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How Massachusetts is marking 23 years since 9/11
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.
If last night’s presidential debate went a little past your bedtime, don’t fret: We’ve got you covered with NPR’s five takeaways from the debate here, plus a few quick links on the aftermath below:
- Check the facts: NPR reporters analyzed the claims made by Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in real time. Here’s what they found.
- Wait, what? In one of the debate’s more bizarre moments, Trump elevated an unsubstantiated online rumor about migrants eating pet dogs and cats in Ohio. Here’s the full story on the debunked claim.
- Body language: The candidates’ facial expressions spoke volumes (and launched memes) when debate mics were muted.
- Speak now: Taylor Swift officially endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket in an Instagram post after the debate, signing it as “Childless Cat Lady.”
- Rewind: You can watch the full debate here.
Now, back to local news:
A day of remembrance: Ceremonies are taking place around Massachusetts, as the nation remembers those who died in the 9/11 attacks 23 years ago today. WBUR’s Fausto Menard reports on some of the ways the 206 victims with Massachusetts ties will be honored.
- The events begin at 8:30 a.m. on the front steps of the State House. There will be a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. — the time that the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. That will be followed by a reading of the victims names by Gov. Maura Healey and other top elected officials. Around the same time, the USS Constitution will fire four gun salutes — one for each plane that was hijacked and crashed.
- In the afternoon, Mayor Michelle Wu will preside over a wreath-laying at the Boston Public Garden memorial, featuring a bagpipe performance by the Boston Police Gaelic Column.
- In the evening, a candlelight vigil will be held at the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial on Northern Avenue in the Seaport.
- The anniversary is also marked by an annual blood drive at Fenway Park. American Red Cross spokesman Jeff Hall told Fausto it’s an opportunity for the public to participate in what has become a national day of service. “One of the easiest ways to help your community is by donating blood,” Hall said. (Click here to browse all the blood drives happening around Boston today.)
The results are in: It will be Kelly Ayotte versus Joyce Craig in the race this fall to be New Hampshire’s next governor. Ayotte, a former U.S. senator, handily won the Republican primary yesterday, while Craig, the former mayor of Manchester, emerged victorious from a hard-fought Democratic contest. Read more here about how the general election debate is shaping up (and brace yourself for even more local TV ads and lots of Massachusetts talk).
- Meanwhile: Maggie Goodlander, a former White House aide and wife of one of President Biden’s top advisors, secured a double-digit Democratic primary win in the open race to succeed U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster in New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District. Goodlander will face Republican Lily Tang Williams.
When will mosquito season end? Autumn is in the air — and so too remains the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses. Massachusetts officials announced this year’s eighth, ninth and 10th human cases of West Nile virus yesterday, a day after reporting the state’s fourth human case of EEE. The recent cases have come from across eastern part of the state: Barnstable, Bristol, Middlesex and Suffolk counties. And state officials increased West Nile risk levels for several additional communities in southeastern Massachusetts. (You can explore the state’s EEE and West Nile risk level maps here.)
- How long will the risk last? Likely several more weeks, according to Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, the chief of the infectious diseases division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “Even though the weather is cooling off, the mosquitoes continue to persist and pose a risk until we have the first hard frost,” Kuritzkes told WBUR. After that, he said “there shouldn’t be any significant remaining risk.” (Overnight temperatures around Boston aren’t expected to dip much lower than 60 degrees over the next week.)
- Listen: WBUR’s Lynn Jolicoeur spoke with Dr. Robbie Goldstein, the state’s public health commissioner, about how to minimize your exposure to mosquito-borne diseases, particularly EEE.
P.S.— Last night marked our last 7 p.m. sunset of the year. But the good news is there’s still no shortage of sun — with virtually zero chance of rain across southern New England over the next week.
