The end of an international logjam involving the Trump administration could soon mean more new Red Line subway cars in the tunnels beneath Boston.

Why it matters: The clock is now ticking on a long-promised project already years behind schedule.

State of play: U.S. Customs and Border Protection last month released a batch of train car shells manufactured in China by the company working for the T to provide new subway vehicles.

• The shells had been held for nearly 10 months over federal concerns that Uyghur people were forced to labor on them.
• Gov. Maura Healey and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal helped secure the release after bringing the issue directly to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the Globe reported.

The customs detention pushed an already-slipping schedule further back. Now there are just under two years until the initial 2027 target to deliver all the new cars.

By the numbers: The T ordered 252 total Red Line cars from CRRC.

• 60 were delivered as of late January 2026.
• 190 cars are still in the pipeline.

What's next: The impounded shells are expected to finally make their way to the CRRC MA factory in Springfield by mid-April.

• The plant is set to resume assembly and retrofitting operations on the shells. The company will begin recalling 142 workers furloughed since the shells were impounded, including electricians and engineers.

Zoom in: The MBTA's existing Red Line fleet is around 30 to 50 years old and has proven dangerously vulnerable to winter conditions and fair-weather breakdowns.

• The newer CRRC cars have outperformed benchmarks for winter performance set by the T.
• At least they could be here by next winter.

The bottom line: The parts are finally moving, but whether Springfield workers can make up lost ground before the 2027 deadline is still an open question.

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

Gov. Maura Healey has more than just Republican opponents this year.

• An independent candidate is going after her connections to a so-called "dark money" group funneling donations from corporations with business before the state.

Why it matters: Andrea James, an independent running for governor, is making a point of telling voters exactly who she thinks is bankrolling the powers-that-be on Beacon Hill.

• James is a Dorchester-based criminal justice advocate with one main campaign point: Corporate dark money has transformed Massachusetts from a commonwealth into what she calls a "Corporatewealth."

State of play: She hasn't gotten much traction in the gubernatorial race, but a recent WBUR investigation gave James her sharpest weapon yet.

• The public radio station exposed "One Commonwealth," a 501(c)(4) nonprofit launched by allies of Healey that allowed corporate donors to bypass the state's $1,000 individual contribution limit.
• The nonprofit was launched to boost Healey's housing policy agenda, but some of its corporate donors have little to do with housing — and plenty to do with other areas of the government Healey runs.

Follow the money: Gaming giant DraftKings funneled $50,000 into the group while facing pending state legislation that could have more than doubled its tax rate.

• New York road paving firm Peckham Industries contributed $10,000, while a subsidiary held over $25 million in MassDOT contracts.

What they're saying: "These dark money groups allow corporate interests to shape public policy behind closed doors," James said in a statement.

• Healey's campaign wouldn't respond to Axios' questions about the nonprofit.

Between the lines: Healey is expected to win reelection and start a second four-year term in January.

• One Commonwealth has another close Healey connection: a fundraising specialist on the group's payroll was simultaneously serving as the finance director for Healey's reelection campaign, WBUR reported.

Reality check: There is a huge financial gulf separating James from Healey and the three Republican candidates.

• GOP self-funders Michael Minogue and Mike Kennealy have poured $5.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, into the race.
• James has raised around $20,000 through small-dollar donations.

Read on

⚡ Massachusetts residents pay the highest electricity bills in the continental U.S., according to federal data.

• But customers served by the state's municipal light plants often pay half of what for-profit utility customers do. (Boston Globe)

⚔️ Boston police fatally shot a man who they say attacked officers and emergency responders with a sword during a mental health crisis call near Northeastern University Saturday morning. (Boston.com)

🔥 A mattress fire in Harvard's Randolph Hall displaced at least 150 Adams House residents overnight. (Harvard Crimson)

Monday, 4/6

Curated Cuisine: Joan Nathan at WBUR CitySpace features the cookbook author on her memoir, "My Life in Recipes," and her career documenting Jewish culinary traditions, 7pm.

• Includes a post-show tasting.
• Price: $10–$30.

Tuesday, 4/7

Collection Spotlight: Carrie Mae Weems at the ICA features the artist's "Blues and Pinks" series that explores how the photographer investigates history and identity, 10am–5pm.

Wednesday, 4/8

Boston and the Making of a Global City at the Copley BPL features author James C. O'Connell discussing the urban planning and policy shifts that transformed Boston into a global hub, 6pm.

• Located in Rabb Hall at the Central Library.

Friday, 4/10

The Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden, 7:30pm.

Saturday, 4/11

Wicked Queer: Barbara Forever at the Museum of Fine Arts presents Brydie O'Connor's documentary on the life and legacy of queer cinema pioneer Barbara Hammer, 2pm.

• Part of the Wicked Queer: Boston's LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
• Price: $15.

🏗️ Developers behind the stalled Dorchester Bay City megaproject want to sell a 13.6-acre parcel at 2 Morrissey Blvd., roughly one-third of the overall site.

• Accordia Partners said it remains committed to the waterfront Bayside portion of the project, where 13 buildings and 3.7 million square feet have been approved.

🏢 The Davis Cos. completed a long-planned leadership transition, naming Stephen Davis as CEO effective April 1, replacing his father and company founder Jonathan Davis, 73, who moves to executive chairman.

🏠 Boston's Zoning Board of Appeal approved a six-story, 33-unit apartment building across from the Ashmont T station in Dorchester.

• The project at 555-563 Talbot Ave. would have ground-floor restaurant space and no car parking but storage for 46 bicycles.