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Mass. residents spend big on takeout, according to a new study. Here’s how much
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Before you fangirl too hard about Gov. Maura Healey hanging out on stage with “Veep” star Julia Louis-Dreyfus (and seven other Democratic women governors) at the DNC today, let’s get to the news:
Massachusetts residents are spending A LOT on takeout. How much? Roughly $4,800 per year, according to a new study by owner.com, which analyzed food and beverage consumption data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. (Put another way, that’s about $400 a month.) The state ranks fifth-highest nationally in spending on to-go food and beverages, WBUR’s Zeninjor Enwemeka reports.
- Zoom in: According to the study, Bay Staters have the highest average annual disposable income of any state: approximately $74,000. And over 6% of that is spent on takeout.
- Zoom out: The study found our New England neighbors are spending even more than us on takeout. Nationally, New Hampshire ranked second, Maine third and Vermont fourth. Residents in those states averaged $5,000 — or more — on takeout each year.
- Who tops the list? The study said the No. 1 spot goes to Hawaii, where residents spend an average of $5,300 a year on takeout.
On the docket: A federal hearing is scheduled in Boston today to determine the next step in the Boston Marathon bomber case. U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. — who presided over the 2015 trial that led to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s conviction — will meet with lawyers from both sides for the first time since an appeals court ruled in March he did not sufficiently investigate claims of juror bias.
- What to expect: Today’s hearing is simply a status conference, meaning O’Toole will discuss issues like scheduling, according to The Boston Globe. Tsarnaev, who remains on death row at a federal prison in Colorado, is not expected to be present.
- The stakes: If O’Toole ultimately rules the two allegedly biased jurors should have been removed, Tsarnaev could get a new trial.
Something in the water: The town of Wayland is getting temporary emergency access to water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, after the Boston suburb found E. coli in one of its primary wells. Regulators approved the move yesterday.
- What’s next: The emergency access runs through late January. However, Wayland is also seeking permanent access to the MWRA system. Tom Holder, the town’s director of the Department of Public Works, told WBUR’s John Bender the move was prompted by tighter PFAS regulations for drinking water, which took effect in December. Holder says they hope to rely on the MWRA for daily water service within the next five years.
Porter Square Books has a big anniversary — and a big move — later this year. Right in time for their 20th anniversary, PSB announced on Instagram yesterday it’s moving the flagship store to Lesley University Hall (the former Sears Building) in October.
- What’s not changing: The bookstore will remain independent, even though it’ll be located in the university building.
- What is changing: The new location will have a bigger footprint. Page and Leaf Cafe will also be the shop’s new food partner.
Slow down! Data from the RMV suggests Massachusetts drivers are getting more violations this year — nearly 697,000 violations between January and July. That’s about 9,000 more a month than last year.
- The most common offenses? Speeding, failure to stop and inspection sticker issues. Dive deeper into the ticket data here.
- Meanwhile, Cambridge will be doubling its fine to $100 for people who park illegally during street cleaning starting Sept. 1. The city will continue to not tow illegally parked cars, but said the current $50 fee isn’t deterring people enough.
P.S.— Last night’s DNC roll call featured a musical salute to each of the 50 states (and I bet you can guess which Boston-bred band repped Massachusetts). Here’s a look at the songs each state’s delegation picked.
