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The Boston-area holiday pop-up bars, lounges to visit in 2023

Boston-area bars are bringing out the Christmas trees, menorahs and hot toddies for the holidays.

Food and Drink

John Walsh, 'godfather' of modern grassroots campaigns, dies at 65

Walsh died in hospice care Monday at age 65.

Politics

Celtics fans pay highest beer prices in NBA

News

Where to have a cozy fireside dinner in Boston

There's nothing quite as romantic as a fireside dinner.

Things to Do

Boston's looking at a wet winter

NOAA says to expect warmer temps and more precipitation.

Climate

Weather forecasters are warning of higher than average temperatures and more precipitation than usual this winter.Why it matters: We could be in for a rainy season if temperatures don&#x27;t drop enough to make much snow.

A map of the U.S. depicts expected precipitation patterns for the winter of 2023-24, including wetter-than-usual conditions in the Boston area. 

Wind, flood risk could spike Massachusetts insurance rates

The higher premiums are expected to affect more than 26% of Boston metro area properties.

Hundreds of thousands of properties in the Boston metro area could face higher insurance premiums or policy non-renewals this year due to the risk of high winds, and/or flooding, according to a new analysis. Driving the news: The higher premiums are expected to affect more than 26% of Boston metro area properties, especially along the coast, per climate data nonprofit First Street Foundation.

What Massachusetts could expect from Hurricane Lee

Cape Cod residents are preparing for the worst.

A tropical storm warning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is in effect" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=MAZ015&amp;warncounty=MAC025&amp;firewxzone=MAZ015&amp;local_place1https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=MAZ015&amp;warncounty=MAC025&amp;firewxzone=MAZ015&amp;local_place1=Jamaica%20Plain%20MA&amp;product1=Tropical+Storm+Warning&amp;lat=42.3&amp;lon=-71.1167" data-vars-content-id="74776b22-46a8-499f-bdd5-87183dd43002" data-vars-headline="What Massachusetts could expect from Hurricane Lee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=MAZ015&amp;warncounty=MAC025&amp;firewxzone=MAZ015&amp;local_place1https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=MAZ015&amp;warncounty=MAC025&amp;firewxzone=MAZ015&amp;local_place1=Jamaica%20Plain%20MA&amp;product1=Tropical+Storm+Warning&amp;lat=42.3&amp;lon=-71.1167" target="_blank">is in effect</a> in Boston, Cape Cod and Martha&#x27;s Vineyard as Hurricane Lee makes its way through the Atlantic toward New England and Canada.Driving the news: Massachusetts is outside Lee&#x27;s likely <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="path" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/32692859.1286/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2JyaWRnZT91cmw9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmhjLm5vYWEuZ292L3JlZnJlc2gvZ3JhcGhpY3NfYXQzJTJCc2h0bWwvMDIzOTQxLnNodG1sP2dtX3RyYWNrJnM9MTI0NjYzJm49ZTI4NWY3YmImdD1jNTdkOWFlMzU1NjUxMmUzNThmZmM3NWIyYTI5ZjFjYmEzNjkyYmJmJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfYm9zdG9uJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/623e1cab6ade791edf266697L73374f66" data-vars-content-id="74776b22-46a8-499f-bdd5-87183dd43002" data-vars-headline="What Massachusetts could expect from Hurricane Lee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/32692859.1286/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2JyaWRnZT91cmw9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmhjLm5vYWEuZ292L3JlZnJlc2gvZ3JhcGhpY3NfYXQzJTJCc2h0bWwvMDIzOTQxLnNodG1sP2dtX3RyYWNrJnM9MTI0NjYzJm49ZTI4NWY3YmImdD1jNTdkOWFlMzU1NjUxMmUzNThmZmM3NWIyYTI5ZjFjYmEzNjkyYmJmJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfYm9zdG9uJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/623e1cab6ade791edf266697L73374f66" target="_blank">path</a>, but Cape Cod residents are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preparing for the worst" data-vars-click-url="https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/disaster/2023/09/14/dont-wait-last-minute-cape-cod-harbormasters-advise-hurricane-lee/70840575007/" data-vars-content-id="74776b22-46a8-499f-bdd5-87183dd43002" data-vars-headline="What Massachusetts could expect from Hurricane Lee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/disaster/2023/09/14/dont-wait-last-minute-cape-cod-harbormasters-advise-hurricane-lee/70840575007/" target="_blank">preparing for the worst</a>.

Boston braces for triple-digit heat index

​​It’s going to feel like 100 degrees in Boston Thursday and Friday.

​​It’s going to feel like 100°F in Boston Thursday and Friday as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat wave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/24/heat-wave-expands-southwest-swelters" data-vars-content-id="b193585c-0896-4c45-af72-af3b368fc5dc" data-vars-headline="Boston braces for triple-digit heat index" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/24/heat-wave-expands-southwest-swelters" target="_self">heat wave</a> that&#x27;s broiled the South expands into the Northeast.Driving the news: Mayor Wu issued a heat emergency for both days. The city is currently under a heat advisory through Sunday.

Illustration of the sun's rays beating down on apartment buildings.

Boston has 15 more mosquito days than it did in 1980

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance — they're a public health threat

The number of &quot;mosquito days&quot; — that is, those with the hot and humid weather the flying insects crave — has trended up in Boston over the past several decades, per a new analysis.By the numbers: Boston now has an average of over 15 more mosquito days per year since 1980.<ul><li>The<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/mosquito-days-2023" data-vars-content-id="4e1e0293-9a13-4625-a7d3-b7d6a53d821c" data-vars-headline="Boston has 15 more mosquito days than it did in 1980" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/mosquito-days-2023" target="_blank"> report</a>, from nonprofit climate science research organization Climate Central, defines a &quot;mosquito day&quot; as one with average relative humidity of 42% or higher, plus daily temperatures of 50° – 95° F.</li></ul>Why it matters: Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance — they&#x27;re a public health threat, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="carrying diseases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor/mosquito-borne/default.html#:~:text=Diseases%20that%20are%20spread%20to,from%20diseases%20spread%20by%20mosquitoes." data-vars-content-id="4e1e0293-9a13-4625-a7d3-b7d6a53d821c" data-vars-headline="Boston has 15 more mosquito days than it did in 1980" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor/mosquito-borne/default.html#:~:text=Diseases%20that%20are%20spread%20to,from%20diseases%20spread%20by%20mosquitoes." target="_blank">carrying diseases</a> such as malaria, West Nile, Zika and more.The big picture: 71% of the 242 locations Climate Central analyzed saw an increase of about 16 mosquito days on average between 1979 and 2022.

Middlesex tops Massachusetts counties in electric vehicle use

Massachusetts electric vehicle users were most active in Middlesex County this year, but nowhere in the state can compete with the nation&#x27;s top counties for EV use.Why it matters: Massachusetts is pushing for residents to buy electric vehicles to reduce the state&#x27;s carbon footprint, yet remains far from its target of having 200,000 EVs on the road by 2025.

A map showing electric vehicle miles traveled per 1K residents in Mass. Middlesex, Franklin and Barnstable counties had more than 300 EV miles per 1K residents in 2023, the highest counties.

Boston's first "passive" single-family homes preview greener future

The West Roxbury homes are air-tight and net-zero.

A new West Roxbury residential development has been certified as &quot;passive.&quot; <ul><li>They are the first single-family houses in Boston to join a global green building trend reshaping design and construction.</li></ul>Why it matters: As municipalities in Greater Boston tighten building codes and energy efficiency rules, design methods and certifications like passive homes will become the norm to limit energy use and emissions.

Massachusetts' new EV rebates cover used cars, down payments

The state is trying to wean residents off fossil fuels.

Massachusetts now offers rebates for residents buying used electric cars, thanks to last year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bdlaw.com/publications/net-zero-by-2050-massachusetts-passes-new-climate-clean-energy-bill/#:~:text=On%20August%2011%2C%202022%2C%20Massachusetts,greenhouse%20gas%20(GHG)%20emissions." data-vars-content-id="e94f1a42-7b16-4b76-9815-96f8ffb39109" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; new EV rebates cover used cars, down payments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bdlaw.com/publications/net-zero-by-2050-massachusetts-passes-new-climate-clean-energy-bill/#:~:text=On%20August%2011%2C%202022%2C%20Massachusetts,greenhouse%20gas%20(GHG)%20emissions." target="_blank">climate law</a>.Why it matters: The rebates are one of several ways Massachusetts is trying to wean residents off fossil fuels and meet its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate goals" data-vars-click-url="https://netzeroma.org/#:~:text=The%20Next%20Generation%20Roadmap%20Act,net%20zero%20emissions%20by%202050." data-vars-content-id="e94f1a42-7b16-4b76-9815-96f8ffb39109" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; new EV rebates cover used cars, down payments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://netzeroma.org/#:~:text=The%20Next%20Generation%20Roadmap%20Act,net%20zero%20emissions%20by%202050." target="_blank">climate goals</a>, including a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 deadline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/zero-emission-vehicle-zev-commission#:~:text=These%20states%20released%20a%20collaborative,in%20the%20state%20by%202025." data-vars-content-id="e94f1a42-7b16-4b76-9815-96f8ffb39109" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; new EV rebates cover used cars, down payments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/zero-emission-vehicle-zev-commission#:~:text=These%20states%20released%20a%20collaborative,in%20the%20state%20by%202025." target="_blank">2025 deadline</a> to reach 300,000 zero-emission vehicles.

Illustration of an electric vehicle plugged in, the charging wire has dollar bill signs running inside of it towards the car. 

Massachusetts' peak fall foliage schedule

When and where the good leaf peeping will be.

Peak fall foliage in New England will be here before you know it.Why it matters: Your window to view the bright hues might be trickier to predict, as<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/13/climate-extremes-warming-charts-concerns" data-vars-content-id="23b4e849-e22a-4f6d-a165-344dd108a0a6" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; peak fall foliage schedule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/13/climate-extremes-warming-charts-concerns" target="_self"> climate change</a> impacts when leaves change — and<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" how colorful they get" data-vars-click-url="https://www.neefusa.org/story/climate-change/leaves-they-are-changing#:~:text=How%20Climate%20Change%20Affects%20the,together%20to%20mute%20fall%20colors." data-vars-content-id="23b4e849-e22a-4f6d-a165-344dd108a0a6" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; peak fall foliage schedule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.neefusa.org/story/climate-change/leaves-they-are-changing#:~:text=How%20Climate%20Change%20Affects%20the,together%20to%20mute%20fall%20colors." target="_blank"> how colorful they get</a>.

Massachusetts' average electrical outages grows

Massachusetts' outage-hours average surpassed the national average in 2021.

Last weekend&#x27;s storms reminded thousands in Massachusetts of how vulnerable our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aging electrical infrastructure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.telegram.com/story/business/2017/07/23/utilities-spend-millions-replace-pipes-lay-new-wires-and-update-infrastructure-central-massachusetts/20089452007/" data-vars-content-id="b087f43c-c0c4-4efb-ab35-ca6996cfb0a1" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts&#x27; average electrical outages grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.telegram.com/story/business/2017/07/23/utilities-spend-millions-replace-pipes-lay-new-wires-and-update-infrastructure-central-massachusetts/20089452007/" target="_blank">aging electrical infrastructure</a> is in severe weather.<ul><li>And its vulnerability has become more apparent over the past decade.</li></ul>

A line chart comparing electrical outage hours for the average Massachusetts customer versus the U.S. average. Massachusetts' has been higher on and off in recent years.

Climate 🌿

Boston's looking at a wet winter

Wind, flood risk could spike Massachusetts insurance rates

What Massachusetts could expect from Hurricane Lee

Boston braces for triple-digit heat index

Boston has 15 more mosquito days than it did in 1980