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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Takeaways from a new report on veteran suicides in Mass.
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
It’s Truck Day for the Red Sox — and shuttle bus week for anyone who rides the Red Line north of the river. The T has more details on the diversion here. (The free commuter rail between Porter Square and North Station feels like a good hack if you’re headed downtown — or to the men’s Beanpot semifinals tonight.)
Now, to the news:
Massachusetts leaders are calling for more robust research and data on veterans' deaths, in the wake of a new report last week showing one in nine of all people who died by suicide in the state were current or former military personnel. The report — released by a new state advisory group on veteran reintegration — found the state’s support system has “systematic gaps” that need to be filled, as mental health issues continue to rise, Massachusetts Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago told WBUR’s Fausto Menard.
- Key findings: The report highlighted veterans are twice as likely to die by suicide using a gun. It also found that individuals who experienced PTSD, substance use disorders or military sexual trauma are particularly at risk. But the report did point to a big difference maker for lowering that risk: having peer support and access to mental and physical healthcare.
- Now what? Santiago says his department — which was elevated to cabinet level just 11 months ago — plans to invest in existing peer support groups. But there are some areas where they need help from the State House, like creating a centralized veteran database and a suicide fatality review board (which some states have, but Massachusetts does not). “That’s going to require some legislation,” Santiago said. (If you or someone you know needs help, call or text the national suicide lifeline at 988.)
Newton gets back to normal: For the first time in over two weeks, Newton students and educators are headed back to school this morning, after a deal was reached late Friday to end the city’s contentious 11-day teachers strike. WBUR’s Carrie Jung reports the teachers union’s new four-year contract includes pay raises, longer parental leave and an agreement to staff every one of Newton’s 22 schools with a social worker.
- What to expect today: Newton schools will start one hour later than normal today so principals and teachers have time to meet before class starts. Buses will run as usual, just an hour later than their normal stop times. Newton Superintendent Anna Nolin says she expects support staff and teachers to briefly take student questions about the work stoppage at the start of the day, and then turn their focus to learning.
- What they’re saying: Both sides acknowledged the strike has been painful for the community. “We are thrilled to be going back into our classrooms — that’s what we’ve wanted this whole time — but we realize that for some there will still be big feelings about it,” teacher and union leader Ashley Raven told WBUR’s Eliana Marcu. Meanwhile, the Newton School Committee called for “patience and leadership from all of the adults in the NPS community” in a statement Saturday: “It is up to us to show our kids how a strong community responds to challenges.”
Save the date: Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium will host seven 2026 men’s World Cup matches — including the tournament’s first quarterfinals match. That was the big local news out of FIFA’s unveiling of new schedule details Sunday for the 2026 tournament. Click here for the specific Foxborough game dates.
- Will locals get to watch the U.S. men’s national team? Unclear! The USMNT will play their group stage games in Los Angeles and Seattle, but there’s still a chance they could play here in the knockout round (if they make it).
- Go deeper: Massachusetts leaders said last spring they’re still working on plans to increase public transportation to Foxborough for the games and replace Gillette’s turf field with natural grass.
P.S.— In-person tickets for tonight’s CitySpace event with chef Eric Ripert may be sold out, but you can still stream it for $5 if you want to follow along and get some simple seafood cooking tips at home.
