Ballot battle averted

Also: 4 takeaways from the first presidential debate; Wu wields her influence [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  June 28, 2024 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 77. Good Morning Boston, It's almost the weekend. What better time to check out our [new Day Trips in Massachusetts guide](. From Cape Cod to central Mass. to the Berkshires, the list includes curated recommendations for all types of day trippers (nature-lovers, foodies, etc). It's [a great link to bookmark]( for those weekends when you're looking for a new adventure. Keep an eye out for more day trip guides to other New England states (cough, [Maine]( in the days to come. Now, to the news: - Settlement stunner: Uber and Lyft will [pay Massachusetts a combined $175 million to settle a years-long legal fight]( pledging to raise driver wages and shaking up this fall's slate of ballot questions. Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced the deal last night. It settles [a lawsuit first filed in 2020]( by AG-turned-Gov. Maura Healey, alleging rideshare companies were misclassifying drivers as independent contractors rather than employees under state labor law — and were thus denying them protections like minimum wage and paid sick time. Here are three things to know about the deal: - No more ballot question: That [complicated ballot question]( about app-based drivers and how they're classified under state labor law? No longer happening! The settlement resolves the classification dispute. The group behind the proposed ballot initiative, Flexibility and Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers, said they're "no longer moving forward" with what was expected to be a bruising, [expensive]( campaign. According to a spokesman, the group won't submit [the final round of signatures]( for ballot campaigns, which are due next week. The decision came just hours after the state's top court [rejected a legal challenge]( against the initiative and a separate question to allow app-based drivers to unionize. (Backers of the unionization question say they're still planning to move forward.) - A new minimum wage: Beginning on Aug. 15, Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts will earn a minimum wage of $32.50 per hour. That rate comes with a big asterisk — it only applies to the time spent on the way to a pickup and during a ride (so time spent waiting for a ride request does not count). As part of the deal, [Uber]( and [Lyft]( also agreed to give certain drivers stipends for health insurance, paid sick time and accident insurance. - What happens to that $175 million? Most of it will go to current and former rideshare drivers to make up for being "underpaid," according to Campbell's office. The AG plans to announce more information in the "coming weeks" about who qualifies for the money and how to file a claim. - No deal: Health care company Optum is walking away from the proposed deal to purchase the Steward Health Care's doctors group, [according to The Boston Globe](. The two companies [had been in talks for the sale]( as part of Steward's effort to climb out of its deep financial hole. - The big picture: [Here are five things to know]( about Steward's ongoing bankruptcy process. - Dance the night away: Whether you missed last night's Donna Summer Disco Party or just want to keep the good vibes going, there's another opportunity to lace up those dancing shoes tonight. The City of Cambridge is hosting its free annual City Hall dance party from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thousands of people will be looking like they're [straight out of the Barbie movie]( the same way they have (almost) every year since the event first started in 1996. Matt Nelson, a Cambridge city official who organizes the event, told WBUR simplicity is what makes the event special: "All we're doing is closing a road, hiring some DJs and putting on a light show." - Beep beep: Drivers should maybe try to avoid Central Square tonight. Mass. Ave will be closed between Lee Street and Prospect Street. - Heads up: The northern end of the Red Line is shutting down this weekend. That means [shuttles between Harvard and Alewife]( this Saturday and Sunday — or you can take the commuter rail from Porter Square to North Station for free. [The 77 bus]( which runs from Arlington to Harvard Square, will also be free for the weekend. - But wait, there's more: Outbound Red Line trains will [bypass Kendall/MIT starting tonight at 8:45 p.m.]( through Sunday. It's due to construction work that includes renovating the station's outbound entrance. P.S.— Why did Healey send a delegation to Texas this week? Take our [Boston News Quiz]( and see how well you know the recent stories we covered compared to other WBUR readers! Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters  The Rundown [4 takeaways from the first presidential debate]( President Biden's stumbles right from the beginning played into his biggest vulnerability, but how much will the first 2024 general election debate make an impact? [Read more.]( [4 takeaways from the first presidential debate]( President Biden's stumbles right from the beginning played into his biggest vulnerability, but how much will the first 2024 general election debate make an impact? [Read more.]( [Boston Council overrides some of mayor's vetoes in emotional, marathon meeting]( The battle over a sliver of the city budget appeared to show Mayor Michelle Wu's influence over new council members. [Read more.]( [Boston Council overrides some of mayor's vetoes in emotional, marathon meeting]( The battle over a sliver of the city budget appeared to show Mayor Michelle Wu's influence over new council members. [Read more.]( [Supreme Court rejects controversial Purdue Pharma bankruptcy deal]( In a 5-4 decision, the justices ruled that the multibillion opioid settlement inappropriately protected the Sackler family. [Read more.]( [Supreme Court rejects controversial Purdue Pharma bankruptcy deal]( In a 5-4 decision, the justices ruled that the multibillion opioid settlement inappropriately protected the Sackler family. [Read more.]( [What to know about the key policies that got airtime in the presidential debate]( Immigration, abortion and the economy were among the election-year questions the candidates were asked in the 90-minute CNN Presidential Debate. Here are a few of the issues that took center stage. [Read more.]( [What to know about the key policies that got airtime in the presidential debate]( Immigration, abortion and the economy were among the election-year questions the candidates were asked in the 90-minute CNN Presidential Debate. Here are a few of the issues that took center stage. [Read more.]( [New law guarantees domestic workers minimum wage in Rhode Island]( Traditionally, domestic workers weren’t considered employees under Rhode Island state law. As a result, they were missing out as the Rhode Island minimum wage has increased to $14 an hour. [Read more.]( [New law guarantees domestic workers minimum wage in Rhode Island]( Traditionally, domestic workers weren’t considered employees under Rhode Island state law. As a result, they were missing out as the Rhode Island minimum wage has increased to $14 an hour. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - The NHL Draft is tonight, and [the presumptive No. 1 pick spent the better part of the last year across the street from WBUR at Boston University's Agganis Arena](. The only lingering question is whether Macklin Celebrini — who just celebrated his 18th birthday — will immediately turn pro or return to BU for his sophomore year.  - The Huntington Theatre announced one of its most ambitious projects ever this week. WBUR's Cristela Guerra [reports the company will produce nine plays over the next two years]( by playwright Mfoniso Udofia on stages and venues across Massachusetts.  - Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is [set to miss the start of the next NBA season]( (as well as this summer's Olympics) after getting surgery on the ankle injury he suffered during the Finals.  - What's an Earthship? Here & Now [explains the off-grid refuges made from beer cans and tires that provide natural heating and cooling](. What We're Reading 📚 - New Yorkers Were Choked, Beaten and Tased by NYPD Officers. The Commissioner Buried Their Cases. ([ProPublica]( - The Karen Read trial has divided Canton. What happens when it’s over? ([The Boston Globe]( - The Real Story of the Crisis at The Washington Post ([The Atlantic](  Tell Me Something Good [These best boys and girls just graduated from the ATF's National Canine Academy]( Meet the dogs who just finished the ATF's canine training program. ATF dogs have supported major events like the Super Bowl and are also used in the bread-and-butter of ATF's work: solving gun crimes. [Read more.]( [These best boys and girls just graduated from the ATF's National Canine Academy]( Meet the dogs who just finished the ATF's canine training program. ATF dogs have supported major events like the Super Bowl and are also used in the bread-and-butter of ATF's work: solving gun crimes. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common talks to Oscar-winning costumer designer Ruth E. Carter about [how growing in Springfield inspires her work](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [We see you New England hikers.]( 😎 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.