Happening Today
Unite Here! rally and more
— Eastern Middlesex Opioid Task Force meets, hosted by Middlesex DA Ryan, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 170 Governors Ave., Medford, 10 a.m.
— NOAA Fisheries holds media teleconference to discuss findings from the Fisheries of the U.S. 2018 report, 1 p.m.
— UNITE HERE! Local 26 members rally in support of airline catering workers, with U.S. Sen. Ed Markey reportedly attending, Logan Airport, Terminal B, Boston, 4 p.m.
— U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, as co-chair of Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign, campaigns in North Carolina today, focusing on Durham, N.C.
For the most comprehensive listing of calendar items, check out State House News Service’s Daily Advances (pay wall – free trial subscriptions available), as well as MassterList’s Beacon Hill Town Square below.
Today’s Stories
Warren’s post-debate comeback: Can it be sustained?
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren yesterday was basking in the glow of positive reviews of her performance in Wednesday night’s presidential debate in Nevada – a performance that just about everyone agrees was impressive and effective in terms of reviving her presidential prospects while seriously damaging Michael Bloomberg’s prospects.
From the Globe’s Jess Bidgood: “On the day after the debate, Warren and her supporters see hope.” From the NYT (via Baltimore Sun): “Will Warren’s Dominant Debate Performance Boost Her Chances in Nevada and Beyond?” From Benjamin Kail at MassLive: “Warren campaign ‘blows past expectations,’ raises $5 million since Las Vegas debate.”
But the question is: Is the post-debate bounce enough? From the Herald’s Lisa Kashinsky: “Warren’s fiery debate performance may have come too late in Nevada.” Even the NYT, in a separate piece, is casting doubts: “Elizabeth Warren ‘Crushed’ the Debate. But Is It Too Late?” The Herald’s Hilary Chabot thinks that, at most, Warren can now only hope for a brokered convention.
It’s official: Warren flip-flops on accepting PAC funds
In the end, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren decided not to unilaterally disarm, when it comes to campaign donations, in the face of a billionaire throwing around hundreds of millions of dollars to win the Democratic nomination for president. The Herald’s Lisa Kashinsky and the Washington Post have the details on Warren’s reversal/flip-flop on what donations she will and won’t accept. Our quickie analysis: Can you blame her?
Sixteen inmates indicted for attacks on correction officers
Consider this DOC’s legal and PR comeback to the recent legal and PR comebacks of prisoner advocates. From Sarah Betancourt at CommonWealth magazine: “Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. on Thursday charged 16 prisoners at the state’s maximum-security prison in connection with a violent January 10 attack on four correctional officers.”
As ICE brags about recent arrests, state judges blast ICE for ‘affront to justice’
The AP at MassLive reports that federal immigration officials are bragging about a newly launched campaign that’s already led to the arrest of two immigrants it said had been recently released by state court officials while their criminal cases are pending.
And that new campaign has apparently angered two top state judges — Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants and Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey — who have fired off a letter to the local ICE office, saying the round-up of immigrants facing legal charges is an “affront to justice,” as the Herald’s Sean Philip Cotter and WBUR’s Shannon Dooling and Lisa Creamer report. Btw, from SHNS’s Chris Lisinski (pay wall) “Balser senses ‘openness’ this year to ICE enforcement bill.”
State Police stepping up patrols for start of new hands-free driving law
They won’t be issuing tickets with fines (not yet). But State Police will be out in force this Sunday, when the state’s new hands-free driving law takes effect, reports SHNS’s Chris Lisinski (pay wall). CommonWealth magazine’s Shira Schoenberg has a good do’s-and-don’ts piece on the new car cell-phone ban. Bottom line: You might want to purchase a dashboard cradle for your phone.
Traffic-camera bill would make sure red lights mean stop, not speed up
In other driving news, SHNS’s Colin Young reports that a bill now winding its way through the State House could allow local governments to install new traffic cameras to “identify and then photograph vehicles that commit any number of traffic law violations at intersections” – violations that include, as Young notes, “gunning it through an intersection when the light has just turned red.”
Our humble suggestion for the bill’s title: “The Anti-Masshole Driving Act of 2020.”
SHNS (pay wall — free trial subscription available)
Jurors find no malpractice in Pelletier case
We suspect we haven’t heard the last of the Justina Pelletier case. From WCVB: “Jurors decided Thursday that Boston Children’s Hospital did not commit medical malpractice in its treatment of Connecticut teen who was placed in state custody after a dispute over her diagnosis. After a five-week trial, the verdict followed after fewer than six hours of deliberations.”
The Globe’s Tonya Alanez has more on the jury’s decision – and Pelletier’s forced institutionalization at the recommendation of medical officials.
The U.S. Senate race is over: Gabriel Gomez just endorsed Joe Kennedy
With these words “Yes, I’m endorsing Kennedy,” Gabriel Gomez, the GOP’s 2013 nominee for U.S. Senate, may have just irrevocably tilted the balance of power toward Joseph Kennedy III in the latter’s bid to unseat incumbent Ed Markey. Then again, maybe not. SHNS’s Matt Murphy (pay wall) has more. The Globe’s Scot Lehigh thinks Kennedy better get a better message and messenger if he wants to unseat Markey. And Lehigh has just the messenger in mind. Hint: It’s not his father nor an uncle.
Sen. Enes Kanter? Congressman Enes Kanter?
Speaking of potential future senators, Celtics star Enes Kanter, who has been declared persona non grata by his native Turkey (or by the current regime now running Turkey), will later this year take the U.S. citizenship oath and then … watch out. He has his eye on politics. After he finishes his NBA career, of course. The Herald’s Mark Murphy has all the political details.
Physicians to National Grid president: Shame on you
A group of doctors at the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility are taking exception to National Grid president Marcy Reed’s recent contention in CommonWealth magazine that some residents are being forced to choose between heating their homes and eating. The docs call such arguments in favor of natural gas “misleading, disingenuous, and self-serving” – and they end their CommonWealth piece with the uber-righteous flourish: “Shame on you, Marcy Reed.”
Nancy Pelosi to give Smith College commencement address
It’s that time of year when college press offices start cranking out announcements about their spring commencement speakers. And Smith College has landed a big one this year: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Elizabeth Román at MassLive has more.
Speaking of commencement addresses, from theGlobe’s Peter Bailey-Wells: “Admiral William McRaven to deliver MIT commencement address.”
Baker’s greatest TCI challenge: Convincing fellow Republicans to support it
The Globe’s Matt Stout has an update on how Gov. Charlie Baker faces an uphill battle getting fellow Republicans across New England – and right here in Massachusetts as well – to support proposed Transportation and Climate Initiative fees to reduce carbon pollution and pay for transportation fixes. “You usually don’t see a bunch of us [in the GOP caucus] taking a stand against the governor,” says state Rep. Shawn Dooley.
Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers demand overhaul of MBTA pension fund
Republican legislators are flexing their limited muscles on Beacon Hill on another matter too. From the Herald’s Mary Markos: “GOP lawmakers sick of taxpayers propping up the troubled MBTA pension — where one in every five pensioners retired before age 50 — are pushing to overhaul or eliminate the fund.” State Sen. Bruce Tarr is leading the charge.
Hunger striker on his first post-fast meal, partial victory and warning to future strikers
Boston Magazine’s Spencer Buell talks with BU professor Nathan Phillips, who recently ended a two-week hunger strike that even he says ended in only a “partial victory,” as measured by concessions by the Baker administration regarding the controversial Weymouth compressor station. Phillips also recommends that others think twice before launching hunger strikes (it’s more medically dangerous than it looks).
Ed Davis: Cops ‘confused’ over myriad of pot laws
Where’s the confusion? Some pot can be sold, some not. Some pot is legal to possess, some not. Some pot can be grown in homes, some not. Some pot can be transported in cars, some not. So why is former BPD chief Ed Davis confused? We don’t understand. The Globe’s Naomi Martin has more on the confused state of pot law enforcement in Massachusetts.
Pressley and other Dems: Keep the price of any coronavirus vaccine low
If taxpayer-funded research indeed leads to a vaccine, they have every right to demand this. From the Herald’s Rick Sobey: “U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and 45 Democratic colleagues demanded in a letter Thursday that President Trump make sure the future coronavirus vaccine will be affordable and accessible. “
After racial incident, Smith College announces changes to campus police
Smith College has unveiled a host of changes to its campus police department after nearly two years of turmoil sparked by a racial incident on campus in 2018. Dusty Christensen at the Gazette writes that the changes – which include more bike and foot patrols and the creation of a police advisory board that will include some students — come after a months-long public process.
Appeals court to weigh in on Kraft case in Florida
No, the case hasn’t gone away. A Florida appeals court has agreed to hear an appeal from prosecutors who want to introduce video of Patriots owner Robert Kraft into his trial on prostitution charges in the Orchids of Asia day spa case, Stephen Peterson reports at the Sun-Chronicle. The appeal could take several months, further extending the saga that began more than a year ago.
Sunday public affairs TV: Don Khoury, Lori Trahan and more
Keller at Large, WBZ-TV Channel 4, 8:30 a.m. This week’s guest: Body language expert Don Khoury, who analyzes the Democrats in Wednesday’s debate.
This Week in Business, NECN, 10 a.m. This week’s show features Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney; Epizyme CEO Rob Bazemore; and Shirley Leung of the Boston Globe.
CEO Corner, NECN, 10:30 a.m. An update on the Boston Public Market with CEO Cheryl Cronin and leaders of Red’s Best and Mother Juice, two of the vendors that will expand into Logan Airport.
D.C. Dialogue, NECN, 11:30 a.m. U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan discusses key issues in her district while Boston Globe political reporter James Pindell reviews the presidential contests.
On the Record, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 11 a.m. This week’s guest: Fourth Congressional District candidate Jake Auchincloss, who talks with hosts Ed Harding and Janet Wu, followed by a political discussion with analyst Mary Anne Marsh and former state Sen. Vinny deMacedo.
CityLine, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 12 p.m. With host Karen Holmes Ward, this week’s topic: Dissecting diversity in Boston, featuring Daren Bascome of Proverb Agency, Pratt Wiley of the Partnership Inc, Bob Rivers of Eastern Bank and Darryl Settles of Catalyst Ventures.
Boston Speaker Series: Peter Diamandis
Fortune named Diamandis one of the “World’s Greatest Leaders.” A space entrepreneur turned innovation pioneer, he founded the XPRIZE Foundation to fund big money competitions to inspire groundbreaking developments in science and technology, and to solve some of the planet’s most pressing challenges.
Author Talk and Book Signing with Christian Di Spigna
Author Talk and Book Signing with Christian Di Spigna, author of: Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolution’s Lost Hero.
State Library of Massachusetts
The Future of the Republican Party
As the nation’s demographics continue to shift, hear from Republican leaders about how the party can build a broad, sustainable coalition. Panelists include George P. Bush, Texas Land Commissioner; Evan McMullin, executive director, Stand Up Republic and former Policy Director for House Republicans; and Mark Sanford, former governor and congressman from South Carolina. Moderated by Betsy Woodruff.
Northeastern University, Office of External Affairs
Being a Republican on College Campuses
Come and hear Jamie Gass of the Pioneer Institute who will present 2019 Math and English Common Core disappointing results and explain why, as well as Kaila Webb from Wellesley College present her non-profit which aims to bring diversity of thought on college campuses.
Wellesley Republican Town Committee
Boston Speaker Series: Peter Diamandis
Fortune named Diamandis one of the “World’s Greatest Leaders.” A space entrepreneur turned innovation pioneer, he founded the XPRIZE Foundation to fund big money competitions to inspire groundbreaking developments in science and technology, and to solve some of the planet’s most pressing challenges.
Getting to the Point with Richard Blanco
Presidential inaugural poet Richard Blanco will visit the Institute to discuss the themes in his poetry collection, How to Love a Country.
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
U.N. Perspective Series: Gender Equality (International Women’s Day)
Celebrate International Women’s Day with Impact Hub Boston and United Nations Association of Greater Boston.
United Nations Association Of Greater Boston
Mikhail Minakov: Post-Soviet Eastern Europe: A Comparative Analysis of the Six Eastern Neighborhood Nations
Please join the Fletcher Eurasia Club for a lunch conversation with Mikhail Minakov about the Eastern Partnership initiative and the political environment of Eastern European countries after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Mikhail Minakov: Political Development of Post-Euromaidan Ukraine
Please join the Russia and Eurasia Program at The Fletcher School for a conversation with Mikhail Minakov about revolutionary cycles of independent Ukraine and post-Euromaidan political development of the country.
Fletcher Russia and Eurasia Program
Authors@MIT | Benjamin J. Pauli presents Flint Fights Back
MIT Press author Benjamin J. Pauli discusses his new book Flint Fights Back.
ADL’s Breaking Barriers Speaker Series Presents: An Evening with Andrea Campbell
Please join us on Thursday, March 5, 2020 to hear from City Councilor Andrea Campbell.
Today’s Headlines
Metro
Admiral William McCraven to deliver MIT commencement address – Boston Globe
Massachusetts
Provincetown board balks at appointing part-time residents – Cape Cod Times
Nation
House is warned that Russia is meddling to re-elect Trump – New York Times
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