Payday For Workers Who Weathered Pandemic In Person: The HUB

The HUB is a daily newsletter designed for what you want — to be caught up on the most interesting, important news in 5 minutes or less. It's a little bit of this, a little bit of that, but if there's something you want more or less of, email me at alex.newman@patch.com.

Today is Tuesday, October 26. Let's get started.

Massachusetts lawmakers are mulling how $3.65 billion in federal stimulus money and state surplus funds will be spent.

Part of that plan includes allocating $460 million for the roughly 800,000 workers who continued to work in-person during the COVID-19 state of emergency in Massachusetts, the Boston Globe reported. That translates to bonuses of $500-$2,000, depending on the number of workers who qualify.

The bill also sets aside $40 million for "front-line state employees" who were required to work in-person last winter, translating to bonuses of up to $2,000 apiece.

Read more from the Boston Globe.

Top stories

The process of clearing tents from Mass. and Cass won't be an easy one. Officials began removing encampments Monday, following an order from Acting Mayor Kim Janey that requires those living in the area to first be offered alternate shelter, but dozens of tents continued to line the streets. (GBH)

Mass. and Cass took center stage at Boston's final mayoral debate. City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George, who trails her colleague Michelle Wu with a week left in the race, hit her rival over plans to address rising homelessness and substance abuse in the area. (WBUR)

Disgraced FBI agent John Connolly is coming back to Massachusetts. Connolly, who ran notorious mobster Whitey Bulger as an informant, was convicted of second-degree murder for his role in the death of businessman John Callahan in 1982. He was granted a medical release from a Florida jail in February. (Boston Herald)

Local voices

"The lack of nuanced and meaningful debate from the two Boston mayoral hopefuls about the profound issues facing the Boston Public Schools has been one of the most disappointing aspects of this historic race." Marcela García, Boston Globe

"While the difference between no parole and the “possibility” of parole may not seem significant for most people, it is a huge difference for many victims’ families." - Jonathan Blodgett, Boston Herald

"It’s not the first time that a problem in Lawrence that is common all over the place has been turned into a circus sideshow for the suburbs." - George Ramirez and Wendy Estrella, Commonwealth Magazine

In case you missed it

A Concord-Carlisle high school teacher is on leave after allegedly using a racial slur during a football game in Newton.

The teacher, who was a first-year assistant coach with the Newton South football team, has been fired from the Newton Public Schools.

The coach is accused of using "racially charged language" in reference to the music the athletes were listening to during a postgame huddle Friday night. (WCVB)

A lighter touch

Only in Boston does a "spa day" mean a pack of Marlboros and a lottery ticket. In the latest of seemingly endless Boston quirks, Boston resident Vasant Marur investigates why some convenience stores are called spas. (GBH)

GOAT competition

Tom Brady became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw 600 touchdowns on Sunday, but even he would admit Noah Reeb's accomplishments are tough to top.

Reeb was captured during the game holding a sign that read "Tom Brady Helped Me Beat Brain Cancer," which caught Brady's attention. After the game, Brady shook the boy's hand and gave him a Buccaneers hat, sending him — and likely most of North America — into tears. (Foxboro Patch)

What I'm reading today: If you love Texas BBQ has much as I do, you should jot down these 50 joints for your next trip. Warning: do not read this on an empty stomach. (Texas Monthly)

Weather:

The National Weather Service says tain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then rain between 1pm and 4pm, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Areas of fog after 10am. High near 61. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 perent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Rain and possibly a thunderstorm at night. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog. Low around 48. Windy, with a north wind 26 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

– Alex Newman

About me: Alex is a Jersey transplant covering Arlington, Malden, Medford, Reading and Somerville for Patch. A graduate of Northeastern University, Alex has lived in the Boston area since college (though he still hasn't been able to bring himself to root for the Sox). He is an avid football and baseball fan, amateur woodworker and film geek. Alex lives in Chelsea with his fiancée, their dog and a revolving door of foster puppies.