Who's More 'Boston' – And Does It Matter For Mayor? 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 Friday, October 1. Let's get started.

Boston mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George ignited a Twitter firestorm Thursday when she claimed home field advantage over challenger Michelle Wu.

In an interview on Boston Public Radio, Essaibi George drew distinctions between her background as a Boston-born small business owner and teacher, and Wu, who grew up in Chicago and attended Harvard Law School.

From the Boston Globe:

Asked by one of the cohosts whether Wu’s Chicago roots should be relevant to voters, Essaibi George responded: "It’s relevant to me, and I think it’s relevant to a lot of voters whether or not they’re born and raised in the city."

Essaibi George took flack for what some called "othering" residents who are not native Bostonians. Among her critics were City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, who recently announced his endorsement of Wu, former state transportation secretary Jim Aloisi, and Wu herself.

"Reminder: The Mayor of Boston needs to lead for ALL of us. I’m ready to fight for every resident— whether you’ve been here since birth or chose to make Boston your home along the way," Wu tweeted.

A spokesperson for Essaibi George said that she intended to knock Wu's campaign style and neighborhood presence, not where anyone grew up.

Read more from the Boston Globe.

Top stories

Democrats in the state Senate want to make permanent many voting expansions that were implemented during the pandemic. The bill, which the Senate plans to take up Wednesday, would allow mail-in voting without a reason, early voting for two weeks before general elections and one week ahead of primaries, and same-day voter registration. (Boston Herald)

As the MBTA grapples with a number of safety-related incidents, including a derailment on the Red Line and an escalator malfunction that injured nine people, transportation advocates called for more oversight and funding at a rally at the State House Thursday. (WBUR)

A former state police trooper has been charged in connection with an alleged assault during a traffic stop in 2019. Prosecutors say Paul Conneely kicked a handcuffed man in the head during a traffic stop on I-93. A Suffolk County grand jury indicted Conneely on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. (NBC Boston)

If you have a minute

From Brittany Bowker, Boston Globe:

"Five dancers have joined a lawsuit alleging that former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, Mitchell Taylor Button, have 'exploited their position of power and influence in the dance world to sexually abuse young dancers across the country.'

An expanded lawsuit filed last week in US District Court in Nevada includes three new plaintiffs — one, an area dancer, who is identified in court filings only as Jane Doe 100, was a minor at the time of the alleged sexual abuse. In the original lawsuit filed in July, Boston Ballet dancer Sage Humphries came forward claiming the couple 'manipulated and brutalized' her. Another dancer in the lawsuit, Gina Menichino, claimed Taylor Button 'groomed and abused' her at age 13 when he was her 25-year-old dance instructor in Florida, according to the court filing.

The lawsuit and its disturbing allegations have rocked the ballet world, one populated by young dancers — most of them girls — who train under exacting instructors in hopes of reaching the top of the field."

Local voices

"There is perhaps no better example of just how far back into the rear-view mirror accountability has faded than the Boston Public Schools." - Charles Chieppo and Jamie Gass, Commonwealth Magazine

"There’s nothing madcap about the transportation situation in Boston, just maddening. And this franchise is hemorrhaging fans." - Boston Herald Editorial Staff

At least it's cozy

With an open floor plan, updated kitchen and bathroom, and 250 square feet of living space, this Newton Highlands property is a Smurf's dream home.

The catch: it'll cost you $450,000. Hey, at least they threw in 0.06 acres of land.

Sports

The prodigal GOAT will return to Foxboro for the first time since he unceremoniously left New England. And Tom Brady's been busy since then, pulling Gronk out of retirement, semi-righting the Antonio Brown ship, and leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win. The Patriots, meanwhile, hope Mac Jones can bounce back from his three picks in a loss to the Saints last Sunday. (NFL.com)

Things haven't been going well for the Red Sox. After getting swept by the Yankees over the weekend, the Sox have struggled to hang on to the second Wild Card spot. Boston dropped two of three to the perennially awful Orioles with a 6-2 loss Thursday. They're now two games behind the Yankees and tied with the Mariners for second in the Wild Card. (MassLive)

What I'm reading today: Keep the tissues handy. Michael Croley pens a beautiful tribute to his late brother and their shared love of golf. (Esquire)

Weather:

The National Weather Service says sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind around 7 mph. Mostly clear, with a low around 51. West wind 3 to 5 mph.

– 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.