Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. The two sides are set to sign the agreement today, after two years of fighting and tens of thousands of people, mostly Palestinians, killed. NPR has more on the initial steps here. Now, to local news: Up in the air: This week hasn't been the best time for travelers at Logan Airport. As air traffic control staff shortages related to the federal government shutdown disrupted flights across the country, the Boston airport struggled with its own wave of delays yesterday. By the end of the day, the website FlightAware counted 475 delays and 18 cancellations at Logan. On Tuesday, there were 349 delays. Monday was more of the same. Is the government shutdown the reason? Massport officials say no, but the FAA suggests otherwise. Here's a look at the different factors at play: - Runway construction: Massport officials point to this as the main reason for delays in the recent past — and near future. Last month, the airport began the first of two 75-day closures of one of its busiest runways for safety upgrades (NBC10 Boston did a segment on it if you want to get into the weeds). During the project, airport officials say travelers should prepare for boarding delays of around an hour for both departing and arriving flights — especially in the afternoon and evening. "Runway 9-27 is one of our major runways and used in every wind configuration," Massport spokesperson Jennifer Mehigan told WBUR. "Without it, the amount of flights the airport can handle per hour is reduced, and therefore some flights get pushed into the next hour." The current runway closure is expected to go until Nov. 16; the second is set to start next July.
- The government shutdown: Mehigan says Logan has "not seen any impacts due to the federal shutdown." However, there was a "staffing trigger" — which indicates a worker shortage — called in Tuesday night at the FAA's regional air route traffic control center in Nashua, New Hampshire. That tower manages Boston flights before and after they enter Logan's airspace. A reason for the trigger wasn't given, but Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier this week that there has been a national uptick in sick calls among air traffic controllers, who are not being paid during the shutdown.
- The weather: Yesterday morning was, of course, pretty rainy. And according to Mehigan, heavy rain can cause delays to lots of different aspects of readying a plane: baggage, refueling, catering, etc.
- Go deeper: Air traffic controllers helped end the last government shutdown. Here's how they could do it again.
Heads up: Massachusetts fire officials are urging people to check the fire alarms in their home. That's because we're hitting the end of the lifespan of most fire alarm systems that went into use in 2015, when a new fire code took effect requiring most in-home alarms to have sealed 10-year batteries and a “hush” feature. The change was meant to stop people from accidentally disabling alarms that were going off because of non-emergencies, like cooking smoke. - What they're saying: "Our concern right now is that a wave of smoke alarms in homes across Massachusetts won't be reliable in the months ahead," Department of Fire Services spokesperson Jake Wark told WBUR's John Bender.
- What you should do: Wark is encouraging all residents to "take a look at their alarms, check the manufacturing date printed on the back, and if it's more than 10 years old, replace it right away." Also worth noting: Old sealed-battery alarms shouldn't be thrown in the trash or recycling, because of their flammable lithium-ion batteries. Wark says to dispose of them with hazardous waste.
RIP REI: Boston is losing its only REI outlet next year. The outdoorsy retailer announced yesterday that it's closing its co-op in Fenway in late 2026. The 401 Park Drive location opened in 2003. The company didn't say why it's closing. But the news comes after several years of declining revenue and just two weeks after REI's CEO announced a new business strategy that hinted at "tough choices." - REI also closed its store in Cambridge Crossing last year, leaving Hingham, Framingham and Reading as its only remaining Boston-area locations.
- What about the workers? In a statement, REI said its 53 Boston employees "are welcome to apply for open positions at other REI stores."
P.S.— Grab that cardigan; fall weather is finally here. After our recent warm stretch, crisp, cool air is moving in today, and should stick around for the foreseeable future. There's even a frost advisory for the Boston area tonight. Meteorologist Danielle Noyes has the full forecast for the long — and mostly sunny — holiday weekend here. |
