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We really tried to defend their high-powered offense and limit their scoring chances, said Ryan of St. Johns (8-3-3), which has outscored opponents, 35-11.

Theyre an electric team, and we waited for our chances.

Good things come to those who wait, and the Eagles patiently did that during an evenly-matched, back-and-forth affair. They were awarded an opportunity to capitalize late in the second half, and they seized it when it arrived.

With nine minutes remaining, BC High won a free kick just past the halfway line in the Pioneers half. Senior Malcolm Flaherty stepped up and delivered a long lofted ball into the box, which Wolf powerfully headed into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.

It was sensational, Ryan said. A timely goal by our senior captain.

St. Johns Prep enters Thursdays matchup at 7-2-3 (6-1-2).

Billerica 0, Lawrence 0 Riwaz Singh posted his third straight shutout for Billerica (5-1-5) in its Merrimack Valley draw.

Braintree 1, Milton 1 Christopher Roden scored the lone goal for the Wamps (3-4-4) in the Bay State Conference draw. Justin Gomes recorded the assist.

Dedham 1, Ashland 0 Brian Dunne scored the winner with 17 minutes remaining to earn the Marauders (5-5-1) a Tri-Valley League win.

Durfee 3, Seekonk 2 Sergio Dias, Juliano Viera, and Colin Hargraves scored for the Hilltoppers (5-4-3) in their nonleague win. Hargraves and Oscar Hernandes tallied assists.

Hamilton-Wenham 2, Pentucket 1 With five minutes to go and the score tied at one, senior Lucas Groberio collected a cross for the Generals (4-3-3), juggled the ball over the head of the opposing defender, and slotted the ball past the keeper for the winner in the Cape Ann League matchup.

Hingham 3, Silver Lake 1 Brian Dalimonte, Cole Sampson, and Aidan Brazel each found the back of the net for the No. 5 Harbormen (12-0) as the visitors pulled away in the second half.

Hopkinton 3, Medway 2 Sean Golembiewski netted the winner, the second of two goals within the final eight minutes of the Tri-Valley League matchfor the Hillers (10-2-1). Peter DeMichele tallied an assist on each goal.

Lincoln-Sudbury 1, Concord-Carlisle 1 Senior Miguel Rosa scored the lone goal for L-S (6-2-3) in the Dual County League tie.

Lowell 1, Chelmsford 0 Kaleb Gianini scored the only goal of the Merrimack Valley Conference matchup for the host Red Raiders (3-8-1).

Manchester Essex 2, Marblehead 2 Both teams scored twice in the second half, including one goal apiece from Beckett Spencer and Brady Gagnon to give the Hornets (7-3-1) the draw.

Marshfield 2, Duxbury 1 Fionn Hamilton scored the opener in the first half, and Matt Bilodeau scored the winner with under 10 minutes remaining in the game for the Rams (7-3-1) in Patriot League play. Brian Bouressa and Liam Evans recorded assists.

Medfield 2, Millis 1 Chris Hoffman scored on a breakaway in the first half, and Heitor Saravia scored the winner, assisted by Hoffman, with 9 minutes left in the Tri-Valley League win for the Warriors (7-4-2). Sam Carnes made a stoppage time save on a Millis penalty kick to seal the victory.

Methuen 6, Haverhill 0 Matthew Pak scored his first varsity goal for the Rangers (6-5-1), and Jonathan Diaz scored two goals to go along with two assists in the Merrimack Valley Conference victory.

Needham 4, Wellesley 0 Marco Flano (2 goals), Noah Goldstein (goal, assist), and Mitch Wilson (goal) scored in the first eight minutes of the second half to earn the No. 4 Rockets (8-0-4) the Bay State Conference win.

Newton North 3, Natick 0 Senior Theo Hoffmans first-half goal put the No. 3 Tigers (8-0-3) ahead for good in the Bay State Conference shutout win.

North Andover 3, Chelmsford 3 Jack Determan, Owen Phelan, and Jonny Bono found the back of the net for No. 16 NA (8-0-3) in the Merrimack Valley draw.

Oliver Ames 1, Mansfield 0 Freshman Andrew Martins scored the winner with 10 minutes remaining to earn the Tigers (9-1-1) the conference win and first place in the Hockomock League. Mathias Taylor registered the assist.

Pembroke 4, Plymouth South 2 Ethan Sullivan (2 goals), Andrew Gleason (goal), and Declan Crowley (goal) scored as the Titans (9-2-1) qualified for the MIAA Division 3 tournament with the Patriot League win.

Plymouth North 2, Whitman-Hanson 2 Goals by Ethan Fostello and Manny Osorio were not enough for Whitman-Hanson (1-7-4), as North (8-2-3) tied the Patriot league matchup with just over two minutes remaining.

Salem Academy 3, Pioneer Charter II 0 Henry Shehajs three-goal performance carried Salem Academy (5-5-1) to a dominant win. Blake Nkwetta and Ryan Brown recorded assists, and Ivan Paredes made two saves to earn a shutout.

Sandwich 2, Dennis-Yarmouth 1 Jake Sutton knocked a pass from Sean Murphy into the far corner of the goal with four minutes remaining to win the Cape & Islands match for the Blue Knights (2-4-3).

St. Johns Prep 6, Malden Catholic 0 Sophomores Aithan Bezanson (2 goals) and Mark Ghui (goal) scored their first varsity goals, and junior Yianni Andrikopoulos recorded the shutout for the No. 9 Eagles (7-2-3) in the Catholic Conference win.

Sturgis East 1, Nantucket 0 Alex Mendez scored the winner in the 15th minute to give the Storm (5-4) a Cape & Islands League win.

West Bridgewater 1, Holbrook 0 Chase Ryan scored the winner for the Wildcats (7-2-1), securing the Mayflower win on the road.

Weymouth 3, Walpole 0 Senior Tyler McInerney (3 saves) recorded his fourth straight shutout as the Wildcats (4-1-5) earned the Bay State Conference win.

Boys cross-country

Old Rochester 25, Fairhaven 34 Tyler Young placed first overall and led the Bulldogs (5-1) to a South Coast Conference win with a 2.9-mile time of 16:19.

Somerville 16, Lynn Classical 47 Senior Calvin Wicks (19:58) edged teammate Sam Buckley (19:59) for the top spot as the visiting Highlanders (5-0) remained unbeaten in the Greater Boston League with the win.

St. Johns Prep 27, BC High 28 Senior Charlie Tuttle finished the 5k course at Franklin Park in 16:03 to win the race for the Eagles and help the visitors narrowly beat BC High in the tri-meet.

Wakefield 27, Burlington 28 Michael Roberto breezed through Burlingtons 5K course in a time of 15:38 to help the Warriors capture a Middlesex League win for the Warriors (5-0).

Girls cross-country

Lynn Classical 27, Somerville 33 Sophomore Anna Siebler (24:01) and freshman Charlotte Johnson (24:03) went 1-2 for Somerville (4-2), but host Classical earned the Greater Boston League win with its depth.

Old Rochester 19, Fairhaven 43 Corinne Robert completed the 2.9-mile layout in 20:41 to lead the visiting Bulldogs (6-0) to victory in the South Coast Conference.

Field hockey

Bishop Fenwick 5, Bedford 0 Two goals by Emma Perry and three assists from Zoe Elwell helped the Crusaders (8-2-2) win the nonleague contest.

Dedham 2, Norwood 1 Goals by Ally LaBrecque and Anna Duff propelled the Marauders (7-4-1) to the Tri-Valley League win.

Franklin 7, Sharon 0 Kaitlyn Carney scored two of the seven unassisted goals by the No. 7 Panthers (11-1) in the Hockomock League win.

North Attleborough 0, King Philip 0 Junior keeper Haley Bright tallied six saves to preserve the shutout and the Hockomock League tie for the Warriors (9-3-1).

St. John Paul II 1, Marthas Vineyard 1 Ella Bartolomei scored for St. John Paul II (2-1-5) in the third quarter, the only goal of the game before Alana Nevin scored for MV (3-5-2) with just over three minutes remaining to tie the Cape & Islands matchup.

West Bridgewater 3, Westport 1 Rachel Smith, Keira OConnell, and Abby Matta scored for the Wildcats (5-2-2) in the Mayflower win.

Golf

Andover 14, Central Catholic 6 Jake Morgan, Noah Farland, Jake Accardi, Brendan Carroll, and Jake Gruenberg each won matches at Atkinson Country Club to secure the Merrimack Valley Conference win for the Golden Warriors (6-7).

Archbishop Williams 165, St. Marys 139 Andrew Marcotte (32 Stableford points) and Quinn Cesarz (28 points) led the scoring for the Bishops (9-7), who advance to the D2 North tournament.

Bishop Feehan 214, Arlington Catholic 182 Chad Correia (40 points), Jimmy Kannally (36 points), and Matt Murray (30 points) helped lead the Shamrocks (11-3) to the Catholic Central League win at Heather Hill Country Club.

Dover-Sherborn 214, Norton 251 Senior Curtis Bowman shot an even-par 32, and junior Ben Schroeder submitted a 1-over 33 for the Raiders (12-1) as they picked up the Tri-Valley League win at Sassamon Trace Golf Course.

Duxbury 230, Whitman-Hanson 278 Owen Hamilton shot a 37 for the Green Dragons (18-1) in their Patriot League win at Duxbury Yacht Club in Duxbury.

Hanover 233, North Quincy 256 Chris Doherty fired a 1-over 35 and Charlie Cataldo had a 38 to propel the visiting Hawks to the Patriot League win. Ian Ronan shot a 37 for NQ.

North Andover 226, St. Johns Prep 232 James Robbins shot a 2-under-33 to power the Scarlet Knights (11-2) in a narrow nonleague win over the Eagles (9-3) at North Andover Country Club.

Rockport 149, Manchester Essex 109 Will Cahill and Bowen Slingluff netted 31 points apiece and Jack Cahill (27) and Ty Bouchie (21) delivered solid performances as the host Vikings (10-6) defeated ME and Ipswich (149-97) in the Olde Cape Ann Classic at Rockport Country Club. Sam Athanas (Manchester Essex) was the medalist, carding a 2-over-par 27 for 33 points. Benji DiFluri had 23. For Ipswich, Charlie Jepsen (22) and Evan Stein (19) led the way.

Scituate 249, Pembroke 292 Austin Ryan shot a 1-under-36 to lead the Sailors (14-3) to the Patriot Leagues Fisher Division championship at Widows Walk Golf Course.

Stoneham 37.5, Wakefield 34.5 Senior Tommy OGrady tallied five birdies in the nine-hole match to give the Spartans (4-5) the Middlesex League win at Bear Hill Country Club in Stoneham.

Winchester 38, Reading 32 Freshman John Scully lit up Meadow Brook Golf Club, shooting a 5-under-31 with three birdies and an eagle in the Middlesex League win for Winchester (11-1). The Rockets were led by senior Ryan Goodwin, who ended with a 4-under-32 that included four birdies.

Girls soccer

Bishop Feehan 4, Bridgewater-Raynham 0 Senior keeper Amelia Hohos recorded her second consecutive shutout in the non-league win for the second-ranked Shamrocks (9-1-1)

Danvers 2, Andover 0 Arianna Bezanson scored a goal in each half and senior captain Gabby Chisholm was stellar defensively for the fifth-ranked Falcons (9-1-2) in the nonleague win.

Hanover 9, Quincy 0 Molly McGlame (2 goals) and Sophia Foley (2 goals) helped power the Hawks to the Patriot win.

Middleborough 4, New Bedford 0 Elleana Bush scored two goals and assisted on the other two for the Sachems (2-5-3) in the nonleague home win. Jocelyn Bush and Kaleigh MacCurtain also scored.

Nauset 2, Falmouth 0 Goals by Olivia Avellar (1 assist) and Isabel Cook helped the Warriors (10-2) win the Cape & Islands contest.

Newburyport 4, Rockport 0 Deirdre McElhinney tallied three assists, including two to Alexis Greenblott, as the Clippers (9-2-2) shut out their Cape Ann League foe.

North Reading 2, Georgetown 2 Shannon Gibbs scored late in the first half to give Georgetown the lead, but Ellie Janasiewiczs goal in the second half leveled the score for North Reading in the Cape Ann League draw.

Notre Dame (Hingham) 8, Mt. Alvernia 0 Sydney Commeau, Siobhan Colin, Alexa Mayo, Julia Foley, Sarah Hurley, Lucy Wilson, and Zoe Donofrio connected for goals as NDA (9-0-2) prepped for a visit from Norwell on Wednesday afternoon.

Pentucket 1, Hamilton-Wenham 1 Freshman defender Maddie Wood let a shot rip from 30 yards away that beat the Pentucket keeper to the far post as H-W (8-1-1) forged the tie. The hosts had scored a goal in the 15th minute. Thanks in part to the defensive play of seniors Libby Collins, Jackie Chapdelaine, and Nora Gamber, the Cape Ann League clash finished in a tie.

West Bridgewater 5, Holbrook 2 Kylie Fuller and Rachael Geniuch netted two goals apiece and Eva Adams scored the fifth as the Wildcats (10-1) picked up the Mayflower win.

Whitman-Hanson 3, Plymouth North 1 Olivia Borgen scored two of her three goals in the second half to propel the No. 13 Panthers (10-2-1) past the fourth-ranked Eagles (9-2), handing the visitors their second consecutive loss.

Girls swimming

Ursuline 99, Walpole 82 Meghan Walker (181.75) won the diving competition, and Mary Powers (1:17.71) won the 100-yard breaststroke for the Bears (4-0) in the nonleague win.

Girls volleyball

Arlington Catholic 3, Lynnfield 1 Seniors Maggie Milne (15 kills) and Makenzie Williams (nine kills) spearheaded the visiting Cougars (8-3) in the nonleague win.

Barnstable 3, Falmouth 0 Behind 12 assists and 6 aces from Laura Cogswell, the Red Hawks (8-5) rolled to the Cape & Islands League win. Neely Alger had a team-leading seven kills.

Dartmouth 3, Bridgewater-Raynham 0 Ava Crane (8 kills), Sorelle Lawton (5 aces, 19 service points), and Lauren Augusto (15 assists) turned in impressive performances for the Indians (8-0) in the Southeast Conference clash.

Essex Tech 3, Masconomet 1 Senior outside hitter Gracie Dailey (14 kills, 7 aces, 12 digs) and senior middle blocker Ali Tkach (12 kills, 2 aces, 16 digs) powered the Hawks (8-0) to a non-conference win.

Hingham 3, Plymouth North 0 Maureen Koenen and Alex Kennedy lifted the Harborwomen (10-2) to the Patriot League win.

Ipswich 3, Pentucket 0 The Tigers improved to 11-1 behind strong efforts from Kendra Brown (14 assists, 6 aces, 3 digs), Grace Sorenson (6 kills, 5 digs), and Claire OFlynn (5 kills, 1 block).

King Philip 3, North Attleborough 0 Juniors Sami Shore (16 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocks), Ahunna James (8 kills), Emily Sawyer (8 kills), and senior Samantha Asprelli (11 digs, 2 aces) helped the No. 12 Warriors (13-0) remain undefeated with a Hockomock League sweep.

Lynn Classical 3, Malden 0 Chloe Clement (5 aces, 10 kills) and Annabelle Dao (25 digs) helped the Rams (14-0) clinch the Greater Boston League and remain undefeated with another sweep.

Woburn 3, Wilmington 1 Senior outside hitter Bridget Johnson tallied 12 digs and 12 service points for the Tanners (11-3) in their Middlesex League win.

Ethan Fuller, Oliver Glass, and Ethan McDowell contributed. To report scores, call 617-929-2860/3235 or email hssports@globe.com.

Christoper Williams can be reached at christopher.williams@globe.com.

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BC High boys' soccer notches key shutout to move to brink of Catholic Conference title - The Boston Globe

PITTSBURGH (AP) Six St. Louis relievers combined to allow three runs in seven innings, Paul DeJong and Lars Nootbaar homered, and the Cardinals hung on to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6 on Thursday, completing a three-game sweep.

The Cardinals bullpen was pressed into duty after starter Wade LeBlanc exited with left elbow pain. He gave up three runs on three hits in two innings.

Wades dealing with some elbow discomfort. Its a little tight in there, St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. So, we tried to stay ahead of it. Clearly, it prevented him from being able to continue. Hes a little dejected about it, and so are we, for him. Hes going to go back to St. Louis to get imaging. Well see what it looks like. Were optimistic.

A pair of homers turned a two-run deficit into a two-run lead for St. Louis in the fourth. DeJong sent a first-pitch curveball from JT Brubaker (4-12) into the left-field bleachers for his 16th homer to tie the game, and pinch-hitter Nootbaars first major league homer made it 5-3.

I thought it had a chance, for sure, Nootbaar said. I didnt, like, square it up completely. But I knew I got it in the air and I got a good piece of it. So, I was running the bases hoping, obviously, it would go.

St. Louis has won five of six overall and 10 straight games at Pittsburgh. The Cardinals last loss at PNC Park came on Sept. 17, 2020.

Colin Moran homered twice for the Pirates, who have been outscored 50-18 during an eight-game losing streak.

I think were handling it good, Moran said. Theres a lot of guys here that are getting opportunities, working hard every day to make the most of it. So, I think you have to try not to look at the record. ... Work hard and play a good nine innings, play a good game. Try to win the ballgames. We have a lot of guys working real hard.

T.J. McFarland (2-0) relieved LeBlanc in the third, giving up a leadoff walk before forcing KeBryan Hayes to fly out and Jacob Stallings to ground into a double play.

St. Louis closer Alex Reyes gave up a two-run homer to Bryan Reynolds with one out in the ninth following an error by right fielder Tommy Edman. Reyes struck out the next two batters for his 27th save.

I see a bullpen thats very focused and very willing to help the entire team, said Cardinals reliever Giovanny Gallegos, who allowed four hits in 1 1/3 innings. Everybody has a job to do and everyones being responsible for the job they have to do.

Brubaker surrendered five runs on five hits in five innings.

Every time I go out there, Im taking the ball, I feel fresh, Brubaker said. I feel good. Body feels good. Physical fatigue definitely isnt there. Mental fatigue (isnt) there because Im not thinking about what could be or what possibly could happen. Im only focusing on one pitch, one batter at a time.

Morans three-run homer put the Pirates ahead 3-1 in the first. He took reliever Andrew Miller deep to center in the fourth to pull Pittsburgh within 5-4.

Moran hadnt homered since April 18. It was the second two-homer game of his career.

With the Pirates trailing 6-4 in the seventh, Hoy Park popped out to leave runners stranded on first and third. Anthony Alford struck out four times, the last with two men on in the eighth.

TRAINERS ROOM

Cardinals: LeBlanc had pitched a season-high six innings in his previous start on Aug. 5. ... OF Dylan Carlson left with right wrist soreness after striking out in the fourth inning. He will have an MRI on Friday, Shildt said. ... RHP Miles Mikolas fifth rehab outing, possibly his last before being activated, will be with High-A Peoria on Aug. 14. He has not pitched in the majors since experiencing right forearm tightness during a start on May 22, which was his first for St. Louis since the 2019 NLCS.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Jack Flaherty (8-1, 2.90 ERA) will return from the 60-day injured list Friday to start the opener of a three-game series at Kansas City. Flaherty has been out since May 31 with an oblique injury.

Pirates: RHP Mitch Keller (3-9, 7.06) will look for his first win in the majors since May 29 on Friday, when he starts the first game of a three-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers.

___

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LeBlanc hurt, bullpen carries load as Cards edge Pirates 7 ...

ST. LOUIS (AP) Adam Wainwright allowed two hits in eight masterful innings and Paul Goldschmidt homered to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Sunday.

The Cardinals snapped a two-game skid and kept the Pirates from earning their first series sweep of the season. They remain the only team in the majors without one.

Wainwright (12-7) threw 106 pitches and retired his final 11 hitters. He hasnt permitted a run in his past 19 innings against the Pirates and has won his last seven decisions against them.

The 39-year-old right-hander struck out nine and did not walk a batter in improving to 20-7 lifetime against Pittsburgh.

I just match up pretty well against them, Wainwright said. But, they beat me around pretty good earlier in my career. This is just payback.

Wainwright has given up just six hits during his 19-inning scoreless run against Pittsburgh, with 19 strikeouts and no walks.

Textbook. Thats how you teach kids to pitch, Goldschmidt said. He lives it out daily. And hes been doing it for such a long time. Eight innings was huge. He really picked us up today.

Wainwright has gone at least seven innings in 14 of 25 starts this season. He used his breaking ball to stymie the Pirates for the second time in 11 days, including a two-hitter in a 4-0 win at Pittsburgh on Aug. 11.

His last loss to the Pirates came on April 3, 2016.

We need to come up with a better game plan, Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said. At some point we have to figure out a way to combat that because hes gotten us three times now.

Goldschmidt hit his 19th homer in the fifth to make it 2-0. He had two hits and extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Been swinging it pretty well, Goldschmidt said. Got a little lucky a few times. It probably looks better than it really is.

Alex Reyes got his 28th save in 30 chances. Right fielder Lars Nootbaar hauled in a long drive by Colin Moran with two on to end it.

Yadier Molina brought in Goldschmidt with a run-scoring single in the first off Steven Brault (0-2), who gave up one run and five hits over four innings. Goldschmidt ripped a one-out single off third base to start the outburst.

Harrison Bader added a run-scoring single in the eighth.

Pittsburgh won five of its previous six games in St. Louis.

ROLE REVERSAL

St. Louis has won 10 of its last 11 in Pittsburgh. The Pirates went 5-4 in St. Louis this season and 3-2 last year.

TRAINERS ROOM

Pirates: RHP Sam Howard worked two scoreless innings for Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday night. He is on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Will Crowe (3-7) will face Arizona in the first of a three-game set Monday in Pittsburgh. The Diamondbacks had yet to announce a starter. Crowe ranks fourth among NL rookies with 79 strikeouts.

Cardinals: RHP Jack Flaherty (9-1, 2.68 ERA) will face Detroit RHP Casey Mize (6-6, 3.69) in the opener of a two-game series Tuesday in St. Louis. Flaherty has allowed two runs in 12 innings over two starts since returning Aug. 13 from a long stint on the injured list due to a left oblique strain.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Wainwright extends mastery of Pirates in Cardinals' 3-0 win

Baby name trends may come and go, but today's most popular baby names suggest that nothing beats a classic. Many of the popular boy names that have topped the lists in recent years have a certain throwback appeal, and find their roots in ancient Greek, Hebrew, Gaelic and Latin terms, such as David, Andrew and Elijah. Other popular modern boy names honor a beloved heritage, like Liam (Irish) or Anthony (Italian). And some just seem to ooze "cool guy" status, like Jackson, Logan and Dylan.

It's too soon to tell whether the coming years will see a major shift in baby name trends, but the popular boys' names below have enjoyed their spots in the top 30 for several years running.

Aidan is an Irish name meaning "fiery," derived from the name of the Celtic god of the sun and fire, Aodh.

According to baby name trend tracking site Nameberry, Aidan and its related spelling Aiden have enjoyed a recent resurgence of popularity in the past decade that inspired many "sound-alike" names such as Caden, Jayden and Braden. It's a cool gender-neutral name for girls, too.

Alexander is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender." Famous Alexanders in history include Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, inventor and scientist Alexander Graham Bell and of course the ancient conqueror Alexander the Great.

According to Nameberry, Alexander has been among the top 25 most popular boys' names since the 1990s, with numerous "spinoff" names and nicknames such as Xander, Sasha and Alex.

Andrew is boy's name derived from the Greek aner, meaning "man." Andrew means "strong, manly," and is the name of one of the first apostles in the New Testament, as well as two American presidents (Jackson and Johnson) and the patron saints of Russia, Greece and Scotland.

Andrew is one of those names that has been popular for decades, although Nameberry notes that it slipped out of the top 20 boys' names in 2013. Drew and Andy are two likeable nicknames for Andrew, and variations on Andrew from around the world include Anders, Andre, Andreas and Andrei.

Anthony is a Latin name meaning "priceless." Originally a family name from ancient Rome, "Antonii" evolved into the given names Anthony and Antony in the 17th century, according to Nameberry, and is the name of the patron saint of Italy and the poor.

While Anthony's popularity peaked in the 1980s, it still ranks in the top 30 for boys names.

Benjamin is a Biblical boys' name derived from the Hebrew for "son of the right hand." Benjamin was a founder of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel in the Old Testament, and in more recent times famous Benjamins have been inventors (Franklin), composers (Britten) and even Jedi (Solo, Kenobi).

Gentle and a bit old-fashioned, Benjamin has been in the top 10 for boys' names since 2015. The nickname Ben is a friendly shortened version with vintage appeal, while Benji has a playful feel.

Christopher is a Biblical name of ancient Greek origin meaning "bearer of Christ." The name Christopher has been borne by saints, actors (Plummer and Eccleston, to name two), explorers (Columbus), architects (Wren) and authors (Colfer and Hitchens), but the best-loved Christopher of them all might be Christopher Robin, of Winnie the Pooh.

Chris is, of course, a popular nickname, but as Nameberry reports, some appealing and lesser-known variations are on the rise, including Topher, Kit and Kip.

The Biblical name Daniel is taken from the Hebrew for "God is my judge," and is associated with the faithful Daniel of the Old Testament book of the same name. It has been among the most popular boys' names since the 1970s, and according to Nameberry, over 10,000 baby boys are given the name Daniel every year.

Daniel is traditionally a popular boy name among Irish families, thanks to the classic Irish ballad "Danny Boy" and the similar-sounding Gaelic name Donal or Domhnall.

David is a boys' name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved." The Biblical David is the famous one who slew the giant Goliath with his slingshot, making David the namesake of triumphant underdogs everywhere. That same David is also the poet and champion of the arts who inspired the famous Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo. Quite a heritage to live up to!

With its artistic and religious pedigree combined with its classic appeal, David has ranked among the most popular boys' names for decades, coming in second only to Daniel in boys' names that begin with D, according to Nameberry.

A gender-neutral name that has skyrocketed to popularity in recent decades, Dylan is a Welsh name that means "son of the sea." Most Americans associate the name Dylan with the Nobel-prize-winning musician Bob Dylan, but perhaps fewer know that Bob Dylan adopted his performing name from the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who wrote "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night," among others.

Elijah is a Biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Lord is my God." In the Old Testament, Elijah was the prophet who confronted the controversial queen Jezebel and king Ahab of Israel, and who was later carried up to Heaven in a chariot of fire.

Classic and musical-sounding, Elijah is also an especially popular name among celebrity kids: Bono, Cher and a surprisingly long list of other notables have given their sons the name Elijah. Elijah is also gaining ground as a name for baby girls.

Ethan is an ancient Hebrew name meaning "enduring." Its popularity in recent decades may have been kickstarted by the Tom Cruise character in the Mission: Impossible series, by 90s indie dreamboat Ethan Hawkeor maybe just by the name Ethan's classic-yet-cheerful feel.

According to the baby name popularity tracking website Nameberry, Ethan peaked at #3 for boys names in 2012, but is still holding strong in the top 30.

Gabriel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my strength," combining gever, meaning "strong," and 'el, God. In the religious traditions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, the archangel Gabriel offers counsel, reveals the meaning of dreams and visions and provides a line of communication between humanity and the divine. Gabriel is also known as the herald of the birth of Christ.

Noble and musical, Gabriel is a popular name choice for January babies and sons born on a Monday, since as reported by Nameberry, Gabriel is associated with both Januarys and Mondaysappropriate for a figure so strongly connected with new beginnings.

Henry is a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the home," derived from "heim," meaning home, and "rich" meaning rule. A long line of British monarchs named Henry dates from all the way back in the tenth century to the modern Prince Henry, a.k.a. Harry. But well beyond its royal pedigree, Henry has been the earthy, accessible name of great artists, inventors and pioneers from Henry Ford to Henry James to Henry "Hank" Aaron.

Henry is also one of those names that celebrities seem to love bestowing on their sons, including Julia Roberts, Viggo Mortensen, Meryl Streep, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Rachel Weisz, Jack White, Colin Farrell, and many more.

Jackson is an English name meaning "son of Jack," which has risen to such massive popularity in recent decades that it has surpassed both John and Jack on the Social Security Administration's annual record of top names for boys. Jackson sounds like a slightly more formal version of either Jack or John, which may help explain its durable appeal. The name has gained even more renown thanks to modern-day Jacksons like American artist Jackson Pollack, singer Jackson Browne and Jackson Wang of Korean boy band Got7.

Even more than Henry, it seems, Jackson is a favorite boy name among celebrities. Notable people who have named their sons Jackson include Spike Lee, Patti Smith and Charlize Theron.

Jacob is a Hebrew name meaning "supplanter." In the Biblical story of Jacob and his twin brother Esau, Jacob repeatedly deceives his older twin in order to deny Esau his rights as the eldest son. But then the Old Testament describes how Jacob goes on to face numerous challengesincluding wrestling with an angelbefore eventually reconciling with his brother and becoming a leader of a new nation. Jacob's legacy is complex, but he's an incredibly important figure in Judaism and Christianity.

Ironically enough, Jacob's revived popularity as a boys' name in the late 1990s was inspired by another controversial Jacob, one-third of the love triangle in the Twilight series. According to Nameberry, Jacob was the number 1 boys' name in America from 1999 to 2013, when it was supplanted (see what we did there?) by Noah.

Classic boys' name James is the Anglo-Saxon version of the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning "supplanter." James was the most popular boys' name in America from the late 1930s into the 1940s, and it has never really gone out of style (in fact, James has evolved into a great gender-neutral name for girls in recent years). As Nameberry notes, more U.S. Presidents have been named James than any other name. Kings, apostles and fictional international super-spies have all carried the name of James, too.

While James is a name with a serious pedigree, it has some pretty friendly nicknames, including Jamie, Jim, and Jake.

Jayden is the Americanized version of the Hebrew name Jadon, meaning "thankful." Jayden is most often considered a kind of hybrid of the names "Aiden" and "Jason," and the name started its rise to popularity in the 1990s (thanks to Britney Spears choosing "Jayden" and Will and Jada Smith using "Jaden" for their sons), eventually peaking at #4 in the early 2010s.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the popularity of Jayden has propelled a host of wildly popular sound-alike names up the Social Security Administration's top name listsCaden, Braydon, Peyton, even Mason. But Jayden is the grandaddy of them all...or, to put it in gender-neutral terms, the grandparent, since Jayden is also a popular name for girls.

John is an English version of the Latin name Iohannes, meaning "God is gracious." John is the most popular boys' name of the last 400 years, and like the name James, it has never really gone out of styleeven though it's less used today than ever, John still ranks consistently in the top 30 boys' names.

Timeless, classic and durable, the name John has a band of international "brothers" that are just as beloved: Sean (Irish), Juan (Spanish), Ian (Scottish), Evan or Ewan (Welsh), Giovanni (Italian) and Jean (French).

Joseph is the Latin form of the ancient Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "may God grow." The most famous Joseph is probably the New Testament father figure and husband of the Virgin Mary, but Joseph is also the instantly recognizable, distinguished name of authors (Heller), athletes (DiMaggio), actors (Fiennes, Gordon-Levitt) and political leaders (Biden, Lieberman).

Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Lord is my salvation." Gentle-sounding with just a hint of the Wild West, the Biblical name Joshua has been popular since the 1980s, reaching its highest ranking in the Social Security Administration data for baby names in the early 2000s. By 2015 Joshua had fallen out of the top 20 boys' names in the U.S., but Joshua remains one of the most well-loved names of the last 50 years.

Famous namesakes include Joshua Tree National Park and a baseball teams' worth of well-known actors (Brolin, Hutcherson, Gad, Hartnett, Radnor, Duhamel, Jackson, Charles...).

Liam is a boys' name that means "protector." An Irish variation of the English-German name William, Liam is currently the most popular boys' name in the U.S., and one of the fastest-rising names on record (it wasn't even in the top 10 until 2012, according to Nameberry).

Well-known Liams include actor Liam Neeson, musicians Liam Payne (of One Direction) and Liam Gallagher (of Oasis) and a number of Irish cultural and political figures including novelist Liam O'Flaherty.

Logan is a Scottish boys' name meaning "small hollow." Originally a Scottish family name, Logan has been growing in popularity as a first name for boys since the 1970s thanks to the sci-f- classic Logan's Run. Logan is also a cool gender-neutral name for girls.

The Marvel X-Men character Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine, is a big part of the name's appeal in the U.S., along with Logans on Gilmore Girls and a number of other shows. Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God also features a character named Logan.

Lucas is a Latin name meaning either "from Lucania" (a region in southern Italy) or "light," if Lucas is considered a variation on the name Luke. The variation Lukas is the most popular boys' name in the Netherlands, Spain and Norway.

Lucas is a big name among big-screen cowboys from Cool Hand Luke (a.k.a. Lucas Jackson) to Lucas McCain of The Rifleman, and a number of fictional characters from Ivanhoe to Stranger Things have been named Lucas as well.

Mason is a popular gender-neutral name of English origin meaning "stone worker," derived from an Old English word macian meaning "to make." It's a name for creators, hard workers andaccording to pop culturewerewolves. (And Kardashians.)

Mason peaked at #2 in 2011, but its enduring popularity has boosted a number of sound-alike names such as Cason and Grayson.

Matthew is the English form of the Hebrew name Mattiyahu, meaning "gift of God." Like Joshua and John, Matthew is a soft-yet-strong Biblical boys' name that has been popular for decades, especially in the 1980s and 1990s. Name "spin-offs" from Matthew that are also popular now include Matteo, Teo and Mattias.

Matthew and Matt, much like Lucas and Luke, are old-school names that bear a hint of the Wild West thanks to gunslingers like Matt Dillon. But Matthew has a gentle feel too, thanks to its sound and namesakes like Matthew Cuthbert of the Anne of Green Gables books.

Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning, "Who is like God?" The rhetorical question posed by this Biblical name isn't intended to be answered of coursebut it suggests the importance of humility, grace and sincerity in life. The archangel Michael, important to Jewish, Islamic and Christian traditions, leads an army of angels to victory against Satan and is the patron saint of soldiers, making Michael a popular name in military families. Michael was the #1 boys' name in America for over 50 years.

Notable Michaels in history and literature are almost too many to list, but modern Michaels have included sports legends (Jordan), designers (Kors), actors (Douglas, Fassbender) and political leaders (Pence, Bloomberg). And of course, Michael Scott of The Office, best boss ever.

The boys' name Noah is of Hebrew origin and means "peace." The Biblical story of Noah and the ark is known by children around the world, and word-lovers are grateful to American lexicographer Noah Webster for his pioneering dictionary.

Noah is one of the most popular boys' names of the last two decades and currently ranks #2, although it hasn't always been as widely-used as it is today. Along with old-fashioned Biblical names such as Elijah, Micah and Jonah, Noah has resurfaced as a gentle-sounding boys' name with a serious feel.

Oliver is a Latin name meaning "olive tree," an ancient symbol of friendship and peace. While the name Oliver fell seriously out of fashion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it has resurfaced in a big way in the last two decades as a likeable vintage-sounding name for boys with a friendly meaning (and a wildly popular twin sister, the name Olivia).

Oliver isn't just popular in the U.S.it's also enjoying a big surge in popularity abroad. Oliver is the #1 boy name in England, Australia and New Zealand and #2 in Scotland.

Samuel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "heard of God," and makes a sweet name for a much-wished-for little boy. Samuel has a serious, old-fashioned appeal while its softer, friendlier nickname Sam is both gender-neutral and easy-going. A Biblical name with a long history of popularity, Samuel has many notable namesakes, from Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) to revolutionary Sam Adams to film legend Samuel L. Jackson.

William is an English name meaning "resolute protector," derived from the German "wil" meaning will and "heim" meaning helmet. According to Nameberry, William is one of the most popular boys' names of the last 4 centuries, second only to John.

William has numerous royal and presidential namesakes from Prince William to William Clinton, in addition to world-shapers like William Shakespeare and William the Conqueror. William is one of the top 10 boys' names of the past decade.

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DATA MINING THE TWITTER MINEFIELD Politics is more than what you see on Twitter. But a new analysis of Boston electeds online activity shows theres plenty of information to be gleaned from politicians feeds and follower lists, especially when it comes to the citys mayoral and council elections.

Legislata, a productivity software for politicians, ran the numbers to rank the top 8,225 accounts followed by city councilors and members of Bostons state delegation.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a former city councilor, tops the list. Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins, now the nominee for U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, is next. Shes followed by a tie for third between City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George, former state Sen. Linda Forry, the state Democratic Party, and state Attorney General Maura Healey.

Mayoral hopeful Essaibi George is followed by a higher percentage of Boston electeds than any of her rivals for the citys top job, and even former mayor Marty Walsh. But City Councilors Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell, and Acting Mayor Kim Janeys campaign account, all have more followers to help broadcast their messages to wider audiences a helpful tool as they fight to secure one of the top two spots in the September preliminary.

There are also clear differences in the candidates messaging. Wu tweets most about climate and community and emphasizes words like bold and change. Campbell frequently uses words like equitable and accountability and often mentions the police. Janey, the first woman and Black person to serve as the citys top executive, focuses on proud and joy and history in her messaging. Essaibi George leans into hashtags like #getbosbacktobiz and #citykidswin, while former city economic development chief John Barros uses affordable most frequently.

Twitter followers dont necessarily equal support. But if the percentage of Boston electeds following certain candidates did translate to turnout, the four at-large council seats up for grabs would likely be won by incumbents Michael Flaherty and Julia Mejia, and newcomers Ruthzee Louijeune and David Halbert, the Legislata analysis shows. That projection actually aligns with a recent analysis of at-large candidates cash flows and citywide networks from Rivera Consulting, which also favored those candidates for the at-large seats.

All politics is local, especially on Boston political Twitter, Legislata founder and CEO Chris Oates said. More city councilors follow the Dorchester Reporter than the Boston Globe, and some of the most followed reporters and columnists are the most hyperlocal, like Dorchester Reporters Bill Forry, Adam Gaffins Universal Hub and Chris Lovett of Boston Neighborhood Network News. See the full list here.

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: [emailprotected]

TODAY Rep. Lori Trahan, House Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan and local officials highlight federal investments to support the Assabet River Rail Trail extension at 12:30 p.m. in Stow. Janey hosts a press conference to discuss the latest Covid-19 updates and the launch of a mental health response pilot, 1 p.m. at Boston City Hall. Wu works a shift at Bon Mes food truck at 1:30 p.m. in Dewey Square to raise awareness for supporting small businesses. Campbell is a guest on "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell" on MSNBC.

Massachusetts coronavirus cases spike 962, hospitalizations keep rising, by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: Massachusetts health officials on Wednesday reported a spike of 962 coronavirus cases, as daily infection counts keep climbing amid the more highly contagious delta variant. The 962 cases is the highest single-day case count in nearly three months.

A message from The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work:

83% of app-based drivers in Massachusetts want to remain independent while accessing expanded benefits. The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work is dedicated to securing flexibility, providing new benefits and guaranteeing an earnings floor for app-based drivers. Learn more, and join our advocacy for independent workers.

Baker shields tax credits for medical devices, shipping companies, by Christian Wade, CNHI/Gloucester Daily Times: Gov. Charlie Baker is moving to protect tax credits for companies that make medical devices and for importers and exporters who use the states shipping ports. Baker said the tax breaks encourage innovation and economic activity and should be maintained, in a message notifying the Legislature of his veto of an addendum to the state budget that would have ended three tax credits.

State Rep. Williams: Were Going To Push For $1 Billion For Black And Brown Communities, by Edgar B. Herwick III, GBH News: State Representative Bud L. Williams is calling on the state to invest $1 billion of federal funds in Black and Brown communities. This came Wednesday at a virtual roundtable discussion, as state lawmakers are currently working to determine how to distribute some $5.3 billion in federal COVID-19 recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Baker: All Staff In Long-Term Care Facilities Must Be Vaccinated By Oct. 10, by Meghan B. Kelly, WBUR: The Baker administration announced Wednesday that all staff in long-term care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities and the state's two Soldiers' Homes, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 10. The mandate marked Gov. Charlie Baker's first order to require vaccination in any private or public workforce.

Contact tracing ramping up yet again, by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: The states contact tracing effort is ramping up again in the midst of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. The program was scheduled to shut down in September but instead the contract with the operator, the nonprofit Cambridge-based Partners in Health, is being extended through the end of the year. The number of contract tracers, currently at 130, is also being increased by as much as 300.

Vaccine the latest shot featured at nightclubs, by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: LAWRENCE COVID-19 vaccines have been available at pharmacies, clinics, pop-up sites and even block parties. Now, people can grab a drink and a shot at some local nightclubs. Vaccine availability is being increased across the city with more block parties in parks. And, starting Aug. 13, you can also get a vaccine in a nightclub, Mayor Kendrys Vasquez announced.

Provincetown to certify businesses based on COVID-19 vaccination policies, by Drew Karedes, Boston 25 News: There are three certificates: 1. Venue requires all staff to be vaccinated 2. Venue requires proof of vaccination to enter 3. All venue staff are vaccinated, and proof of vaccine is required to enter.

Boston Superintendent Brenda Cassellius is no longer licensed to run school system, by Andrea Estes and James Vaznis, Boston Globe: Boston Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius license to run a school system in Massachusetts has expired because she never took the states certification exams, a turn of events that puts her in violation of her contract. ... The deadline for taking the test and securing a new license was last Saturday. Cassellius apologized to the School Committee Wednesday night after the Globe published a story about her license lapsing, saying it was due to a misunderstanding over licensing deadlines. She told them she is scheduled to take the tests on Aug. 14.

Plans for Boston Methadone Mile hotel housing scuttled in face of community opposition, by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: The controversial plans to house homeless in a vacant Methadone Mile hotel are dead, the main proponent told locals. Victory Programs had sought to move 14 to 35 people living on the streets in the rough area known as Mass and Cass or Methadone Mile into the hotel at 891 Massachusetts Ave. ... The idea, backed by a state grant, was to use the hotel as transitional housing for people on the streets, stabilizing them before moving them out of the Mile, which continues to worsen as a haven of violence and open-air drug use.

Boston: Only One Mayoral Candidate Says Moving Money From Police To Social Services Is A Top Priority, by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: A little more than a year has passed since protesters defied pandemic quarantine orders and spilled into Boston streets, decrying racism and police brutality and calling for defunding the Boston Police Department. Now, with about a month to go until the city's Sept. 14 preliminary election, most mayoral candidates have narrowed their focus to improving the Boston Police Department's response to mental health crises cases. Only one, city councilor Andrea Campbell, is charging full-steam-ahead with a plan to restructure the department and reduce its budget by $50 million, about 12.5% of this year's allocation.

Boston Mayoral Candidates Address City's Racial Wealth Gap, by Anthony Brooks, WBUR: All the major Boston mayoral candidates say they have ambitious plans to take on one of the most stubborn problems facing the city: The glaring racial wealth gap. It also matters that the current field of candidates is historically diverse, which means that when some of them talk about how to close the wealth gap, it's personal.

Child care is now a major political issue. Heres how the Boston mayoral candidates want to reform it, by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: Four of the five major contenders have presented detailed campaign plans on the issue and all have endorsed the recent recommendations of the Birth to Eight Collaborative, a coalition of parents, nonprofits, schools, and advocates working to ensure all children are prepared to succeed when they enter school.

Campbell escalates COVID-19 clash with Janey, by Danny McDonald and Jasper Goodman, Boston Globe: Councilor Andrea Campbell on Wednesday afternoon ramped up criticism of Acting Mayor Kim Janey over her handling of the pandemic. And a day after invoking slavery and birtherism in response to a question about New York Citys new proof-of-vaccine requirements, Janey stood fast, defending her approach to COVID-19 as sensible and equitable, and emphasizing the importance of the public getting vaccinated."

At-large hopefuls weigh-in on 'vaccine proof' idea, by Katie Trojano, Dorchester Reporter: Acting Mayor Kim Janey has come under fire from mayoral rivals after appearing to balk at New Yorks move and comparing requiring the proof to slavery and birtherism. We asked the at-large city council hopefuls to share their stances.

Annissa Essaibi George: The Boston.com interview, by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Christopher Gavin, and Zipporah Osei, Boston.com: In the crowded field of self-identifying progressive Democrats running to be Bostons next mayor, Annissa Essaibi George is often defined in contrast to her opponents. ... The daughter of immigrants and a lifelong Dorchester native, Essaibi George emphasizes her focus on the most pressing struggles faced by the citys most vulnerable, like homelessness and mental health issues that she saw up close as a former East Boston High School teacher. Id like to be the teacher candidate, Essaibi George says, calling her classroom experience as an invaluable part of her bonafides as a mayoral candidate.

A message from The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work:

Some FIRST IN PLAYBOOK endorsements: EMILYs List is endorsing Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer and Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller in their reelection bids, and is also endorsing Vilma Martinez-Dominguez in the Lawrence mayors race. These strong women leaders have what it takes to confront the challenges in their communities. We know they will continue to work tirelessly on COVID-19 recovery, affordable housing initiatives, infrastructure modernization, and investments in local schools, EMILYs List said in a statement.

EMILYs List is also endorsing four women seeking reelection to the Boston City Council: District 1 Councilor Lydia Edwards, District 8 Councilor Kenzie Bok, District 9 Councilor Liz Breadon and at-large Councilor Julia Mejia.

Boston City Council at-large candidate Ruthzee Louijeune has been endorsed by United Auto Workers Region 9A, per her campaign. We are inspired by Ruthzees campaign of progressive values and inclusive style of leadership, UAW Region 9A regional director Beverley Brakeman said in a statement.

District 3 City Councilor Frank Baker has endorsed Bridget Nee-Walsh for Boston city councilor at-large, per her campaign. Working families can trust her to fight for good jobs with good pay and benefits, strong public schools, affordable housing, and public safety, Baker said in a statement.

IBEW Local 2222 and Mass Voters for Animals have endorsed Mary Tamer for Boston City Council District 6, per her campaign.

Whats At Stake In Somervilles Mayoral Race? by Adam Reilly, GBH News: When it comes to who, exactly, calls Somerville home, the city has been changing for years, with Asian, Latino and Black residents comprising an increasingly large portion of the citys population of 80,000. Still, Somervilles mayors have always been white a streak Will Mbah hopes to break this fall. Current mayor Joseph Curtatone, who took office in 2004, decided not to seek a tenth term this November.

Twenty-eight proposed laws and two constitutional amendments have now been filed with the state attorney generals office, the first step in a lengthy and costly process to advance ballot initiatives that touch on everything from legalizing the sale of consumer fireworks, to voter identification laws, to classifying gig-economy workers as independent contractors.

The Boston Globes Emma Platoff details the Massachusetts GOPs effort to test opposition to critical race theory. The state GOP is also backing measures to preserve the lives of children born alive and to require voters to present identification at the polls, a topic that drew multiple petitions.

The Boston Heralds Erin Tiernan reports on a ballot question that would attempt to roll back the contentious Transportation Climate Initiative. That petition was filed by Republicans including GOP gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl, and Democratic state Rep. Colleen Garry. Its also backed by the conservative-leaning Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

Another initiative petition aims to bring back some long-banned happy hour drink specials a topic of recently renewed debate.

Most of the proposed questions are unlikely to make it to the 2022 ballot, reports CommonWealth Magazine, noting that even if they pass muster on constitutional grounds with Attorney General Maura Healeys office, they would still require the gathering of more than 93,000 voter signatures, a time-consuming and expensive process. The AG's office plans to publish a list of certified petitions on Sept. 1.

Speaking of the 2022 ballot: Watchdogs blast Massachusetts millionaire tax proposal as state awash in excess tax revenues, by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: Fiscal watchdogs blasted the Massachusetts millionaire tax proposal as the state is awash in more than $5 billion in excess tax revenues and billions more in federal coronavirus relief."

About the 2020 ballots: Geoff Diehl calls for forensic audit of possible irregularities in Massachusetts 2020 election, by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: Republican candidate for governor Geoff Diehl has challenged Gov. Charlie Baker to conduct a forensic audit to investigate possible irregularities during last years election. Diehl also pledged to combat the extension of mail-in voting parameters.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) are seeking a national memorial day to commemorate the more than 614,000 people who have died from Covid-19 in the United States and those still suffering from the virus. The senators introduced a resolution yesterday proposing that the first Monday in March be designated as Covid-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day. More from the Washington Posts William Wan.

Trahan touts 'forever chemicals' cleanup bill, by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: Communities would receive money to help clean up the forever chemicals contaminating their drinking water and sewage treatment systems under a plan working its way through Congress.

Mexico sues U.S.-based gunmakers over flow of arms across border, by Mary Beth Sheridan and Kevin Sieff, Washington Post: The Mexican government sued several major U.S.-based gun manufacturers Wednesday, alleging that lax controls contribute to the illegal flow of weapons over the border. The unusual suit filed in U.S. federal court in Boston seeks unspecified financial compensation from the companies but does not target the U.S. government.

A message from The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work:

The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work is dedicated to securing flexibility in scheduling, providing new benefits including healthcare stipends, paid sick time, paid family & medical leave and occupational accident insurance and guaranteeing an earnings floor for all app-based drivers in Massachusetts.

We're banding together with drivers, community partners and elected officials to protect the flexibility and independence that drivers value, while expanding their benefits.

Learn more, and join our advocacy for independent workers.

Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop Investigate How Climate Change Impacts Most Vulnerable Populations, by Phillip Martin and Hannah Reale, GBH News: Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop are launching a cooperative project to understand how climate change will specifically affect low income residents, people of color and other vulnerable residents. Ultimately, the aim is to find gaps in the regions approach to combating climate change, centered first and foremost around the communities likely to be most affected by it, and then form recommendations about how to take them on.

Safety Steps Required of Donors To Attend Baker Fundraiser, by Colin A. Young, State House News Service (paywall): Anyone attending the outdoor fundraiser on Sept. 2 for [Gov. Charlie] Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito at public relations maven George Regan's home at the Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee is asked to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to get tested for the virus 48 hours ahead of the bash.

Maybe he heard Baker: Obama Significantly Scales Back 60th Birthday Party as Virus Cases Rebound, by Annie Karni, New York Times: The party plans had been months in the making and many invitees had already arrived on Marthas Vineyard when former President Barack Obama belatedly announced he was canceling his huge 60th birthday bash scheduled for Saturday."

Former Gov. Deval Patrick On Cuomo Allegations: There Does Have To Be A Reckoning, by Greater Boston staff: [Former Gov. Deval] Patrick did not call outright for Gov. Cuomo to resign, but said the allegations should be taken seriously. These are very very serious charges from a very credible source, he said. There does have to be a reckoning. If my opinion counts for anything, hell take these allegations seriously and not dismiss them out of hand.

TRANSITIONS Robyn Kenney joins the Diehl campaign as communications director. Janey appointed Dr. Alison Brizius as commissioner for Bostons Environment Department.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to former ambassador, Biden deputy campaign manager, MA-03 candidate and current chief of protocol nominee Rufus Gifford; Christina Pacheco, and Jim Puzzanghera of the Boston Globes D.C. bureau.

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause youre promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: [emailprotected].

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DATA MINING the TWITTER MINEFIELD Contact tracing RAMPING UP again UNPACKING the BALLOT INITIATIVES - Politico