The record-breaking federal government shutdown could come to an end this week. Last night, a bipartisan group of senators voted to advance a deal to fund the government through January and reverse any firings of federal workers during the shutdown. The procedural vote passed 60-40, despite opposition from most Democrats, including Massachusetts' Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, who opposed the plan since it does not extend the federal health care tax subsidies their party has been fighting for. (The deal only includes a handshake agreement to hold a separate vote on the Affordable Care Act subsidies in December.) The deal still needs one more vote in the Senate, as well as a vote in the House. NPR has more details here. While that news develops, let's take a look at something local: Add to cart: Boston-area shoppers are bracing for higher prices this holiday season — and looking for ways to save — according to the annual holiday retail survey from the consulting firm Deloitte. Anthony Jardim, a spokesperson for Deloitte, told WBUR's Amy Sokolow that local consumers' confidence in the economy is at its lowest in decades. Still, he said it appears that Boston shoppers are "forging ahead amidst a lot of concern around the economic uncertainty." - How much we're spending: Local residents are expected to spend an average of $1,893 on holiday shopping this year, down 3% from last year's projections. (The national average of $1,595 is down 10% compared to last year.) So the budget hasn't changed much, but shoppers are hoping that money will stretch further this year. "What we're seeing that's interesting this year is a lot of value-seeking behavior happening from the shoppers," Jardim said, adding that 90% of those surveyed said they'd be hunting for deals this season.
- What we’re spending on: This season's hot ticket (literally) is an experiential gift. Deloitte's survey found that 56% of respondents are planning to gift memorable experiences this year in the form of event tickets or gift cards for places like restaurants or spas. That's up from 42% last year. On average, Boston shoppers are expected to spend $848 on experience gifts this year. (The next largest gift category is clothing and accessories at $292.)
- How we’re feeling about it: Sixty-five percent of Boston shoppers surveyed said they expect the economy to weaken in the year ahead, up from just 28% last year. (Nationally, it's the bleakest outlook since 1997, according to Deloitte.) To save money, some are making trade-offs in the name of frugality. For example, 63% of those surveyed are willing to switch brands to get a better deal; 41% are considering homemade gifts, like food; and 32% plan to send fewer holiday cards.
Campus crisis: More than 200 students at UMass Amherst are searching for new housing after an off-campus apartment complex was destroyed by a fire Friday night. No one was injured during the fire, but the damage it caused was severe enough that the building had to be demolished Sunday. UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes told WBUR's Paul Connearney they're trying to make sure displaced students' immediate needs like clothing and emergency housing are met. The university is also planning a housing fair to help students find new places to live. - Meanwhile, the response to the fire used so much water that Amherst residents are being urged to stop all non-essential water use. The town's water levels aren't expected to recover for days.
CARPETBAGGING LIAR JOHN DEATON RETURNS! EVERYTHING HE SPEWED DURING HIS PREVIOUS FAILED RUN WAS A LIE! SCRUTINIZE THIS TIME AROUND! REPUBLICANS SUPPORTED THIS LIAR LAST TIME IGNORING HIS LIES & INCOMPETENCE! DON'T REPEAT THAT MISTAKE!
On the campaign trail: Republican John Deaton is planning a big announcement tonight in Worcester. And as WBUR's Chris Van Buskirk reports, the news is expected to be that Deaton is taking another shot at Senate — this time for Markey's seat. It would be the Marine veteran and cryptocurrency attorney's second Massachusetts campaign, after he unsuccessfully challenged Warren just last year. It also comes as Rep. Seth Moulton runs against Markey in the Democratic primary. A big day for Big Z: Bruins legend Zdeno Chara will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto tonight at 7:30 p.m. The 6-foot-9 defender spent 14 of his 24 NHL seasons with the Bruins — captaining the team to the three Stanley Cup Finals, including their 2011 win. Chara, whose No. 33 was retired by the Bruins earlier this month, told NHL Network the induction is "a great honor." - Chara isn't the only local name. He'll be inducted alongside fellow former Bruin Joe Thornton and longtime Boston University men's hockey coach Jack Parker.
P.S. — You can still snag tickets to tonight's Curated Cuisine event at CitySpace, where we'll be discussing all things cocktails with Dan Souza of America’s Test Kitchen. Your $20 ticket includes a complimentary espresso martini or non-alcoholic spiced cranberry-orange punch while learning the techniques of expert cocktail making. |
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