The Patriots' new season didn't exactly start the way they wanted last night. Star wide receiver A.J. Brown left his debut with an injury, while quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions for the first time in his career (all in the fourth quarter), sinking the team's hopes for a little Super Bowl payback against the Seattle Seahawks. The Pats now get 10 days to collect themselves before their Foxborough opener Sept. 20 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now to today's news: Orange you over Orange Line diversions? Shuttle buses are replacing all Orange Line service south of Back Bay this morning. MBTA officials say the five-day partial shutdown starting today between Forest Hills and Back Bay will allow crews to work on a slew of projects (signal upgrades, improvements to Ruggles and Jackson Square stations, repairs to a Green Street staircase). Regular service is set to resume Tuesday, Sept. 15. - In the meantime: The MBTA warned that shuttle bus riders should expect the trip downtown from Forest Hills to take at least 30 minutes longer than the normal Orange Line commute. However, the commuter rail between Forest Hills and South Station will also be free during the diversion. And according to the T, the trip between Forest Hills and Back Bay is just 10 minutes. Check the Franklin/Foxboro, Needham and Providence/Stoughton line schedules here.
- The big picture: This is the latest in a series of summer T shutdowns, including a closure on the north end of the Orange Line that wrapped up just 10 days ago. Despite the repeated disruptions, MBTA General Manager Phil Eng says the multi-day closures are the best option to catch up on all the work needed to get the system back in decent shape.
Down in Rhode Island: Gov. Dan McKee became the first incumbent governor in the U.S. to lose a primary election since 2018 last night. Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes trounced McKee by double digits in the state's Democratic primary: 62% to 38%, with 97% of the ballots counted as of this morning. As the Associated Press reports , McKee's campaign was mainly dogged by the Washington Bridge saga. Foulkes now heads to the general election, where she'll be a heavy favorite. - Meanwhile: McKee wasn't the only major Rhodey incumbent to fall. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley was ousted by a challenger from his left: state Rep. David Morales, a 27-year-old democratic socialist who primarily campaigned on Smiley's opposition to rent control. (Morales also moonlights as a wrestler.) Ocean State Media has more on the upset here.
Pell yeah: Massachusetts residents could soon get Pell Grants — federal grants usually aimed at college undergrads — for certain short-term job training programs. Gov. Maura Healey's administration announced yesterday it's opening the application process for higher education institutions and eligible training providers to offer short-term programs through a new federal Workforce Pell Grant program. - FYI: The grant application process has not yet opened for individuals. But the Healey administration says the first programs could begin enrolling students by early 2027. You can get more details here.
- In other financial aid news: Wellesley College is joining the growing list of colleges offering free tuition to students from households that make less than $200,000 a year. That offer begins next fall.
In Springfield: School is canceled for the rest of the week, as Springfield Public Schools officials grapple with the aftermath of a "severe" cyber attack. But they are planning to have students back in class by Monday, Sept. 14. - School leaders announced last night that Friday will serve as a professional development day for teachers to prepare to work "under temporary procedures while technology systems remain limited" next week.
On another note: The Boston Public Library is now offering space for piano practice — which officials say is a first for any American public library system. Thanks to a donation from the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, the city is installing six pianos the public can use for free across four BPL branches, including the Central Library in Copley Square. They'll also be outfitted with tablets and piano lesson software to help users learn the basics. P.S.— It's time to go earn that nature badge. Massachusetts state parks will offer free parking this weekend for the eighth annual "Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend." The yearly tradition includes special events across 10 state parks, such as treasure hunts and animal-focused activities. See the full list here. | 
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