What Bostonians need to know this week
Hello Boston. After hunkering down for a rainy, windy night, here’s what to look forward to this week.
What you missed over the weekend:
Drip, drip:
CNN reported late Friday night that a federal grand jury has approved the first charges in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election. The indictment is currently under seal, but expected to be made public early this week.
This again: The City of Boston has denied a permit for another free speech rally November 18 on the Common, but organizers of the event say they will hold it that day anyway. City officials say there is a previously scheduled road race on the Common that Saturday and are hoping to get rally leaders to pick a different day.
Harassment on Beacon Hill: Following a Boston Globe report on widespread sexual harassment at the Massachusetts State House, Speaker Robert DeLeo said he was “infuriated and deeply disturbed,” and proposed a review of the House’s policies.
The mayor’s race: Tito Jackson released his proposed budget last week, while Mayor Marty Walsh picked up the endorsement of Sen. Ed Markey this weekend.
On to the bye week: The Patriots took care of business against the San Diego Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, thanks in part to some particularly heinous mistakes by the visiting team. Ben Volin says it was a win that was closer than it needed to be, while Chad Finn writes that a less-disciplined team than the Patriots could have easily lost.
So what was actually in those JFK files?: The National Archives made most (though not all) of the previously withheld JFK assassination files late Thursday. As experts have sifted through the massive trove, at least five highlights from the secret documents have surfaced.
Calling it a career: Former Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett announced Saturday that he’s “pretty sure” he will retire at the end of this season, leaving up to $17 million on the table.
Rainy day long reads:
- ‘The year that Maine burned’: 70 years ago years ago, forest fires ravaged the Pine Tree State from Bar Harbor to Kennebunkport.
- Big men with broken minds: How the largely forgotten faces of the Patriots franchise slipped away following a career of concussions.
- The Mercers, the billionaire investors behind Breitbart, are bringing their hard-nosed politics — and money — to Massachusetts, with sights trained specifically on Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
By the way:
Dogs in costumes took over Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Saturday for the annual Halloween pet parade. Watch the adorable spectacle here.
What to know this week:
Get those candles ready:
Sunday night’s storm is “virtually guaranteed” to result in power outages across southern New England, writes meteorologist David Epstein. Heavy rain and wind are expected, as well as possible thunderstorms. Here are six maps showing what to expect.
Need healthcare?: Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act opens Wednesday amid Republican attempts to undermine the law, resulting in confusion and increased premiums, including in Massachusetts. People who are actually looking to enroll in an insurance plan can sign up here.
About that bump stock ban: Less than a month after the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, momentum to pass a ban on bump stocks has completely stalled. Here’s what happened.
Impress your neighbors: Halloween is Tuesday, and in case you have yet to put out a jack-o’-lantern, here are six tips from a real pumpkin-carving pro.
What’s happening in Boston:
Spare time:
Doors open for the grand opening of Kings Seaport at 6 p.m. Monday — and the first 250 people in get a year of free bowling.
Work out like a Patriot: Gillette Stadium is hosting a charity fitness class Monday evening, which includes stationary cycling or a barre class, yoga, and a halftime talk from who else but Bill Belichick.
Tis the season: The Boston Pops will perform the entire score of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas at Symphony Hall both Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. The nights include “gourmet trick-or-treating” at 7 p.m. when doors open.
Topical Halloween: Assembly Row’s River Bar becomes River “Barb” for a Stranger Things-themed Halloween party Tuesday. Better finish Season 2 if you plan on going.
Classic Halloween: Fans of Rocky Horror Picture Show have at least two options to see live performances of the horror-comedy Tuesday night: Catch it at the Somerville Theatre or AMC Loews Boston Common.
Who did it?: Somerville’s Aeronaut Brewery is hosting an “extra spooky” night of Clue-themed trivia Tuesday night. Sources say the Boston Yeti may even be in attendance.
The brewery down the road: Everett’s newest brewery is officially opening. Down The Road Beer Co., which has been distributing throughout Massachusetts since 2015, is throwing a grand opening Friday for their big, new space, which includes newly released beers, food, and a retro arcade.
Light up the night: Illuminus, Boston’s nighttime contemporary art festival, lights up Downtown Crossing on Friday and Saturday night with large-scale projections and bright, immersive exhibits.
Tis the season?: This weekend’s 31st annual Boston Christmas Festival kicks off Friday afternoon at the Seaport World Trade Center, featuring handcrafted gifts, specialty foods, and a charity gingerbread competition between top chefs. What’s that you say about Christmas creep?
This week’s Patriots schedule:
Week 9: No game; it’s a bye week.
This week’s Celtics schedule:
Monday, Oct. 30: 7:30 p.m. versus the San Antonio Spurs on NBC Sports Boston
Wednesday, Nov. 1: 7:30 p.m. versus the Sacramento Kings on NBC Sports Boston
Friday, Nov. 3: 10:30 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Thunder on NBC Sports Boston and ESPN
Sunday, Nov. 5: 6 p.m. at the Orlando Magic on NBC Sports Boston
This week’s Bruins schedule:
Monday, Oct. 30: 7 p.m. at the Columbus Blue Jackets on NESN
Thursday, November 2: 7 p.m. versus the Vegas Golden Knights on NESN
Saturday, November 4: 7 p.m. versus the Washington Capitols on NESN
