What Bostonians need to know this week
Jump-start your week—find out what you missed this weekend, along with upcoming events, sports, and weather all in one place. Want the “What Bostonians Need to Know” briefing in your inbox every Sunday? Sign up for our weekly newsletter, which launches soon.
What to know this week:
Saturday night in Foxborough:
The Jaguars’ win Sunday afternoon over the Bills means the Patriots’ divisional round opponent next week is the Tennessee Titans, who beat the Chiefs in the wildcard round Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know about the game and the franchise making their first second-round playoff appearance in 14 years.
The thaw: Finally some respite from the frigid temperatures. This weekend’s record cold began warming Sunday afternoon, and this week is expected to see temperatures reach into the 40s. Click here for the latest weather updates.
Nobody panic: Dunkin’ Donuts is rolling out their new reduced menu nationwide, beginning Monday at their New England stores. From smoothies to steak, egg, and cheese sandwiches, here’s the list of items the Canton-based chain is dropping from the menu.
Attention Red Line commuters: The Wollaston MBTA station is closing Monday and isn’t reopening anytime soon. The Quincy station is undergoing a renovation that will keep it shuttered for 20 months. Shuttle buses will be filling in for commuter who use the station in the meantime.
The campaigns ahead: It’s only a week into 2018, but it won’t be long until the midterm election campaign are into full gear. In New England, the year also brings a fresh political intrigue, with major seats on the ballot and several open races. Here’s our look at the five local campaigns that voters should be watching.
Baby steps: The Boston Globe reports on the incremental progress reforming the Massachusetts’s Department of Children and Families. According to the Globe, while the child-welfare agency is “functioning better internally, the increased stability and resources haven’t yet led to significantly better outcomes for children.” Read the full report here.
What you missed over the weekend:
He said, he said, he said:
After an ESPN report Friday detailed growing tensions between Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft, the three team leaders responded in a joint statement that they have a “a very good and productive working relationship.” Additionally, in separate interviews, Kraft denied the claim that he ordered Belichick to trade back-up quarterback Jimmy Garapollo and Brady said the media doesn’t always accurately portray his thoughts.
Brrr: Boston may have tied its low temperature record for the day Sunday, but the cold was no match for the conditions on Mount Washington. The summit was among the coldest places in the world over the weekend, and in fact felt colder than the surface of Mars. In the minus-37-degree temperature, the frigid air froze bubbles in seconds.
Blame game: After reportedly scolding the commuter rail service operator, MBTA general manager Luis Ramirez tweeted Saturday night that the transit system isn’t designed for “Siberian temperatures” in response to criticism of its recent service. Ramirez shortly thereafter deleted the tweets. Apparently, the MBTA can’t take the cold or the heat.
Our “genius” president: In the continuing fallout from the release of a White House-roiling book, President Donald Trump responded to questions about his mental fitness by declaring Saturday that actually he is “a very stable genius.” He added: “My two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart.”
Have a day, Bergy: Bruins center Patrice Bergeron had a night to remember Saturday, scoring four goals in the team’s 7-1 win against the Hurricanes. Watch all of them here.
Told you so: We noted Saturday morning that Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum’s first season wasn’t only impressive for his shooting, but also for his powerful dunks. As if on cue, the 19-year-old led Boston to their sixth straight win Saturday night against the Nets — and also added a few more slams to his growing reel:
Jayson Tatum with authority! #NBAVote https://t.co/NUDPlFtqOn
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 7, 2018
Another jam from Jayson Tatum!!! #NBAVote https://t.co/jpuDBmFjQ2
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 7, 2018
I think this Jayson Tatum guy likes to dunk #NBAVote https://t.co/kuqUQHzFqa
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 7, 2018
What’s happening in Boston:
Off to see the wizard:
The Wizard of Oz opens Friday night at the Boston Opera House for a five-show weekend run.
Stretch out at the MFA: The Museum of Fine Arts is hosting a special yoga session Saturday morning with Kristin Khederian, for those who like a bit of culture with their morning exercise.
Live shows: You gotta think more than a few local residents would have taken some summertime sadness over the recent wintry weather. Well, they’ll have to wait until this Saturday night when Lana Del Rey plays at the TD Garden. Not to be overshadowed, hometown heroes Guster will be playing the same night at the House of Blues.
This week’s Patriots schedule:
Saturday, Jan 13: 8:15 p.m. versus the Tennessee Titans on CBS
This week’s Celtics schedule:
Thursday, Jan. 11: 3 p.m. at the Philadelphia 76ers (in London) on NBC Sports Boston
This week’s Bruins schedule:
Saturday, Jan. 13: 7 p.m. at the Montreal Canadiens on NESN
