5 Things You Need to Know Today: June 28

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. Despite the heavy recent rains, the city has put a mandatory ban on non-essential outdoor water uses in place, the city’s Commissioner of Public Works announced. The ban, which took effect Monday, are a condition of the city’s Water Management Act permit. A full list of what is allowed and what isn’t is on the city’s Website.

2. Nationally, Thursday will be big day for both politics and health care, as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release its rulings on the Constitutionality of President Obama's health care law. 

3. With the first year of the city’s STEM Early College High School in the books, school officials are looking ahead to expansion of the program. A grant has been received that could extend the STEM program--already the largest in the state-- to the elementary grades. And officials hope to further strengthen ties with local business partners in the science and engineering fields.

4. State Rep. Tom Conroy will be in town Thursday night for a public forum starting at 7 p.m.

5. Another heat wave appears on the way. Forecasts call for temperatures to reach the high 80s or low 90s on Friday and into the weekend. How will you beat the heat this time around?