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Football is apparently back – and last night it was another Patriots rookie quarterback who stole the show in Drake Mayes’ debut. While we remind ourselves not to read too much into the preseason, let’s get into the news:

Annual Sales Tax Exemption in Massachusetts is upon us. This weekend, the state is giving shoppers a 6.25% discount on the state sales tax (with some restrictions). Want to make the most of the two holidays? WBUR’s Paul Connearney spoke with Bill Rennie, vice president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, to get some tips.

• What should I buy? Expensive items that are not super expensive (more on that in a moment). Need a new TV, laptop, couch or grill? Rennie says electronics, furniture and home improvement stores see the biggest increase in purchases this weekend. “We hear from a lot of people in the lawn and power equipment business that they sell more snow blowers in August than they do in December,” he said. Clothes under $175 are always exempt from state sales tax, but if you need a new wedding dress or suit, this could be a good time to do it, too.
• What else do I have to pay taxes on? Unfortunately, there is no tax break on large purchases. Every single item over $2,500 is still subject to state sales tax. Cars, boats, utilities, marijuana, tobacco, alcohol and meals are also still taxed – regardless of price. Here are the full FAQs on all exemptions.
• Do I have to go to a store? No! Online purchases – as long as they are made on Saturday or Sunday during Eastern Daylight Time – also count towards the holiday.

It is also an Orange Line-free weekendif you live south of Back Bay. Shuttles will replace the MBTA subway line from Forest Hills to Back Bay on Saturday and Sunday due to maintenance.

• Good news: During the partial closure, commuter rail service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay and South Station is free.

In the suburbs: The Canton Select Board is moving its meetings to Zoom for the foreseeable future after being regularly disrupted by supporters of Karen Read. As the Boston Herald first reported yesterday, board chairman Mike Loughran said the decision was to keep meetings “safe and efficient.” According to city leaders, many of the board’s recent meetings were disrupted by people accusing police of corruption in connection with the case, which ended in a mistrial.

Strike averted: Nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have agreed to a tentative new collective bargaining agreement. The deal comes two weeks after the nurses union voted in favor of a possible strike.

• Zoom: The Massachusetts Nurses Association says the new contract includes pay raises of 20 to 30 percent for the hospital’s nearly 4,000 nurses over the next two and a half years. The group says it also improves hospital and patient safety.

Wootown Problems: All branches of the Worcester Public Library are closed today after a patron attacked a librarian with a skateboard yesterday. The librarian’s injuries are reportedly not life-threatening. Worcester authorities say the library will remain closed so they can talk to staff about the unprovoked attack.

In the North: Starting today, gun dealers in Maine must observe a three-day waiting period before purchasing a firearm. The new law is one of several the state passed following the mass shooting in Lewiston last October.

The new TV voice of the Bruins: Judd Sirott will replace Jack Edwards as the Boston Bruins’ new live commentator on NESN this season, the network announced yesterday. Sirott comes from 98.5 The Sports Hub, where he commentated on Bruins games on the radio.

• FYI: A successor has already been announced for Mike Gorman, the longtime Celtics commentator who also retired this year. NBC Boston hired ESPN commentator Drew Carter for the position.

PS: In which event did Harvard graduate and Massachusetts native Gabby Thomas win a gold medal this week? Take our Boston News quiz and test your knowledge of this week’s stories.