Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is throwing his support behind Dan Koh, the former Marty Walsh and White House aide running for the North Shore congressional seat being left open by Rep. Seth Moulton.

Why it matters: It's a national-profile boost for Koh in a crowded Democratic primary.

What they're saying: "He is somebody who understands what public service is about — not sound bites, not who won the latest round online, but results," Buttigieg said of Koh, in a video announcing his endorsement shared with Axios.

• "Whether he was at Boston City Hall, at the Department of Labor, or at the White House, he has consistently been focused on what public servants should be focused on," Buttigieg said.

Between the lines: In an interview with Axios, Koh described Buttigieg as a mentor on political combat, crediting him with encouraging Democrats to compete in hostile media environments.

• "He's helped me understand that we desperately need effective communicators in the party," Koh said, noting the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor's appearances on Fox News and debates with conservative commentators.

State of play: The Sept. 1 primary will likely decide who succeeds Moulton in Congress.

• Geography and local bases of support matter in a district that spans coastal Essex County communities and inland to the Merrimack Valley suburbs.
• Beyond Koh, several candidates are making the race one of New England's most-watched House primaries.

Who's in:

• Tram Nguyen, a state representative and former refugee, has focused on cost-of-living and civil rights as her central pitch.
• Dominick Pangallo, former chief of staff to former Salem mayor and now Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, brings deep North Shore roots to the field.
• Other Democrats running include John Beccia, Beth Andres-Beck, Jamie Belsito, Kyle Davis, Rick Jakious, Mariah Lancaster and others.

What's next: With nomination papers available as of Feb. 10, signature collection and early endorsements will quickly separate serious contenders from the rest.

The big picture: Buttigieg's endorsement follows one from former Vice President Kamala Harris, showing that Koh is consolidating support from prominent Biden-era figures.

Spread the word

To say Bostonians lost their cool after last month's snowstorm is an understatement.

• Dozens of people got involved in spats over shoveled spaces, with some finding their tires slashed, cars egged or other damage, per records reviewed by Axios.

Why it matters: Rising tensions in the Jan. 25 storm's aftermath put people's lives at risk, as in a Feb. 4 stabbing in Dorchester — and, if the snow accumulating outside your window is any indication, winter's not over yet.

Driving the news: At least one other person was arrested after allegedly brandishing a knife and slashing a neighbor's tires, per police reports.

• Police responded to at least 34 confirmed car vandalism cases related to post-storm parking disputes and dozens of verbal disputes, including threats, in the two weeks after the snow emergency.
• Reports detailed tire slashings, broken windshields and sideview mirrors and egged cars — well after the end of the snow emergency and legal use of space savers.

Zoom in: A man in East Boston parked his car on Everett Street one night in early February and found his car covered in eggs and ketchup the next morning.

• He found a chair nearby and a note on his car: "Next time don't park in my f—ing spot! Don't forget to put my spot saver back."

What they're saying: "It's just disappointing to hear that there are instances of or threats of violence or intimidation," said Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, who represents East Boston, the North End and Charlestown.

• Coletta Zapata said she's heard stories of kindness, too — locals checking on elderly neighbors or offering help — but that the reports of vandalism and threats have since piled up.
• In one case, she said, trash collectors received threats when removing space savers, even though that's their job after a snow emergency ends.

Keep reading: Taking a breath

🥇 The U.S. men's hockey team beat Canada, 2-1, in the final, bringing home its first gold medal in 46 years. (CBS Boston)

• The U.S. women's hockey team on Thursday won its third gold medal, with Boston Fleet captain Megan Keller hitting the game-winning goal.

🚉 Winter storms continue to sideline some of the new fare gates on the commuter rail platform at South Station. (Boston Globe)

• Keolis said that the gates were designed with weather impacts in mind, but not the fierce winds that have blown rain and snow their way.
• The company is exploring alternatives to the gate covers.

💸 ICYMI: President Trump on Friday signed a proclamation to impose 10% tariffs on all nations, replacing part of the tariffs overturned by the Supreme Court. (Axios)

Tuesday, 2/24

📖 Author Gloria McCahon Whiting discusses her book, "Belonging: An Intimate History of Slavery and Family in Early New England," in a virtual Boston Public Library talk, 6-7pm.

Wednesday, 2/25

🍄 The Museum of Science hosts a talk about psychedelic science, 7pm-8:30pm.

Thursday, 2/26

🎨 The MassArt Art Museum hosts a late-night event spotlighting "Masako Miki: Midnight March," an installation of semi-abstract felted wool sculptures within a galaxy, 9pm-12am.

• The event features a Boston Circus Guild aerialist, live figure drawing models and a screening of "Spirited Away."

Friday, 2/27

🎸 The Femmes host "Gay Prom" at the Crystal Ballroom in Somerville, 8pm.

• Price: $29+.

Saturday, 2/28

🍁 Learn the art of tapping sugar maple at the Boston Nature Center, 11am-3pm.

• Price: $15.

All weekend

🎞️ The Boston Baltic Film Festival, which screens films from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, kicks off at 4:30pm Friday and runs through Sunday.

• Price: $16.

Tell a friend who needs to get out more

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The snow has Townie on strike. So here's a throwback to when she was out at a local brewery.

• Any ideas where?
• Hint: This brewery also serves a mean bar pizza.

Reply to this email if you know the answer, and you might get a Townie tote.