Flu Vaccines Now Mandatory For All Students Across MA: Patch PM

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 19. Here are some of the top stories we are covering today.

Students across all levels of schooling in Massachusetts will now be required to receive flu vaccines, a new mandate that state public health officials described as a step to reduce the impact of flu-related and respiratory illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The immunizations will be required from the age of six months on for attendees of Massachusetts child care programs, pre-schools, K-12 schools, and colleges and universities, the Department of Public Health announced Wednesday.

Students will need to get their flu vaccines by Dec. 31 for the 2020-2021 flu season, unless they have a medical or religious exemption. Homeschooled K-12 students and college students "who are completely off-campus and engaged in remote learning only" will also be exempt, DPH said.

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Kids Can Play, But MIAA May Leave Many In Massachusetts On Bench

An early spring football season, modifications for sports such as soccer and volleyball that could make them look much different this fall, and a spot on the bench for many schools starting the school year with remote learning were all part of a plan the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Directors approved Wednesday morning.

The plan, designed in conjunction with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, allows some athletes back on the field in September, but includes coronavirus-related restrictions that will relegate many others to the sidelines.

'Comeback Calamari,' Cranston Chef Star In Democratic Convention

As appetizing as calamari might be to foodies across the country, its off-the-charts popularity among Rhode Islanders likely wasn't known to the rest of the nation — until Tuesday night.

Calamari, typically prepared in Rhode Island with garlic, parsley and sliced cherry peppers, found its unlikely way onto the national stage during the Democratic National Convention.

As states cast their votes for Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders in a series of 30-second videos, Cranston native John Bordieri – the executive chef at Iggy's Boardwalk Lobster and Clam Bar in Warwick - appeared on a beachfront with state Democratic Chairman Joseph M. McNamara, who cast 34 of the state's 35 votes for Biden.

FDA Issues Alert About Waltham-Based Company Coronavirus Tests

The Waltham-based lab equipment company that received emergency FDA authorization to start sending its coronavirus test kits to hospitals and labs around the country in an effort to more speedily diagnose the new coronavirus back in March, now has two issues associated with its testing, according to the federal government.

The company, Thermo Fisher Scientific, was tapped in March to produce 5 million test kits per week by April. But Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that the tests may be providing false results.

Also

House Collapses In Newton

Newton fire officials said a home under construction collapsed Wednesday.

Natick Police Seek Hit-And-Run Driver Who Injured Pedestrians

Two people were flown by helicopter to area hospitals after the Tuesday night incident in the downtown area.

Melrose Mail-In Voting Gets Stamp Of Approval

The city has received more than 7,100 mail-in ballot applications as of Tuesday afternoon. Here's what you need to know.

Household Cleaner Mixture Prompts Hazmat Response In Medford

The fire department said a woman poured several chemical cleaners down her clogged drain, creating a "potentially deadly" mixture.

Beverly Resident Accuses School Board Of Meeting Law Violation

Charles Kostro says some Beverly School committee members may have privately deliberated a school reopening proposal.