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☀️Sunny and slightly warmer, with highs in the 40s. Sunset is at 4:29 p.m.
Today we have a quick guide to the Patriots’ postseason — just enough so you can make small talk, even if you haven’t watched a single game this season. But first: some news.
Four Things to Know
1. Organizations helping refugees settle in Massachusetts are asking the state for $6 million after dramatic cuts to their federal funding. State Sen. Robyn Kennedy of Worcester noted that many refugees work in fields facing labor shortages, such as nursing and home care.
“We know that serving our families that are here is really critical to making sure that we’re not only sustaining them, but we’re sustaining our workplaces where they are and supporting our communities,” Kennedy said.
2. About 100 people protested in the Boston Common yesterday after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis shot and killed a woman. “It’s very important to say no and stand up, especially when our liberties are being threatened,” Boston resident Nicole Amidon told GBH News.
Meanwhile in Washington, Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Boston called for an investigation and for ICE to be abolished: “This harrowing tragedy should never have happened, and my heart breaks for the victim, their loved ones, and the entire Minnesota community,” Pressley said. “ICE is a rogue, violent agency that moves with reckless disregard for human life and due process, and it has no business in our communities. It must be abolished and the agents involved must be held fully accountable.”
3. Massachusetts public health officials say the Centers for Disease Control’s decision to stop recommending flu shots for children sends the wrong message. Four kids in Massachusetts have died from flu complications this winter, including two in Boston, which has not had a pediatric flu death in more than a decade. Doctors and pharmacies in Massachusetts still offer flu shots for anyone aged six months and older.
“Last year in Massachusetts, 10 children died of influenza and most of those were not vaccinated,” Dr. Larry Madoff of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health told GBH’s Craig LeMoult. “Vaccination for children is important and protective. And the idea of not routinely recommending it is just wrong.”
4. About 100 people came to an ice rink in East Boston yesterday for an adaptive skating day, where ice sleds, skate walkers and shoe grippers made skating more accessible. It’s part of the state’s adaptive recreation programming.
“I love seeing new people get on the ice,” volunteer Anderson Wise, who uses a wheelchair and coaches sled hockey, told GBH’s Meghan Smith. “It’s great for people to know that everything is accessible, whether you’re ambulatory or whether you are a wheelchair user, hockey is for everybody.” There are upcoming adaptive ice skating days in Gardner, Worcester, Fall River, Brockton, North Adams and Holyoke. There are also opportunities for cross-country skiing, sledding and hiking.
Patriots head into postseason with big expectations after strong season
Last year was not a banner one for the New England Patriots: the team finished the season with four wins and 13 losses. But so far, this year is different. The Patriots have 14 wins and 3 losses; they won the AFC East — something they hadn’t managed since 2019, when they went on to win the Super Bowl — and now have a real shot at the playoffs. They will play the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round this Sunday at Gillette.
Here are a few quick facts you can use to make Patriots small talk from GBH sports reporter Esteban Bustillos.
First: quarterback Drake Maye’s second season has been a good one. He has 4,394 passing yards, the fourth-highest in the league. The team is putting up stronger numbers than last year: the Patriots rank second in total points scored with 490, and third in touchdowns with 58 total.
Second: legal issues off the field. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing charges of felony strangulation or suffocation against his personal chef, and defensive tackle Christian Barmore faces a domestic assault charge involving his girlfriend. Lawyers for both players have denied the allegations.
Local games: if the Pats win Sunday’s matchup, you’ll have at least one more chance to see them play at Gillette Stadium this season. It likely won’t be cheap — tickets for Sunday’s game range from $172 to $3,500 on Ticketmaster.
Read Bustillos’ full story here.
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