Happening Today
MGM Springfield grand opening, Galvin-Zakim debate, and more
— Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and others celebrate the reopening of the renovated Ramsay Park named for Captain David Raumsay, a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his service as a pilot during the Vietnam War, 1917 Washington St., South End, 10:30 a.m.
— After a parade through downtown Springfield led by the Budweiser Clydesdales, MGM Springfield officially opens its doors this morning to gamblers, becoming the first resort casino to open in Massachusetts under a gaming law approved by lawmakers earlier this decade, Springfield, 11 a.m.
— Mayor Martin Walsh and Police Commissioner William Gross talk with Margery Eagan and guest host Jared Bowen on ‘Boston Public Radio,’ WGBH-FM 89.7, 12 p.m.
— Secretary of State William Galvin and City Councilor Josh Zakim, both vying for the Democratic nomination in next month’s primary election, square off in a debate hosted by the University of Massachusetts-Boston’s McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, WBUR and the Boston Globe, UMass Club, Amherst Room, 1 Beacon St., Boston, 3 p.m.
— Department of Conservation and Recreation hosts a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of Massasoit State Park’s campground that was closed to the public following a lightning storm in 2008, 1361 Middleboro Ave., East Taunton, 3:30 p.m.
— Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, local community leaders, families and alumni of the Boys & Girls Club in Allston celebrate the opening of the expanded and renovated West End House, West End House Boys & Girls Club, Lewis & Gordon Center, 105 Allston St., Allston, 4:30 p.m.
For more calendar listings, check out State House News Service’s Daily Advances (pay wall – free trial subscriptions available) and MassterList’s Beacon Hill Town Square below.
Today’s Stories
The MGM Springfield grand opening: ‘Let the casino wars begin’
Understandably, the hometown media team is going all out in its coverage of this morning’s planned grand opening of the nearly $1 billion MGM Springfield resort casino in downtown Springfield. Peter Goonan at MassLive reports on how Mayor Domenic J. Sarno thinks the casino opening is a case of the phoenix rising from the tornado-tossed rubble. Mike Plaisance at MassLive has the details on last night’s pre-opening VIP bash. Shannon Young at MassLive has the reactions of Gov. Charlie Baker and others to the “big day.”
Still, ominous war clouds are forming on the horizon, as Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun plot their counter-measures to the new MGM Springfield. Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth magazine reports MGM Springfield executives are already preparing to return fire with the ultimate wonder weapon of wonder weapons: Stevie Wonder. And if that’s not good enough, there’s always this: Mark Wahlberg, as Ray Kelly reports at MassLive.
Mashpee tribe says reservation land needed to save spoken language
Speaking of casinos and tribes, representatives of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe sought to emphasize the high stakes involved with the tribe’s quest to have land in Taunton and Mashpee formally placed under its control, telling members of a U.S. Senate committee that having a reservation will help it preserve its native language, reports Tanner Stening at the Cape Cod Times. The tribe is awaiting a final ruling from the Department of the Interior on its request for a reservation, where the tribe also wants to build a new casino.
Husband of Rockland selectwoman forced out in sex scandal is now running for her seat
Only in the Peyton Place of Massachusetts. From Mary Whitfill at the Enterprise: “The husband of a Rockland selectwoman who resigned after investigators found she used her position to solicit sex from the town administrator is running to replace her in an upcoming special election. Christopher Hall, husband of Deidre Hall, is among four residents who have taken out nomination papers to run in the Nov. 6 election.”
In a statement, he sounds defiant, noting all the “keyboard warriors” out there who may mock and snark away at his candidacy.
Third District horse-race update: Koh ahead by a neck in latest poll
Dan Koh, the former chief of staff for Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, is holding a small lead over his now two closest rivals in the crowded Democratic primary race in the Third Congressional District, according to a new UMass Lowell/Boston Globe poll. But with less than two weeks before the Sept. 4 primary election, nearly 30 percent of voters in the district remain undecided. The Globe’s Matt Stout and the Lowell Sun’s Chris Lisinski have more.
From Lisinski’s piece: “Behind Koh’s 19 percent support, Rufus Gifford and Barbara L’Italien tied for second with 13 percent each, followed by Lori Trahan with 8 percent, Juana Matias with 6 percent, Alexandra Chandler with 4 percent, Beej Das and Jeff Ballinger with 2 percent, and Bopha Malone and Leonard Golder with 1 percent.”
Sale pending: Capuano gets a $300K campaign assist from national real estate group
The National Association of Realtors sure loves U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, so much so that it’s plunked down nearly $300,000 on online ads, direct mail and polling in his bid to defeat rival Ayanna Pressley in next month’s Democratic primary election, reports the Globe’s Michael Levenson, who provides the group’s stated reasons for its more than generous help to the long-time incumbent.
Regulators approve pot testing labs, but balk at cracking down on community agreements
The Cannabis Control Commission yesterday approved licenses for two marijuana testing labs in Massachusetts, a key step toward the eventual opening of retail pot shops across the state, reports Jacqueline Tempera at MassLive. But the commission, after a bitter debate, voted against a proposal to review each pot firm’s “host community agreement” before issuing a final license, amid criticism that local governments are making excessive demands on license applicants, reports the Globe’s Dan Adams.
Ally Jarmanning at WBUR takes a look at what’s in some of those community host agreements. Meanwhile, the BBJ’s Jessica Bartlett (pay wall) takes a look at all the other hurdles pot entrepreneurs still face before they can open for business. Think: ‘Seed-to-sale’ tracking, ‘medical marijuana transfers,’ etc.
Gone Bad: City worker (and former Wu staffer) among those netted in massive fentanyl bust
Gary Webster, a long-time city worker who used to serve as director of constituent services for Councilor Michelle Wu, allegedly lived a going-bad secret life outside City Hall, trafficking in cocaine and fentanyl along with dozens of others who were also arrested yesterday in a major anti-drug ring crackdown, according to law enforcement officials. Spencer Buell at Boston Magazine has the details on Operations Land Shark and Nor’easter.
The Enterprise’s Cody Shepard reports on the Operation Land Share component of the sweep. WHDH-7News has a full list of those arrested.
Diehl: Amazon HQ2 is nothing more than Olympics 2024 with lipstick on it
In an opinion piece at the BBJ, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl is blasting any attempt to use taxpayer funds to lure Amazon’s second headquarters to Boston, comparing the Apple HQ2 sweepstakes to the attempt to lure the 2024 Summer Olympics to Boston. “In 2015, we saved ourselves from a terrible deal for the Olympics. Now we must do the same with HQ2,” he writes.
Can Baker really take credit for the state’s $1B surplus?
Gov. Charlie Baker’s campaign, in its torrent of new TV ads now flooding the cable and cyber channels, is effectively taking credit for the state running a $1 billion budget surplus this past fiscal year. The Globe’s Matt Stout writes that it’s a little more complicated than what the ad suggests. We’d add the TV ad’s no-new-taxes suggestion is also a little more complicated than suggested, unless it turns out someone forged Baker’s signature on the grand-bargain bill and its $800 million family-leave payroll tax provision.
Local #MeToo updates: Holy Cross cut ties with concert organist, Mario accused of groping at Boston restaurant
Thought it was going away? Think again. The Globe has two #MeToo-era stories this morning on allegations of improper sexual behavior by acclaimed organist James David Christie, as reported by Malcom Gay, and celebrity chef Mario Batali, as reported by Jaclyn Reiss.
Will new dorm mark start of new era at UMass Boston?
At least they don’t have to worry about Storrowing their moving vans. The Dorchester Reporter’s Jennifer Smith reports on the high hopes accompanying the first batch of 1,000 students moving into the new 12-story, $137 million dormitory on the Dorchester campus of UMass Boston. With its views of the city and Boston Harbor, the dorm could become a symbol of a new era of development at the university, some say and hope.
William F. Liebenow, rescuer of JFK during WWII, RIP
William F. Liebenow, 97, a Navy officer who saved the life of a future president with the help of an ‘SOS’ carved coconut during World War II, has passed away. He was laid to rest yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery. The Washington Post recounts his many war-time heroics, which he never really considered heroic.
Globe endorses Lindstrom, Herald and Sentinel back Trahan
The Globe is endorsing Beth Lindstrom in her battle against two male rivals in the GOP U.S. Senate primary race. Meanwhile, the Boston Herald and the Sentinel & Enterprise are throwing their support bend Lori Trahan in the crowded Third Congressional primary contest.
Hydro-Quebec: Export of electricity to Massachusetts would indeed reduce carbon emissions
In opposing state plans to import huge amounts of hydro electricity from Canada, environmentalist say such a move won’t lead to overall carbon emission reductions, just a shift in emissions from one place to another. But Hydro-Quebec, eager to sell the state gobs of hydro power, insists that its plan will lead to lower emissions and that environmentalists are just plain wrong. Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth magazine referees the debate.
Meanwhile, city councilor eyes ‘net zero’ buildings in Boston
Speaking of carbon emissions, Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley is unnerving some developers with talk of new building codes and incentives that would encourage “net-zero” energy consumption standards for future projects, or buildings that would create and save as much energy as they produce. The Herald’s Jordan Graham has the details.
Energy firms dominate Beacon Hill lobbying list
One more energy-related item: Partners HealthCare was the single largest buyer of lobbying services in the state during the first half of the year, dropping $400,000 on outside lobbying firms. But energy companies continued to dominate spending overall, Jon Chesto reports at the Globe. Five of the nine top corporate lobbying spenders were in the energy sector, according to data released by the secretary of state’s office, a reflection of the heated public-policy wrangling over energy-related issues.
Henning bows out of Suffolk DA forum, complaining about the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ format
Greg Henning, a longtime prosecutor and one of six candidates running for Suffolk DA, may be right about the need for more nuanced answers when it comes to public policy questions. But he still comes across as a whiner for refusing to attend a candidates’ forum last night, complaining about the yes-and-no answer format of the event. Maria Cramer at the Globe has the details.
Cultural Council boss gets car perks Baker targeted for elimination
Taxpayers are picking up the car and parking tabs for the executive director of the Mass. Cultural Council, perks that run counter to a Baker administration policy, Joe Dwinell and Brooks Sutherland report at the Herald. A spokesman for Gov. Baker notes that the council is an independent agency and not directly subject to the governor’s perks-limiting edict.
Is pressure finally building to end National Grid’s lockout of workers?
Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch is the latest pol to call for an end to National Grid’s nearly two-month lockout of 1,200 gas workers. And Jack Sullivan at CommonWealth magazine notes that some businesses are also getting fed up with service delays tied to the lockout, including a Dracut business owner who says she can’t get her newly constructed building hooked up to gas lines until next spring.
We remain rather amazed the lockout hasn’t resonated more with the public and, especially, local pols. Jack addresses that issue, too.
Time-share conflict: Baker’s aides are more selective about when they release governor’s daily schedule
Gov. Charlie Baker caught more than a little grief when, early in his administration, it was learned he was leaving the state without informing the public. Now his aides are increasingly not releasing his daily schedule until the morning, rather than the night before, a new practice that gives the media less time to plan coverage assignments. But the morning release also gives the governor’s election rivals less time to plan their own assignments, i.e. to possibly confront and/or react to the governor’s moves. SHNS’s Sam Doran has more on the governor’s time-share problems.
SHNS (pay wall — free trial subscription available)
Confirmed: Individual contracted measles at Logan Airport
Warnings about West Nile virus and invasive Asian ticks. Now this, via Danny McDonald at the Globe: “State health authorities have confirmed a case of measles and are warning that others may have been exposed to the disease at Boston’s Logan Airport, among other locations in Massachusetts. In a statement, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said the individual who was diagnosed with measles at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center ‘was in a number of locations that could have resulted in exposures to other people.’”
WHDH-7News reports that most people have been vaccinated against measles, but public health officials say many are still at risk.
Sunday public affairs TV
— Keller at Large, WBZ-TV Channel 4, 8:30 a.m. This week’s guest: John Kingston, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, talks with host Jon Keller about the Republican primary race, terms limits and President Trump.
— This Week in Business, NECN, 10 a.m. A look at MGM Springfield’s grand opening; a discussion with Marlene Warner of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling; Shirley Leung of the Globe talks about her new role as interim editorial-page editor at the paper; and the founder and CEO of the Vera Roasting Company discusses the company’s cannabidiol coffee.
— On The Record, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 11 a.m. This week’s guest: Secretary of State Bill Galvin, who’s facing a tough primary challenge from City Councilor Josh Zakim; Galvin talks with anchor Ed Harding and co-anchor Janet Wu.
— This is New England, NBC Boston Channel 10, 11:30 a.m. With host Natasha Verman, this week’s main topics: Teen Drug Room, Dimock Center, Comcast Leaders & Achievers Awards.
— CityLine, WCVB-TV Channel 5,12 p.m. With host Karen Holmes Ward, this week’s main topic: Examining History in and Around Beacon Hill, including a look at the debate over whether to rename Boston’s Faneuil Hall.
Former Governor Michael Dukakis kicks off Canvass for Katie McBrine for State Senate
Join Michael and Kitty Dukakis for coffee and breakfast pastries before heading out to canvass for Dr. Katie McBrine. Please arrive by 11AM to hear the Duke introduce Katie. Canvassing will begin about 12PM. Bring the kids!
Committee to Elect Katie McBrine
International Conference on Planetary Science and Particle Physics (CSE)
Conference Series LLC Ltd cordially invite all the participants from all over the world to share their latest research in the field of Planetary Science and Particle Physics at International conference on Planetary Science and Particle Physics which is going to be held on August 27-28, 2018 at Boston, USA.
21st International Conference on Past and Present Research Systems on Green Chemistry
Conference Series is glad to announce 21st International Conference on Past and Present Research Systems on Green Chemistry, August 27-28, 2018 at Boston, USA. Green Chemistry 2018 will be organized around the theme “Encouraging World Towards Pure Techniques”.
International Conference on Clinical Pediatrics and Medicine (CSE) A
ConferenceSeries LLC Ltd is privileged to announce its “International Conference on Pediatric Hospital Medicine” with the innovative theme “Dynamic and Collegial approach of Pediatric Hospitalists” which will be held during August 29-30, 2018 inBoston, USA.
4th Annual Congress on Infectious Diseases (CSE) A
Conference Series LLC LTD Conferences invites all the participants from all over the world to attend “4th Annual Congress on Infectious Diseases” during August 29-30, 2018 Boston, USA which includes prompt keynote presentations, special sessions, workshops, symposiums, oral talks, poster presentations and exhibitions.
John Angus & Harvard RTC hosting: Meet & Greet for Candidate Rick Green
John Angus and the Harvard Republican Town Committee invite you to Meet Congressional Candidate Rick Green at the Hildreth House (15 Elm Street Harvard, MA) from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM on Wednesday, August 29th. This is your opportunity to speak with Rick about any issues or concerns you might have about Massachusetts’ 3rd Congressional district. We hope to see you there!
Today’s Headlines
Metro
Boston medical schools won’t join NYU free tuition plan – Boston Herald
In final Suffolk DA forum, one contender bows out, protesting question format – Boston Globe
Massachusetts
Framingham releases records of Mayor Yvonne Spicer’s travel expenses – MetroWest Daily News
Lowell schools owe over $2 million in improperly charged food service costs – Lowell Sun
Nation
David Pecker, American Media Chief, is said to have immunity in Trump inquiry – New York Times
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