Also: Where to find election drop boxes in Boston; states rush to plan for vaccine distribution
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 October 16, 2020
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| Good Morning Boston,
⚡ There's a chance of showers this afternoon, and almost certainly showers and thunderstorms this evening. Expect temperatures to reach a high of 68.
I'm back from my "staycation" just in time for Friday. I hope you've had a great week and that your day is filled with unexpected, sweet surprises. Here's what you need to know this morning:
- Early, in-person voting starts statewide tomorrow. If you don't want to vote in person but you're also hesitant to mail your ballot, you can always bring it to an election drop box. More than a dozen have been placed around Boston, the majority at city libraries and two at City Hall. If you don't live in the city, you can find more information about your community's drop box locations here.
- The state's eviction moratorium ends tomorrow. With lawmakers not planning to meet until Monday, this puts some renters in a tricky spot. Read this if you need information on ways to get help.
- More than 50,000 Massachusetts residents filed for first-time unemployment benefits last week, bringing claims up nearly 11,000 from the prior week. This is the fourth straight week filings have gone up across the state.
- Massachusetts could become home to the first union to successfully represent thousands of foster parents.
- What's the "worst case scenario" for Massport when it comes to its budget? A three-year, $400 million budget shortfall caused by a drop in travel at Boston Logan Airport during the pandemic. It's not seeing long-term losses yet, but Massport is trying to plan for it, just in case. There are fewer than half the number of daily flights out of Logan this month compared to the same time last year, and passenger traffic is down 80%.
- Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said yesterday the city is looking into strengthening the enforcement of COVID restrictions as case numbers go in the wrong direction. He's especially concerned about house parties that continue to take place. "If we don't do what we need to do and we don't start to take responsibility as individuals, we're going to be in a potential case where I have to stand at this podium and talk about shutting down the city again," Walsh said.
P.S.– Whether you're voting in person or by mail, don't forget that our Mass. Election Prep emails are a great way to help you become an informed and empowered voter in only seven days. If you've already signed up (or you've already submitted your ballot), please do us a favor: share it with your friends and family. You can ask them to sign up here. — Meagan McGinnes
@meaganmcginnes
newsletters@wbur.org
The Rundown 1. Facing Many Unknowns, States Rush To Plan Distribution Of COVID-19 Vaccines
A vaccine will only work if a lot of people can get immunized. State health officials are working furiously to design outreach and distribution plans, with little clarity from the federal government. Read more. | 
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2. With Debate Cancelled, Trump And Biden Appear In Dueling Town Halls
Among their notable answers during their competing town halls, Trump declined to denounce the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory, while Biden said he'd offer a more concrete answer on "court packing" before Election Day. Read more.
3. Have Pollsters In 2020 Learned The Lessons Of 2016?
To find out what's changed in polling since 2016, WBUR's Morning Edition host Bob Oakes spoke with Steve Koczela, president of the MassINC Polling Group. Read more.
4. Mass. Lost Ground On Emissions Reductions In 2018, New Report Says
The Baker administration said the state remains on track to meet the 2020 emissions limit envisioned in the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act. Read more.
5. Closing Arguments: Democrats Say Barrett Augurs What They Call Dangerous Regression
Republicans reneged on their earlier stance not to consider a Supreme Court vacancy ahead of an election, Democrats have argued, and they say the choice to do so will damage the Senate's credibility and that of the high court. Read more.
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- Despite being an artifact of 2020 dysfunction, writes Joanna Weiss in this commentary, last night's simultaneous town hall forums were an effective way to contrast two presidential candidates – if you had the energy to keep pressing the remote.
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