What Bostonians need to know this week
Hello Boston. While you’re watching the Patriots game, take a minute or two to catch up on the weekend’s news, as well as what’s ahead this week.
What you missed over the weekend:
Emails, part two:
The Trump transition team is arguing that special counsel Robert Mueller’s team illegally obtained a trove of emails in their sprawling investigation. However, Mueller’s team says everything they did was perfectly legal. Read the fully story here.
Paper or plastic: Well, beginning next fall, that will no longer be choice in Boston. After taking his time to decide, Mayor Marty Walsh has signed an ordinance to ban single-use plastic shopping bags.
So much for sleep: Following backlash from parents and civil rights groups, Boston education officials say they’re rethinking a plan to shift school start times back later in the morning.
Dream on: Boston Police Department Commissioner William Evans is joining a legal effort to protect young immigrants from the Trump administration’s effort to abolish the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, which allows certain young immigrants, also known as “Dreamers,” who were brought to the country illegally as children the chance to work permits.
One way to spend a weekend: Marijuana enthusiasts in Worcester rolled a 100-foot-long joint, because… actually, that part is unclear. But it was an impressive accomplishment nonetheless.
Relive history: In case you missed it, local residents commemorated the 244th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party by reenacting the landmark event Saturday night in Boston Harbor.
https://www.facebook.com/boston/videos/10156045682234365/
What to know this week:
Read the fine print:
After announcing a deal on taxes, Republicans lawmakers are expect to send their bill to President Donald Trump’s desk early this week. But will the $1.5 trillion tax cut actually benefit you? Here’s a closer look at the winners and losers from the legislation. Or use one of these simple calculators to see whether your taxes will go up or down.
Local angle: With many of the tax bill provisions slated to take effect January 1, here’s what the legislation will mean for Massachusetts residents.
For your travel-planning purposes: Experts are predicting a record number of travelers this holiday season. And with many people looking to start their Christmas weekend early, this Thursday afternoon actually looks like it could be the busiest time to be on the road in the Boston area. Here’s everything you need to know about the holiday traffic.
Out to sea: A trade deal between Canada and the European Union has local lobsterman worried in the normally busy holiday season.
What’s happening in Boston:
ICYMI:
From colorful light displays to the Holiday Pops to the theatre-version of Elf, there are a number of ongoing holiday happenings continuing in and around Boston through the end of the month. Check out these two recent editions of “What Bostonians need to know this week” (here and here) for more information.
20 under $20: With the Christmas countdown approaching one week, Boston.com’s Kristi Palma has put together a very helpful list of festive activities around Boston that won’t do any further damage to your bank account. Come for Kane’s holiday-themed donuts; stay for the pop-up market recommendations.
24 hours of comedy: No Rest for the Wicked Funny, an annual 24-hour fundraiser to benefit Globe Santa, kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday with nonstop improv performances, auctions, and local interviews and continues until the same time Friday. But don’t worry, the $15 ticket doesn’t mean you have to stay the entire time too.
Hey Ma: Cam’ron is coming to Cambridge’s Middle East Downstair for a holiday season hip-hop show Thursday night. VIP tickets including a meet-and-greet are still available.
Disney on ice: Dream Big — a live, Tinker Bell-guided journey through several Disney tales — takes to the Agganis Arena ice this weekend. Tickets for shows Friday through Sunday are still on sale.
This week’s Patriots schedule:
Week 16: Sunday, December 24: 1 p.m. versus the Buffalo Bills on CBS
This week’s Celtics schedule:
Monday, December 18: 7 p.m. at the Indiana Pacers on NBC Sports Boston
Wednesday, December 20: 7:30 p.m. versus the Miami Heat on NBC Sports Boston
Thursday, December 21: 8 p.m. at the New York Knicks on NBC Sports Boston and TNT
Saturday, December 23: 7:30 p.m. versus the Chicago Bulls on NBC Sports Boston
This week’s Bruins schedule:
Monday, December 18: 7 p.m. versus the Columbus Blue Jackets on NESN
Tuesday, December 19: 7:30 p.m. at the Buffalo Sabres on NESN
Thursday, December 21: 7 p.m. versus the Winnipeg Jets on NESN
Saturday, December 23: 1 p.m. versus the Detroit Red Wings on NESN
