‘One of a series of problems’: FDA says more research needed before approving MDMA therapy

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Yesterday’s closing ceremony in Paris marked the end of another record-breaking and memorable Summer Games. Team USA took home a total of 126 medals this year (nine of which were awarded to athletes from Massachusetts, in case you were wondering).

Let’s get to the news:

Back to the lab: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered further studies (and an additional clinical trial) to prove the safety and efficacy of Lykos Therapeutics’ MDMA-based therapy as a treatment for PTSD. The ruling is another setback for Lykos and its parent organization, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), which have spent decades trying to bring mydomafetamine capsules and psychedelic-assisted therapy to market.

Making it official: The Boston Park Commission will vote this morning at 10 a.m. on a final plan to demolish and rebuild White Stadium in Franklin Park.

• Plans for White Stadium have been mired in debate, from disagreements over land ownership and lawsuits to claims from advocates about environmental and community impacts. By late last month, the renovation and design concept for the new stadium had been approved, but a vote on the demolition plan was delayed. What’s different heading into this vote? The project has garnered support from the Franklin Park Coalition, a grassroots group that had previously voiced concerns about the project.
• Remember me… The new stadium will become the home of Boston’s National Women’s Soccer League team. The state-of-the-art facility will also be the new home field for Boston Public Schools students. Mayor Michelle Wu has said the stadium will be available for community use 90% of the time.
• What’s next?: If today’s vote passes, the city of Boston is expected to begin demolition in the fall.

What it means to be a father: For the first time in 40 years, state fatherhood laws have received an update. This afternoon, Governor Maura Healey will attend a formal signing ceremony for the Fatherhood Act, which expands protections for fathers who use reproductive methods such as in vitro fertilization, surrogacy or assisted reproduction to start a family.

• What to know: The bill has been championed by LGBTQ+ activists in Massachusetts for years. The law also updates the vocabulary used to talk about parenthood, referring to a child whose parents are not married as a “nonmarital child” rather than a “child born out of wedlock.” The bipartisan initiative was passed by the Massachusetts legislature just over a week ago.

Let the games begin: It’s not the Olympics, but the competition will be fierce when Boston’s youth take to the tennis courts at Carter Playground today for the Mayor’s Cup Tennis Tournament. Over the course of four days, kids ages 8 to 18 will compete in singles and doubles matches for the title of “Best of Boston.”

• Damian Margardo, the tournament’s program director, says the annual competition is a good opportunity for the city’s youth to try a sport they don’t usually play. Although registration is now closed, residents of all ages can come and cheer on the players Monday through Thursday at 709 Columbus Ave. in Boston.

PS: Healey will be live on Radio Boston Join the conversation today at 11 a.m. by texting your questions for the Governor to 617-766-0382. Click here for more information.