On the state and federal level, today is Columbus Day. But several Massachusetts municipalities, including Boston, recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on this date too. If you'd like to mark the occasion as well, the Concord Museum is presenting a free performance by the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers beginning at 10 a.m., featuring members of the tribal communities of Mashpee on Cape Cod and Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard, WBUR's Amy Sokolow reports. Closer to the city, the Museum of Fine Arts is offering free admission and Indigenous art activities — including basket weaving and clay pot making. Brookline and Newton will also be hosting their own Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at local schools later in the day. Now, to other news: It's peak foliage around the Berkshires, but that's not the only reason the area's tourism leaders are excited. The state Transportation Department announced late last week it will fund millions of dollars to expand rail service in and around Pittsfield. Gov. Maura Healey said this is not only a big step toward permanent seasonal Berkshire Flyer service between the Berkshires and New York City, but also expanded passenger service, including from Boston to the Pittsfield area. - What they're saying: Lindsay Schmid, with the regional tourism council 1Berkshire, told WBUR's Dan Guzman she thinks it could be a big economic driver for the area: "It's a solid investment, right? It opens doors, gives potential expanded service, which is what we've been advocating for years. So, you know, it's a positive thing for us."
- Drilling into the deets: The state has also locked down an agreement with freight rail company CSX to support seasonal Berkshire Flyer service and reduce conflicts between freight trains and passenger trains. MassDOT is contributing $31 million and new federal money awarded to Amtrak will pay for modern trains on Compass Rail lines.
Pour one out: For the first time in a decade, the number of craft breweries closing in Massachusetts has outpaced the amount opening, according to new data from the Massachusetts Brewers Guild. And for the first time since 2019, there are fewer than 200 craft brewers across the state. - It's been a tough go for brewers. Guild president JP Gallagher told WBUR's Rachell Sanchez-Smith that increased tariffs and other high costs have been crushing. "We saw price increases on our raw ingredients, on even things like plastic cups," he said. "So, so we're seeing it from all ends." Especially coming off headwinds from the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person sales dropped.
Got the sniffles? Health officials say the recent nor'easter may have made things worse for people with fall allergies. According to WBUR's Fausto Menard, the heavy rain we received may have caused leaves to grow mold, one of the biggest culprits of fall allergies. Climate change has also made fall allergy symptoms more intense, Dr. Stephen Krinzman, an allergy doctor at UMass Memorial Health, told Fausto. - Krinzman says that data collected over past 30 years shows pollen is growing stronger. "That's because the first frost is coming later," he said. The first frost of the season is key to ending fall allergy symptoms, Fausto reports. Parts of central and western Massachusetts have already experienced their first frost — eastern Massachusetts has yet to see its own.
P.S.— Before you head out to run your errands today, don't forget to double check our list of what's open and closed for Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day. |
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