Bribery by Way of Hundreds of Pounds of Dunkies Coffee (and More Updates)

Welcome back to Morning Briefing, an almost-daily round-up of mini news bites to kick off the day.

Free Coffee With a Side of Scandal

In what Universal Hub is calling “the most Massachusetts political scandal ever,” former state senator Brian Joyce is facing a federal indictment that includes allegations of Dunkin’ Donuts-related bribery. An owner of more than 100 Dunkies franchises is alleged to have given Joyce quite a lot of coffee — hundreds of pounds of K-Cups, bags, and boxes — to encourage legislation that would protect the franchise owner from suits regarding employee tip pooling.

Fermented, Foraged, and...Dangerous?

The Boston Globe asks the question, “Are chefs trying to kill us?” Menus are becoming increasingly filled with foods that are foraged, fermented, or otherwise prepared in ways some may see as worrisome. All perfectly safe, of course, when prepared appropriately — but can things go wrong? The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Food Protection Program is working on revising the state’s food code in the coming year in order to keep up with increasingly popular cooking methods that the code doesn’t currently address.

Chinatown Preservation

Food & Wine profiles Brian Moy, discussing how his Chinatown childhood influences his current-day Chinatown restaurants — Shojo, BLR, and Ruckus — and how he’s helping preserve the community while also bringing in new diners.

The Disappearing Gay Bar Scene

Boston Magazine examines what’s happening to Boston’s gay bar scene — or lack thereof. While there were at least 20 bars in the late 1970s, it’s less than half that these days. “Ironic, don’t you think?” writes Scott Kearnan. “After all, Boston is generally perceived as a liberal stronghold, and Massachusetts is regularly ahead of the country on LGBT issues.”

One Thing You Should Drink Today

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

A long-term pop-up called Abide has quietly taken up residence inside Middlesex Lounge in Cambridge (317 Massachusetts Ave.) with plans to stick around for at least another six months. Friendly baristas are whisking up a variety of hot and cold matcha drinks and more — colorful, pleasing drinks that will make you smile. Try the Monarch, for example: a nutty blend of matcha, black sesame, and milk. Another matcha selection, the Godfather, layers in strawberry matcha and milk for a picture-perfect (and delicious) Italian flag of a drink. (There are also plenty of non-matcha beverages on the menu that’ll delight tea and coffee lovers alike, and there’s even a kid-friendly “fruit latte” with seasonal fruits and milk.) Plus, Abide’s branding and menu design is adorable. Hours can vary, so check social media before heading over, but it tends to be open from 11 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. most days.

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