Advertisement
Boston's Morning Newsletter
Healey to Biden administration: Do more to help offshore wind amid 'these challenging times'
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.
It’s former Gov. Michael Dukakis’ 90th birthday today! You can honor the Duke by taking the T, making some leftover turkey soup (the recipe is very easy) or picking up any litter you see on the street.
Now to the news:
Wind woes: Gov. Maura Healey is reaffirming that Massachusetts is “all-in” on offshore wind. But after the industry suffered a major setback this week, WBUR’s Miriam Wasser reports Healey also said the Bay State and others need the federal government to step up. During a clean energy conference yesterday in Somerville, Healey called for the Biden administration to extend certain clean energy tax credits so projects are more financially viable amid rising interest rates and lingering supply chain struggles. “We need some help in the interim to weather these challenging times,” she said.
- The backdrop: Within the last year, several wind developers — including two in Massachusetts — have severed their electricity contracts. And this week, the world’s leading offshore wind developer, Orsted, announced it was outright canceling two large projects in New Jersey.
- ICYMI: Read Wasser’s explainer on what the offshore wind industry has going for — and against — it right now.
The latest on the body found at Logan: State police believe the man suspected of killing a nurse from Whitman has fled to his native country, Kenya. Investigators say 31-year-old Margaret Mbitu’s body was found Wednesday night in a car in Logan Airport’s central parking garage. She’d been reported missing on Monday.
- What’s next: Police have put out an arrest warrant for Kevin Kangethe, a 40-year-old from Lowell. Investigators say he and Mbitu knew each other and the killing was not random. They’re now working with Kenyan authorities to locate Kangethe.
Heads up: Shuttle buses will replace all Red Line service north of Kendall/MIT this weekend so crew can work on the tracks. It’s the first of two planned weekend diversions on the Red Line this month.
- There’s also a small diversion Sunday on the northern end of the Orange Line. Shuttles will replace trains between Oak Grove and Wellington stations through Sunday morning until 2 p.m. due to an emergency response training exercise in Malden.
Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is giving two works from its ancient Rome collection to prosecutors in New York, amid revelations the sculptures were likely smuggled. WBUR’s Solon Kelleher reports MFA officials believe they came from a notoriously looted archaeological site in what is now present-day Turkey.
- Zoom out: The art world is in the midst of a reckoning, as museums race to return looted works acquired during the more aggressive days of collecting, according to The New York Times.
Fore! Massachusetts’ first Topgolf location opens this morning in Canton. The three-story complex also includes a bar and restaurant with an extensive menu.
- What is Topgolf, you might ask? Picture three rows of driving ranges, stacked on top of each other, indoors. In total, the Canton location will have 90 bays that can be reserved for up to six people. And then you hit microchipped golf balls toward targets in games against friends. John Connolly, the director of operations in Canton, told WBUR’s John Bender that the relatively low-cost format is good for newbies. (They also have clubs you can rent for free.) Scroll through photos of the Canton spot here.
- Speaking of tech-infused golf, Boston’s new indoor golf team has announced its four-man roster, including Rory McIlroy. (Even if the team won’t play in Boston or really have any meaningful connection to the city, they do have a fun frog logo. Go frogs!)
Get your skis: Killington resort in Vermont officially opens today. It’s one of the first mountains in New England to start its season, two weeks earlier than last year because of colder temperatures.
- Save the date: While the region has barely seen any snowflakes yet, Killington spokesperson Kristel Killary told WBUR’s Amy Sokolow that the resort is expecting a big Thanksgiving weekend as host of the Women’s Ski World Cup.
P.S. — A local group is seeking justice for those accused of ___ in the past across Massachusetts. Know the answer? Take our Boston News Quiz and see how well you know the stories we covered this week.
