🌱 Patch AM: How new double tracks could change your commute from Reading

Good day Reading! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How new double tracks could change your commute from Reading
• How a new state law protects Reading's librarians and library books

Also on today's calendar: Family Festival Faith & Fun and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A stray afternoon shower, with a high of 84 and low of 58 degrees.
• Friday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 81, low: 60.
• Saturday: A shower in the afternoon, with a high of 74 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Feds award $140M for major Haverhill Commuter Line improvement project (homenewshere.com) — Reading commuters are in line for better, more reliable train service as federal officials award nearly $140 million to add a second track and upgrade platforms and accessibility between Reading Station and Andover. The project replaces the controversial turnback-track proposal and should reduce delays, improve maintenance flexibility, and enhance safety at crossings along the Haverhill Line.
   

• New law addresses library material challenges (recorder.com) — Reading residents should know that a new Massachusetts law now sets clear rules for how school and municipal library materials can be challenged or removed, after local librarians here faced harassment and even threats. The law protects staff who follow collection policies, requires transparent challenge procedures, and aims to safeguard students' and residents' access to diverse books and ideas.
   

📸 Around Reading

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Reading

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday August 22
• Family Festival Faith & Fun →
  Stoneham Town Common, 340 Main St, Stoneham
  10:00 am
Sunday August 23
• 2026 Peabody Community Market →
  Community Covenant Church, 33 Lake St, Peabody
  3:00 pm
Tuesday August 25
• Winning as a Buyer in Today's Market →
  Legacy Hall, 295 Washington St, Woburn
  6:00 pm
Thursday August 27
• Austin Prep: Summer Preview →
  Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow St, Reading
  5:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
• RSM Winchester classes are enrolling for 2026-27 academic year →
  50 Cross St, Winchester
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday August 20
• School Committe Meeting
  Maynard SD Maynard, MA 01754
  7:00 pm
• Poetry Appreciation Society
  Maynard Public Library Trustees Room , 77 Nason St, Maynard, MA\
  7:00 pm
Friday August 21
• Teen Summer Library Club: Last Day to Claim Prizes!
  Maynard Public Library Other Location , 77 Nason St, Maynard, MA
Tuesday August 25
• Reading Community Singers ~ OPEN Rehearsals ~ Come Join Us! →
  6 Salem St, Reading
  7:00 pm
Saturday August 29
• Wakefield Porchfest 2026 →
  60 locations around Wakefield
  12:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
• Reading Community Singers ~ 2 More OPEN Rehearsals ~ Come Join Us! →
  6 Salem St, Reading
  7:00 pm
Tuesday September 8
• Reading Community Singers ~ ONE More OPEN Rehearsals ~ Come Join Us! →
  6 Salem St, Reading
  7:00 pm

📣 Reading Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Reading PatchAM possible:

• Champion Soccer School
• Burbank YMCA — (781) 944-9622
• Partners In Rehabilitation LLC — (978) 447-1012
• Austin Preparatory School — (781) 944-4900
• Kidcreate Studio Wilmington — (781) 516-8496
• DiNapoli Painting Inc. — (781) 953-9680
• VNA Senior Living — (617) 776-9800

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Reading Delegation and Mass. Legislature Bring Oversight to Massachusetts' Unregulated Home Care Industry —Jason Lewis Read on Patch
• Sen. Lewis, Rep. Haggerty, and Mass. Legislature Defend Residents from Federal Immigration Overreach —Jason Lewis Read on Patch
• Senator Lewis and Mass. Senate Vote to Increase Legislative Transparency —Jason Lewis Read on Patch

• Harvard Maintenance, Inc. posted a job opening for Evening Cleaner - Empleado de limpieza -37225 in Wilmington. Apply here.
• Whole Foods posted a job opening for Customer Service & E-Commerce Supervisor - Full Time in Woburn. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Reading here.

🗞 Nearby News

Wakefield

• Temple Emmanuel And Linden Tree Concerts Present The Millis Berfield Band At Wakefield Porchfest (thereadingpost.com)
• Wakefield Delegation and Mass. Legislature Bring Oversight to Massachusetts' Unregulated Home Care Industry (patch.com)
• PCB West Panel to Take On What's Next for PCB Design (iconnect007.com)

North Reading

• EDGAR Filing Documents for 0000904454-26-000462 (sec.gov)

Stoneham

• Stoneham Fire Determines Cause Of Blaze That Displaced Residents (patch.com)

Ok Reading! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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