Massachusetts
Shellfish dying, lobster leaving: Mass. marine ecosystem faces hotter, harsher future as climate warms – The Boston Globe
The Boston Research Advisory Group report found that deadly hot marine heat waves — once extremely rare — could become commonplace. Scientists warn that those and other impacts are only going to get worse if the climate continues to warm with dire and possibly irreversible impacts on the ocean.
If the planet does not stop emitting planet-warming greenhouse gasses, marine heat waves could occur off the coast of Massachusetts once every decade if the planet reaches 2 degrees Celsius of warming and perhaps every other year with 3 degrees of warming. The vast majority of excess heat generated by anthropogenic warming is absorbed by the planet’s oceans.
“The possible impacts described in this report are not pleasant,” said Paul Kirshen, a professor of climate adaptation at the University of Massachusetts Boston and an author of the report. “We need to get to net zero emissions and below as soon as possible.”
Unlike on land, where humans can build a seawall to protect from coastal flooding, for example, there is very little that can be done to help ecosystems adapt to warmer water and higher acidity, experts said. The trends noted in the report will be “very difficult” to respond to, Kirshen said.
The report was created to answer questions posed by leaders of coastal Massachusetts towns and cities about what communities could expect over the next few decades as the climate continues to warm. Many of those towns have local economies that are at least in part dependent on commercial fishing, an industry that is likely to be dramatically changed by a warmer and more acidic Massachusetts Bay.
Native fish populations will likely continue their decline off of Massachusetts’ coast, while species from further south will move in, scientists found. The bay will continue to get acidic and inhospitable for the many fish, plants, and shellfish that live there now.
Oceans absorb about 30 percent of the carbon dioxide that’s released into the atmosphere. When absorbed, carbon dioxide makes sea water more acidic through chemical reactions, putting the entire food web in the marine ecosystem at risk, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
One example: Higher acidity causes shells to deteriorate, which kills shellfish. That will be an early marker of a shift in fishing ecology in Massachusetts Bay, the Boston-area researchers warned.
“Shell fisheries should be monitored … for warning signs,” the report said. As acidity increases, there are fewer carbonate ions in the water, an essential ingredient to build shells.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic Cod’s numbers have already declined and the American lobster population is moving north. Scientists further expect populations of winter flounder, silver hake, and Atlantic herring to decline as well.
As others move out, species more suited to warmer temperatures are expected to move in, such as summer flounder, black sea bass, blue crab, and butterfish among them.
Jason Krumholz, an oceanographer and associate professor at the University of Connecticut, said that when he started graduate school in 2005, only very rarely did he catch blue crabs in nets. Now, more than half the crabs he catches are blue crabs, he said.
“I’m not that old yet, and this is a change that I’ve seen just in my career,” said Krumholz, one of the authors of the report. “It’s pretty fast.”
The fishing industry could likely adapt to this change by convincing buyers to push different offerings on the menu, Krumholz said. “We may have a lot more flags outside of restaurants with blue crabs on them instead of lobsters in 20 years.”
Scientists have also observed that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is slowing down. It’s one of the planet’s most prominent and powerful ocean currents and helps to moderate the climate at sea and on land near the shore.
That’s a wild card for ocean temperatures, said Bruce Anderson, an oceanographer and professor at Boston University and one of the lead authors of the report. The phenomenon could weaken and broaden the Gulf Stream, which brings warm tropical waters to the region.
“It’s really unclear what the Gulf Stream is going to do and how that change is going to affect things like the fisheries or even our climate here in Massachusetts,” Anderson said.
If the Gulf Stream slowdown continues, the water offshore of Massachusetts could see “substantial” warming as subtropical waters diffuse northward into the region, scientists found, further compounding the problems.
Another area of uncertainty: How President-elect Donald Trump’s administration could impact the trajectory of offshore ecosystems.
Environmental advocates are worried that the incoming Trump administration will try to slash budgets for federal environmental agencies, which could both slow the energy transition from fossil fuels to clean energy and affect efforts to clean up marine pollution.
Many federal grants finance beach cleanups, water quality testing, and other programs to manage the marine environment, said Jeff Watters, vice president of external affairs of the Ocean Conservancy, a nonprofit organization.
“I think they’re more at risk now than they were under the first [Trump] administration,” Watters said, because Congress was able to block some of those defunding efforts last time. “Pollution could absolutely go up; that’s a real possibility.”
Those fears come as marshes and coastal ecosystems are already threatened by plastic and pharmaceutical pollution, and runoff pollution is expected to increase due to stronger storms and an increase in coastal populations, according to the new report.
The pollution in Massachusetts Bay is affected by the behavior of people: What they buy, where they fish, how they recreate, and where they live, said Anderson of Boston University.
Yet, perhaps in that relationship lies a glimmer of hope: Towns, cities, and individuals can prevent further pollutants from entering the ecosystem. “This is a very sensitive environment to everyday decisions,” Anderson said.
Erin Douglas can be reached at erin.douglas@globe.com. Follow her @erinmdouglas23.
Massachusetts
Ten high school sports takeaways on a night that saw shootouts, hat tricks, and upsets shake up the postseason – The Boston Globe
And while Hopkinton’s and Franklin’s shootout wins were thrilling, they paled compared to Martha’s Vineyard, which went 24 rounds with North Reading before Ava Townes delivered on her third attempt.
All told, Wednesday’s themes were shootouts and hat tricks.
Cambridge boys’ soccer defeated Lexington, 2-1, in a shootout, as did Mashpee, which topped Leicester on Mathias Ramirez’s shootout save.
The night also saw no less than 14 players record hat tricks, with Sutton senior Ava Magnuson leading the way with a five-goal performance. Abington’s Nathan Calcano and Central Catholic’s Lucy Irwin both found the net four times, while Norwell’s Bret Amorosino, Sandwich’s Quinn Anderson, Lynnfield’s Kaylee Barrett, Oliver Ames’s Sabrina Fabrizio, Mansfield’s Aly Fernandes, Rockport’s Sunny Gallagher, Mansfield’s Brandon Gardner, Hull’s Libby Harper, Auburn’s Zhunay Moulton, Natick’s Lydia Proia, and Braintree’s Mya Ranieri all scored thrice.
Check out all of Wednesday’s scores here. And find our girls’ volleyball roundup here.
▪ Not only did No. 22 Franklin’s 3-2 win over No. 11 Wellesley one of the day’s shootouts, but it was also one if its biggest upsets. The Panthers (10-5-4) pulled off a No. 22-over-No. 11 stunner for the second straight year after taking out No. 11 Algonquin. Last year, Franklin went on to beat No. 6 Brockton, with both wins coming in overtime.
▪ The biggest upset of the day game in Division 3 girls’ soccer, where No. 28 East Bridgewater eliminated fifth-seeded Hanover, 1-0, when sophomore Jackie Pohl buried a free kick from 25 yards out.
▪ Back on the boys’ side, No. 25 Weston was a 1-0 winner over No. 8 East Boston, and No. 20 Mashpee’s shootout win took down No. 13 Leicester, 2-1.
▪ Auburn senior Zhunay Moulton recorded her 100th career point among three goals and one assist in a 4-0 Division 3 first-round girls’ soccer win over Weston.
▪ With two goals from Sabrina Tibbert, Lincoln-Sudbury field hockey defeated Attleboro, 3-0, in the Division 1 second round to reach its first quarterfinals in 20 years. Of note, the fourth-seeded Warriors will host No. 5 Winchester in a game that will pit L-S coach Vicky Caburian against her former Boston University field hockey teammate, Michelle White, the coach of the Red & Black. The two shared the pitch from 1989-1991, a span that included a trip to the 1991 NCAA Division 1 quarterfinals.
▪ Marblehead needed two overtime periods before Lucy McDonald uncorked a 30-yard strike for a 3-2 win in the Division 2 girls’ soccer tournament, marking the Magicians’ first trip to the second round in nine years.
King Philip senior tight end/outside linebacker Brodie McDonald has committed to play football at Bentley.
▪ Tabor graduate and New Bedford native Jaydah Bedoya will make her debut with the Puerto Rico National Team in their upcoming match against Santa Lucia on Dec. 1 in the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers.
Bedoya, who played at UConn, made three appearances with the Ecuador Women’s National Team from 2022-24. Most recently, she has been playing with the DC Power FC of the USL.
▪ New Bedford graduate David Abolarinwa, who also attended Dartmouth High, signed a professional contract with the Quad City Steamwheelers of the Indoor Football League. Abolarinwa, a 6-foot-2-inch, 280-pound defensive lineman, played four seasons at New Haven, finishing with 14 career sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss.
Four Massachusetts players were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region 1 team, which covers New England and New York. Selected: Andover outside Jessie Wang, Shrewsbury middle Claire Troy, Longmeadow setter Chloe Scott, and Covenant Christian outside Leanna Rothier. The 2025 AVCA High School All-America Teams, as well as the four AVCA High School National Player of the Year finalists, will be announced Nov. 18.
Congratulations to senior captain Jessie Wang on her selection to the 2025 AVCA All-Region Team! Jessie is only 1 of 20 players selected from ME, NH, VT, MA, CT and NY to make the Northeast team! Congrats Jessie!!! pic.twitter.com/V69n2p4AmO
— Andover High Volleyball (@Andover_vb) November 5, 2025
▪ Graduate student Paige Gillette, an Andover High graduate, became the all-time wins leader for Assumption field hockey with 47, passing Kylie Gargiulo’s 46 wins from 2019-22. As a senior at Andover in 2021, Gillette was the Globe’s Will McDonough Female Athlete of the Year.
▪ Westfield State senior Julianne Kelly, a Natick graduate, was one of seven Owls from Massachusetts to make the 10-runner MASCAC All-Conference team. Joining Kelly was Agawam’s Reese Stephens, Longmeadow’s Shea Hamel, Dracut’s Tealei Chandonnet (a Greater Lowell Tech graduate), Methuen’s Brooke Soucy, Billerica’s Samantha Panzeri (an Eagle Hill graduate), and Haverhill’s Brynne LeCours. It was the fourth-straight All-Conference nod for Kelly and Hamel.
▪ Brandeis junior Jackson Sullivan, a Greater Commonwealth Virtual School graduate from Somerville, was named Brandeis Athlete of the Week after reaching the semifinals of the New England Intercollegiate Fencing Conference Fall Tournament, also known as the Big One. Sullivan rolled through the bracket, never surrendering more than 7 points in the 15-point bouts as the 21st seed, before falling to Brown’s Ansel Edison in the semis.
▪ Amherst junior Harrison Dow, a Concord-Carlisle graduate, was named to the NESCAC Men’s Cross-Country First Team for the second year in a row. Connecticut College junior Ellis Iurilli-Hough, a Melrose graduate, was named to the second team.
▪ Williams junior Tamar Byl-Brann, an Amherst graduate, was named to the NESCAC Women’s Cross-Country First Team for the second year in a row, as was Williams senior Kate Swann, a Mt. Greylock graduate from Williamstown. Williams senior Charlene Peng, a Franklin graduate, made the second team, as did Williams senior Fiona Picone, an Oakmont graduate from Ashburnham, and Tufts senior Elizabeth Donahue, a Reading graduate.
Salem High will hold its 2025 Athletic Hall of fame induction ceremony on Nov. 18 (6 p.m.) at Veterans Memorial Field House. Tickets ($50 per person, children under 10 free) can be purchased here.
This year’s class features: Alix Bryant (2014; soccer, basketball, track), Jessica Corneau (2007; gymnastics, track), Edwin Demoya (2011; soccer), Joseph Fabiano (1994; football, hockey, baseball), Joseph Freeman (1995; football, track), Brian Lockard (1978; cross-country, track), Jared Louf Woods (2013; football, basketball, track), Jamal Mercado (1995; football, track), Hannah Mullarkey (2014; volleyball), Sarah Mullarkey (2011; volleyball), Richard “Rick” O’Leary (1988; football, baseball), Beau Theriault (2008; golf, basketball, baseball), Paul Tucker (1976; cross-country, track), and Melikke Van Alstyne (2009; football, track).
8. Field hockey leaderboard
Addie Finlaw, Somerset Berkley, 4
Amelia Blood, Uxbridge, 3
Julianna Casucci, Uxbridge, 3
Julie Pacheco, Somerset Berkley, 3
Gabby Palermo, Nashoba, 3
Libby Baxter, Hingham, 2
Ella Dacey, Walpole, 2
Kenzie Heroux, Somerset Berkley, 2
Kate Schneider, Walpole, 2
Sabrina Tibbert, Lincoln-Sudbury, 2
Addie Finlaw, Somerset Berkley, 5
Ryan Crook, Somerset Berkley, 3
Ella Vaught, Somerset Berkley, 3
Ava Magnuson, Sutton, 5
Nathan Calcano, Abington, 4
Lucy Irwin, Central Catholic, 4
Bret Amorosino, Norwell, 3
Quinn Anderson, Sandwich, 3
Kaylee Barrett, Lynnfield, 3
Sabrina Fabrizio, Oliver Ames, 3
Aly Fernandes, Mansfield, 3
Sunny Gallagher, Rockport, 3
Brandon Gardner, Mansfield, 3
Libby Harper, Hull, 3
Zhunay Moulton, Auburn, 3
Lydia Proia, Natick, 3
Mya Ranieri, Braintree, 3
Taylor Bello, Hingham, 2
Ella Cammarata, Masconomet, 2
Gui Cardoso, Hopedale, 2
Carter Couto, Westport, 2
Ava Damiani, Lynnfield, 2
Maddie Fernandes, Mansfield, 2
Sophia Gauron, Hamilton-Wenham, 2
Bailey Kerrigan, Littleton, 2
Maeve Maroney, Hingham, 2
Garrison Murphy, St. John’s Prep, 2
Brianna Ramos, Hull, 2
Ava Quintin, King Philip, 2
Kaylee Barrett, Lynnfield, 7
Aly Fernandes, Mansfield, 7
Zhunay Moulton, Auburn, 7
Lydia Proia, Natick, 7
Brianna Ramos, Hull, 7
Ava Damiani, Lynnfield, 6
Sarah Tressler, Central Catholic, 5
Alex Corey, Littleton, 4
Morgan Lovell, Franklin, 4
Gus Tratnyak, Hamilton-Wenham, 4
10. Girls’ volleyball leaders
Chloe Dubuisson, Canton, 14
Mia Milani, Bellingham, 13
Emerson Delleo, Franklin, 12
Makayla Kuykendall, Franklin, 12
Melanie McDonough, Canton, 12
Val Nolan, Bellingham, 12
Madilyn Botelho, Joseph Case, 11
Kayla Dowdell, Joseph Case, 11
Olivia Alberti, Franklin, 10
Lily Rego, Joseph Case, 10
Phoebe O’Connor, Franklin, 38
Erin Bigham, Canton, 23
Soley Rodriguez Martinez, Canton, 22
Erin Bigham, Canton, 14
Emma Cunningham, Franklin, 12
Emerson Delleo, Franklin, 12
Makayla Kuykendall, Franklin, 10
Phoebe O’Connor, Franklin, 8
Olivia Alberti, Franklin, 4
Charlotte Yeulenski, Franklin, 3
Madilyn Botelho, Joseph Case, 4
Erin Bigham, Canton, 3
Mia Milani, Bellingham, 3
Val Nolan, Bellingham, 3
Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com. Follow him on X @BrendanKurie.
AG Andrea Campbell says Massachusetts is ready if the National Guard is deployed to the Bay State, adding that her office is “drafting paperwork” that she hopes it never has to file against President Donald Trump.
The attorney general’s comments mark the firmest stance yet from a Bay State official on what kind of coordination or preparations are being made in the case Trump tries to deploy troops in Massachusetts.
Trump has deployed National Guard units to cities he argues are dealing with high crime or are epicenters of federal immigration activity, even as governors and mayors have largely voiced opposition to their arrival.
“We are prepared if they were to come,” Campbell said on GBH’s Boston Public Radio on Tuesday. “Of course, I hope they don’t, because the narrative they’re suggesting is that they would come here to promote public safety, and we are doing just fine.
“If anything,” the AG continued, “we’re seeing in other communities across the country is that they’re eroding public safety and trust between law enforcement and the community. In addition to that, they’re perpetuating fear.”
Campbell said her office is engaging with the National Guard, Gov. Maura Healey’s office, the state Legislature, law enforcement, and “every stakeholder” available over how the state would respond to a potential deployment.
The AG added that she’s personally spoken with her counterparts in California, Illinois and Oregon, states where Trump has threatened to deploy the National Guard to combat what he describes as lawlessness.
Trump continues to face legal challenges in areas where he has looked to deploy troops.
Courts in Tennessee and West Virginia heard arguments Monday challenging the deployment of their states’ National Guard troops to patrol the streets of Memphis and Washington, D.C.
Since their arrival on Oct. 10, National Guard troops have been patrolling neighborhoods and commercial areas of Memphis, wearing fatigues and protective vests that say “military police.” Officials have said Guard members, who are armed, have no arrest power.
West Virginia is among several states that sent troops to Washington, D.C., to support Trump’s crime-fighting efforts. Last month, a West Virginia judge asked attorneys for the state to address whether Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s deployment of up to 300 Guard members to the nation’s capital in August was legal.
The Bay State AG’s Office has filed 41 complaints against the Trump administration since the president regained office in January. Campbell made clear that another may be coming if Trump tries to deploy troops here.
“Any time you file a lawsuit, it takes a lot of human capital resources and work,” the AG said. “And frankly, you have to be prepared beforehand, so we hope we never have to file anything.”
Healey said last month that sending the National Guard to major U.S. cities is a “waste of resources,” but the first-term Democrat declined to say if she was coordinating with any local officials or preparing any action in case Trump attempted to conduct a deployment in Massachusetts.
Bay State Congressman Jim McGovern told the Herald last month that he had spoken to the Healey administration about a possible National Guard deployment.
Campbell said troops are designed to handle a “major flood, a major emergency” in the state. She added that she doesn’t know how equipped the National Guard is to accomplish what Trump wants it to.
“They’re not necessarily trained to show up in the city of Boston,” she said, “or the municipalities here in Massachusetts, to promote public safety, to investigate crimes, to respond appropriately.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Massachusetts
Election Day is Tuesday for 55 cities and towns in Massachusetts. Here’s what’s on the ballot.
Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day for 55 cities and towns across Massachusetts.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at most locations. Click here to find your polling place.
Here’s a look at what’s on the ballot in some notable municipal elections.
Boston election
Mayor Michelle Wu is unopposed in her bid for a second term after winning big in the preliminary election over Josh Kraft, who then dropped out of the race
Incumbent city councilors-at-large Erin Murphy, Henry Santana, Ruthzee Louijeune and Julia Mejia are running for re-election, while former City Council Frank Baker is trying to make a comeback.
In District 7, Rev. Miniard Culpepper and Said “Coach” Ahmed are running for the seat vacated by former Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who pleaded guilty to public corruption charges.
Somerville mayor’s race
Incumbent Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne ran for re-election, but did not advance past the preliminary stage. Two city councilors, Democratic socialist Willie Burnley Jr. and Jake Wilson are facing off. According to Axios Boston, Burnley Jr. would be Somerville’s first Black, openly queer and polyamorous mayor.
Everett mayoral election
Carlo DeMaria has been the mayor of Everett since 2008. He is running against City Councilor Robert Van Campen, who has highlighted an Inspector General report that said DeMaria was improperly paid $180,000 in “longevity payments.” DeMaria has said he was entitled to receive annual salary adjustments.
Lawrence election
Incumbent Brian De Pena is facing off against Juan “Manny” Gonzalez in the mayor’s race.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin’s office said it will be monitoring the election after “numerous complaints” about absentee ballot applications.
Brockton race for mayor
Brockton voters will make history by electing City Councilor Jean Bradley Derenoncourt or City Councilor Moises Rodrigues as the city’s first mayor of color.
Melrose override
Melrose residents are voting on three override options to fund city and school services, ranging between $9.3 million and $13.5 million. Property taxes would increase on average between $948 and $1,374 for homeowners. The highest dollar amount that receives a majority of votes would take effect.
Where elections are happening in Massachusetts
Below are the cities and towns holding elections on Tuesday, according to the secretary of the Commonwealth:
- Agawam (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Amesbury
- Amherst
- Attleboro
- Barnstable
- Beverly
- Boston
- Braintree
- Brockton
- Cambridge
- Chelsea
- Chicopee (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Easthampton
- Everett
- Fall River
- Fitchburg
- Framingham
- Franklin (6 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Gardner
- Gloucester
- Greenfield
- Haverhill
- Holyoke
- Lawrence
- Leominster
- Lowell
- Lynn
- Malden
- Marlborough
- Medford
- Melrose
- Methuen (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- New Bedford
- Newburyport
- Newton
- North Adams
- Northampton
- Peabody
- Pittsfield (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Quincy
- Randolph
- Revere
- Salem
- Saugus
- Somerville
- Springfield
- Taunton
- Waltham
- Watertown
- West Springfield
- Westfield (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Weymouth
- Winthrop
- Woburn
- Worcester
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