South Boston Today August 24 2023

Rent control faces steep skepticism on Beacon Hill and well-funded opposition from the real estate industry. Now, supporters of the controversial housing policy are confronting a new challenge: disagreement within their ranks about the best strategy forward, a lack of consensus that threatens to undermine the fledgling movement.

As a group of progressive activists and elected officials, largely from Cambridge and Somerville, push to put the issue before voters on the 2024 ballot, a coalition of housing advocacy organizations argue the smarter course would be to continue pressing the Legislature to take action. The split could slow progress on an issue that is just beginning to gain real momentum, weakening a campaign that would need significant volunteer efforts and financial resources to overcome powerful opposition.

CONTINUED ON page 12

Southie Always Honors Its Veterans. Just Ask Yolanda Cerullo

Last Saturday, South Boston was the site of a very beautiful and heartwarming event. This town turned out to help Yolanda Cerullo; a World War ll veteran who served her country in the United States Coast Guard celebrate her 100th birthday. Yolanda, who resides at Compass on the Bay in Southie, was overwhelmed

and showered with love and appreciation from a grateful community which included veterans from South Boston’s Fitzgerald Post, our elected officials, veterans from other era’s and Boston Police C-6.

Included in the day’s events was an old fashioned mini motorcade in her honor and a beautiful and quite delicious birthday cake. Citations and

resolutions were presented to her from City Hall and the State House congratulating her for her service to our country. How did Yolanda respond to all of this? She had a constant smile on her face; that warm, friendly smile she is so famous for and said “I feel very special and people are so nice.”

The outpouring of support and birthday wishes for

this beautiful person and the gratitude shown by South Bostonians for her military service can be something our community should be proud of. South Boston has a long standing reputation for holding our nation’s veterans in the highest esteem.

It’s an enduring tradition around here that shows no signs of ever fading. Though Americans in general, all

across our great country, have always honored the nation’s veterans, South Bostonians are famous for taking that support and admiration to the very highest level. Seldom is an opportunity missed to say thank you for their service.

Yolanda, here’s wishing you many more happy, healthy birthdays and may God Bless you!

White House Media Says Economy Is Great. Americans Know Better

There probably isn’t an American that drives a vehicle who doesn’t know that gas prices are on the rise. Back up to 4 dollars a gallon and all reports say the price will continue to climb. Why? Because the Biden Administration/Regime recently cut a deal with radical environmental groups once again, to put more restrictions and cut back on US energy production. The biggest cut back is with oil and clean natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. This move is predicted to cause literally thousands of people to lose their jobs. Washington knows this, but is doing it anyway. They knew it would cause prices at the pump to rise and again, they did it anyway. Oh, just wait until the bills roll in this coming fall and winter when heating your home.

As we all know by now, when the price of fuel rises, so too does the price of everything else – including food, clothing and every other necessity and convenience.

Interest rates are rising on loans, 401K’s and investments will take even bigger hits and American families will be hurting even more than they are now. But the liberals and leftist elitists pulling Biden’s strings are in bed with and cow tow to the eco terrorists masquerading as environmentalists.

When Biden, his handlers and their news media allies step up with their bullhorns, strut around like crowing roosters and tell the American people that the economy is strong and ‘Humming’, they’re lying. Yes, I said lying. There’s so sense mincing words or tamping down the message. They are lying right to our faces. The public knows they’re lying, they know the public knows they’re lying

but they keep on lying just the same. The only people who aren’t adversely affected by this sinking economy and raging inflation are the super wealthy. Pretty much everyone else; out of necessity is tightening their belts but people are reaching the last loop hole in those belts.

So when Biden’s Press Secretary, Karine Jeanne-Pierre; she of the constantly color changing dread locks comes to her podium each day to spout the daily lies and says Americans are better off now than ever, it’s an impossible sell. A trip to the market to buy food for the family or to the pump to fill their gas tank or purchase back to school clothes and supplies for their kids, confirms that what MS Jeanne-Pierre says is a pile of BS. Not only is it BS, it’s also insulting.

When Biden or Jeanne-Pierre try to defend the massive amount of tax payer dollars going to house and support the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants they are inviting in to the country into hotels all over the country but thousands of America’s veterans are homeless and hungry, they have no comment, or lie and say it’s not true. Un counted and unaccounted for billions continue to go to Ukraine, and they want more to be shipped there constantly, but they wanted to send the Americans who lost everything on Maui an insulting $700 dollars, it not only enraged people, it further helped more people finally wake up as to what this current administration thinks of its own citizens.

Again, the Democrats in power and in particular, those running the Biden Administration can lie till their noses grow to be ten feet long. The number of Americans

still falling for it is in rapid free fall and the polls are showing it. But they’re not done yet by any stretch of the imagination. Brace yourselves, because they are preparing to bring back a renewed Covid-19 scare. Already they’re talking about new mask mandates, lockdowns and restrictions. They will be pushing the public to get even more vaccine boosters. The goal is to once again scare the public into compliance and its all geared to the coming presidential election. But if they think its going to be easy like it was last time, they will most likely be in for a

shock. The compliance won’t be anywhere near what it was before. Of course, the people still driving around in their cars by themselves wearing masks and face shields will go along – they’ll fall for anything. But this time, the overwhelming majority of Americans have no intention of going along. Because now, the public knows and understands well, that so much of what was fed to them by radicals’ in the government, the news media and yes, in the medical field too can’t be trusted. Who would have thought that America would ever come to this?

John Ciccone

VOTERS SAY YES; MAYOR

WU

SAYS NO

Thirty years after Boston and roughly two dozen other major U.S. cities put their school committees under mayoral control, more than half have restored voters’ power to elect board members. But attempts to return to an independent school board have gone nowhere in Boston even as voters overwhelmingly support it and a majority of the city council wants it. The hurdle? Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

The announcement of another mayoral appointment to Boston’s seven-member School Committee was the latest reminder of the top-down style of governance in a district on the brink of state receivership amid falling test scores and a

Window Into The State House

Window Into The State House provides our readers a synopsis of important issues of interest, past and current, that are being proposed, debated or acted upon by the Massachusetts Legislature. Many issues that are not related to local city government services are acted upon and have a direct impact on daily life. They are tax policy, transportation infrastructure, judicial appointments, social services and health, as well as higher education. We will excerpt reports from the gavel-to-gavel coverage of House and Senate sessions by news sources focused on this important aspect of our lives. These sources include a look ahead at the coming week in state government and summaries and analyses of the past week, re-caps of a range of state government activity, as well as links to other news.

lack of progress on longstanding equity issues and achievement gaps.

Los Angeles, Detroit and Oakland have all moved away from mayoral control in schools where districts face similar issues. Next year Chicago will put the power back in the hands of voters.

Critics say the “experiment” has shown mayors to be generally less transparent than an elected school committee and less willing to take political risks. Mayors still in control include New York City and D.C.

Wu vetoed the petition back in February. She argued it was the wrong time to make big changes in the problem-plagued district, despite having backed a return to an elected school committee — in a hybrid fashion —

on the campaign trail.

Wu’s latest new appointee is Boston Public Schools alumna Chantal Lima Barbosa, the first Cape Verdean woman to serve on the board — the mayor’s second appointment. Last year she installed Superintendent Mary Skipper to lead — “a good hire,” Arroyo said.

Bostonians have signaled strong support for an elected board, with 79 percent of voters casting ballots in favor in a 2021 nonbinding resolution. But Boston will have to wait — for now. The mayor’s press office yesterday left the question open in an email to reporters.

“If the council approves another home rule petition to change the structure of the school committee, we’ll evaluate the proposal at that

time,” the statement said.

UMass medical school and Worcester hospital duke it out in costly legal battle

Once close partners, the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and Worcester’s nonprofit hospital system UMass Memorial are locked in a costly legal battle, a month-long investigation by MassLive has uncovered..

The medical school has racked up $7.2 million in legal expenses in ongoing litigation over its stake in UMass Memorial’s 2019 sale of a specialty pharmacy company. The medical school says it is owed $40 million from the hospital system as its portion of the revenue in the $263 million sale.

continued on page 8

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll; Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director, The Arc of Massachusetts; Jim Brett, President & CEO, The New England Council; and Governor Maura Healey at the State House celebrating the 33rd Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Photo credit: Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office.

Council President Flynn and Councilor Flaherty Encourage Residents to Apply for Community Preservation Funds by August 31, 2023

Boston City Council President Ed Flynn and Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty are urging residents of Boston to apply for the 2024 funding round of the Community Preservation Funds. Every year, the Community Preservation Act (CPA) uses revenue from a 1% property tax-based surcharge on residential and commercial property taxes to fund the initiatives of affordable housing, historic preservation, parks and open space. In the latest round of funding, District 2 projects were awarded $8.5 million.

Over the last few months, the CPA Team has been engaging the community across the City to inform and educate residents about the benefits of Community Pres -

ervation Funds. In June, Council President Flynn and Councilor Flaherty partnered with CPA Staff for an information session to keep residents informed of this program and learn about a variety of projects that were funded over the past five years.

The deadline to submit an eligibility determination form for the FY 2024 round is Thursday, August 31st at 5:00 pm. Interested applicants can apply online by visiting the boston.gov website and filling out the Eligibility Determination Form. If eligible, individuals are invited to submit an application to the ninemember Community Preservation Committee for consideration.

“I cannot stress enough the positive impact that the Com -

munity Preservation Act has had in my District and the City,” said Council President Flynn. “In the last round, District 2 received $8.5 million in CPA funds for projects that improve our neighborhoods and better the quality of life of all residents. I have lent my support to many of these worthwhile projects that support affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space and recreation projects. I encourage residents to fill out an eligibility determination form by August 31st and speak with the CPA team to see if their project would qualify.

“Some of the most exciting and creative projects in our ever-changing City – innovative affordable housing projects,

parks, and historic preservation projects – are the result of resident and community driven CPA proposals,” said Councilor Flaherty, Chair of the Council’s Community Preservation Committee. “Community feedback and involvement are critical to these projects.”

For more information, please contact Council President Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203, Councilor Flaherty at 617-6354205 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov or Michael.Flaherty@boston.gov.

I Was Just Thinking…

how Mike came to live with us but it was forty-years ago when my grandmother passed away,” Shannon said, reading from the lectern. “My dad went to the house first and was met with a question from Mike Budzo when he asked, ‘what do we do now?’, and without any discussions, questions, paperwork, or even a phone call to my mom, my dad answered, ‘get your stuff, empty your drawers, you are coming with us.’ And just like that, the original one Budzo became plural. Now there were three Budzos. My Dad. My Mike. And my Mom.”

your love and sacrifices...so…thank you thank you for the most beautiful gift. Thank you for your sacrifices and thank you for showing us how to step up with such grace.”

For the members of the Ryan/Clooney Clan who cherished Michael throughout the years, they realized Mike was truly a gift to be appreciated, the “greatest gift of all time” because he was the best and made everything better.

by Kevin Devlin

Remembering Michael “Budzo” Ryan

“Every fiber of my being misses you…you were pure sunshine…nothing but kind to everyone even if they didn’t deserve it. All you cared about was making everyone around you happy.” (Kasey Ryan)

On Thursday morning July 6, at Saint Margaret Church of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Dorchester, friends and relatives bid a tearful farewell to Michael “Budzo” Clooney of Braintree, formerly of Dorchester who died on June 25.

Michael, about one month shy of his sixtieth birthday (July 29) was looking forward to his birthday party and invited over two hundred people to attend.

But God had other plans for this wonderful, caring and kind soul.

The youngest of eight children, and the loving son of the late Arthur J. and Teresa J (Skehan) Clooney, Michael lived most of his life with his sister, Dorothy and brother-in-law, Daniel “Danny” Ryan. Their daughters, Melissa, Shannon, Danielle, and Kasey soon became like sisters to him and were responsible for piecing together the eulogy Shannon read at the funeral mass.

Michael deeply loved his parents and siblings and when his mom died life changed.

But Dorothy and Danny would immediately step in to attempt to fill the void left in his broken heart. Which they did.

“I’m not sure if a lot of people knew

Michael loved growing up in Savin Hill, living on Thornley and Tuttle Street and experiencing the feeling of community he sensed every day. He went to Saint William’s bingo, was a member of the 1000 a month club, was an altar boy, and enjoyed the company of those he met through Dan’s involvement in the recovery community.

Michael was happy and as his sister Dorothy said, “…enjoyed life to the fullest and always kept busy.” He was involved in everything. He enjoyed going to the Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club and helping with the younger kids. He worked various jobs and made money so when he went to Saratoga with Danny he could bet on the horses and collect his winnings. He enjoyed going to Florida every winter. He loved watching wrestling which was number one in his book.

Michael also attended Camp Fatima in New Hampshire and really liked his trip to Eastover. He loved bowling and playing golf in the South Boston Special Kids Program, and every Monday night for many years went to the Ollie in Southie and participated in their arts and craft’s program.

“He was sharp and involved,” Danny said. “When I asked him where he learned to swim, he’d say ‘in the water’, or if I asked him where he got the sweater he was wearing, he’d respond, ‘in the drawer.’”

Always quick to respond.

Never a dull moment with Budzo.

Danny and Dorothy’s daughters feel their parents’ unconditional love for Michael was a godsend, which enriched everyone.

“You and dad gave him the greatest life,” Shannon read, from the lectern. “A fun life and a happy life. He loved every second of his life. I truly believe we got to have him for so long because of

“Nothing I wrote down seemed to do him justice,” Shannon said, as she continued to read the eulogy. “…they didn’t seem worthy enough, then I thought about it. Mike couldn’t be described by words…because Mike, Mike is indescribable. He wasn’t a word. He was a feeling. Funny thing is, even without a description, you all know the exact feeling I am talking about. It’s a feeling every person in this room knows and has felt when you were with Mike, talking about Mike, hearing stories about Mike or simply knowing Mike. The feeling of a bright light and pure joy from deep in our bellies and deep into our souls.

“…Although there aren’t any words worthy enough, he was the simply best feeling I have ever known,” Shannon

added, in the concluding remarks. “The best gift we could ever receive. The best love story of all time. We will painfully miss everything about him and there will always be a deep, deep hole that won’t be filled until we are with him again, but until then, I want all of us to remember and share the feeling of Mike, the light of Mike, the stories, the laughs, and the overall Mike experience-please continue to always share these sentiments, because as we know, through these stories, sentiments and through all of us, Mike will always be alive, loved and with us. And we need you with us Mike, I don’t know what we will do without you, but rest easy our Mickey Rooney, and keep filling us to the brim with that Mike feeling. Thank you for being you. We love you.”

Kasey Ryan subsequently shared her thoughts on social media.

“You have been the glue to our family, the light of our lives,” she posted on Facebook. “Labels and society implied it was you with the disability or down syndrome, but you, you were perfect. You gave us and taught us more than we could ever repay you for.”

continued on page 7

Council President Flynn Organizes Trainings on Ethics, Civility, Professionalism During his Term at the Council

In addition, Council President Flynn is working closely with Boston City Council Central Staff on researching a Code of Ethics policy to be introduced later this year, along with recommendations around best practices on time off for Council staff. Council President Flynn continues to also engage in discussions with the State Legislative Leaders Foundation on potentially hosting a Civility Training later this year.

Moreover, Council President Flynn has focused on several administrative issues that have arisen this term, including implementation of an updated Executive Garage policy. During these challenging times for the management of meetings in municipal government, with antivaccine and other protestors, Council President Flynn has also worked in conjunction with City of Boston Property Management on upgraded security infrastructure at the Council, such as installation of panic buttons, putting a stanchion at reception, and requiring key card access at the Piemonte offices side.

23rd South Boston Street Fest to be held Sept. 16

The South Boston Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation, is thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated 23rd South Boston Street Fest will take place on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. East Broadway between I and L streets will be transformed into a vibrant and lively hub of festivities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Little ones are in for a treat, as the Street Fest boasts an array of children’s activities, including balloon twisters, caricature artists, costumed characters, and princesses. Keep a lookout for a roaming band of pirates. There will even be Barbie backdrops!

During his term in leadership at the Council over the last twenty months, Boston City Council President Ed Flynn has organized a series of training sessions with colleagues and staff aimed at encouraging civility and professionalism, as well as abiding by state ethics laws and other regulations. Most recently, Council President Flynn hosted a Massachusetts State Ethics Training for over two hours on Tuesday, August 8th which covered conflict of interest law, gift restrictions, code of conduct and related ethics issues. On Thursday, August 10th, Council President Flynn held a three hour Working Session regarding an Anti-Bullying Policy for City Councilors, Council staff, and Council Central Staff that he previously introduced in May. The Council has also held seven trainings related to the Open Meeting Law and the Public Records Law, along with annual compliance and Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) training. He has held multiple working sessions with the City Clerk and colleagues to review the Boston City Council Rules adopted by the body.

Council President Flynn assumed leadership of the body during a particularly difficult time in our city and country; navigating the Omicron variant and subsequent transition back to in-person work and Council meetings, a new budget process, a contentious redistricting process that was ultimately sent back by a federal judge, as well as a number of ethical and legal lapses from several Council colleagues. Council President Flynn has spoken at length on several occasions, on both the Council floor as well as via memos to colleagues, on the critical need for civility, professionalism and decorum, and to be available in City Hall to address quality of life and constituent service issues from neighbors.

“My goal as Council President, and for the remainder of my term, will be to continue to work on ensuring that the City Council is focused on conducting the people’s business, and that we have a professional working environment for all,” said Council President Flynn. “While working closely with our dedicated Central Staff, I continue to focus on implementing policies to address the need for civility and respect, and to promote a culture that is inclusive and attracts talent to public service at City Hall, where everyone feels welcome in the workplace without fear of any bullying or harassment.

For more information, please contact Council President Flynn’s office at 617635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

With a remarkable 22-year history, the 2023 Street Fest promises to be bigger and better than ever, showcasing more than 100 local businesses, artists, and community organizations and many of our local restaurants. Drawing more than 5,000 residents and visitors throughout the day, the fest has become a cherished community tradition.

The day will be filled with boundless fun and entertainment as two stages come alive with captivating performances for the whole family. The lineup includes Southie’s very own classic rock and top-40s cover band, Thomas Park; the talented country singer/songwriter, Houston Bernard; the sensational beats of New England’s premier dance band, Guilty Pleasure; and an exciting showcase of emerging musical talent from Michael Caputo of MusicBall Entertainment. Kicking off the festivities will be jazz band the Late Risers strolling the grounds and playing the National Anthem. There will also be local dance performances -by Wood’s School of Irish Dance and Miss Linda’s School of Dance -- and self-defense demonstrations.

Just Thinking continued from page 6

And that’s not all! As you indulge in the festivities, satisfy your cravings with alfresco dining and libations available at The Broadway, Roza Lyons, Deja Brew, Café Porto Bello, and the Paramount. Sample delectable grab-and-go options from some of South Boston’s favorite food spots, such as Publico, Sal’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, Capo, Lincoln, Hunter’s, Loco, the Sausage Guy, and more.

For the shopping enthusiasts, the Street Fest presents an incredible opportunity to enjoy exceptional oneday-only savings from local retailers. Explore treasures from Bringing Up Baby, Bohdii Boutique, Deirfiúr Home, Habit, In Good Company, Love Child, Southie’s Own, Stapleton Floral, and LUXE home interior, among many others.

Immerse yourself in the thriving local art scene as acclaimed artists from South Boston, such as Norman Crump, Deb Putnam, and Dan McCole, showcase and sell their works. The festival will also be a platform for South Boston’s vital non-profit agencies to share information about their services.

For all the latest updates and details, visit the official website of the South Boston Street Fest at www.southbostonstreetfest.com.

Such was the gift bestowed upon many by this beautiful person named Michael “Budzo” Ryan.

“We couldn’t do anything without him being a vital part of us,” Danny said. “It’s an overwhelming sense of sadness (losing him) but you gotta keep on going.” Without doubt Michael lit up the room and made the lives of people who met him better. His light will never grow dim.

He will be missed.

And undoubtedly always remembered.

The Wine

Guy

Paso Robles

This California region has been making some great wines, both red and white, for well over 100 years. It was originally settled by people from the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, many of whom brought their root stock, or plants, with them. Today, it’s a region that’s bustling with both vineyards and wineries that produce world-class wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. Luckily, you don’t have to be Swiss or speak Italian to enjoy any of the following...

San Simeon Paso Robles Viognier

Window continued from page 4

UMass Memorial presses on with birthing center closure

A birthing center on the Leominster campus of UMass Memorial Health Alliance-Clinton Hospital is still on track to close next month de-

is an attractive white blend made of Viognier, Merlot and Moscato. It’s a bright, luscious wine with ripe peach flavors and tropical notes. The nose reveals bright floral aromas and mineral notes that express the rocky terroir of the vineyard. This structured and well-balanced wine shows a lengthy finish. Enjoy it by itself, or with Chinese chicken salad or linguine and clams!

Hall Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles, (15.99), is a vivid straw-green in color and it greets the senses with crisp apple and citrus aromas, as well as hints of pear. In the mouth, the wine exhibits bright fruit flavors of grapefruit, lime, and lemongrass that echo the aromas. Refreshingly dry and mediumbodied with a rich crisp acidity, wrapped around a mineral core. The vineyard’s proximity to the winery is one of the ways this brand captures so many aromatics. They open the vineyard early and pick at night to keep the fruit cool, and they use a gentle press cycle to extract the juice and fill tanks specially designed to limit oxygen exposure.

While it’s great on its own, you

can pair it with salads, roasted vegetables, and seafood; it’s especially good with Sea Bass and Oysters.

Truth and Valor Zinfandel, Paso Robles, ($27.99). This beauty has multiple aromas of red and black fruits that are balanced with pronounced spicy notes. Medium bodied, the palate boasts notes of juicy plum and dark cherries, rounded out with savory oak notes, finishing with slightly peppered spice tones. I had it with Flank steak grilled on the BBQ and it was memorable!

Austin Paso Robles Chardonnay, ($21.99) has a beautiful golden hue that anticipates bright tropical notes on the nose. This wine shows riper warm-climate qualities that are harmoniously balanced with the brisk acidity and lemon zest notes of the cool-climate fruit. The entry is clean and fresh, gaining mid-palate weight with layered tropical and honeydew flavors, all finishing with a crisp flourish. A wine that begs for another sip! While it’s a natural for almost any kind of seafood, it’s especially popular with Oysters and Cherry stones on the half shell, as well as Asian Fusion dishes.

Daou Vineyards Chardonnay, 2020, Paso Robles, ($27.99), presents luscious aromas of pineapple, pear and Granny Smith apple with appealing hints of lemon chiffon, nectarine and honeysuckle. As the experience unfolds, the nose further reveals hints of star jasmine, nutmeg and vanilla bean. The palate is plush and full, offering mouthwatering flavors of peach, mango, kiwi and fresh melon. The rich fruit is perfectly complemented by suggestions of lemon zest and baking spice, while a notably strong finish lingers with notes of pineapple, guava and hazelnut. Try this one with grilled Tuscan-style Chicken or marinated Cornish Hen.

spite a community outcry and pushback from state regulators. UMass Memorial Health announced the closure in May. As the planned closure date of Sept. 23 now approaches, the organization is moving forward with shutdown plans...and the state has few avenues for recourse.

Susan Sarandon sues Massachusetts construction firm

Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon has filed a federal lawsuit against a Massachusetts construction firm she hired to build her $2 million home in Stamford, Vermont, reports Shannon Larson for the Globe. Sarandon is suing DeGrenier Contracting and Property Management in Clarksburg, a small town just a few miles south of Stamford, over “extensive problems” with the home, according to the complaint. Among 47 issues that “require completion or correction” are buckled siding, mold, missing insulation, and warping shingles, the suit alleges.

A decade after MIT students hacked the T, 4 high school students did it again

A trio of MIT undergrads faced legal troubles when they exposed security vulnerabilities in the MBTA payment system 15 years ago by hacking the Charlie Ticket magstripe paper cards.

A presentation of their findings at a hacker conference was nixed after angry officials got wind of the scheme, but it turns out — the problem persisted. Fast-forward to the present day, where a group of four high schoolers set out to see if the transit system fixed those exposed vulnerabilities. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. Two of the students joined hosts on GBH’s “All Things Considered” to discuss.

Long game: Boston officials focus on potential of Long Island treatment and recovery campus Addressing the appalling problems in Boston’s Mass. and Cass area, Boston officials yesterday outlined a strategy to mitigate an opioid addiction nightmare that has worsened since the Long Island bridge closed, literally cutting off addiction services there. In a tour of the island with reporters, the Wu administration outlined their intention to revitalize recovery options and social services on Long Island, and reopen a campus there in four years.

Virtual Public Meeting

232 A Street IAG Meeting

September 5, 2023

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Zoom Link: bit.ly/232A-0905

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 840 2261

Virtual Public Meeting

27 Farragut Rd.

SEPTEMBER 6

6:00 PM - 7: 30 PM

Project Proponent:

Tishman Speyer

Project Description:

The Proposed Project will construct a single-building 455,050 gsf lab/ office/R&D development located at 232 A Street on G8 parcel of 100 Acres Planned Development Area plus waterfront park on adjacent G7 parcel along Fort Point Channel.

mail to: Nick Carter

Boston Planning & Development Agency

One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201

phone: 617.918.5303

email: nick.carter@boston.gov

Project Description:

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3KQnCVd

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864

Meeting ID: 161 997 1709

The Proponent is proposing to construct a new four (4) story, twenty-one (21) unit residential rental building with garage parking for twenty-one (21) vehicles at 27 Farragut Rd. in South Boston.

Close of Comment Period: 9/20/2023

website: bit.ly/232-a-street

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

Virtual Public Meeting

232 A Street

September 11, 2023

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Project Proponent:

Tischman Speyer

Project Description:

Zoom Link: bit.ly/232A-0911

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864

Meeting ID: 161 882 6000

The proposed project will construct a single-building 455,050 gsf lab/office/R&D development located at 232 A Street on G8 parcel of 100 Acres Planned Development Area plus waterfront park on adjacent G7 parcel along Fort Point Channel.

mail to: Nick Carter

B oston Planning & Development Agency

O ne City Hall Square, 9th Floor

B oston, MA 02201

phone: 617.918.5303

email: nick.carter@boston.gov

Close of Public Comment Period: 9/20/2023

website: bit.ly/232-a-street

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

mail to: Stephen Harvey

B oston Planning & Development Agency

O ne City Hall Square, 9th Floor B oston, MA 02201

phone: 617.918.4418

email: stephen.j.harvey@boston.gov

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

Virtual Public Meeting

617 Dorchester Ave f/k/a 20 Boston St

September 12, 2023

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Project Proponent: Mark Little

Project Description:

Zoom Link: bit.ly/617DotAve

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864

Meeting ID: 161 861 2374

The information at this meeting is crucial to you as a City of Boston resident, and s takeholder. Interpreting services are available to communicate the content of these documents at no additional cost to you. If you require translation services, please contact the following: Tyler.C.Ross@boston.gov. The meeting is scheduled for 9/12/2023. Please request interpreting services no later than 5 days before the meeting date. Meeting of the general public to review the proposed 617 Dorchester Ave project in South Boston. Please note that this is a Public Meeting. The meeting will begin with a 30-minute presentation of the project by the development team, followed by 45-minutes of public Q&A. This meeting will focus on 617 Dorchester Ave, Sout h Boston by the BPDA.

mail to: Tyler Ross

Boston Planning & Development Agency

One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201

phone: 617.918.4214

email: tyler.c.ross@boston.gov

website: bit.ly/617DorchesterAve

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES NEW SCHOOL LEADERS FOR 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR

pal - Neighborhood Residence: Hyde Park

Ms. Gregory is a lifelong Boston resident and a Boston Public School graduate. She began her career in education as an Americorps member with City Year and Playworks. Ms.Gregory last year served as Middle School Principal at Boston Prep Charter School and has 15 years of experience as an educator. Ms. Gregory is passionate about ensuring all students have access to culturally responsive teaching that provides every student with equitable access to education.

Excel High School

Nachelle Gordon, Head of School - City Residence: Quincy

been a Lynch Leadership Academy Principal Fellow at Boston Latin Academy and the Acting Principal at the Mozart Elementary School.

Ohrenberger School

Terrance Johnson, PrincipalNeighborhood Residence: Dorchester

which she also supported the school as a mentor for new teachers, an evaluator and teacher in charge.

Mason Elementary School

Reid Jones, Principal - Town Residence: Ashland

Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent

Mary Skipper today announced the cohort of new school leaders appointed for the 2023-24 school year. “I’m thrilled to welcome these 16 new school leaders, who have proven themselves to be important leaders in our schools and the larger community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We are immensely proud to have them lead our schools for this school year, and I look forward to partnering with this diverse group of leaders to deliver on the promise and possibility for our BPS students, families and school communities.”

This year, BPS is proud to welcome 16 new school leaders. Some quick facts about the new leaders:

• 11 are leaders of color

• 12 have previous BPS classroom and/or administrative experience

• 5 are fluent in a language other than English

Brief biographies of the new BPS school leaders for SY 23-24 follows:

Condon K-8 School

Margaret Gregory, Princi -

Ms. Gordon has over eighteen years of experience as an educator. She is joining the Excel High community from Phoenix Charter School in Lawrence, where she was Head of School for the past three years. She also has extensive experience in BPS, where she served at Brighton High School in numerous roles including Assistant Head of School, Director of Workplace Learning, and Interim Head of School. She also served as the Director of Curriculum and Programming at New Mission High School in Hyde Park.

Harvard-Kent Elementary School

Tyrell Adeyemi, Principal - City Residence: Waltham

Mr. Adeyemi will enter the Harvard-Kent School community with a decade of experience as an educator, most recently as the Principal Fellow at the Phineas Bates Elementary School. He has also served at the Joseph Lee K-8 School as the Director of Culturally Responsive Instruction and at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School as an English Language Arts Teacher.

Holmes Innovation School

Lianne Hughes Odom, Principal - City Residence: Brockton

Ms. Hughes Odom is a lifelong Boston resident and a Boston Public School graduate. She has been a BPS educator for 14 years, serving as a History Instructor & 10th Grade Academy Leader at Tech Boston and an Instructional Coach at the Mario Umana Academy. During the current school year, she has

Mr. Johnson has served in various roles throughout his 27 years with Boston Public Schools including his recent experience leading the Ohrenberger as the Interim Principal. Before coming to the Ohrenberger, he served as an Assistant Head of School at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and served for many years as a special educator at the Martin Luther King Jr. K-8. Mr. Johnson is a wonderful example of an educator who began his journey as a paraprofessional before transitioning into teaching and leadership roles.

Young Achievers K-8 School

Jomila Smith, Principal - Neighborhood Residence: Dorchester

Ms. Smith has devoted over 20 years to Boston Public Schools in numerous leadership roles, where she has focused on continuing education for teaching staff through implementation of quality curriculum training, and establishing instructional practices driven by performance data. She previously supported Region 9 Schools as the Accelerated Improvement and Inquiry Manager. In this role, she coached and supported school leaders and school-based teams on effective data inquiry practices and supported instructional improvement with a deep focus on secondary transformation schools. She worked very closely with Region 9 School Leaders and ILT members to ensure that educators have the capacity and skill set to analyze data that will help them inform instructional practices that allow all students to learn and grow.

Everett Elementary School

Gwendolyn Rice, PrincipalTown Residence: Randolph

Ms. Rice has served as the Interim Principal at the Everett School since September 2022 and has been an invaluable member of the school community. She has been a member of the Everett community for almost 30 years. Ms. Rice was a Grade 5 Teacher for 28 years in

Mr. Jones has served in numerous teaching and leadership roles in BPS for more than a decade. He previously was the Instructional Coach at the Mason, where he focused on supporting teachers with the implementation of high quality instructional materials and using data to guide reflection of teaching practice to bring about more equitable educational outcomes and student experiences. Last year, Mr. Jones was the Lynch Leadership Fellow at the Murphy K-8 School in Dorchester where he focused on coaching and developing teachers to help them continually improve their practice and disrupt inequitable outcomes through strategic, intentional planning. Mr. Jones previously was a teacher at the Winthrop Elementary School and the Mather School where he also served as the Transformation Plan Coordinator, as well as a member of the school’s Instructional Leadership Team.

Frederick Pilot Middle School

Meghan McGoldrick, Principal - Town Residence: Braintree

Last year, Ms. McGoldrick served as the Interim Principal of the Frederick and demonstrated a commitment to upholding the vision that Ms. Frederick and the founders of the school established to serve the whole child -- mind, body, and spirit -- through exemplary instruction in an inspiring and community-centered learning environment while ensuring equitable and inclusive practices that center the needs and interests of students. She has many years of experience in school leadership and has served as a mentor to new teachers, and a math department facilitator.

Bates Elementary School

Matthew Ginsburg, PrincipalNeighborhood Residence: Dorchester

Mr. Ginsburg previously served as the Interim Principal at the Holmes Innovation School in Dorchester and has been an educator for more than a decade. He has experience as a teacher, academic dean, and principal fellow in Hart-

ford, Connecticut before coming to Boston Public Schools. Mr. Ginsburg has instituted academic programming and teacher coaching that resulted in students outperforming the entire Hartford Public School district on Connecticut State Testing multiple times. He has also designed and integrated student-focused academic pathways, enrichment opportunities, and instructional programs to increase engagement and interest in every classroom and support students to be successful.

Charlestown High School

Mr. Ajay Trivedi, PrincipalTown Residence: Arlington

Mr. Trivedi last year was the Interim Head of School for CHS and has over a decade of experience as a school administrator at BPS and at EDCO Youth Alternative High School. His leadership and philosophy are rooted in a belief that everyone is able to learn and grow when provided with multiple pathways to success. He believes that intentional, relevant learning experiences help everyone to better understand the world around them. He believes transformation for both individuals and schools begins with truth, compassion, and a steady, shared push toward justice.

Mendell Elementary School

Qi Chen, Principal - Town Residence: Brookline

Mr. Chen has many years of experience as an educator. He previously has served as the Assistant Principal of the Lowell Elementary School in Watertown, as well as a Resident Principal in Cambridge Public Schools. Mr. Chen has also worked as a math and a special education teacher, in both the US and China.

Lyndon Pilot School

Chris Audette, Co-LeaderTown Residence: Cumberland, RI

Michelle Morissey, Co-LeaderTown Residence: Brookline

Mr. Audette has many years of experience as an educator, working as a School Leader in Fall River and Providence Public Schools. Chris believes that teachers can make significant impacts on a child’s life through education. He has taught sixth-grade Social Studies with a strong emphasis on literacy development and specializes in teaching

English Language Learners.

Michelle Morrissey last year was the Interim Principal of the Mendell School in Roxbury and has served in leadership roles within BPS as well. She was the longtime Director of Instruction at Boston Collegiate Charter School in Dorchester. She also has experience as an educator, teaching middle and high school history in Boston and New York City.

Grew K-6 School

Christina Michel, Principal - Neighborhood Residence: Hyde Park

Christina has many years of leadership experience. She recently served as the Principal of the Mario Umana Academy K-8 in East Boston, where she oversaw the successful creation of systems and structures that foster bilingualism & inclusivity, implementation of high quality curriculum across contents, and the launch of a community HUB school model. She also was a Principal Fellow at the Harvard-Kent Elementary School and teacher-leader in Mathematics and ESL at the Frederick Pilot Middle School.

Community Academy of Science and Health (CASH) School

Marques Simpson, Interim Head of School - Neighborhood Residence: Dorchester

Mr. Simpson last year was the Assistant Head of School at CASH and had served in the role for the previous seven years. He has been instrumental in supporting the school in varying capacities and has worked closely with the leadership team in developing school-wide instructional priorities along with an accountability structure to measure them. He also has many years of experience teaching and working in varying capacities in schools in and around Boston.

BTU Pilot School

Lindsay Thornquist, Co-LeaderNeighborhood Residence: Roslindale

Ms. Thornquist has served as an educator for twelve years in Boston Public Schools and is deeply committed to the students. Last year, she was the Lynch Leadership Fellow at the Rafael Hernández K-8 School in Roxbury, where she focused on coaching and developing teachers for instruction across different disciplines. She previously

was a teacher at the Hurley K-8 school for almost ten years where she taught Grade 5 and 6 Math and Spanish. Additionally, she was a co-facilitator of the School’s Instructional Leadership Team where she focused on practices to support the biliteracy development of multilingual learners.

Ellison-Parks Early Education School

Dwayne Nunez, Acting Principal - City Residence: Boston

Mr. Nunez previously has served as an early childhood educator as well as in school- and districtleadership roles for BPS. He also has worked in the Early Childhood Department, where he focused on supporting schools with the implementation of their Whole School Improvement Plans and the rollout of early literacy curriculum. He served as Acting Principal at Ellison-Parks during part of the 2021-2022 school year.

Mario Umana Dual Language Academy

Akua-Nia Francillon, PrincipalNeighborhood Residence: Hyde Park

Mrs. Francillon has over 17 years of experience in the Boston Public Schools as an educator and in school leadership. She recently served as both an Assistant Principal and the Acting Principal of the Mario Umana Academy. She also has served the district as the Principal Fellow at the Rafael Hernández DualLanguage School for the 2021-2022 school

year, where she worked to develop bilingual, biliterate, and multicultural teachers and students who are models of social consciousness and academic excellence.

East Boston Early Education Center

Joy Ramnarine, PrincipalTown Residence: Easton

Mrs. Ramnarine last year was the Interim Principal of the East Boston EEC. She is a former BPS graduate who moved to Dorchester from Trinidad and Tobago as a young child. She began her teaching career in Springfield Public Schools, where she taught for 13 years. Joy returned to Boston in 2016 and has been a part of the East Boston EEC community ever since.

Nathan Hale Elementary School

Carlitta Camillo, Interim Principal - Neighborhood Residence: Hyde Park

Carlitta has most recently served in school leadership roles at the Condon K-8 School, where she helped to unify a culture of achievement, collaboration, and care. She also has leadership experience within BPS, having served as an Assistant Principal and Transformational Instructional Coach. She is a Boston native and an alum of the Boston Public Schools and one of the founding members of Boston Educators Collaborative and has taught classes on Culturally Responsive Teaching as an adjunct professor at UMASS Boston.

For supporters of rent control, the stakes are extraordinarily high. If voters rejected rent control, they could effectively kill the issue, leaving little incentive for state lawmakers to take the policy effort seriously. And the Massachusetts Constitution would prohibit proponents from trying to push another rent control ballot question for six years.

Just before the deadline earlier this month, state Representative Mike Connolly filed a ballot petition with the attorney general’s office, saying he wanted to “preserve the option” of putting the rent control question in the hands of voters. Supporters of the ballot push point to broad support for rent control in some recent public polling, arguing voters are more likely to support it than state lawmakers who have already proven hostile to the policy.

Telling a Boston Globe reporter, Connolly, a Cambridge Democrat, “We believe there’s a really excellent opportunity to pass this into law. A lot of people look at 2024 as such a pivotal election, and certainly we have found a lot of encouraging interest and support at this very early stage.”

But many of rent control’s most vocal supporters are staying noticeably quiet on the ballot question, while others have outright said they believe the issue belongs on Beacon Hill, not the ballot. A number of housing activists say now is not the right moment for a risky, grueling ballot campaign, and they want to build more support for rent control outside the Boston area before putting the issue before voters.

“We need to build up the strength of our movement to win this policy,” said Isaac Hodes, an organizer in Lynn and a member of the leadership team for the Homes for All Massachusetts coalition, which includes pro-rent control groups such as the Chinese Progressive Association, City Life/Vida Urbana, and New England United for Justice. “The path forward right now that we think makes the most sense is to push the Legislature and the governor to respond to this need quickly.”

Hodes acknowledged that over the past few years, “there hasn’t been a massive grassroots push” on rent control, but added, “That’s about to change.”

Banned by Massachusetts voters in a 1994 ballot question, rent control has long been a third-rail issue in

state politics. Amid the state’s housing crisis, the real estate industry and some economists warn that limiting annual rent increases could spook developers and slow desperately needed housing production. Many progressive elected officials and housing advocates, though, say rent control is one essential part of any plan to address the state’s housing needs, aimed at protecting vulnerable tenants from astronomical rent hikes that force them out of their homes.

Only recently has rent control started to gather significant support from elected officials, most notably Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston City Council. Councilors voted 11–2 earlier this year to pass Wu’s rent control plan for the city, the biggest step forward the policy has taken in years.

Despite growing momentum on the local level, state law still bars cities from capping annual rent increases. Wu and others have pushed the Legislature to allow rent control, either by signing off on cities’ individual plans or by lifting the existing ban and al-

lowing any local officials to impose their own policies. But the Legislature which includes more landlords than renters — has shown little appetite for the policy.

Connolly’s proposal would bypass Beacon Hill and instead allow voters to decide whether local governments should be empowered to pursue rent control if they choose. But ballot campaigns are grueling and require tremendous human and financial resources. Unity among proponents would be especially crucial on a controversial issue that is guaranteed to face unified, well-funded opposition from the real estate industry.

Greg Vasil, CEO of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, said his organization is watching the ballot question carefully and preparing for an “absolute all-out attack on rent control.” Vasil estimated industry groups could spend as much as $30 million fighting the rent control ballot initiative.

Some pro-rent control activists told the Globe they were surprised, even upset, that Connolly had filed

the petition, as a number of housing advocacy organizations had decided not to pursue the ballot measure this year. Connolly is set to meet this week with members of the organizations to discuss strategy.

Wu, perhaps the most visible proponent of rent control in Massachusetts, has voiced support for a rent control ballot campaign in the past but has not explicitly backed Connolly’s proposal. She said in a recent radio interview that she hasn’t yet reviewed the language but believes local officials should have the power to cap annual rent increases.

If the rent control ballot question passes constitutional muster, proponents would need to collect about 75,000 signatures to secure a spot on the ballot. Organizers typically aim to exceed that minimum in case of administrative errors, aiming for well over 100,000 signatures. Accruing that many names is a tall order, requiring thousands of volunteer hours, or private signature collectors who charge several dollars per name.

MBTA Announces Vision to Improve Safety, Service, Equity, Sustainability, and Culture

providing riders with dependable, frequent, and accessible service.

• A contract agreement with Local 589, which provides staff with wage increases, improved benefits, and job security;

• Amplified hiring efforts, which are helping to address staffing shortages;

• Refining the Capital Investment Plan scoring process to ensure that all CIP projects help advance the agency’s goals.

At the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors Meeting today, MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng and Assistant General Manager Lynsey M. Heffernan announced the agency’s values, goals, and metrics to improve safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture, building on our mission to provide the public accessible and reliable transportation. The goals were developed through a collaborative process with MBTA staff and stakeholders.

“Thanks to input from MBTA employees and our valued partners within transportation advocacy organizations, we have new strategic goals which underscore our commitment to improving the MBTA to make it safer, more reliable, resilient, and equitable,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca. “We intend to bring a new level of level of transparency, public engagement, and capital investment to the MBTA, and we will succeed with workforce investments, collaboration, and decisions that prioritize safety.”

The goals are as follows:

• Empower and support staff to develop a culture which prioritizes and promotes safety.

• Modernize assets to improve connectivity while ensuring MBTA property is maintained to a state of good repair.

• Transparent decision making to ensure the experiences and perspectives of our staff and riders are accounted for through transparent decision making.

• Building a diverse and qualified workforce to retain, attract, and invest in a diverse and qualified workforce that represents our ridership.

• Support regional vitality by

• Increase environmental sustainability to build the sustainability and resilience of our transit system.

• Increase the percentage of transit trips in the region by attracting new riders and retaining existing riders with a dependable, frequent, and accessible service.

• Communicate openly about our costs and the revenue needed to support our ongoing service and the growth of our system.

“We are committed to providing a safe, reliable, and accessible transportation system for Massachusetts,” said General Manager Phil Eng. “We are listening to the feedback of our riders and stakeholders, and we are using that feedback to shape our vision and our roadmap. It is only with them that we can make this mission a reality. We know we sometimes face challenges, but we are confident that we can overcome them. We are committed to making the MBTA a public transportation system that everyone can rely on.”

The development of metrics for tracking progress towards these goals will be finalized in the coming months. In recent months, the MBTA has made a number of achievements, including the following, all aligned with these values, goals, and metrics:

• Ferry service expansion, which made it easier for riders to get around the region; and

• The advancement of the DEI Employee Advisory Council to amplify the voices of staff as the Authority sets a new path forward.

The MBTA’s goals and metrics are a significant step forward in the agency’s efforts to improve its safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. They provide a clear roadmap for the MBTA’s future and will help ensure that the agency continues to be a vital part of Massachusetts and the New England region.

“We believe these goals will help keep us focused,” said Assistant General Manager for Policy and Transit Planning, Lynsey Heffernan. “We’re serving vibrant and diverse communities with rich history and culture who deserve to be able to rely on us for public transit services. The more in tune we are with our collective vision, the more likely we will be able to deliver on that vision.”

In addition to the goals, the MBTA also announced a number of near-term actions that it is taking to align its current operations with the goals. These actions include:

• Finalizing agency-wide metrics and a high-level dashboard to assess progress and set benchmarks and targets.

• Developing a Workforce Culture assessment to ensure that the agency is taking action to create a culture of safety and inclusion with a focus on hiring needs across all departments, including assessing collective bargaining where necessary.

• Meeting the agency’s environmental goals through the development of sustainability planning.

• Building the agency’s goals into the performance management system for leadership.

• Partnering with the Office of Transportation Planning on required planning activities, like the next Program for Mass Transportation, which provides a public process for stakeholders to weigh in on the costs and trade-offs of potential longterm investments.

“With the help of our staff, stakeholders, and the public, we can and will make the MBTA an even safer, more reliable, and accessible transportation system for everyone,” concluded General Manager Eng.

For more information, please visit mbta.com, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA and @ MBTA_CR, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, or TikTok @thembta.

When it comes to the four major professional sports, my motto usually is, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

And so, you can understand why my initial reaction to the NBA introducing an in-season tournament is one of, “Stop it with this ridiculous nonsense.” But that doesn’t mean you can’t convince me it will actually end up being a good idea for the league, its players, and its fans.

Admittedly, I didn’t even really know much about the new tournament. I just knew that the NBA announced the tournament schedule last week, and that the Boston Celtics will play in a Group with the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic.

So, I figured I’d let the NBA break this down for all of us. Here are all the details of the new in-season tournament, straight from the league’s website: What is the NBA In-Season Tournament?

The NBA In-Season Tournament is a new annual competition for all 30 teams that will debut in the 2023-24 season.

Why is the NBA adding the In-Season Tournament?

The In-Season Tournament will provide players and teams with another competition to win, engage fans in a new way and drive additional interest in the early portion of the regular-season schedule.

When is the In-Season Tournament?

The inaugural In-Season Tournament will tip off on Friday, Nov. 3 and culminate with the Championship on Saturday, Dec. 9.

Where will the In-Season Tournament be played?

All tournament games will be played in NBA team markets except the Semifinals and Championship, both of which will be held at a neutral site (TMobile Arena in Las Vegas).

Which teams will participate in the In-Season Tournament?

All 30 teams will participate in the first stage of the tournament, Group Play. Eight teams will advance to the second and final stage, the single-elimination Knockout Rounds.

What does the champion of the InSeason Tournament receive?

The champion will receive a new trophy, the NBA Cup. In addition, a prize pool will be allocated to players on teams that qualify for the Knockout Rounds, with allocations increasing depending on how far a team progresses in the tournament.

Will top performers from the In-Season Tournament be honored?

After the Championship is played, the NBA will name the Most Valuable Player of the In-Season Tournament and the All-Tournament Team. Selection will be

based on the players’ performance in both Group Play and the Knockout Rounds. What is Group Play?

All 30 teams have been randomly drawn into groups of five within their conference based on won-loss records from the 2022-23 regular season. Each team will play four designated Group Play games – one game against each opponent in its group, with two games at home and two on the road. Group Play games will be played on “Tournament Nights,” which will take place every Tuesday and Friday from Nov. 3-28 (with the exception of Election Day on Nov. 7). The only NBA games played on Tournament Nights will be Group Play games.

How were the groups determined?

Before the Group Play draw, each team was placed into a “pot” based on its record from the prior regular season (2022-23). In each conference, one team from each pot was randomly selected into each of the three groups in that conference. Pot 1 had the teams with the three best prior-season records in a conference, Pot 2 had the teams with the fourththrough sixth-best prior-season records in a conference, and so on through Pot 5.

Which teams advance to the Knockout Rounds?

Eight teams will advance to the Knockout Rounds: the team with the best

standing in Group Play games in each of the six groups and one “wild card” team from each conference. The wild card will be the team from each conference with the best record in Group Play games that finished second in its group.

What are the Knockout Rounds?

The Knockout Rounds will consist of single-elimination games in the Quarterfinals (Dec. 4-5), Semifinals (Dec. 7) and Championship (Dec. 9).

How does the In-Season Tournament affect the regular season?

Every team will still play an 82game regular season. All In-Season Tournament games will count toward the regular-season standings except the Championship, which will sit outside the regular season.

Why are there two games labeled as “TBD” on each team’s 2023-24 regularseason schedule?

Every team will play two regular-season games (including the In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals and Semifinals for qualifying teams) during the week of Dec. 4. The 22 teams that do not qualify for the Knockout Rounds will play two regular-season games during tournament off nights that week (Dec. 6 & 8). The four teams that lose in the Quarterfinals will play a regular-season game on Dec. 8. Follow Danny on instagram @ DannyPicard.

This week, Danny shared his thoughts on the release of the NBA’s new inseason tournament schedule:

Local Print Shop”

PATRIOTS PREPARE FOR FINAL PRESEASON GAME, CANCEL JOINT PRACTICES WITH TITANS

The New England Patriots canceled their previouslyschedule joint practices with the Titans this week, and instead practiced in Foxboro, leading up to Friday night’s preseason finale in Tennessee on Friday night.

New England made the decision after Saturday night’s preseason game in Green Bay was ended early because of a scary injury to Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden, which saw him put on a stretcher and carted off the field early in the fourth quarter. Bolden collided with a teammate and was motionless on the ground. After he was taken off the field, Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Packers coach Matt LaFleur got together on the field with NFL officials, and they all decided that — because it was a preseason game — it was best to end the game.

Bolden remained in the hospital overnight on Saturday for further evaluations. He was released the following morning and traveled

Tweet of the Week

back to New England with the team. Reports say that Bolden suffered a concussion.

Here’s the official statement from the Patriots, explaining why their next move was to cancel joint practices with the Titans:

“After undergoing a series of evaluations and being held for overnight observations, Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden has been released from the Aurora Bay Medical Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he was transported to after sustaining an on-field injury in the fourth quarter of Saturday night’s preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers. Isaiah will travel with the team today. We thank the medical staff at Aurora Bay Medical Center for their overnight evaluations, as well as the Patriots and Packers medical staffs for their immediate on-field response and care in transporting Isaiah to a nearby hospital. Due to the circumstances surrounding the abrupt and unexpected ending to last night’s game, the Patriots will return to Foxborough today. The joint practices that were scheduled with the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday and Wednesday are cancelled. The team will train in Foxborough this week and fly to Nashville on Thursday for Friday night’s game.”

As for the game itself against the

Packers, it was the first time Mac Jones saw in-game action this preseason. Jones started for the Pats and finished 6-of-9 for 52 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. he was sacked twice and lost a fumble.

The Patriots were up 21-17 at the time the game was ended, so they picked up the win, for what it’s worth.

Bailey Zappe played a majority of the Patriots’ quarterback snaps as Jones’ backup. Zappe finished the game 10-of-22 for 117 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown.

Newly-signed Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott didn’t play, but he was on the sidelines. Starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson had four carries for 27 yards and a touchdown. Backup running back Kevin Harris had a team-high 31 rush yards on 10 carries.

The only Patriots touchdown reception came from rookie Kayshon Boutte, who finished the game with a team-high 49 receiving yards on two catches.

On the defensive side of the ball, tackle Sam Roberts led the Patriots with six tackles. The Patriots didn’t record a sack, but they did force a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Josh Uche.

Now, instead of joint practices all week with the Titans, the Patriots prepared for their final preseason game alone in Foxboro, before flying to Tennessee on Thursday for Friday night’s preseason finale.

“It just felt like after the game [on Saturday night in Green Bay], you know, we had a little bit of time there in the locker room to just kind of look at the situation and made the decision that the best thing for the team would be to come back here and not go to Tennessee,” said Belichick during his media availability on Monday. “It was a hard decision. As much as we’d like to work against [Tennessee], just tried to balance the situation.

“Back here this week, last preseason game, a lot of things that we still need to work on,” added Belichick. “I thought we made progress, a lot of progress, working against the Packers . . . So, we’ll push ahead this week here and go down to Tennessee and finish up the preseason and then start getting ready for the regular season. So, we’ve still got a lot of work to do here, a lot of things that will be happening in the next seven or eight, whatever it is, days in terms of rosters and things like that, but that’s what it is this time of year, so nothing new there. It’s just imminent, and we’ll get ready for it.”

SBT Staff