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Boston's Morning Newsletter
The flip side of this warm, dry weather? Heightened wildfire risk across much of Mass.
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.
In case you were among the many TV viewers who missed the Celtics banner-raising due to that inexplicable commercial break, you can watch the full video and catch up on jubilant night at TD Garden here.
Now, before you go bask in another day of warm weather like Wyc Grousbeck on the Common, let’s get to the news:
The flip side of this nice weather: The National Weather Service warns there’s a greater chance of wildfires today across much of Massachusetts. WBUR’s John Bender reports that state fire officials say drought conditions, falling leaves and unseasonably warm temperatures have combined for a higher risk for brush fires.
- Zoom in: Crews have mostly contained a two-acre fire that began Sunday in the popular Blue Hills Reservation in Milton. While no trails have been closed, the fire is expected to continue smoldering until there’s heavy rain. “There’ll be light smoke up there,” said Dave Celino, the state’s chief fire warden. “Nothing to be concerned about. But those are the kinds of conditions that we can expect moving forward until we get some sort of what we call a season-ending event, whether it’s snow or substantial rain.”
- Zoom out: That means the risk won’t likely change anytime soon, according to Celino. “It is fall foliage season,” he said. “And so we want people to really enjoy themselves out there. However, just to be aware of the super dry conditions.” Celino noted more than 95% of all wildfires are caused by human activity.
The last laugh? Even if voters approve the ballot question to get rid of the MCAS as a graduation requirement, top lawmakers on Beacon Hill leaders suggested yesterday they could have final say. State law allows the Legislature to make changes to — or even completely scrap — measures approved by voters via the ballot. House Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka and Gov. Maura Healey have all expressed public opposition to Question 2, which is ahead in the polls.
- What they’re saying: Mariano told reporters it would be “premature” to “walk away’ from the standardized test. Spilka also said “we’ll have some discussions if it passes.” They also didn’t rule out tweaking other questions, too.
- Flashback: It wouldn’t be the first time Beacon Hill stepped in to spike a ballot law. In 2003, the Legislature repealed a 1998 law approved by voters to institute public funding of elections.
Meanwhile on Beacon Hill: Spilka said negotiators are “close” to a deal on an economic development bond bill that would invest more money in the life science and climate tech sectors — and maybe even pave the way for a New England Revolution stadium in Everett.
- The bond bill — a major priority of Healey — was among the legislation the State House did not pass before formal sessions expired this summer. Beacon Hill leaders would have to hold a special formal session in order to pass the bill now. According to State House News Service, Mariano said he hopes it will happen before the election — which is just 13 days away.
Election update: Roughly one out of every seven registered voters in Massachusetts have cast ballots in this fall’s general election so far. That includes over 116,000 who have voted early in person and over 602,000 who have sent ballots back in the mail as of 4 p.m. yesterday.
- PSA: That leaves more than 755,000 Bay Staters who requested and were sent mail-in ballots, but haven’t yet returned them. If that’s you, Sec. of State Bill Galvin recommends mailing your ballot back no later than next Tuesday to ensure it gets counted. If you wait longer, Galvin says to bring your ballot to a dropbox or your town clerk’s office, or vote in person. “The Postal Service itself has said they cannot guarantee [it] if it’s within the seven days,” Galvin told WBUR’s Dan Guzman.
Heads up: The Green Line’s B branch is suspended this morning between Kenmore and Blandford Street, due to what the T is calling a “switch problem.” Commuters are encouraged to use the 57 bus or the Green Line’s C or D branch for alternative service.
P.S.— Massachusetts might not have fun “I Voted” sticker contests like New Hampshire or Michigan, but some local communities are taking the initiative, including Brookline, which is offering voters these very on-brand turkey stickers. Is your city or town handing out any unique “I Voted” stickers? Let us know by emailing us at newsletters@email.wbur.org.
