN A SINGLE BID!

        THE MASS GOP SUPPORTS LOSERS AND LIARS! PRETTY DISAPPOINTING!

        LOOK AT WHAT THE MBTA CONTINUES TO DO IN ORDER TO IMPROVE 

        SERVICE!

 

❤️ Donate Friday, August 28, 2026 🌦️ Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84 and a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Good Morning Boston, It's the last day of in-person early voting in the Massachusetts state primary — and Secretary of State Bill Galvin is projecting higher turnout than four years ago. We have more here on the candidates' closing pitches and Galvin's thoughts on President Trump's efforts to restrict mail-in voting. But first, let's go over the other news happening today: New 'dos: The city of Boston is partnering with local barbershops and salons to offer free haircuts to local students this back-to-school season. The first-time initiative announced this week will cover basic haircuts and stylings at more than two dozen locations around the city, from East Boston to Dorchester to West Roxbury. Alexandra Valdez, the city's cultural affairs director, told WBUR's Dan Guzman it's "a beautiful opportunity to not only partner with a small business," but also support Boston families facing particularly high back-to-school costs. "Being able to provide one service, one less cost to our families, to be able to help during these difficult times is very essential," Valdez said. The backdrop: A recent study estimated that Boston parents expect to spend $648 this year on average per child on supplies, tech products, clothing and other back-to-school items — $90 more than the national average. The details: The city's program covers basic haircuts and stylings, valued at $20 to $25, at participating barbershops and salons between Sept. 1 and Sept. 11. For example, the city listed "fades, trims, shape-ups, wash and sets, wash and blow-dries, basic natural hair braiding, and curl styling" as among the covered services in a social media post. (Additional services or premium styles beyond the $25 value are not covered.) The budget: According to Valdez, the city has put just over $30,000 in the program — translating into potentially over 1,000 free haircuts. How to sign up: Families must register by this Monday, Aug. 31. You can read the eligibility rules, the list of businesses and register here. Hold-up play: The Boston Legacy will play their second season in Rhode Island. The women's professional soccer team announced yesterday that they will play all of their 2027 home games at Pawtucket's Centreville Bank Stadium — a soccer-specific stadium that opened just last year for the second-tier men's pro team Rhode Island FC. The Legacy are currently splitting this season's home games between the 10,500-seat stadium and the cavernous Gillette Stadium. The news means the Legacy won't move into the rebuilt White Stadium in Boston proper until 2028. They had originally planned to start playing there this year, but the $325 million joint project with the city has faced delays that officials attribute to a lawsuit saga that came to an end last week. The new timeline: In a statement, a spokesperson for Mayor Michelle Wu told WBUR's Katie Cole that the city is now aiming to complete the White Stadium rebuild next fall — a slight delay from the most recent "end of summer of 2027" target. (You can read more about the construction here.) Good news and bad news: Boston health officials have lifted the cyanobacteria advisory for a small portion of the Charles River in West Roxbury — but the bloom in the river's larger lower basin is apparently growing. Boston Public Health Commission expanded the advisory yesterday upriver to about the location of Boston University's "Jenga Tower" building. So, resist your inner Bill Weld and stay out of the water and definitely keep your dog away from it. Don't go in the orange parts. (Boston Public Health Commission) Kratom crackdown: A statewide ban on kratom is now in effect in Massachusetts, despite a last-ditch lawsuit trying to stop the move. The substance derived from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree are used in energy boosters, pain relievers and other products. However, the state's emergency order is classifying kratom as a restricted Schedule I drug for up to a year due to its addictive nature and health risks. Then what? State officials aim to use the next year to study kratom and regulations in other states. " We want to do everything we can to protect people now, and then we'll build the system over time so that we can safely care for the folks here in Massachusetts," Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein told WBUR's John Bender. Last but not least: The Big E is out with this year's list of new food, from deep-fried sushi to pumpkin pie dirty soda, ahead of its 17-day run next month. Click here for the full list or scroll through the photos. ICYMI: Watch our recent CitySpace panel with former WBUR host Jack Lepiarz about New England's iconic fair snacks. P.S.— Which MBTA commuter rail route is getting nearly seven miles of added double track as part of a $140 million upgrade? Take our Boston News Quiz and test your knowledge of this week's stories Nik DeCosta-Klipa Senior Editor, Newsletters The Rundown Why a UMass researcher is among the dozens leaving the U.S. for Canada A renowned scientist at UMass Chan Medical School is moving his lab to Canada. The Canadian government named RNA researcher Phillip Zamore among the first recipients of awards that will total more than $1 billion, aimed at drawing “world-leading researchers” to the country.  Read more. Inside the Orange Line's 11-day shutdown: new tracks and hopes for 55 mph travel While riders contend with shuttle buses and inconvenience during the Orange Line shutdown, the T is trying to get done in a week and a half what officials estimate would have taken two months without a service disruption. Read more. Jury begins deliberating whether Lindsay Clancy is criminally responsible for killing her children During closing arguments Thursday, a prosecutor told jurors that Clancy was exhausted and depressed when she killed her three children but knew it was wrong. Clancy's attorney argued that she was in a deep psychosis when she killed her children, telling jurors that she had been a loving mother before her mental health spiraled. Read more. Businesses are getting tariff refunds. Why aren't consumers getting their cut? A slew of American companies are getting billions of dollars back in tariff refunds after a Supreme Court ruling. Many consumers, though, may never get anything back. Read more. This winter, New England scientists will track snowpack like never before A new collection of automated sensors will help scientists get a never before seen picture of snowpack across the region, which researchers say will help them better predict floods. Read more. Anything Else? Around 90 Americans are missing in the wake of the devastating flash floods that hit the Nepal-Tibet border earlier this week. NPR has the latest on the response efforts here. Meanwhile, initial assessments say the flood was triggered by the collapse of a glacier — something scientists warn increase due to climate change. President Trump signed an executive order yesterday directing the federal government to change the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" as part of his administration's trade fight with Canada. In this Cognoscenti commentary, Alastair Moock writes that he didn't grasp Dolly Parton's appeal until an album in 1999 prompted him to dig into her catalogue to discover just what he'd missed. Finished your summer beach reads? Our 2026 fall arts guides have eight new books coming out this fall from authors with New England ties — enthralling tales where the past is never really past. What We're Reading 📚 ICE Arrests Soar as People With No Criminal Record Are Increasingly Targeted (The New York Times) Karen Attiah Is Ready to Go Back to the Washington Post (Columbia Journalism Review) Dorm makeovers aren’t just for the South. College students in Boston like luxury decor, too. (The Boston Globe) Tell Me Something Good Inside Chan’s, where jazz legends and egg rolls share the spotlight (Ocean State Media) For nearly five decades, Chan’s has paired Chinese food with live jazz and blues, earning the Woonsocket institution a reputation far beyond Rhode Island Read more. Play: WBUR's daily mini crossword. Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: Not all desk lunches have to be sad. 😎 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. 📱 Download the WBUR App for iPhones and iPads or Android devices.               Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? Click here. Trustees of Boston University on behalf of WBUR 890 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA, 02215, US Copyright © 2026 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.