Northern Lights May Be Visible In MA Tonight: Patch PM

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 9. Here are some of the top stories we're covering:

2020 is once again offering up a rare occurrence for parts of southern New England. The Northern Lights may be visible in Massachusetts on Wednesday night.

Aurora Borealis is referred to as the Northern Lights for the simple reason that the electric display is typically in extreme northern locations. But, there are times in which the sun has a large "coronal mass ejection" or CME for short. When a large ejection occurs, the particles that interact with the Earth's atmosphere are able to move farther south, away from the North Pole. That is the case today and tomorrow.

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has categorized this as a G3 storm. G3 means the strength of this aurora may reach the northern tier of Massachusetts (looking specifically at northern Worcester County, Middlesex County, and Essex County). Clouds will be the Commonwealth's biggest obstacle. If they clear overnight and you're hoping to catch a glimpse, be sure to find a location away from ambient light and look north!

Read the full story here.

Other top stories

Red Sox To Cut Lowell Spinners As Minor League Affiliate

The Red Sox officially Lowell Spinners from their minor league farm system, the team announced Wednesday, as part of a league-wide minor league reorganization.

All MLB teams were required to cut their minor league affiliates to four teams, and the short season single A Spinners ended up on the chopping block — as the MLB wanted, over a year ago. Teams were not allowed to reveal their picks until Wednesday.

The Sox are keeping the AAA Worcester and AA Portland Red Sox as well as the high A Greenville Drive and the single A Salem Red Sox.

Rep. Joe Kennedy III Says Country's Future Is 'Big And Bright' In Farewell Speech

With less than a month left in office, Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy III gave his farewell speech to Congress on the House Floor Wednesday.

In his speech, he thanked his colleagues, constituents and family while also saying the future of the nation is "big and bright."

"Our arc isn't clean, but it is clear: Each generation expands the definition of WE. We suffer setbacks. We get pushed off-track and sometimes can't feel the progress. We fight amongst ourselves. But still – generation after generation – we expand," said Kennedy. "Our future is big and bright, but it will take everything and everyone to reach it. I hope that a new generation of Americans will rise knowing that the People's House stands tall for them."

What Happened To The Waltham Disability Museum At The Fernald?

Students at Gann Academy developed a mockup of what a national disability museum would look like if housed at the Fernald back in 2018. That year the Charles River Museum of Industry hosted the exhibit and it garnered national attention.

"The idea, in part, was motivated by the National Memorial for Peace and Reconciliation," said Alex Green a fellow at Harvard who taught the class. "But with a focus on America's cruel and longstanding institutional treatment of people with disabilities."

At the opening event for the exhibit at the museum, the mayor told the students that she agreed with the idea. And then, they heard her say she approved the museum.

Also

YMCA Of Metro North Will Mask Up Under New Coronavirus Guidelines

YMCA plans to stay open, will enforce enhanced mask and safety policies, at branches in Lynn, Melrose, Peabody, Saugus and Stoneham.

Smoking Deemed Cause Of North Reading House Fire

The fire caused $50,000 in damage but all three residents were rescued by an off-duty police sergeant.

Worcester City Manager Positive For Coronavirus

City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. is in isolation, and 20 other city employees are in quarantine after having contact with him.

Coronavirus Testing Sites Will Shrink In Marlborough, Framingham

By mid-December, the number of Stop the Spread testing sites in Marlborough and Framingham will drop from five to two.