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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Kamala Harris returns to Boston to talk policy and politics
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
Maybe it was just me following the historically busy NFL trade deadline yesterday, but November seems to have arrived with a whirlwind of comings and goings — and not only in the sports world!
Here’s the latest on who (and what) is entering and leaving our local news cycle as we get into the month.
Arrivals:
Kamala Harris: For the third time since August, the vice president is coming to Boston today. Harris is slated to appear with the fellow Democratic women leading the party’s statewide ticket — including Maura Healey, Kim Driscoll and Andrea Campbell — at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury to rally voters before Tuesday’s election.
- Just in: The White House announced this morning that Harris will also visit a Boston union hall to highlight “new steps” the federal government is taking to help with rising energy costs this winter, including $4.5 billion in extra funding for the LIHEAP program.
Higher utility bills: Speaking of those energy bills, a slate of steep home heating rate increases for Massachusetts residents took effect yesterday, along with electricity rate hikes for local National Grid customers. That means you’ll likely notice the hikes reflected — to some degree — in your next home energy bill. (Eversource doesn’t adjust its electricity rates until January.)
- Both companies say customers should expect their monthly heating bill to be upwards of $50 more expensive than previous winters. Meanwhile, National Grid says monthly electric bills alone will be over $100 higher than usual, on average.
- Stay tuned: It turns out Massachusetts has particularly generous heating assistance programs — and we have a guide coming soon on how you may be able to access those funds.
Taylor Swift: Shortly after becoming the first-ever artist to sweep the entire Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, the pop sensation announced a new 2023 tour that includes two concerts in May at Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium (with Phoebe Bridgers as an opener).
Departures:
Steve Poftak: After four years as the MBTA’s general manager, the region’s top train man is leaving the station. Poftak told MBTA staff Tuesday that he will resign from his post on Jan. 3, 2023.
- Poftak will head out two days before the winner of next week’s gubernatorial election takes office, clearing the way for Healey or Republican Geoff Diehl to pick their own T general manager.
Ime Udoka: The suspended Celtics coach appears to be leaving Boston. ESPN reports the Brooklyn Nets are expected to finalize a deal as soon as today to hire Udoka, after the tumult-ridden team fired head coach Steve Nash on Tuesday.
- Udoka’s future with the Celtics has remained in doubt since he was dealt a season-long suspension for an improper relationship with a team staff member. Team officials refused to guarantee his return — and reportedly did not stand in his way out the door.
Strict step therapy rules: Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill last night to limit the practice known as “step therapy,” in which health insurance companies can refuse to cover certain drugs prescribed by doctors unless patients try cheaper options first.
- The law isn’t a total ban. But beginning next year, it would allow patients to get exemptions from step therapy sequences in certain situations, like if the required medications are “expected to be ineffective” or if the patient has already tried them under a different plan.
Staying (for now):
Brookline’s unique tobacco law: Town officials announced Tuesday that their “Tobacco-Free Generation” bylaw banning anyone born after Jan. 1, 2000 from ever buying tobacco products in Brookline has withstood a court challenge and will remain in effect.
- Several local convenience store owners sued Brookline after the law took effect over a year ago, but the Massachusetts Superior Court dismissed their complaint. The business owners are appealing the ruling.
P.S.— Do you have family, friends, coworkers, friends of friends — even frenemies — that have moved to Boston within the last year? We are looking to speak with new residents in their 20s through 40s for a future newsletter project. Please reply to this email if you’re interested in learning more and partaking in this fun, new endeavor! Or you can have the new locals in your life email Meagan McGinnes, the ringleader of our newsletters, at mmcginn1@bu.edu.
