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The Columbus Park trellis is decked out in its holiday finest and its sparkling lights will be lit up at 5 p.m. tonight. It’s the first of many lighting ceremonies brightening up Boston this week.
Now, let’s get to the news:
Turkey day travel: Nearly 80 million Americans are expected to take to the skies or roads to get to their Thanksgiving destinations over the next week, according to AAA. But don’t worry — whether you’re traveling five miles or 500, we’ve got tips to help you navigate this higher-than-ever number of travelers. Here’s what to know:
By car: AAA projects the roads will be busiest from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. now through Wednesday. You’ll want to start your drive before 11 a.m. today or before 10 a.m. on Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid peak traffic. If your Thanksgiving celebration is local, consider driving out on Thursday. “Roads are pretty clear on Thanksgiving Day and you can really benefit from the fact you don’t have to contend with all the other drivers,” AAA Northeast spokesperson Mark Schieldrop told WBUR’s Fausto Menard.
By plane: Massport is preparing for more than 150,000 passengers to pass through Boston’s Logan Airport between today and Sunday. If you or a loved one are flying, arrive about two hours before your boarding time for domestic travel and three hours for international travel, Ed Freni, director of aviation for the Massachusetts Port Authority, told WBUR. Freni also suggests checking in online to get your boarding pass prior to arriving at the airport.
Taking care of business: The Red Line is back on track today after a weeklong closure meant to address slow zones. Now that the work is done, riders will enjoy a commute completely free of speed restrictions for the first time in more than 15 years. “We’ve exceeded all the goals that we have set out to do and that’s a testament to the workforce,” MBTA General Manager Phil Eng said in a board meeting Thursday.
- Heads up: There is one more T closure slated for this year. The Green Line will be shut down between Park Street, Union Square and Medford-Tufts from Dec. 6 – Dec. 20 so the MBTA can remove two slow zones on that line, too.
Striking a deal: It’s back to school this morning for students in Gloucester, marking the end of a two-week long teachers’ strike. The Gloucester educators’ union announced Friday it had reached a “tentative agreement” with the Gloucester School Committee, which includes pay increases for teachers and paraprofessionals, and a new parental leave policy.
- Zoom in: Gloucester school committee chair Kathy Clancy told WBUR’s Sharon Brody the school committee is “comfortable” the agreement won’t lead to layoffs. “At least not because of the contract,” Clancy said. “You know, we hope there’s no other surprises, but right now… the city side has committed to funding these agreements.”
- Zoom out: Teachers in Beverly and Marblehead are back on the picket line this week and classes are canceled again. Gov. Maura Healey this weekend called on educators to return to the classroom, even while negotiations continue, saying the ongoing strike is “unacceptable.”
Fryer? More like fire. There are many ways to shake up your Thanksgiving dinner. But state fire officials ask that frying your turkey not be one of them. They say a fryer accident indoors or outdoors could exacerbate the state’s unprecedented fire season.
- Jake Wark, the public information officer for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, told WBUR’s Josie Guarino there is not one turkey fryer on the market that has been approved as safe by an independent testing lab. “The risk of hot oil spilling is extremely high, and under these weather conditions, any fire that starts outdoors will spread.”