How today's forecast could affect your day

Also: Harvard faculty rally around President Gay; Ukraine's anxious winter [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 11, 2023 ☔ Rainy this morning, with a high of 53. Good Morning Boston, Today might not be your favorite morning commute of the week: - Heavy rain and strong wind will continue across the Boston area this morning, making for a wet and slow commute for many residents. Flood warnings are in effect for [much of eastern Massachusetts]( and the National Weather Service says [gusty winds could cause damage]( especially on the Cape (for more details, [get the full forecast](. Here's an overview of the storm's effects: - On the roads: Take it slow. WBUR meteorologist Danielle Noyes says the steadiest rain will continue for at least a few hours. So, beware of water ponding on the road and other hydroplaning risks. - At home: There are 5,833 power outages across Massachusetts as of 7:40 a.m., mostly on the South Shore. The hardest-hit towns include Pembroke, Hanson and Hingham. - In the air: There are [40 canceled flights]( in and out of Logan Airport so far today. Nearly all of them are Cape Air flights. - On the water: The MBTA has canceled all ferry service this morning. But as the storm tapers off, the Charleston, Hingham and Hull routes are expected to resume this afternoon. (Check the T's website for [the specific timing]( - Heads up: While other MBTA services are running as normal amid the storm, there is one exception. Shuttle buses are replacing trolley service on the Green Line's D branch between Kenmore and Riverside today through next Wednesday (Dec. 20). The [nine-day diversion]( is happening so crews can work to remove slow zones. - The bad news: While the shuttles are free to board, riders should expect a slower commute due to traffic. The shuttles will also skip the Beaconsfield stop in Brookline. - The good news (for Newton commuters): During the diversion, express shuttles will run directly from Riverside and Woodland stations to Copley in the morning — departing every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. The express shuttles will also go in the outbound direction during the evening rush hour. - In related news: The T is continuing night work on the Green Line Extension for an extra week. That means shuttle buses will continue to replace service on the Medford/Tufts branch starting at 8:45 p.m. each night through this Sunday. The Union Square stop will simply shut down at the same time. (T officials suggest [other local buses]( - MBTA General Manager Phil Eng said the agency is "disappointed" the contractors hired to construct the GLX were not able to finish the work on the expected timeline. "At our direction, they will be bringing in more resources, including more crews," Eng said in a statement. - Hundreds of Harvard faculty members are [signing a letter]( urging the school's administration to resist calls to remove President Claudine Gay. As WBUR's Max Larkin reports, Gay [has faced backlash in the wake of her testimony at a congressional hearing]( about on-campus antisemitism. However, the letter argues outside forces should not influence who becomes the university's president (though it does not condone Gay's statements from that hearing). - Gay issued an apology Friday for not giving a more direct answer on whether “calling for the genocide of Jews” constitutes harassment or punishable speech. "I got caught up in what had become at that point, an extended, combative exchange about policies and procedures," she said in a statement. - Zoom out: Liz Magill, the president of the University of Pennsylvania, [resigned Saturday amid similar backlash]( over her remarks at the hearing. - Massachusetts hospitals and health insurers say they will no longer ask doctors and other clinicians about their history of mental illness and addiction. WBUR’s Priyanka Dayal McCluskey reports the change is part of a joint effort to reform the credentialing process by Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society and other health insurance groups. - Why it matters: MHA vice president Dr. Steven Defossez says the mental illness and addiction questions on credential forms stigmatized behavioral health conditions. He hopes the change will help address burnout and encourage clinicians to seek treatment, instead of fearing punishment. P.S.— We have some news of our own! We're marking the 75th anniversary of WBUR with [the *first-ever* WBUR Festival]( coming in May 2025. The weekend will feature a live performance of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me, a star-studded lineup of speakers, music, food and a lively street scene. For more updates on the festival location, speaker lineup and tickets, join our [events email list](. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [A plane, a controversial banner, and a secretive provocateur tweaking Harvard]( "This is so hostile. I've got to protect my customer," said Mark Simmons, whose Rhode Island company has been flying the banner-towing plane. [Read more.]( [A plane, a controversial banner, and a secretive provocateur tweaking Harvard]( "This is so hostile. I've got to protect my customer," said Mark Simmons, whose Rhode Island company has been flying the banner-towing plane. [Read more.]( [With an inconclusive counteroffensive, Ukraine looks toward an anxious winter]( Ukraine's government acknowledges the gains in its most recent counteroffensive have been small. And it worries Western allies are distracted by the war between Israel and Hamas. [Read more.]( [With an inconclusive counteroffensive, Ukraine looks toward an anxious winter]( Ukraine's government acknowledges the gains in its most recent counteroffensive have been small. And it worries Western allies are distracted by the war between Israel and Hamas. [Read more.]( [Three challenges filed contesting Trump's eligibility for Maine's primary ballot]( Two of the challenges focus on Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 elections, claiming his involvement violated constitutional protections against insurrectionists holding public office. The issue is already playing out in other states. [Read more.]( [Three challenges filed contesting Trump's eligibility for Maine's primary ballot]( Two of the challenges focus on Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 elections, claiming his involvement violated constitutional protections against insurrectionists holding public office. The issue is already playing out in other states. [Read more.]( [Supreme Courts in 3 states will hear cases about abortion access this week]( Supreme court justices in Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming will hear arguments in cases that will impact abortion access across the Mountain West. Here's what to know. [Read more.]( [Supreme Courts in 3 states will hear cases about abortion access this week]( Supreme court justices in Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming will hear arguments in cases that will impact abortion access across the Mountain West. Here's what to know. [Read more.]( [MIT's climate clock says the globe will hit a critical warming mark in 6 months]( The MIT countdown clock aims to reach students by comparing predicted global warming time to a very tangible daily metric: Boston sports. [Read more.]( [MIT's climate clock says the globe will hit a critical warming mark in 6 months]( The MIT countdown clock aims to reach students by comparing predicted global warming time to a very tangible daily metric: Boston sports. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Army beat Navy on a dramatic goal-line stand Saturday at Gillette Stadium. Here's [a full recap of the 124th game between the two service academies]( in Foxborough. - Hanukkah continues this week, and the local menorah lightings aren't over yet. [Check out the ways to celebrate Hanukkah in Boston]( whether it's from the comfort of your home or out in the city. - Boston Public School student-athletes are supposed to be able to practice at the world-class Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury. But as suburban schools' demand to use the indoor track has eaten into available practice times, TechBoston Academy athletes [have been forced to practice in the Dorchester high school's hallways](. - Is the cause of your kid's stomach pain appendicitis? It turns out there's a simple way to check. It's called [the jump test](  What We're Reading 📚 - Take the Gun, Leave the Cannoli ([Boston Magazine]( - She was watching ‘NCIS’ with her dad — then he told her he was a fugitive ([Washington Post]( - Retail Group Retracts Startling Claim About ‘Organized’ Shoplifting ([The New York Times](  Tell Me Something Good [Dorchester Eagles are Pop Warner champions, the first Boston team to win a national title (The Boston Globe)]( Pop Warner has kept records for 37 years, and no Boston team in any age or weight category has won in that time. The 14-and-under team defeated the Darby Monarchs of Delaware County, Pa., 20-0, in Pop Warner’s Tomlin Division championship. [Read more.]( [Dorchester Eagles are Pop Warner champions, the first Boston team to win a national title (The Boston Globe)]( Pop Warner has kept records for 37 years, and no Boston team in any age or weight category has won in that time. The 14-and-under team defeated the Darby Monarchs of Delaware County, Pa., 20-0, in Pop Warner’s Tomlin Division championship. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common discusses historical stories and sites in the ["Hidden History of Black Boston" tour.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: Santa's sleigh has [gone high tech](. 😎 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? 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