Both candidates for governor of Massachusetts have made economic issues and affordability the cornerstones of their campaigns. But at last night’s debate, cultural issues were persistent reminders that this election is set against the backdrop of national politics.

Catch up fast: Much of the debate between Attorney General Maura Healey (D) and former state Rep. Geoff Diehl (R) centered on the cost of living, with an emphasis on home heating costs.

• Diehl said Healey's dedication to rapidly adopting green energy will only drive up costs for consumers.
• He pointed to his own successful campaign in 2012 to repeal a gas tax increase.
• Healey said her office has stood up to utility companies, saving state ratepayers billions.

The intrigue: Early on, Healey declared that "abortion is on the ballot in this race," and later labeled Diehl's stance on the issue as "extreme, dangerous," and him as "unqualified to serve."

• Diehl said he “appreciated” the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade because it makes abortion a state issue. He said as governor, he'd work within the confines of the state’s Roe Act, which expanded protections to abortion access, but he opposes provisions that limit parental notification and care for the child after a failed procedure.
• Diehl compared the phrase "my body, my choice" in support of abortion rights to the "civil right" of people to refuse medical vaccines, which he supports.

On education, Healey said she'd make sure schools are fully funded according to the state formula, and that they provide more educational and mental health services.

• Diehl said parents are upset about lessons on implicit racial bias that introduce students to ideas like white privilege.
• "Parents are angry about it and they're leaving our state schools," Diehl said, adding that he would support alternatives to public schools and more parental control over curricula.

Housing affordability, another pocketbook issue, was also at the center of the debate.

• Diehl said the state has an opportunity to lower housing costs by promoting rail lines to the South Coast and western Massachusetts and embracing remote work.
• Healey pointed to her housing plan, which includes separating housing and economic development into two Cabinet positions.

When asked about transportation, Diehl said he would work with MBTA employees, not consultants or foreign manufacturers, to fix the T.

• Healey would replace the MBTA executive team and increase the agency's workforce.

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👋 Steph here. Our local libraries are branching out beyond James Joyce and Toni Morrison to offer tools like drills, saws and stud finders.

What's happening: Now we don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on tools we might use once or twice in the next decade.

• The Public Library of Brookline system has 80 items in its tool library, which lives at the Coolidge Corner library.
• The Needham Free Public Library next week plans to launch its own "library of things," which includes tools, per its website.

What they're saying: "The big thing in terms of the mission of a library for us is resource sharing," says Ryan Brennan, the Brookline library system's supervisor of collection development.

Brookline's tool library launched in March and carries saws, paint rollers, glass-cutting kits and other items.

• Palm grip sanders are in high demand. The library has two loaned out with multiple hold requests, per the Minuteman Library Network website.
• I'll probably be joining the waitlist for a sander for my poor attempt to turn a pallet of wood into a floating shelf.

Plus: The Brookline library system also loans induction cooking kits, 3D printers and more. Cake pans are popular, per Brennan.

• Brookline lets you borrow anything from its tool library as long as you're a Massachusetts resident and you return the item to the location where you borrowed it.

Meanwhile, the Boston Public Library doesn't offer a tool library.

• If anyone from BPL reads this, I'm a fan of putting our taxpayer dollars toward a library of things.

💵 The U.S. Treasury Department is investigating whether Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis used money meant for COVID relief to send migrants to Martha's Vineyard. (GBH News)

🏥 Patriots owner Robert Kraft's philanthropic foundation has given Massachusetts General Hospital $50 million to support community health and health equity. (CBS Boston)

Gov. Charlie Baker recommended pardons for four men convicted decades ago for crimes ranging from assault and larceny to destruction of property. He says the men have been rehabilitated. They are the first pardons the governor has sought in his nearly eight years in office. (SHNS)

Spot is a good, good boy who finds joy in meeting new people, sniffing butts and just living that pointer puppy life.

• And he is just a baby, don't forget. Spot will have as much puppy energy as you can handle.

Pro tip: Older children or dogs would be good to have around to help show him the ropes as he matures.

🔥 Hot and fresh local job listings.

1. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Communications & Marketing Specialist at Victoria's Secret Co.
2. Associate Director, Interactive Solutions at Boston's Children's Hospital.
3. Director, Workplace Applications and Insights at HNI Workplace Furnishings.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

The Patriots head to Cleveland on Sunday for an afternoon game against the Browns.

Where it stands: At No. 20, the Browns rank only a few slots above the Pats at No. 22 in Axios' NFL Power rankings.

• The Patriots' victory against the Detroit Lions last week raised the team one slot up from 23rd.

What's next: You can catch the Cleveland game on WBZ or 98.5 FM at 1pm.