Early results from local PFAS study

Also: A look at Boston's economic recovery; why Harvard ended diversity statements [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  June 4, 2024 🌤️ Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Good Morning Boston, The college students may have left for the summer, but the colleges themselves are still making news. - On campus: Less than a month after MIT [stopped requiring so-called diversity statements]( from job applicants, its Cambridge neighbor is making a similar move. Harvard's [Faculty of Arts and Sciences]( — which includes Harvard's entire undergraduate college and some graduate programs — announced Monday it will no longer require diversity statements from applicants for tenure-track positions. - Remind me, what's a diversity statement? As part of the job application process, individuals were instructed to write [a page or two]( generally explaining their track record and plans for promoting diversity, inclusion and belonging in their work. Harvard first implemented the requirement in 2019. - Why was it controversial? Advocates say the statements align with Harvard's efforts to make the [predominantly white, wealthy campus]( more welcoming to those of all backgrounds. However, critics, including some on Harvard's campus, [say]( they amount to "ideological litmus tests." Last fall, Harvard's student newspaper The Crimson [argued for making the statements optional](. - The big picture: The Boston Globe, which [first reported Harvard's move]( writes it "comes at a time when diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are under attack by conservative politicians, and amid soul searching within the academy about how certain DEI policies may conflict with other integral university values, including free speech and academic freedom." - So, now what? Harvard's FAS will instead ask for new statements from job finalists (rather than all applicants) about their general approach to teaching and the larger academic community, [according to The Crimson](. A Harvard spokesperson told WBUR in a statement the "expanded" approach "acknowledges the many ways faculty contribute to strengthening their academic communities, including efforts to increase diversity, inclusion and belonging." - Something in the water: Hyannis residents seem to have higher levels of two toxic “[forever chemicals]( in their blood compared to the general U.S. population. That’s according to initial results from a study that tested more than 400 current and former residents for PFAS chemicals. WBUR’s Barbara Moran reports all 400 participants had detectable PFAS levels in their blood, and 38% had levels that fell into the highest level of concern. - Catch up: [As Barb reported in 2021]( the study launched after evidence showed the drinking water in Hyannis was contaminated by PFAS from firefighting foam from nearby training sites. Before 2016, levels of PFAS in the Hyannis public water supply were the highest in the state. (The town has since installed a water filtration system.) - What's next: Laurel Schaider, a scientist leading the study, told Barb "the work that will take more time" is determining whether higher PFAS exposure is linked to different health effects among the people in the study. - Psst: PFAS aren't just a Hyannis problem; companies have used the chemicals in many common items, from paper food packaging to dental floss. [Check out these tips to limit your exposure](. - Massachusetts' Office of Elder Affairs not only needs a new name ([at least according to Gov. Maura Healey]( it also needs a new permanent leader. The most recent Secretary of Elder Affairs, Elizabeth Chen, abruptly resigned this past Friday after about five years on the job. - It's not exactly clear why Chen left — or if it was her decision. "I would have liked more time to make the usual ‘round of goodbyes’ and personally thank each of you,” Chen wrote in a farewell message to colleagues Friday, [according to the Globe]( - What's next: State officials say Deputy Secretary Robin Lipson will serve as acting leader for the time being. - Last call: The longtime downtown Boston dive bar Silvertone poured [its final drinks]( this past Friday. Owner David Savoie said the closure was due to the COVID pandemic's impacts on the downtown office crowd. The Bromfield Street bar first opened in 1997. - Meanwhile: Celebrity chef Tiffany Faison has [closed the Fenway location of her pizza restaurant Tenderoni’s](. The space on Boylston Street opened in 2022 as a roomier alternative to the original (still-open) location at High Street Place Food Hall. P.S.— It's perfect ice cream weather today, right in time for Boston's long-running, annual all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, the "[Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl]( Tickets to the three-day Dana-Farber Cancer Institute charity event at City Hall Plaza start at $20. (There's also a boozy, 21+ "[Scoop at Night]( event on Thursday for $35.) Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters  The Rundown [Report finds strong economic growth — and challenges — in post-pandemic Boston]( Boston's economic growth is strong with some key indicators — such as employment, consumer spending and tourism — rebounding or exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to report by the Boston Planning and Development agency. The report analyzes how the city has been recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more.]( [Report finds strong economic growth — and challenges — in post-pandemic Boston]( Boston's economic growth is strong with some key indicators — such as employment, consumer spending and tourism — rebounding or exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to report by the Boston Planning and Development agency. The report analyzes how the city has been recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more.]( [Judge sets hospital auction dates as Steward scrambles to find cash]( A federal judge Monday ordered Steward Health Care to sell its Massachusetts hospitals at auction by the end of the month, and to seek additional financing to keep the company operating during bankruptcy. [Read more.]( [Judge sets hospital auction dates as Steward scrambles to find cash]( A federal judge Monday ordered Steward Health Care to sell its Massachusetts hospitals at auction by the end of the month, and to seek additional financing to keep the company operating during bankruptcy. [Read more.]( [Major N.H. voting law change nears finish line despite objections]( A pair of proposals backed by New Hampshire Republicans would end the system of sworn affidavits for new voters in the state. Opponents say the change will disenfranchise qualified residents from voting. [Read more.]( [Major N.H. voting law change nears finish line despite objections]( A pair of proposals backed by New Hampshire Republicans would end the system of sworn affidavits for new voters in the state. Opponents say the change will disenfranchise qualified residents from voting. [Read more.]( [Celtics have followed 'craziness' of Joe Mazzulla's coaching style straight to the NBA Finals]( Joe Mazzulla was thrust into a job he didn’t expect to have following former Celtics coach Ime Udoka’s suspension last season. Mazzulla stepped up and guided Boston through that franchise-shaking crisis and to the cusp of an NBA Finals berth. He's the youngest head coach to reach the Finals since Bill Russell in 1969. [Read more.]( [Celtics have followed 'craziness' of Joe Mazzulla's coaching style straight to the NBA Finals]( Joe Mazzulla was thrust into a job he didn’t expect to have following former Celtics coach Ime Udoka’s suspension last season. Mazzulla stepped up and guided Boston through that franchise-shaking crisis and to the cusp of an NBA Finals berth. He's the youngest head coach to reach the Finals since Bill Russell in 1969. [Read more.]( [Attorney General's office appears to be seeking approval to release report on abuse in Mass. Catholic dioceses]( When Healey was attorney general, her office interviewed survivors about the abuse they experienced in the Worcester, Springfield and Fall River Catholic dioceses. The results of the investigation have never been made public, but one survivor of abuse recently received an email from the AG’s office that indicated investigators are working on it. [Read more.]( [Attorney General's office appears to be seeking approval to release report on abuse in Mass. Catholic dioceses]( When Healey was attorney general, her office interviewed survivors about the abuse they experienced in the Worcester, Springfield and Fall River Catholic dioceses. The results of the investigation have never been made public, but one survivor of abuse recently received an email from the AG’s office that indicated investigators are working on it. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - After months of planning, the country's first utility-run geothermal heating and cooling system [is up and running in Framingham]( — and residents are expected to see their electric bills drop by 20%. - Go deeper: [Read this story by WBUR's Miriam Wasser]( on why so many people are closely watching to see how the networked geothermal project plays out. - In honor of Pride Month, the Coolidge Corner Theatre is [screening six trailblazing films from the 1990s genre dubbed "New Queer Cinema."]( - With over 50 million shares, the "all eyes on Rafah” graphic is now the most viral AI-generated photo ever. [NPR traced the image’s history]( revealing a rift over its true creator and complexities around authorship and ownership in a quickly evolving online landscape. - Elizabeth Flood [writes in this Cognoscenti commentary]( about painting Cape Cod's dunes — in the darkness of night. What We're Reading 📚 - Multiple Trump Witnesses Have Received Significant Financial Benefits From His Businesses, Campaign ([ProPublica]( - Kate Merrill abruptly leaves WBZ-TV after more than 20 years ([The Boston Globe]( - The media and sullen nonvoters should listen to Ken Burns ([Washington Post](  Tell Me Something Good [‘It’s storybook’: After 11 years, Holyoke’s Jamie Westbrook gets the call from his hometown team (Boston Herald)]( Holyoke native Jamie Westbrook spent 11 years in the minor leagues before the Red Sox called him up for his MLB debut on Sunday. [Read more.]( [‘It’s storybook’: After 11 years, Holyoke’s Jamie Westbrook gets the call from his hometown team (Boston Herald)]( Holyoke native Jamie Westbrook spent 11 years in the minor leagues before the Red Sox called him up for his MLB debut on Sunday. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common [looks at Boston's growing Black population](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: Who has the most fun job in Boston? [Discuss.]( 😎 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.](    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.