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How the wind and rain Monday could affect your commute
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.
Today might not be your favorite morning commute of the week:
Heavy rain and strong wind will continue across the Boston area this morning, making for a wet and slow commute for many residents. Flood warnings are in effect for much of eastern Massachusetts, and the National Weather Service says gusty winds could cause damage, especially on the Cape (for more details, get the full forecast). Here’s an overview of the storm’s effects:
- On the roads: Take it slow. WBUR meteorologist Danielle Noyes says the steadiest rain will continue for at least a few hours. So, beware of water ponding on the road and other hydroplaning risks.
- At home: There are 5,833 power outages across Massachusetts as of 7:40 a.m., mostly on the South Shore. The hardest-hit towns include Pembroke, Hanson and Hingham.
- In the air: There are 40 canceled flights in and out of Logan Airport so far today. Nearly all of them are Cape Air flights.
Heads up: While most MBTA services are running as normal amid the storm, there is one exception. Shuttle buses are replacing trolley service on the Green Line’s D branch between Kenmore and Riverside today through next Wednesday (Dec. 20). The nine-day diversion is happening so crews can work to remove slow zones.
- The bad news: While the shuttles are free to board, riders should expect a slower commute due to traffic. The shuttles will also skip the Beaconsfield stop in Brookline.
- The good news (for Newton commuters): During the diversion, express shuttles will run directly from Riverside and Woodland stations to Copley in the morning — departing every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. The express shuttles will also go in the outbound direction during the evening rush hour.
In related news: The T is continuing night work on the Green Line Extension for an extra week. That means shuttle buses will continue to replace service on the Medford/Tufts branch starting at 8:45 p.m. each night through this Sunday. The Union Square stop will simply shut down at the same time. (T officials suggest other local buses.)
- MBTA General Manager Phil Eng said the agency is “disappointed” the contractors hired to construct the GLX were not able to finish the work on the expected timeline. “At our direction, they will be bringing in more resources, including more crews,” Eng said in a statement.
Hundreds of Harvard faculty members are signing a letter urging the school’s administration to resist calls to remove President Claudine Gay. As WBUR’s Max Larkin reports, Gay has faced backlash in the wake of her testimony at a congressional hearing about on-campus antisemitism. However, the letter argues outside forces should not influence who becomes the university’s president (though it does not condone Gay’s statements from that hearing).
- Gay issued an apology Friday for not giving a more direct answer on whether “calling for the genocide of Jews” constitutes harassment or punishable speech. “I got caught up in what had become at that point, an extended, combative exchange about policies and procedures,” she said in a statement.
- Zoom out: Liz Magill, the president of the University of Pennsylvania, resigned Saturday amid similar backlash over her remarks at the hearing.
Massachusetts hospitals and health insurers say they will no longer ask doctors and other clinicians about their history of mental illness and addiction. WBUR’s Priyanka Dayal McCluskey reports the change is part of a joint effort to reform the credentialing process by Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society and other health insurance groups.
- Why it matters: MHA vice president Dr. Steven Defossez says the mental illness and addiction questions on credential forms stigmatized behavioral health conditions. He hopes the change will help address burnout and encourage clinicians to seek treatment, instead of fearing punishment.
P.S.— We have some news of our own! We’re marking the 75th anniversary of WBUR with the *first-ever* WBUR Festival, coming in May 2025. The weekend will feature a live performance of Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, a star-studded lineup of speakers, music, food and a lively street scene. For more updates on the festival location, speaker lineup and tickets, join our events email list.
