Happening Today
Cannabis taxes, Markey on gas-line disaster, Boston violence
— Cannabis Industry subcommittee of the Cannabis Advisory Board meets and is expected to hear from Revenue Commissioner Christopher Harding about DOR’s implementation of marijuana taxes, 100 Cambridge St., 8th floor, Boston, 9 a.m.
— Auditor Suzanne Bump attends a meeting of the Comptroller’s Advisory Board, One Ashburton Place, 9th Floor, Boston, 10 a.m.
— U.S. Sen. Edward Markey holds a press conference on the preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation of the Merrimack Valley over-pressurization disaster, JFK Building, 15 New Sudbury Street, Room 900A, Boston, 11 a.m.
— Boston Mayor Martin Walsh joins Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, faith and community-based organizations, elected officials and others for a press conference to address recent violence in Boston, BCYF Tobin Community Center, 1481 Tremont St., Roxbury, 1:30 p.m.
— Suffolk University celebrates the inauguration of its 11th president, Marisa Kelly, with Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Supreme Judicial Court Justice Elspeth Cypher expected to attend, 88 Tremont St., Boston, 3 p.m.
— Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown discusses ‘innovation, creativity, the intersection of basketball and culture, and social justice’ with David Sun Kong and Kade Crockford, MIT Media Lab, E14 – Third-Floor atrium, 75 Amherst St., Cambridge, 5 p.m.
— The New England chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America honors ‘three champions’ of the asthma and allergy community: Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem, researcher Wanda Phipatanakul and Mass. General Hospital Food Allergy Center director Wayne Shreffler, 100 Federal St., 36th floor, Boston, 6 p.m.
— Attorney General Maura Healey will give the keynote address at the annual “Get dressed. Give back” event sponsored by NEADS and Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, Exchange Conference Center, Seaport District, 212 Northern Ave., Boston, 7 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
Fall River Mayor Correia: ‘In leg shackles and handcuffs’
Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia yesterday was arrested, handcuffed, shackled and hauled off to court where he pleaded not guilty to federal fraud charges tied to his alleged “lavish lifestyle” at the expense of investors in his SnoOwl company. We’re talking a Mercedes, jewelry, designer clothes, casino trips, luxury hotels, adult entertainment, the usual works. The staff at the Fall River Herald News and Jack Sullivan at CommonWealth magazine have the arrest/charge details. After his court appearance, Correia pronounced that yesterday was “not my best Thursday,” reports Jacqueline Tempera at MasssLIve.
Michael Holtzman at Wicked Local has the embarrassed and/or not-so-surprised reactions of Fall River residents. And there’s much more at Wicked Local, including: The full indictment itself and the six big takeaways in the indictment and a slideshow timeline of the career and investigation into the 26-year-old and once boy wonder of Fall River.
Rapid response team: Baker campaign quickly yanks Correia endorsement from website
Gintautas Dumcius at MassLive reports it didn’t take long for Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia’s arrest yesterday to ricochet around the state – and not long for the Baker campaign to remove the Democrat’s gushing endorsement from its website.
The Herald’s Howie Carr is having an absolute field day with the incident, wondering when the governor will pronounce he’s “disappointed” by Correia’s alleged actions. “I can hear the governor whining now: ‘As very disappointed as I am in these disappointing disappointments, moving along in dismal disgust, can I tell you how much I dislike and distrust the doubly dismaying disappointments of Donald Trump. …”
Feds pinpoint cause of Merrimack Valley gas disaster: One measly sensor
Our question: How much did one of these sensors cost compared to all the damage done? Anyway, Kiera Blessing at the Eagle-Tribune and Callum Borchers at WBUR have the details on the National Transportation and Safety Board’s finding that a missing a pipeline pressure sensor (or sensors, plural) caused the gas-line explosions and fires that have now left thousands of Merrimack Valley residents and businesses without natural gas service.
Separately, the Herald’s Alexi Cohan finds that, so far, there are not many takers for the hundreds of trailer homes Columbia Gas has provided for residents who can’t stay in their homes.
Moratorium stops work on Cape project aimed at addressing over-pressurization
Speaking of pressurized pipelines, the DPU-ordered moratorium on non-emergency National Grid gas-line work has halted a $70 million project aimed at addressing, yes, an over-pressurization problem identified four years ago, Christine Legere reports in the Cape Cod Times.
No, Professor Dershowitz, it’s not McCarthyism for Harvard to sever ties with Kavanaugh
They never mention him by name in their Globe op-ed, but recent Harvard Law School grads Jessica Lynn Corsi and Lauren Birchfield Kennedy are obviously referring to professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz when they say attempts to ban Brett Kavanaugh from teaching at the school are not a “new form of McCarthyism,” as Dershowitz argued in a Globe op-ed the other day.
SJC upholds Baker’s no-motels-for-homeless policy
Reversing a lower-court ruling, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court yesterday upheld the Baker administration’s policy of not placing homeless families in taxpayer-funded motels other than as a last resort, reports Shira Schoenberg at MassLive.
British company wants to spend $1B to build privately-run college dorms
This is interesting. From Tim Logan at the Globe: “A British company that aims to transform the concept of college dormitories is making a major investment in Boston. Scape said it will spend $1 billion to develop privately run dorms in Boston that could accommodate several thousand college students, a move that could help ease the housing squeeze in the city.”
Then again, it could be argued Boston already has private dorms. They’re called “Allston student slums.”
Tiny home powered by Dunkin’ coffee grounds lands in Nahant
Speaking of much-needed housing: The state’s smallest town is now home to a tiny house that will be powered by used Dunkin’ coffee grounds and will briefly be available for rent through Airbnb later this fall after commercials and promotions featuring the 275-foot dwelling are out of the way, Bridget Turcotte reports at the Lynn Item.
John Kelly called Warren an ‘impolite, arrogant woman’ in email
Is this another ‘Nevertheless’ moment? Jason Lepold of Buzzfeed News reports that now White House Chief of Staff John Kelly called Bay State Sen. Elizabeth Warren an “impolite, arrogant woman” after a phone call last February between the two about President Trump’s travel ban. Kelly—a Brighton native who was secretary of homeland security at the time—wrote in a message Leopold obtained through an FOIA request that the call was the “most insulting conversation I have ever had.”
How Warren can push back against Trump’s ‘Pocahontas’ taunts
The Globe’s Scot Lehigh has an intriguing suggestion on how U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren can effectively respond to President Trump’s ‘Pocahontas’ taunts – without haughty disgust and “tsk-tsking from cultural highbrows.” Hint: It involves a challenge.
State Police union seeks to block new policy tied to preventing potential paid-leave abuses
More news from the now nearly full-time job of covering State Police controversies, via the Globe’s Matt Rocheleau: “The union that represents State Police troopers filed a lawsuit Thursday that seeks to block policy changes handed down by department leaders amid claims that union members abused paid leave. The request for an injunction, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges State Police officials acted unilaterally and unfairly by implementing the changes without negotiating.”
Btw: A third state trooper has pleaded guilty to charges connected to the overtime abuse scandal at the agency, not to be confused with allege paid-leave abuses. The Globe’s Danny McDonald has the details.
Btw, II: In an editorial, the Boston Globe takes Gov. Charlie Baker to task for blaming most of the state police woes on his predecessor, Deval Patrick.
Milford selectman thinks police contract vote is tied to probe of his late-night crash
This one is actually about another police department: State Police will investigate the circumstances behind a late-night crash of a truck driven by a Milford selectman, who says the probe was pushed by the town’s own police chief because his contract was not renewed, Alison Boma reports at the MetroWest Daily News.
The Gaming Commission’s Energizer Bunny investigation of Wynn: It goes on and on and on …
SHNS’s Colin Young at the BBJ reports on the seemingly endless Gaming Commission investigation into what Wynn Resorts knew about its former CEO’s sexual shenanigans. Do you think they might be waiting until after the November election? Nah. They’re not elected. Then again …
Courthouse meeting called to calm employees’ sick-building fears
From Stephanie Barry at MassLive: “State Trial Court officials have scheduled an ‘informational meeting’ for all staffers at the Roderick L. Ireland courthouse (in Springfield) in response to burgeoning concerns over the building’s potential impact on its employees’ health.” Fears of potentially high levels of lead, mercury and mold will do that to people.
Baker and Gonzalez tangle over T at environmental forum
Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic challenger Jay Gonzalez covered a lot of environmental ground at a forum yesterday, but the ground most fought over was the MBTA — and whether the Baker administration’s reform policies, which include no new state funds for the T, is working, reports the Globe’s Matt Stout.
The Proxy War: Baker backs O’Connor, Obama backs McBrine, in legislative battle
The fate of Western civilization could be in the balance. From SHNS’s Michael Norton: “Gov. Charlie Baker is heading south this weekend to help Republican Sen. Patrick O’Connor, whose opponent this year has drawn the backing of former President Barack Obama. … Obama on Oct. 1 endorsed Katie McBrine and 259 other Democratic candidates competing in races for governor, Congress and state legislative seats.”
SHNS (pay wall — free trial subscription available)
The Tear Down Wars: Suburbs grapple with McMansions replacing humble Capes etc.
Kara Baskin at Boston Magazine has some rather shocking numbers about how many homes are being torn down in suburban towns to make way for McMansions. We’re talking hundreds of homes in some communities, like Lexington, where 595 homes have torn down since 2010.
The Trade War: Will U.S.-China tensions hurt the Springfield factory where T subway cars are being assembled?
The local head of CRRC MA, the Chinese-owned firm now building new Orange Line subway cars for the MBTA, is warning that the current trade fight between the U.S. and China could lead to higher prices for its products and lower future employment at its sprawling facility in Springfield. Adam Reilly at WGBH has the details.
SJC orders the dismissal of thousands of additional cases tied to Sonja Farak
It seems to never end. The Supreme Judicial Court yesterday ordered the dismissal of thousands of more drug cases tied to disgraced state lab chemist Sonja Farak, saying “no other remedy would suffice.” SHNS’s Matt Murphy at the Lowell Sun has the details.
The big question: Will mental health get the short off end of the stick if Question 1 passes?
Shira Schoenberg at MassLive has an interesting story: If the mandatory nurse-staffing Question 1 passes, will mental health services – usually not on the top of the priority list when it comes to funding and support – suffer? Many in the mental-health field are worried their programs would indeed be the first to get slashed if providers are forced to hire more nurses and cut elsewhere.
The Globe’s seesaw digital and print subscription trends
The key still remains ad dollars, not necessarily subscription rates. But check out these Globe numbers via Jack Sullivan at CommonWealth magazine: “Over the last three years, the average number of Sunday print subscribers has declined by 44,466, while the average number of Sunday digital subscriptions has grown by 25,389. Daily print circulation fell by 21,876 over that period, while daily digital subscriptions increased 26,673. Overall, Sunday circulation averaged 312,341 over the past year, split between 201,358 print and 110,983 digital. Daily circulation averaged 229,780 – 115,060 print and 114,720 digital.”
Globe sues to get a look at all those ‘secret court’ hearing files
Speaking of the Globe, from the paper’s Todd Wallack: “The Boston Globe is asking the state’s highest court to give the public access to the files from thousands of private hearings where clerks dismissed cases even after finding there was enough evidence to issue criminal charges.”
‘Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.’
Yet more Globe-related news! And this one is a bit unusual (we think), from a marketing standpoint: The Globe is prominently promoting its upcoming six-part Spotlight series on late New England Patriots star and once-convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez, in a package that will include “some never before made public” documents and audio recordings tied to the “profoundly troubled young man and the ugly underside of America’s most popular sport.”
The Brockton event that was supposed to bring people together …
How tense is the debate in Brockton over education funding? So tense that an event that was supposed to bring religious and public officials together to discuss the issue ended with more than a little acrimony over people being allowed to speak. Corlyn Voorhees has the details at the Enterprise.
She’s not radioactive: Nancy Pelosi to attend Trahan fundraiser in Concord
Unlike other Democrats running for office who want nothing to do with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Lori Trahan, the Democratic nominee in the Third Congressional race, is welcoming Pelosi’s support next week at a fundraiser in Concord, reports Chris Lisinski at the Lowell Sun. The event will be hosted by Rufus Gifford, who lost to Trahan last month in the Democratic primary.
ACLU to represent UMass Amherst employee after profiling incident
The ACLU says it will represent an employee at UMass Amherst who says he was the victim of racial profiling when police shut down the building where he works after a caller reported a suspicious person, Dusty Christensen reports at the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Kennedy: Ted Cruz’s unpopularity is ‘the one unifier in Washington’
Finally, this is pretty funny: U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, who will be hitting the campaign trail for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke in Texas, said the contest in the Lone Star State isn’t really about policy. It’s more about the character of Republican incumbent Ted Cruz, who even many Republicans reportedly can’t stand. Kennedy says Cruz’s unpopularity is “the one unifier that there is in Washington.” Tori Bedford at WGBH has more.
Sunday public affairs TV
This Week in Business, NECN, 10 a.m. Jon Chesto of the Boston Globe and Doug Banks of the Boston Business Journal weigh in on some of the top business stories of the week, including the Dow drop, the future of GE, the CVS Aetna merger, the Question 1 ballot question and more.
CEO Corner, NECN, 10:30 a.m. Jeff Goldman of Goldman Immigration and Semyon Dukach of One Way Ventures discuss how President Trump’s immigration policies affect both families separated at the border and the overall business climate.
On The Record, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 11 a.m. This week’s guest: City Councilor and Congressional candidate Ayanna Pressley, who talks with anchor Ed Harding and co-anchor Janet Wu.
This is New England, NBC Boston Channel 10, 11:30 a.m. With host Latoyia Edwards, this week’s main topic: Healthy ways to cope with anxiety, depression and stress.
CityLine, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 11:30 a.m. With Karen Holmes Ward, this week’s main topic: Criminal Justice.
Get in the Know
Boston School Finder’s “Get in the Know” event will break down recent education data from a variety of sources, taking these insights from ideation to action by enlisting the help of parents and families. The goal is to equip parents and families with the information necessary to advocate for changes within schools and to work toward equitable opportunities for all students in Boston.
Book Release: “The Fight for the Best Charter Public Schools in the Nation”
Join us for a lively discussion of Pioneer Institute’s new book, “The Fight for the Best Charter Public Schools in the Nation.”
Immigrants in an Anxious Time: Changing Laws and Personal Dilemmas
Dr. Westy Egmont of Boston College School of Social Work will moderate a discussion on immigration with panelists Eva Millona, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), and Patricia Sobalvarro, co-founder and Executive Director of Agencia ALPHA.
11th Annual Public Performance Conference
Please join us for the 11th Annual Public Performance Conference. The goal of the conference is to examine and discuss performance management research and models for the adoption and implementation of compelling practices in the public sector.
Divest to Invest: Divesting from the Prison Industry to Invest in Our Communities
Please join New Leaders Council Boston and community organizers, including the Corrections Accountability Project and College Bound Dorchester, on Thursday, October 18th to discuss a Boston-wide campaign to divest public and private funds from the prison industrial complex.
Negotiating Skills: Art, Science or Luck?
Learn how to identify the appropriate tactics and counter tactics employed for any type of negotiators to reach a more leveraged position (even when you think you’re at a disadvantage).
Fight Night Boston: Demetrius Andrade vs Billy-Joe Saunders
Matchroom Boxing USA and Murphys Boxing Promotions announce a major world championship boxing event to be held at Boston’s TD Garden on October 20, 2018.
Matchroom Boxing USA and Murphys Boxing Promotions
Boston Trade Compliance and Policy Seminar
International trade regulations change constantly—old rules are updated and new regulations are added every day. Attend one of the full-day seminars in a location close to you to stay up to date on the latest information. Learn about changing international trade regulations with industry experts—C.H. Robinson’s Kevin Doucette —who is passionate about this subject.
We The People’s For Creators, By Creators
We The People, the world’s only multi-channel crowdfunding retail chain and community, is hosting a kick-off crowdfunding event where local entrepreneurs from companies such as Rocketbook, Think Board and allocacoc will provide tips on how to leverage crowdfunding to launch products. They will also discuss how to create crowdfunding campaigns and some lessons learned.
Real Estate Finance Fundamentals Onsite Course
This is a two part course that will be held on October 26, 2018 and November 2, 2018. This 2-day course will focus on debt and equity financing of income-producing real property. The course will look at both the private debt and equity markets for real estate finance, and the commercial mortgage-backed securities market for debt financing.
Back from the Brink: A Call to Prevent Nuclear War (Gonson Lecture)
Experts say we are closer to accidental or intentional nuclear war than at any time since the 1950s – and yet, at the same time, also closer than ever to an international ban to dismantle all of these immoral weapons. Come hear about the race for human survival, and what citizens can do to help.
Cambridge Center for Adult Education
Today’s Headlines
Metro
This company wants to spend $1 billion on private dorms in Boston – Boston Globe
Clergy probe expanding: Two more seminaries scrutinized – Boston Herald
Massachusetts
Architects pitch ideas for Polar Park – Telegram & Gazette
Gaming Commission continues review of casino impact – Daily Hampshire Gazette
Sold! Pittsfield collects $1.78 million in tax lien auction – Berkshire Eagle
Nation
Trump, no longer ratings gold, loses his prime-time spot on Fox News – Politico
The Five-Year-Old Who Was Detained at the Border and Persuaded to Sign Away Her Rights – New Yorker
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