The Pryde's push onward

Also: Who's Sunu-next in NH; the local clean energy labor crunch [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  July 20, 2023 ☀️ Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Good Morning Boston, I'm sorry to report [last night's winning $1 billion Powerball ticket]( was sold far away from Boston. But let's focus on what's happening here. - The Pryde is pushing onward. Despite congressional Republicans' move to nix federal funding for the LGBTQ-friendly, affordable senior housing project in Boston's Hyde Park, the nonprofit behind the development vows it will open as planned. "We are still here, we are still fighting to open the doors of our building, and we will find a way to close this gap if Congress doesn't reconsider this terrible discriminatory bigoted thing they did yesterday," Gretchen Van Ness, the executive director of LGBTQ+ Senior Housing Inc., told WBUR's Stevee Chapman. (The Pryde is the same project that was [targeted by vandalism last year]( - The backstory: The Pryde is a 74-unit redevelopment of an old school that would be Boston's first senior housing project tailored toward — but not exclusively for — older LGBTQ+ adults. Why? According to project advocates, 50% of LGBTQ+ seniors in the U.S. are not out, and one-third are [living at or below 200% of the poverty line.]( - What makes The Pryde LGBTQ-friendly? Van Ness [explained last year on Radio Boston]( they've been doing targeted outreach to local LGBTQ+ groups to raise awareness. They're also converting the school's old gym into a public space they hope will serve as Boston's "de facto LGBTQ+ community center." - $$$: It's a pricey project, relying on multiple funding streams, including federal money. But this week, a Republican-controlled House committee voted to strip three LGBTQ-related earmarks from a larger spending bill, including $825,000 for The Pryde. - [According to Roll Call]( at least one GOP congressman argued The Pryde would discriminate against those who are not LGBTQ+ or allies. The outlet reports the move is part of a larger effort by House Republicans to eliminate "[woke]( projects. In response, Rep. Ayanna Pressley — who made the funding request — called the move "[blatant homophobia]( - What's next: Van Ness says construction is [well underway]( and remains "full speed ahead." They plan to finish work by the end of the year and welcome their first residents next spring. Van Ness added they hope to replace the federal money with philanthropic grants and individual donations. "It will be tough," she said in an email. "But we are used to working hard and beating the odds." - Sunu-nope: New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is joining fellow New England Republican Charlie Baker in the land of post-elected office. The 48-year-old — who considered but passed on campaigns for U.S. Senate and president — [announced yesterday he won't be running for a fifth term as governor in 2024]( either. So, who will be the Granite State's next governor? It's already a pretty crowded race. - On the Democratic side: Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig [declared her gubernatorial bid just last week]( and notched [an endorsement]( yesterday afternoon from our own Gov. Maura Healey. But she has competition up I-93 from Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, of Concord, who [launched her campaign in June](. (You can [read more here]( about their positions on the issues.) - On the Republican side: It took just [seven minutes]( after Sununu's announcement for former New Hampshire Senate President Chuck Morse to [declare his candidacy](. Meanwhile, former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte is hinting at some "[big news]( she plans to announce and [needling Craig over that Healey endorsement](. New Hampshire's Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut also [apparently has an announcement coming](. Wonder what! - The odds: In the wake of Sununu's decision, the Cook Political Report [shifted their rating]( of the New Hampshire race from "Solid R" to "Toss Up." Start bracing now for the onslaught of TV ads. - Meanwhile in Massachusetts: All seven of Healey's recommended pardons [have been approved by the Governor's Council](. Members of the body say "look forward to more pardons" from the governor. - Who are the newly pardoned individuals? Read the list and the reasons they're being pardoned [here](. - Toast's [new 99-cent online order fee]( is, well, toast. The Boston-based tech company says it will remove the newly added fee on food orders over $10, following pushback from customers. "We made the wrong decision," Toast's CEO said in [a statement yesterday](. (In related news: the company stock fell by over 15% yesterday.) P.S.— There's no hidden 99-cent fees to attend [tonight's Radio Boston barbecue chef throwdown]( — but we'll be upfront: it does cost $15 to attend. That's not bad considering you'll get to taste the best bites from several local barbecue chefs AND get their expert grill tips. There'll be both meat and vegetarians options, so come hungry! Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [State House safe to reopen Thursday as investigators rule fire was an accident]( The State House will reopen two days after an electrical fire in the building's sub-basement forced an evacuation and led to the cancellation of legislation sessions and a meeting between the governor and House and Senate presidents. [Read more.]( [State House safe to reopen Thursday as investigators rule fire was an accident]( The State House will reopen two days after an electrical fire in the building's sub-basement forced an evacuation and led to the cancellation of legislation sessions and a meeting between the governor and House and Senate presidents. [Read more.]( [Labor crunch will threaten clean energy expansion in Massachusetts, report says]( Massachusetts will need almost 30,000 workers in clean energy to meet the target of 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, according to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. [Read more.]( [Labor crunch will threaten clean energy expansion in Massachusetts, report says]( Massachusetts will need almost 30,000 workers in clean energy to meet the target of 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, according to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. [Read more.]( [Environmentalists reach agreement to keep land on the Conn. and Mass. border undeveloped]( Environmentalists have reached an agreement with a regional water commission to ensure that 5,500 acres of land in northwestern Connecticut and Massachusetts remains undeveloped. The deal is a major victory for conservationists. [Read more.]( [Environmentalists reach agreement to keep land on the Conn. and Mass. border undeveloped]( Environmentalists have reached an agreement with a regional water commission to ensure that 5,500 acres of land in northwestern Connecticut and Massachusetts remains undeveloped. The deal is a major victory for conservationists. [Read more.]( [Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara pleads not guilty to criminal charges stemming from car crash]( Lara faces charges for operating an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle with a suspended license. On Wednesday, an assistant clerk magistrate added the charges of operating negligently, and recklessly permitting bodily injury to a child. [Read more.]( [Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara pleads not guilty to criminal charges stemming from car crash]( Lara faces charges for operating an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle with a suspended license. On Wednesday, an assistant clerk magistrate added the charges of operating negligently, and recklessly permitting bodily injury to a child. [Read more.]( [Wesleyan University becomes latest school to end legacy admissions]( Wesleyan University in Connecticut has become the latest school to end a policy of giving preferential treatment in admissions to those whose families have historical ties to the school. The university announced the change in response the recent Supreme Court ruling overturning affirmative action. [Read more.]( [Wesleyan University becomes latest school to end legacy admissions]( Wesleyan University in Connecticut has become the latest school to end a policy of giving preferential treatment in admissions to those whose families have historical ties to the school. The university announced the change in response the recent Supreme Court ruling overturning affirmative action. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - The weather is looking great this weekend. But if you're not headed to the beach, there's plenty to do on shore, including a nonstop music fest in Somerville, an exhibit opening at the MFA and two well-reviewed local theatre shows. [Click here]( for our full weekend events preview. - It's almost “Barbenheimer” day. Theaters are selling out seats to both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” for good reason, [according to film critic Sean Burns](. "You can wait all summer for a blockbuster that’s actually about something, and here come two on the same day," he writes. - High water could affect Maine loon chicks, but [don't count them out just yet](. Last Saturday, hundreds of volunteers headed out to lakes and ponds across the state in canoes, kayaks and motorboats to search for and count the common loon, a information-gathering event that's been happening for 40 years. - The parents of Emily Sotelo are [hiking the 19-year-old's final steps on New Hampshire's Mount Lafayette to raise money]( for mountain safety programs later this month. They'll be joined by hundreds of hikers across the White Mountains who have rallied behind the fundraiser, aiming to summit the remaining 4,000-footers on Emily’s list.  What We're Reading 📚 This section is supported by [Beacon Hill Books]( a new independent bookstore. - The history of enslavement at Boston's Freedom Trail sites is beginning to be told ([GBH News]( - Missed Conduct ([Spotlight PA]( - What’s holding up gun safety in the Legislature? ([The Boston Globe](  Tell Me Something Good [Mass. fisherman's message in a bottle found nearly 20 years later (WCVB)]( The chance discovery of a message in a bottle sent nearly 20 years ago connected a college student studying in the Caribbean with a Nantucket fisherman whose unique hobby has washed up on beaches around the world."It was the oldest bottle I've ever gotten back." [Read more.]( [Mass. fisherman's message in a bottle found nearly 20 years later (WCVB)]( The chance discovery of a message in a bottle sent nearly 20 years ago connected a college student studying in the Caribbean with a Nantucket fisherman whose unique hobby has washed up on beaches around the world."It was the oldest bottle I've ever gotten back." [Read more.]( Listen: The Common explains [why renewable energy plans promoted by competitive suppliers may not be all they’re cracked up to be](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Bawbenheimah.]( 😎 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   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. 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