The next big T closure is now approaching

Also: The conspiracy-fueled Karen Read trial begins; a program giving hope to local Haitians [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  April 29, 2024 ☀️ Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Good Morning Boston, It's Monday. While we buckle up for this week's "[temperature roller coaster]( here's a look at what else is ahead: - Attention passengers: The next MBTA closure is now approaching — and it's hitting one of the busiest parts of the system. The T is shutting down the Red Line between Park Street and JFK/UMass this Thursday through next Friday (May 2-10). The closure will give crews full access to the downtown tunnel as part of [the T's long slog to remove slow zones](. But for riders, it means nine straight days of circuitous commutes and longer waits along the entire line. - Between Park and JFK/UMass: Free shuttles will run both ways along the closed stretch (but they'll only make northbound stops at Downtown Crossing, since it's so close to Park). - North of Park Street: Red Line trains will run only every 11-12 minutes between Alewife to Park Street on weekdays. Weekend waits are expected to be slightly longer. - South of JFK/UMass: Trains from JFK/UMass to Ashmont and Braintree will run every 13-15 minutes during the week. And starting at 8:30 p.m. each night this Thursday through next Thursday, train service between JFK/UMass and Ashmont will shut down, too. Shuttles will sub in for the rest of the night. - Other options: In addition to the shuttles, there are two other free ways to get around the closure. The commuter rail will be free between Braintree and South Station. Bluebikes is also [offering up to five free rides]( to those without memberships — just enter the code "MBTAREDMAY" through their mobile app. - FYI: The Red Line closure was originally going to start Wednesday, but the T [pushed it back a day]( to give workers a breather, after the current Blue Line closure in East Boston and Revere was extended two additional days, through Tuesday. Click the image above for more details on ways to get around the downtown Red Line closure. - The latest: Officials at MIT and Tufts are calling for an end to the pro-Palestinian encampments on their respective campuses. While both encampments have remained relatively small (around 15 tents), the universities say the demonstrations have broken campus rules and become a draw for non-student protesters. The push comes after police [cleared an encampment at Northeastern early Saturday morning]( after university officials said it had been "infiltrated by professional organizers." - Tufts leaders [said in a statement last night]( that protesters have "scrawled obscene language" on campus buildings and made visitors on admissions tours "feel afraid and unwelcome." They plan to reach out to protesters this morning to work on a plan to end the encampment "in the next few days" so Tufts can prepare the quad for commencement on May 19. - MIT President Sally Kornbluth [said in a taped message Saturday]( the encampment on Kresge Lawn has diverted "hundreds of staff hours" away from other essential duties and "needs to end soon." (Kornbluth also said the university would not cut research ties to Israel, as protestors are demanding.) - Go deeper: [Here's a look at how protests over the Israel-Hamas war have put a spotlight on college endowments]( and how the multi-billion dollar funds are managed. - Meanwhile: Emerson College says it will not bring disciplinary action against students who were arrested when [police cleared their pro-Palestinian encampment near Boston Common](. Emerson President Jay Bernhardt also [said in a statement Sunday]( the school is encouraging prosecutors not to pursue charges related to encampment violations against students who were arrested. (Emerson will also provide housing to any students who must remain in Boston for court appearances after the dorms close, according to Bernhardt.) - One way to avoid all these subway closures: Take to the seas! The Lynn-to-Boston ferry resumes weekday service today. And for the first time starting this season, it will also run on weekends, as of May 25. The 40-minute trip costs $7 each way. [Click here for the schedule](. - The T's seasonal Winthrop-Quincy-Boston ferry route also resumes today, with [a few additional daily trips](. See the full ferry route map and schedule on [the MBTA's website](. P.S.— We try not to pick sides on political issues in this newsletter, but I'm fully endorsing [this campaign to put googly eyes on some MBTA trains](. Supporters will march from Boston Common to the MBTA's downtown offices today at lunchtime to make their case. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters  Support the news  The Rundown [Trial starts in conspiracy-fueled case of girlfriend charged in Boston police officer's death]( The trial of Karen Read is set to begin Monday. Read is facing charges including second degree murder in the death of Officer John O’Keefe, 46, in 2022. The defense's strategy has been to portray a vast conspiracy involving a police coverup. It has earned Read a loyal band of supporters and has garnered the case national attention. [Read more.]( [Trial starts in conspiracy-fueled case of girlfriend charged in Boston police officer's death]( The trial of Karen Read is set to begin Monday. Read is facing charges including second degree murder in the death of Officer John O’Keefe, 46, in 2022. The defense's strategy has been to portray a vast conspiracy involving a police coverup. It has earned Read a loyal band of supporters and has garnered the case national attention. [Read more.]( [A program known as humanitarian parole offers hope to Haitians seeking refuge in the U.S.]( Hananiah Pierre-Louis, a longtime Massachusetts resident, has applied to bring relatives here: “It was always a burning desire of mine to have a route to bring my family over because of the constant turmoil and instability in Haiti." [Read more.]( [A program known as humanitarian parole offers hope to Haitians seeking refuge in the U.S.]( Hananiah Pierre-Louis, a longtime Massachusetts resident, has applied to bring relatives here: “It was always a burning desire of mine to have a route to bring my family over because of the constant turmoil and instability in Haiti." [Read more.]( [Net neutrality is back: U.S. promises fast, safe and reliable internet for all]( The U.S. will reinstate Obama-era regulations for internet service providers that promise fast, reliable and fair internet speeds for all consumers. What happened when those rules were taken away? [Read more.]( [Net neutrality is back: U.S. promises fast, safe and reliable internet for all]( The U.S. will reinstate Obama-era regulations for internet service providers that promise fast, reliable and fair internet speeds for all consumers. What happened when those rules were taken away? [Read more.]( [Mass. police bust burglary ring that stole $4 million in jewels over six years]( The Massachusetts State Police announced they had busted a burglary ring that stole around $4 million in jewels mostly from the homes of South Asian lived in more than two dozen communities over the past six years. [Read more.]( [Mass. police bust burglary ring that stole $4 million in jewels over six years]( The Massachusetts State Police announced they had busted a burglary ring that stole around $4 million in jewels mostly from the homes of South Asian lived in more than two dozen communities over the past six years. [Read more.]( [SJC rejects bid to restrict records about police misconductÂ]( The state's high court found that portions of the records may be withheld, but rejected broader arguments that a law passed to increase police accountability actually made many records about officers confidential. [Read more.]( [SJC rejects bid to restrict records about police misconductÂ]( The state's high court found that portions of the records may be withheld, but rejected broader arguments that a law passed to increase police accountability actually made many records about officers confidential. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - The Brattle, Coolidge Corner Theatre and Somerville Theatre are hosting Boston's 21st annual Independent Film Festival. Before the eight-day event begins this Wednesday, read film critic Sean Burns' [preview of the most interesting and eclectic screenings to see](. - What does it take to become an MBTA bus or train driver? As the agency pushes to recruit more workers, here's [a look at what two operators say are the challenges and surprises of the job](. - Candles, cookies, yarn and more: Go inside the thriving industry dedicated to selling handcrafted stuff [inspired by none other than Taylor Swift.]( - For more than 50 years, administrators, school officials, policy makers and teachers have wrung their hands about grade inflation. Seth Czarnecki [writes in this commentary that it's not the real problem.](  What We're Reading 📚 - Five Major Climate Policies Trump Would Probably Reverse if Elected ([The New York Times]( - Inside the sale of The Onion, and what comes next ([Axios]( - Misplaced Trust ([Grist](  Tell Me Something Good [Parkinson's impairs movement. This group dances to keep the symptoms at bay. (NHPR)]( Exercise is one of the best therapies for Parkinson's. That's why this group gathers every week for a dance class at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. [Read more.]( [Parkinson's impairs movement. This group dances to keep the symptoms at bay. (NHPR)]( Exercise is one of the best therapies for Parkinson's. That's why this group gathers every week for a dance class at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [breaks down the impact of WBUR's staffing cuts]( both for the station and for the podcast. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [My Boy Only Breaks Chews His Favorite Toys.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news    Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.