⚾️ Sox Trades, Trash Truck Hijacking, and Boston's AI Makeover

☕️ The Beantown Beacon

Your indispensable guide to Boston.
Good day, Boston! it’s Friday, August 1, 2025. Here’s what matters most in the Hub today.

📰 METRO REPORT

Public defender funding deal reaches critical vote
On July 31, Massachusetts lawmakers approved a $259 million supplemental funding bill that includes a 30% pay raise for private attorneys and adds 320 public defenders by fiscal 2027, responding to a crisis that led to over 100 dropped criminal cases statewide. Critics say it still falls short of ending the legal work stoppage.
Source: AP News (AP News)

AI push: Boston partners with Bloomberg on data analytics
Mayor Michelle Wu announced Boston’s entry into Bloomberg Philanthropies’ City Data Alliance, aiming to deploy AI tools, like neighborhood alerts and multilingual updates, into civic services without raising taxes.
Source: Axios Boston (Axios)

⚖️ Appeals court denies recusal in Marathon bomber appeal
A federal court refused Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s request to remove Judge George O’Toole from his death‑sentence appeal. The decision maintains the current judge’s oversight, but deliberations continue around juror bias claims.
Source: AP News (AP News)

🚦 TRANSPORTATION & TRANSIT

No major disruptions reported this morning. Weekend MBTA service is running normally, with Red and Green Line operations continuing without active alerts.

💼 BUSINESS & ECONOMY

🍽️ Three notable closures shake Boston’s dining scene
Somerville’s Southern Kin, East Boston’s Cafe Iterum, and Waterfront’s Pasta Beach all shuttered in late July. Pasta Beach’s space will soon house Beacon Hill’s date‑night spot 1928.
Source: Eater Boston (WHDH 7News, Eater Boston)

🏀 SPORTS

⚾ Sox add arms but critics say it's not enough
Boston acquired LHP Steven Matz and RHP Dustin May before yesterday’s trade deadline, but analysts argue the moves fall short given the team’s trade interest in top-tier starters like Merrill Kelly and Jhoan Durán.
Source: Reuters (Reuters)

🏀 Celtics update: mental health, trade rumors, depth concerns
Today’s Celtics Daily Links discusses Jaylen Brown’s openness about anxiety and depression, trade speculation involving Derrick White, and questions about the team’s frontcourt strength.
Source: CelticsBlog (CelticsBlog)

🎭 ARTS & CULTURE

Tonight’s Plans: Boston Public Radio Live at Central
Tune in for local music and conversations airing live tonight from GBH’s Front Row—featuring films, civic discussions, and Boston’s creative voices.
Source: GBH / YouTube (YouTube)

🗓️ Mark Your Calendar

• Somer Fest (Aug 1‑3): This eclectic Somerville weekend festival blends music, food, and art across Union Square. A true local summer staple.
  Source: MeetBoston event guide (Boston 25 News, Meet Boston)

• Harvard Book Store Talks (Aug 2): Catch local authors discussing summer reads and Bay State stories at the Harvard Square flagship.
  Source: MeetBoston event guide (Meet Boston)

🔄 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

🚚 Trash-truck hijacking suspect shot by police in Everett
A man accused of stealing and crashing a garbage truck near Encore Casino was critically wounded after a police shooting. The suspect’s chase spanned Medford, Stoneham, and Malden before ending in Everett.
Source: Boston 25 News (Boston 25 News)

✉️ Before You Go…

Boston's summer drama continues, from legal shakeups to Sox trades, and shifting food scene. Keep your radar on Murmurs on the Square and downtown updates.