Pressure Building From Boston To Washington: The HUB

The HUB is a rundown of the stories people in Boston are talking about. Patch publishes the HUB every weekday.

Good morning, Boston! Today is Monday, May 24. We're talking "inhumane" conditions for those implicated in Whitey's killing, all about Kenmore and scrumptious spots to eat.

But first...

There isn't exactly a national outcry for his ouster, but the Boston police commissioner fiasco is finally starting to catch up to Marty Walsh in Washington.

Seth Moulton has been the most direct — not out of character for the congressman from the North Shore. Moulton told The Boston Globe late last week that if its turns out Walsh is lying about not knowing about the allegations against Dennis White, he needs to resign.

Other members of the delegation are playing it safe, giving Walsh tepid support or saying there needs to be more information, according to Politico. Rep. Stephen Lynch in particular is going to bat for his pal.

Here in Boston, Suffolk Country DA Rachael Rollins didn't say what should happen to Walsh if he's found out to be lying, but she told GBH she's trusting affidavits from former commissioner William Gross and White indicting Walsh knew over the former mayor's denial.

There's no doubt Walsh has skated to this point on the whopper he left Kim Janey. But this story still has a ways to go to play out, and Walsh's role in it is still to be determined.

Check it out

They haven't been charged in the brutal killing of Whitey Bulger, but it appears they're being punished for it. Three prisoners have faced "inhumane" conditions since Bulger was beaten to death in Oct. 2018, family members said. Shelley Murphy of The Boston Globe has more on how the men are spending 23 hours a day in solitary confinement for 31 months now, with no indication it's coming to an end soon. I'm not saying these are good dudes, but it seems they should either be charged or put back with the general population.

"Before Eastern Standard’s red awnings went up in 2005, it seemed like Kenmore Square’s sole purpose was to piss everyone off." And that's how Rachel Slade starts her Boston Magazine piece about "The Once And Future Kenmore Square." There's some absolutely terrific history in this piece — and it really makes me miss having an Old Cuban at Eastern Standard. And speaking of the area, here's Janelle Nanos at The Boston Globe on who is taking over Eastern Standard, Island Creek Oyster Bar and the Hawthorne.

As we ease into a new week, I want to shout out to the Eater Boston folks for giving us new local places to try. Rachel Leah Blumenthal wrote about the best things she ate last week — including eating at a restaurant for the first time since the pandemic started — and now I'm hungry.

What I'm reading today: It's easy to forget that this time last year some states were reopening here and there. I mean, it's a year later and we're still seeing the virus claim hundreds of American lives a day. But, obviously, this reopening effort is entirely different. The Atlantic's Ed Young takes a look at "What Happens When Americans Can Finally Exhale."

Weather

The National Weather Service says: During the day — Sunny, with a high near 68. East wind around 8 mph. At night — Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph.

Have a swell Monday.

You can email me at mike.carraggi@patch.com and follow me @PatchCarraggi.