Happening Today
Armenian remembrance, Marathon safety measures, and more
— Gov. Charlie Baker attends a reception for the 104th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide State House Commemoration, Great Hall, 12:15 p.m.
— Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross discuss public safety measures in advance of the 123nd Boston Marathon, with Boston Athletic Association CEO Thomas Grilk also participating, Eagle Room, City Hall, Boston, 9:30 a.m.
— After holding a town hall meeting in at the Edgewood Retirement Community in North Andover at 10 a.m., U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton visits with employees at the Taxpayer Advocate Service, where there will be a brief media availability, Taxpayer Advocate Service, 900 Chelmsford St., Lowell, 12 p.m.
— Merck & Co. chairman and CEO Kenneth Frazier will be the featured speaker at the Boston College Chief Executives Club luncheon, Boston Harbor Hotel, 1 p.m.
— UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management will officially open its new Business Innovation Hub, a 70,000-square-foot ‘hyper-collaborative study and social space’ that cost $62 million, 121 Presidents Dr., Amherst, 1 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
‘Stop & Strike’
More than 30,000 Stop & Shop workers went on strike yesterday across New England, after weeks of contract negotiations that obviously didn’t go far enough for the union. The BBJ’s Greg Ryan and WGBH’s Kaitlyn Locke have the big-picture details of one of the region’s largest union actions in years.
Meanwhile, the Globe’s Jaclyn Reiss has a good primer on what the strike means – and what stores may or may not be closed. We do know this: Market Basket, Shaw’s and other supermarkets are going to be zoos until this is resolved. And, yes, we shamelessly stole Universal Hub’s ‘Stop & Strike’ headline, fyi.
Champs town update: UMass headed to Frozen Four final after dramatic OT win
The Herald’s John Connolly and MassLive’s Ryan Ames report on UMass’s dramatic 4-3 overtime win last night, sending the men’s hockey team to Saturday’s national championship game. So, if they win, yet another championship trophy will be coming home. Let’s hope.
The millionaire’s tax has most definitely not gone away
Steph Solis at MassLive reports on the crowded Revenue Committee hearing yesterday that turned into a near rally for the proposed millionaire’s tax, which has made a major comeback since the SJC last year struck the measure from the November ballot.
Regarding taxes, SHNS Colin Young (pay wall) reports that Gov. Charlie Baker is not rushing the legislature (read: Robert DeLeo) to approve sports gambling – and the tax revenues that would come with sports gambling.
Peace in our time: Rollins makes amends with Turco and Healey
Suffolk County DA Racheal Rollins, following heated public exchanges with the Baker administration and a bizarre shot at Attorney General Maura Healey, was making the rounds yesterday, meeting with Baker’s public safety secretary Thomas A. Turco III and later with Healey, reports Matt Stout at the Globe and Mary Markos at the Herald. In both instances, officials declared the meetings went well.
Quickie observation: We’re impressed with Rollins. Sure, she delivered some cheap shots at others over criticism of her ‘do not prosecute’ list etc. and she’s expressed regrets. But let’s be clear: She didn’t pick this fight. She was reacting to a public provocation by the Turco-Baker team and was pushing back, albeit maybe a little too hard and wildly at times.
Despite touchy-feely controversy, Biden still leads in NH and Iowa
Two new polls suggest that former Vice President Joe Biden is weathering the storm over his touchy-feely ways, leading the Democratic presidential pack in voter surveys in NH (WMUR) and in Iowa (NYT). U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren remains in middle-of-the-pack territory in both polls. Note: Pete Buttigieg’s star definitely appears to be rising. Beto O’Rourke’s star? Falling fast.
Speaking of Buttigieg, former state treasurer and onetime Democratic National Committee chair Steve Grossman is backing the South Bend mayor, delivering a small local blow to Warren and providing a local boost to Buttigieg, reports the Globe’s Matt Stout.
Warren’s deep dark secret: She used to be a Republican
Regarding her Republican past (as explored by Politico’s Alex Thompson), Elizabeth Warren can always steal a page from Ronald Reagan, who used to joke he was Democrat before he saw the light. She just needs to reverse the line and she’s all set.
Meanwhile, Warren sticks to her policy-wonk course, proposing new corporate tax on profits
One final Elizabeth Warren item: She may not be doing well in early polls, but she is earning praise within progressive circles for pushing ambitious policy proposals, including this latest one, via Elana Schor at WBUR: “Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren is proposing a new tax on corporate profits that’s designed to prevent business giants from taking advantage of the existing tax code to effectively pay a zero rate.”
Smith and Mount Holyoke colleges suspend police chief after his pro-Trump tweets
Daniel Hect, the newly hired police chief for both Smith College and Mount Holyoke College, has been put on administrative leave following student protests over his “perceived political views,” reports Karen Brown at New England Public radio. And what might those perceived political views be? His pro-Trump, anti-immigrant, pro-gun and allegedly racist tweets, reports the Sophian, the daily Smith newspaper.
The Globe’s Kevin Cullen has a good column this morning that takes a look at Mount Holyoke’s recent hiring problems in general – and, while defending Hect’s right to free speech, he doesn’t give Hect a MAGA-hat chance in hell of surviving this campus controversy.
White House’s latest idea on migrant crisis: Dumping detainees in sanctuary cities?
One can’t help but wonder how the folks in Amherst, Cambridge, Northampton and Somerville would have reacted to this if it had become reality, i.e. the Trump administration’s contemplation of dumping migrant detainees in sanctuary cities across the country. The NYT reports that the idea was discussed and then rejected by the administration. But the Washington Post reports that there was actually a move to “pressure U.S. immigration authorities to release detainees onto the streets of ‘sanctuary cities,’” politically targeting Democratic districts.
As Maine regulators approve 145-Mile transmission line, Eversource isn’t giving up in New Hampshire
The Maine Public Utilities Commission has given its approval to a 145-mile transmission line that would deliver huge amounts of Canadian hydropower to Massachusetts, according to a report at WBUR. But the Globe’s Jon Chesto writes that Eversource hasn’t given up on its Northern Pass power line through New Hampshire, as the utility appeals to the Granite State’s highest court for help. “Eversource, it turns out, isn’t ready to pull the plug,” Chesto writes.
Schedule slippage: Worcester ballpark falls off pace as property hurdles remain
Already? As the Worcester Redevelopment Authority moves to take properties by eminent domain to clear way for the construction of the new Red Sox minor league ballpark, there are signs the project’s aggressive schedule — which has the team playing in the stadium starting in April of 2021 — may already be slipping, Grant Welker reports at the Worcester Business Journal.
Confirmed: Herald puts up paywall on online content
Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth magazine confirms what we noticed over this past weekend, i.e. that the Herald was putting up paywalls on its online content. A woman in the Herald’s circulation department told Mohl that, yes, the era of freebie online content is over at the feisty tabloid. Bruce also reports that the Herald is laying off yet more employees, of course.
Carried away, Part II: Howie’s take on heavy editing at the Globe
The Herald’s Howie Carr can’t resist taking shots at the Globe over its handling/triple-editing of a column by Luke O’Neil, who initially expressed his regret that he didn’t urinate on Bill Kristol’s salmon when O’Neil served him as a waiter at a Cambridge restaurant. Universal Hub was all over the issue the other day.
As Suffolk Downs redevelopment lurks, debate over affordable housing ignites
Amazon HQ2 is a fading memory but Adam Reilly of WGBH reports that plans for a sprawling, generation-long redevelopment of the Suffolk Downs racetrack are sparking a new question: How many of the estimated 10,000 housing units in the pipeline should be designated as affordable? At least one Boston city councilor wants 20 percent of the units set aside for those with qualifying income, a level the developer says is a non-starter.
Defamation claims latest salvo in war over Charlton pot proposal
Charlton Planning Board Chair Patricia Rydlak is demanding that lawyers for Valley Green Grow retract claims she secretly took part in — and illegally recorded — a conference call with a judge and says the town is ready to provide lawyers if she decides to sue for defamation, Debbie LaPlaca reports at the Telegram.
State wildlife officials confirm: It was probably a black bear that attacked and killed small horse
George Graham at MassLive reports that Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife officials are all but certain that a black bear killed a small horse in its Hinsdale barn last week and dragged it 100 feet out into the yard, where coyotes later chowed down on the carcass, sort of the way, we assume, how lions and hyenas not-so-cooperatively interact over meals.
Thirteen Springfield police officers arraigned as new details emerge in beating case
From Dan Glaun at MassLive: “Thirteen current and former Springfield police officers were arraigned in Hampden Superior Court Thursday on allegations that they either participated in or helped cover up the alleged 2015 off-duty police beating of four men outside Nathan Bill’s Bar and Restaurant.” Separately, Glaun reports that one Springfield officer allegedly drew his gun during the incident.
Now that’s he gone: Everett teachers speak out on ex-superintendent’s alleged bullying and abuses
Max Larkin at WBUR reports that Everett teachers and activists are now speaking out about how long-time school superintendent Frederick Foresteire — who resigned suddenly in December after he was accused of sexual harassment and has since been charged with indecent assault and battery on three female former employees — fostered a “climate of fear and mistrust.” By the sound of it, he implemented some pretty bizarre rules, including how women should dress.
Andy Metzger at CommonWealth magazine has more on how “Foresteire’s departure represented another victory for the #metoo and #timesup movements.”
Greenfield authorities shut down massage parlor after finding someone was living inside
No mention of the Bob Kraft controversy or talk of human trafficking, but both hover in the background. From Joshua Solomon at thee Greenfield Recorder: “The Board of Health in partnership with local and state police shut down Chinese BodyWork, a massage parlor on Main Street in the Mohawk Mall, following an investigation that found one employee who was living in the business.”
Coughlin gets personal as drug companies are pressured over high costs
State House lawmakers yesterday pressed pharmaceutical industry representatives to find ways to lower prescription-drug prices, amid widespread complaints about skyrocketing costs, reports MassLive’s Shira Schoenberg.
At CommonWealth magazine, Bruce Mohl reports that MassBIO CEO Robert Coughlin, a former lawmaker himself, took off his industry hat, so to speak, and put on his father’s hat at a hearing yesterday, noting how his son suffers from cystic fibrosis and how Vertex Pharmaceuticals is soon expected to gain approval for a new drug that can help his son. His message: Don’t choke off drug R&D with regulations and price controls.
Baker unveils $1.1B borrowing plan for IT upgrades
From Steph Solis at MassLive: “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker filed legislation on Thursday to spend $1.1 billion in capital projects for information technology upgrades across the Commonwealth. More than half of the funding, about $600 million, would go toward improving IT systems related to health care, housing, education, public safety and the state’s background records checks, among other areas.”
Sunday public affairs TV
Keller at Large, WBZ-TV Channel 4, 8:30 a.m. This week’s guest: Cecile Richards, former President of Planned Parenthood, discussing abortion politics and the 2020 race and the book ‘Make Trouble.’
This week in Business, NECN, 10 a.m. Boston Business Journal editor Doug Banks and interim Boston Globe editorial page editor Shirley Leung weigh in on the House budget, Jetblue service to London, Stop & Shop strike, Friendly’s closings, the first-ever photo of a Black Hole and more.
CEO Corner, NECN, 10:30 a.m. A Boston Marathon special with John Hancock CEO Marianne Harrison, whose company is the principal sponsor of the historic sports event.
On The Record, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 11 a.m. This week’s guest: State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, who talks with guest host Ben Simmoneau and political reporter Janet Wu, followed by a discussion with Republican analyst Patrick Griffin and Democratic analyst Mary Anne Marsh.
This is New England, NBC Boston Channel 10, 11:30 a.m. With host Latoyia Edwards, this week’s topic: Celebrating the running of the 123 Boston Marathon with running legends and commemorating One Boston Day.
CityLine, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 12 p.m. With host Karen Holmes Ward, this week’s main topic: A healthy mind and body and financial wealth.
Boston College Chief Executives Club, NECN 1 p.m. A conversation with Ken Frazier, chairman and CEO of Merck, and Tony Coles, MD, chairman and CEO Yumanity Therapeutics.
Talk by Greg O’Brien, author of On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s
Everyone knows someone who is experiencing serious cognitive decline. Greg O’Brien, journalist and author of the memoir On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s, will speak about his experience as a person with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Additional information will be available. 60 minutes, FREE, as part of Nahant Public Library’s Dementia Friendly Nahant project.
Finding Good Health Info on the Internet
Catherine Martin, M.Ed. CHIS from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine/NIH will speak to us on finding good health information on the Internet, including how people can contribute to research through the “All of Us” research program through the NIH. Additional information will be available. 60 minutes, FREE, as part of Nahant Public Library’s Dementia Friendly Nahant project.
A Conversation with His Excellency Juan Manuel Santos Calderón
His Excellency Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, former President of Colombia, Nobel laureate, and Angelopoulos Global Public Leaders Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, discusses key global issues and reflects on his distinguished career with Professor Ricardo Hausmann, director of Harvard’s Center for International Development and former Chief Economist of the Inter-American Development Bank.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Africa & the World
Join us for an evening with Zoe Marks to discuss “Africa and the World!”
“NOVA Wonders” Cambridge Science Festival Exhibition
From the mysteries of astrophysics to the secrets of the human biome, explore exhibits, presentations, and activities from local STEM organizations based on the NOVA Wonders miniseries.
Today’s Headlines
Metro
Boston police investigate rash of vandalism at Catholic churches – Boston Herald
Plans for privately run student dorm moving forward – Boston Globe
Massachusetts
Worcester principals defend superintendent in letter to school board – Telegram & Gazette
After tumultuous year, no races in Rockland election – Patriot Ledger
Flurry of legislation after Sean Gannon shooting slow to bring change – Cape Cod Times
Brockton native is Trump’s nominee for deputy AG – Brockton Enterprise
Nation
White House considered releasing migrants into sanctuary cities – New York Times
Republicans already ran a campaign blasting Democrats as socialists. It didn’t work – Politico
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