Boston is enjoying a mostly sunny day with highs in the 70s today, but residents might want to keep their umbrellas handy as forecasts predict showers tonight. The day is expected to culminate in a beautiful sunset at 8:22 p.m.
However, Saturday will bring the 13th consecutive rainy Saturday to the city, prompting conversations about breaking a notable record. According to Bryce Williams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norton, the last stretch of rainy Saturdays this long occurred back in 1970.
Meteorologist Dave Epstein offers some hope, suggesting that persistent rainy weather may soon change. “It’s just bad luck,” he acknowledged, predicting that the pattern might shift in mid-June as the jet stream typically slows down, decreasing the likelihood of daily rain events.
This rainy weekend also coincides with significant local events, including Boston’s Pride for the People march and widespread protests against the Trump administration. Coverage of these events will be available across various media platforms including on air, online, and in this newsletter.
In other news, Tania Fernandes Anderson announced her resignation from the Boston City Council, effective July 4. Anderson has pled guilty to charges related to wire fraud and theft from a federally funded program and is scheduled to face sentencing in federal court on July 29.
Her resignation leaves her district, encompassing Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway, and part of the South End, without a representative on the city council until after the upcoming fall elections. Her constituent service staff will continue their work out of the former office, although they will lack voting power in City Council meetings. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to reach out to one of the city’s four at-large council representatives for assistance.
In a separate legal matter, a federal judge has granted bail to Harvard researcher Kseniia Petrova, who had been detained in the U.S. since February for allegedly unlawfully importing frog embryos for her laboratory. Petrova’s legal team previously argued that her deportation to Russia could pose significant risks, given her outspoken views against the country’s involvement in the war in Ukraine.
After her release from Boston’s federal courthouse on Thursday, Petrova expressed gratitude for the support she received during her detainment. She articulated how the encouragement rallied around her made her feel connected despite her circumstances, stating, “I never really felt alone any minute when I was in custody, and it’s really helped me very much.”
Meanwhile, in Everett, City Councilor Robert Van Campen is preparing to challenge Mayor Carlo DeMaria for his position. The mayor has faced scrutiny following an investigation by the state inspector general, revealing that he improperly collected $180,000 in longevity bonuses linked to his re-election efforts under a program he helped create.
DeMaria has denied any wrongdoing and refuses to return the funds, prompting Van Campen’s campaign to focus on the community’s needs. He emphasized his commitment to issues such as school overcrowding, responsible development, and ensuring a safe and clean environment for Everett residents.
On a national scale, members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of President Donald Trump’s request to retract $9.4 billion in previously approved federal funding. This decision, which had a narrow margin of 214-212, encompasses cuts to various programs, including $1.1 billion designated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service stations.
This funding rollback represents a minor fraction, roughly 0.1%, of the total federal budget, estimated to be $6.873 trillion in 2024. The bill now proceeds to the Senate, where it requires approval before the July 18 deadline; otherwise, the funds will remain intact.
Turning back to history, an inspiring narrative emerges from Boston’s past regarding Prince Hall, a prominent figure in Freemasonry who broke racial barriers in 1775. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, situated in Dorchester’s Grove Hall, serves as a testament to Hall’s legacy.
Born into slavery but later gaining his freedom, Hall, alongside 14 other men of color, established a Masonic lodge in 1775, aiming to provide opportunities for Black individuals in a time of severe discrimination. Louis Elisa, a master mason, highlighted Hall’s vision for leveraging Freemasonry as a means of empowerment for the Black community, transforming it into a platform for progress.
Justin Petty, the current grand master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, noted the importance of Hall’s work, emphasizing how he utilized the institution to advocate for the advancement of people of color.
Today, Hall’s legacy persists, with approximately 300,000 members worldwide across nearly 5,000 lodges and 47 grand lodges tracing their lineage back to his original lodge. The foundation Hall laid continues to influence communities by creating pathways to opportunities.
As Boston gears up for a rainy weekend filled with significant events and reflective of its historic roots, the stories emerging from local governance to community empowerment echo the city’s ongoing commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment.
image source from：https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2025-06-13/gbh-daily-more-protests-more-rain
