Why 10,000 Would-Be Voters In Mass. Might Miss Out In November

Also: Boston police paid $5.8M in overtime tied to anti-police brutality protests; how safe is your school's reopening plan? ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( August 6, 2020 Good Morning Boston, 🌞 Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. We're talking politics, police overtime pay, pandemic news and more in today's newsletter. Let's jump right in: - More than 45,000 homes and businesses across Massachusetts are still without power after Tropical Storm Isaias. Most of the outages are in Hampden and Worcester counties. - It's finally here: Boston Public Schools [issued the first draft]( its reopening plan. BPS will offer both hybrid and remote learning options to students next year. Families will be contacted this month to decide the model in which their children will participate. They'll also need to tell schools whether or not their kids plan to use district buses to get to class. You can learn more about the initial plan below. - A new month means a new rent check. But about 20% of renters in Massachusetts – that's more than 315,000 people – have little-to-no confidence they can pay their landlords this month. And data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the uncertainty is stronger among people of color. - Want some money back? If you're a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts member, keep an eye on your account. Customers and members will [receive $101 million in premium refunds and rebates]( due to lower than anticipated health care costs caused by the coronavirus outbreak. - [Don't expect]( a coronavirus vaccine before the end of the year. While it's been a speedy and streamlined process, an FDA adviser urged people to keep realistic timelines in mind. That means 2021. - Let's talk about the national conventions. Both parties have been working to adapt their conventions amid the pandemic – but they're [taking different approaches]( to the nomination acceptances. President Trump said in an interview that he'll "probably" deliver his speech live from the White House. (That's problematic because it not only busts ethical norms, but also could violate the Hatch Act, which bans political activity on the taxpayers' dime.) Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden will remain in his home state of Delaware to virtually accept his nomination. P.S.– [This Fuller Craft exhibit]( hits a little too close to home (literally). One piece in particular really sums up how I feel about ironing, even in pre-pandemic times. This realization made me laugh a little too hard this morning. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)['A Naturalization Crisis': 10,000 Would-Be Voters In Mass. Might Miss Out In November]( The federal agency in charge of naturalizing new U.S. citizens is in turmoil, with furloughs, budget shortfalls and paralyzing backlogs. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [Boston Police Paid $5.8 Million In Overtime Tied To Anti-Police Brutality Protests]( The outlays, obtained in response to a public records request, show OT spiked in June when officers were paid $5.3 million for a total of 82,054 overtime hours worked. The month featured several large gatherings outside the State House and protests in Nubian Square and Franklin Park. [Read more.]( 3. [Boston Public Schools Issues First Draft Of Reopening Plans, Outlining Hybrid Learning Groups]( The draft plan released Tuesday night said students would be split into groups to determine their separate hybrid learning schedules. All students would participate in remote learning on Wednesdays so that the buildings can be thoroughly sanitized each week. [Read more.]( ➡️ Related: [How Safe Is Your School's Reopening Plan? Here's What To Look For]( ➡️ Poll: [Most Teachers Concerned About In-Person School; 2 In 3 Want To Start The Year Online]( 4. [Beirut Death Toll Rises After Enormous Explosion]( The enormous blast, which officials said was driven by thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate, killed at least 137 people and injured thousands more. Emergency crews are still working to find all the victims. [Read more.]( 5. [As More Lawmakers Test Positive, Congress Gets A Tough Reminder Of Coronavirus Risk]( In a matter of one week, three members of Congress have tested positive for the coronavirus illness: Grijalva, Texas Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert and Illinois Republican Rep. Rodney Davis. Gohmert and Davis also said they are asymptomatic. [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - The MBTA has a [new public safety chief]( Ronald L. Ester Jr. And he comes with plenty of experience. He spent the last 28 years with the Chicago Transit Authority. - From a punk rock aerobics class to the reopening of the U.S.S. Constitution museum, here are [five things to do this weekend.]( - [In this commentary]( two civil rights attorneys explain why they think the Trump administration is weaponizing Census 2020. To fight back, they urge immigrant communities to fill out the census to send a clear message: we are here, we count and we are not going anywhere. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [Radio Boston | Summer Food And Travel In The Age Of COVID]( [Listen]( ELECTION 2020 [Mass. 2020 Primary: What To Know About Voting By Mail Or At The Polls]( We Asked, They Answered: 4th District Candidates Vying For Kennedy's Seat Tell Us Why They're Running. [Read more.]( Fact Checking Kennedy And Markey On Their Black Lives Matter Claims. [Read more.]( NPR: Fueled By Suburbs, Democrats Are Poised For Gains In Key States, Analysis Finds. [Read more.]( What We're Reading - I’m A Nurse In New York. Teachers Should Do Their Jobs, Just Like I Did ([The Atlantic]( - Therapy llama ‘Caesar The No Drama Llama’ Calms Tensions At Protests ([The Washington Post]( - Life And Death In Our Hot Future Will Be Shaped By Today’s Income Inequality ([Bloomberg]( Tell Me Something Good [DJ Sessions: Music From The Newport Folk Festival That Would Have Been]( The annual festival would have taken place last week if it were not for the pandemic. But you can still hear from artists who would have played — like Deer Tick, Courtney Marie Andrews, and Lee Fields & The Expressions. Before you go: ["Tuuuuuukka! Tuuuuuukka!"]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 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 [WBUR]( [95289b97-66e8-43d4-a174-3bc3520a79a9.png]( [Instagram](  [Twitter]( [Facebook]( 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 editorial newsletters.]( Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2020 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved. You signed up for this newsletter at wbur.org. Our mailing address is: WBUR-FM 890 Commonwealth AveBoston, MA 02215-1205 [Add us to your address book](