What Bostonians need to know this week
There's a chance of snow Monday and a big week of sports and politics ahead.
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:
Super Bowl week:
The Patriots depart for Minnesota on Monday and have a launched a 24-hour online streaming network for fans to follow along every second on the way up to kickoff next Sunday. Here’s the Patriots’ full Super Bowl week schedule leading up to the big game. Keep up with the latest news here.
And for the diehards actually traveling out to Minneapolis, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your travel plans.
Watch that Monday evening commute: Southeastern New England is expected to be brushed by a few inches of snow Monday evening, with the Cape forecasted to get up to a half foot. Here are three maps showing the predicted snowfall.
SOTU: President Donald Trump is set to deliver his first official State of the Union on Tuesday, seeking highlight the recent Republican tax bill and other accomplishments amid historically low approval ratings.
The response: For all the national attention paid to Elizabeth Warren and Seth Moulton, it’s another Massachusetts Democrat stepping up to the national stage. Rep. Joe Kennedy III is set to deliver the Democratic response to Trump’s State of the Union. The high-profile speech is a step into the national spotlight by a 37-year-old congressman who has spent much of his time in office avoiding it.
Mr. Popular: Fresh off Gov. Charlie Baker’s own State of the Commonwealth address, the Associated Press took a look at how the Republican governor has come to be so popular in liberal Massachusetts. And it turns out he’s not the only well-liked blue-state Republican, not even in New England.
Another hand injury: The Celtics will be without Marcus Smart for about two weeks after the guard cut his right hand hitting a picture frame. Here’s what we know about the injury, the incident, and why it happened.
Attention Zoots customers: The bankrupt drycleaner, which abruptly closed earlier this month before many customers were able to recover their clothes, will temporarily reopen stores Friday so that people can actually pickup their clothes.
What you missed over the weekend:
Breakers broke
: The National Women’s Soccer League announced Sunday that the Boston Breakers, one of the oldest teams in women’s soccer, has folded. The Breakers’ players will be drafted by other NWSL teams and fans who bought tickets for the 2018 season will be given a full refund.
Finals preview?: The Celtics lost a thrilling game out west against the Golden State Warriors, with Kyrie Irving’s scoring outburst somehow outdone by Stephen Curry. The exciting matchup had many wondering if we just might see these two teams play again come June.
Not so fast: Despite stubborn speculation, Brad Stevens said Saturday that the Celtics still don’t expect Gordon Hayward to return this season.
Dubya back: Former Saturday Night Live cast member Will Ferrell returned to host the show this weekend and resurrected his classic George W. Bush impression, noting how, in the midst of Donald Trump’s presidency, the former Republican president is “suddenly popular AF.”
“I wanted to address my fellow Americans tonight and remind you guys that I was really bad,” Ferrell added. Watch the full six-minute clip below:
What’s happening in Boston:
On to Minnesota:
For the diehards in the area, the Patriots are hosting a send-off rally Monday morning outside Gillette Stadium, with all the major figureheads expected to be in attendance.
Lenny at the Lenox: Boston comedian and accent icon Lenny Clarke is performing his stand-up set Friday night at the Lenox Hotel.
Beer, but extreme: The Seaport World Trade Center is hosting the 15th annual Extreme Beer Fest this weekend, showcasing an eclectic offering of more than 300 craft brews.
This week’s Patriots schedule:
It’s the Super Bowl! Sunday, Feb. 4: 6:30 p.m. versus the Philadelphia Eagles on NBC
This week’s Celtics schedule:
Monday, Jan. 29: 9 p.m. at the Denver Nuggets on NBC Sports Boston
Wednesday, Jan. 31: 8 p.m. versus the New York Knicks on NBC Sports Boston and ESPN
Friday, Feb. 2: 7:30 p.m. versus the Atlanta Hawks on NBC Sports Boston
Sunday, Feb. 4: 12 p.m. versus the Portland Trail Blazers on NBC Sports Boston
This week’s Bruins schedule:
Tuesday, Jan. 30: 7 p.m. versus the Anaheim Ducks on NESN
Thursday, Feb. 1: 7 p.m. versus the St. Louis Blues on NESN
Saturday, Feb. 3: 7 p.m. versus the Toronto Maple Leafs on NESN
