Happening Today
9 a.m. | Supreme Judicial Court sits to hear oral arguments in five cases including one between Dhananjay Patel and 7-Eleven, Inc. regarding the classification of franchisees as independent contractors.
9 a.m. | Public Health Council meets remotely, with an agenda that includes updates from Acting Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke, an update on overdose prevention and harm reduction efforts, and new results from the COVID-19 community impact survey.
11 a.m. | .U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and immigration advocates hold a virtual press conference to “ensure that a permanent pathway to citizenship is included in the final Build Back Better legislation,” an advisory said.
12 p.m. | Governor’s Council meets, and could potentially vote on Gov. Baker’s nominations of James Manitsas to the Superior Court bench and Christine Anthony to the Probate and Family Court bench.
1 p.m. | Boston Logan International Airport hosts ribbon-cutting event to ceremonially open the new Terminal C Canopy and Upper Deck entrance.
Today’s Stories
When Amazon Web Service runs into trouble, so does the world
For just a moment yesterday, we caught a glimpse at what the world would look like if one of the largest network service providers went down. It was a dark one filled with inconveniences and real-world impacts.
Amazon’s cloud service AWS experienced outages yesterday that affected companies left and right, reports the Associated Press. Critical issues lasted for about five hours before the company said it had “mitigated” the main problem.
But you have to remember, many governments, media, tech, and entertainment companies rely on AWS for computing services. That includes numerous organizations here in Massachusetts like Boston’s transportation department, which posted to Twitter that people couldn’t pay for parking through the ParkBoston App, reports Boston Globe’s Jeremy C. Fox.
Similarly, Bluebikes was experiencing software issues that were causing errors and delays for users. And even The Boston Globe encountered trouble publishing to their website for a period of time, according to the media outlet.
By 6 p.m. eastern time, most of the issues with AWS were solved, and life started to return to normal. But for those few hours, it was made clear just how much the world relies upon massive companies like Amazon to function.
Elugardo planning run for open Senate seat
Rep. Nika Elugardo is looking to move up in the Legislature. State House News Service’s Matt Murphy reports that the Jamaica Plain Democrat plans to run for a Senate seat in an open district that was redrawn during the redistricting process. Elugardo will have to give up her House seat to take a shot at the seat currently held by Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, a democratic gubernatorial candidate.
Boston witnesses less homicides and shootings this year
Shootings and homicides are down in Boston this year. Boston Globe’s Danny McDonald reports that there have been 38 homicides so far, down from 53 this time last year and below the five-year-average of 51 killings. The data for this year runs contrary to national trends.
More from McDonald: “But in 2021, the city experienced a year-over-year decrease in street violence. Boston’s year stands in stark contrast with what is going on in other major US cities, many of which are grappling with record-breaking numbers of shootings and homicides in 2021.”
Leading the charge: Pressley pushes resolution condemning GOPs Boebert
U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley will introduce a resolution to Congress that seeks to strip Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of her committee assignments because of her recent anti-Muslim attacks on fellow members of Pressley’s progressive squad, Marianna Sotomayor and Jacqueline Alemany of the Washington Post report. Pressley’s resolution has gained a dozen co-sponsors but it remains unclear whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will bring it to the floor for a vote.
More than $20M in art donated to Boston College
If you live by Boston College, you now have a new opportunity to see works from some of the greatest artists who ever lived. Associated Press’ Boston Bureau reports that 30 pieces of art worth more than $20 million were donated to the college including works from Pablo Picasso, Mary Cassatt, and William Homer. The donation comes from alumnus and investment manager Peter Lynch.
Run it again: Judge says Framingham special election needed after ballot dispute
He’s calling for a do-over. A Superior Court judge ruled that a special election should be run to resolve a razor-thin race for a seat on the Framingham City Council after determining that issues around two disputed ballots are enough to warrant a runoff. Zana Razzaq of the MetroWest Daily News has the details.
Meanwhile, Adam Bass of The Item reports a recount staged in Lynn over a close city council election has affirmed the victory of Richard Colucci, whose margin of victory over challenger Natasha Megie-Maddrey actually grew by three votes.
Fall River police chief to retire in March
Fall River Police Chief Jeffrey Cardoza plans to retire from the department in March. Herald News’ Jo C. Goode reports that Cardoza is currently on medical leave, according to Mayor Paul Coogan. Cardoza was named police chief in June 2020 after working in the department for over three decades.
More from Goode: “But since taking the position as chief, Cardoza’s tenure had been marked by a myriad of controversies, some holdovers from past police administrations. The department is facing multiple civil rights lawsuits filed against police officers for use of excessive force…”
Back in business: Clarksburg election means select board can act again
Pause over. The town of Clarksburg has a functioning town government again after voters chose Jeffrey Levanos to fill a vacant seat on the select board, which has been unable to act because it only had a single member. Greta Jochem of the Berkshire Eagle reports just 60 voters, or 5 percent of those who are registered, turned out for the uncontested election.
Wu names new chief of streets
There’s a new chief of streets in town. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu selected Jascha Franklin-Hodge to serve in the roll, reports CommonWealth’s Bruce Mohl. Franklin-Hodge plans to start in January and will be in charge of Boston’s transportation and public works sectors and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission.
Targeted for removal: Bourne school board member is focus of recall push
A member of the Bourne school board who has faced calls to resign after posting controversial videos about critical race theory and gender identity to social media is now the target of a recall campaign. A former member of the board says she’ll run against Kari MacRae if enough signatures can be collected to trigger a recall election, Cynthia McCormick of the Cape Cod Times reports.
These retirees bring in $100K in annual pension payments
These 470 people are making a good bit of money in retirement. Boston Herald’s Joe Dwinell reports that commissioners, captains, and deputies make up some of the 470 city of Boston retirees who bring in $100,000-plus retirement payments. The city’s pension payroll includes 12,700 former city employees, including former police commissioner William Gross who brings in $193,570 a year.
Yawkey Foundation donates $15M to Pine Street Inn
Speaking of donations, Pine Street Inn is the recipeint of a $15 million gift that will help the organization build 400 to 500 new housing units. Boston Business Journal’s Grant Welker reports that the Yawkey Foundation’s donation is the largest in Pine Street Inn’s more than five decade history.
Today’s Headlines
Metro
Shootings and homicides are down in Boston this year, defying national trends – Boston Globe
In Mass. Senate special election, it’s progressive muscle versus hometown(ish) appeal – GBH News
Massachusetts
Baker administration remains vague on UI holdup – CommonWealth
Methuen sees highest residential tax hike in at least 10 years – Eagle-Tribune
Let’s Go Brandon Store opens in North Attleboro, sparking strong reactions – Sun Chronicle
Nation
Dozens of the world’s biggest games are offline as AWS goes down – PC Gamer
Second Senate Democrat to back vote against Biden vaccine mandate – The Hill
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