🚇😵 Ding dong! The T is dead.

🍟 Want fries with that? You better, because Boston.com just dropped a list of the city’s best fries (according to readers) from Sully’s to Saus to Eastern Standard. Check it out here.

🚣👋 BTW: As promised, members can enter the Keolis massAdventures Castle Neck river kayaking trip ticket drawing TODAY. Drop your email here or email [email protected] to enter. We’ll take submissions until 5 p.m.! Become a member to be eligible. 

👀 What’s on tap today:

Up first…

Ding dong! The Orange Line is dead. And by that, we mean parts of the line will be shut down from June 21 to 29. R.I.P.

Here’s what to know:

🚇 The shutdown schedule varies on weekends and weekdays. Because why not! Here’s the deal: The line will be down between Forest Hills and North Station on the weekends (June 21 to 22, and 28 to 29). But on the weekdays (June 23 to 27), the shutdown only runs between Forest Hills and Back Bay. Here’s a map of the closures.

🚌 The shuttle bus sitch is pretty standard. Shuttles will serve all the usual stops between Forest Hills and Back Bay on weekdays, but will add a stop at Copley on weekends, where riders can hop on the Green Line for service to North Station. 

🚃 If it sounds like the Green Line’s gonna be packed this weekend … You're probably right! But thankfully, the C branch is extending service all the way to North Station during the weekend shutdowns, so you’ll have an extra option. Sadly, the B branch will still end at Park Street.  

🚉 The MBTA is dolling out a few freebies to say “we’re sorry.” If you’d rather skip out on the shuttles (don’t blame ya), the commuter rail between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station, and the 39 bus from Forest Hills to Back Bay, will be fare-free during the shutdown. Plus, the 39 bus will run extra service.

🤔 So … why is this happening again? Signal upgrades, baby! The MBTA is in the process of overhauling the Orange Line’s signals, which send data to the agency about where the trains are, from analog to digital. While annoying, the switch will give the line more reliable service and a longer lifespan.

🥳 And if all goes well, it’ll be the OL’s last weekday shutdown of 2025! At least according to the MBTA’s planned shutdown calendar. While there are still nine more weekend shutdowns scheduled this year, barring an act of god (or Train Daddy Eng), that’ll be it for 2025.

💬 Any questions? You can check out all the info here.

🚨 We have a verdict: Karen Read is NOT GUILTY. Wednesday afternoon, the jury acquitted Read of all three major charges (including murder), ending her second murder trial in two years. While she was technically found guilty of an OUI (operating under the influence), she’ll just have to do a year of probation and an alcohol education course, handing the defense a MAJOR W. Three years, two trials, several TV series, and a certifiable media circus later, Mass.’ IRL true crime case is O-V-E-R, and Karen Read is free. Keep up with the latest here.

✊🏾 Happy Juneteenth, Boston! Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, community, and joy, marking the day in 1865 when many enslaved African Americans found out they were free. Here’s a bird’s-eye view of today’s celebrations, including a flag-raising, free MFA entry, a party at Studio Allston, and a cookout. If we could plan your day, we’d probably send you to a “We Create the World” event at the Museum of African American History or the ICA (you’ll need to grab a ticket for the latter). Think: Free museum admission, music, activations, movies, vendors, and more. 

🥵 It’s like, 100 degrees in here. Let’s start with the bad news: Boston is under a heat advisory today as temps hit 90 degrees, which will likely feel closer to 100 thanks to a fat shot of humidity. The good news: It won’t last long. By the evening, the heat will give way to thunderstorms that’ll cool things off and set us up for a gorgina weekend of weather. The storms will bring a “marginal” risk of severe weather, so stay safe out there and remember to HYDRATE. Keep up with the latest here.

🏖️ Speaking of beach weather … The 2024 Boston Harbor annual water quality report is IN. Per usual, Southie’s Pleasure Bay and City Point beaches slayed with perfect scores of 100%, while Dorchester’s Tenean Beach and Lynn’s King’s Beach brought up the rear at 71% and 66%. Most other beaches fell somewhere in the middle, minus a surprise drop from Dot’s Savin Hill Beach from 80% to 68%, which the org will investigate. Keep in mind: 85% is a solid benchmark for reliable cleanliness (B’s get degrees!). Check out the full report card here.

If you’re in need of a little rooftop moment, a lot of flavor, and a chance to treat yourself to something special, block off your calendar for next Wednesday, June 25 and head to Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport for the Chateau d’Esclans Rosé pairing dinner at Lifted Rooftop Restaurant (perhaps you’ve heard of Whispering Angel? That’s the one!). 

A sneak peek at the food: You’ll be treated to oysters Rockefeller, crispy duck spring rolls, surf and turf, and mango passion fruit pavlova, each paired with a delectable rosé.

How did a local baby raccoon get himself a story in People magazine? Two words: This picture. 

Earlier this month, Belchertown Animal Control received a call about a baby raccoon who’d been left to fend for himself on a doorstep in a rainstorm. They arrived to find the little guy soaking wet, shivering, and … standing on two legs like a human (tbh, it’s giving AI). 

Naturally, they took a video, and it was so cute that it instantly popped off on Facebook, then TikTok, then, ultimately, People magazine, with the headline: “Baby Raccoon Too Little to Be on Its Own, Rescued After Being Found Sad, Drenched, and Alone.” No notes.

Don’t worry, the baby was taken care of, and is now in wildlife rehab at the Leyden Center, where they’ve named him Bub. 

— Written by Gia Orsino and Emily Schario

🦝 Thanks for reading! Not to be dramatic, but … we’d do anything for Bub.

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🎸🫶 Don't forget to grab your tickets to Best Day Ever, our Aug. 2 food, music, and shopping bash at Artists for Humanity!

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