Latest news with #Bostonians
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Yes, immigration is a flash point in Boston's mayoral race. A debate confirmed it
Good Monday morning, everyone. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu made nationwide headlines earlier this year with a defiant appearance before a U.S. House committee probing the city's immigration policies, which bar local cops from cooperating with the feds in civil matters. Wu's main challenger in this year's race for City Hall, philanthropist Josh Kraft, in a rare instance of agreement in what's become an increasingly thorny campaign, said he was onside with that approach. So far, so good, right? Maybe not. Kraft, the son of billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, got some serious pushback during a debate in Dorchester last week after he told a packed house at Prince Hall that he's 'completely against President Trump's mass deportation plans,' and 'will stand with our immigrant community wholeheartedly, no matter who is in the White House.' 'I think it's absolutely abhorrent that federal agents could walk into your place of work, your house of worship or your children's schools and remove you, even if you have zero connection to violent crime,' Kraft said, according to The Boston Herald. The response prompted some in the crowd to stand up and hurl jeers in Kraft's direction, the Herald reported. In turn, an organizer had to take the stage to settle things down. The pump got primed by a question from the debate's moderator, Yawu Miller of Flipside News, the newspaper reported. 'In today's political climate, immigrant communities are increasingly under threat. How would you defend these communities and push back against harmful actions by ICE or a hostile federal administration,' Miller asked, according to the Herald. He had to stop to say 'excuse me' as the majority-Black crowd reacted to his question, the newspaper reported. 'What concrete strategies would you implement to ensure the safety and protection of all residents in Boston, regardless of immigration status?' he continued. Domingos DaRosa, another mayoral aspirant, offered a more conciliatory answer, saying the city had to look after the interests of immigrants and native-born Bostonians alike. Wu, meanwhile, defended the city's immigration policies. 'In Boston, 29% of our residents are immigrants who were born in a different country,' Wu said, according to the Herald. 'We, as a city, have a responsibility to make sure that everyone is getting what they need. I just want to say in this room and in every room, that part of the strategy of those who are trying to make us turn against each other and point fingers is to say there's not enough.' Robert Cappucci, who's also seeking the city's top spot, said he'd work with the Trump administration. 'There are a lot of people very upset in terms of who got here legitimately, who got to live here illegitimately, and again, you go back to love God and love thy neighbor,' Cappucci said, according to The Herald. 'My job would be to try to settle this argument.' The relative comity between Kraft and Wu on the flashpoint issue was a rare oasis of calm in a week in which the two candidates warred over Kraft's Boston bona fides and a flood of dark money into the race. Wu accused Kraft of trying to buy the race after reports surfaced that he planned to inject $2 million of his own money into the campaign, a move that effectively would erase the incumbent mayor's cash advantage. It also was revealed that a pro-Kraft super PAC had dropped more than $1.4 million on attack ads bolstering his candidacy. 'Most Bostonians don't have a billionaire father to buy them a condo so they can move in to run for an office they've never voted for, live in a ward they don't know and spend millions from their family wealth and connections to try to buy the election,' the Democratic incumbent said in a statement released through her campaign. Kraft's campaign fired back. 'Josh Kraft purchased his home with his own money. He has voted in multiple elections as a Boston resident. And he has worked in and around the neighborhoods of Boston for 35 years ― long before Michelle Wu came to Harvard by way of one of the wealthiest suburbs of Chicago,' the campaign said in a statement to MassLive. 'She would rather resort to personal attacks ... than address her record of failures as mayor of Boston - from housing to the Boston Public Schools, from managing the budget to managing her own personnel problems inside City Hall.' One veteran observer put the current tensions at 5 out of a possible 10. But it's still only June, and there's nowhere to go but up. U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-8th District, is officially in the running to become the next top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee. That's the one that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appeared before earlier this year in a headline-grabbing appearance over the city's immigration policies. Lynch, of South Boston, had been unofficially minding the store after U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, of Virginia, who had been the panel's ranking Democrat, announced in late April that he was stepping aside to deal with a recurrence of cancer. Connolly, 75, lost that fight earlier this month, succumbing to the esophageal cancer he had been diagnosed with last November. Connolly's passing opens up what is essentially a generational fight for the top spot on the Oversight Committee, with Lynch, 70, and U.S. Rep. Kwesi Mfume, 76, of Maryland, at the older end of the leadership contest. U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, 47, of California, and Jasmine Crockett, 44, of Texas, and a frequent inquisitor of President Donald Trump, are leading the youth brigade, according to Axios. Lynch made his pitch in a three-page 'Dear Colleague' letter his office shared last week. It stressed his hardscrabble roots in Southie, his background in labor and his involvement in every big committee probe of the last quarter-century. 'I will also always welcome regular input from our caucus as we continue to prepare an investigative oversight record that will be primed and ready for a Democratic majority to hold President Trump fully accountable,' Lynch wrote. A vote on the post is set for June 24, according to Axios. The rent, in case you were wondering, is still too darn high. A single person needs to earn $127,000 to rent an apartment in Greater Boston, making it the third-most expensive metro area in the nation, according to an analysis by Zillow. The top two markets were San Jose, California ($137K) and New York City ($145K), according to the analysis. The three most affordable markets were Buffalo, New York ($55K), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ($56K) and Louisville, Kentucky ($57K). The analysis found that renters need to make six figures to 'comfortably' afford rent in eight major markets across the country. That's up from four markets just five years ago. Since April 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rent for a typical U.S. apartment soared by 28.7% to $1,858 − which would, like, get you a couch, in the Seaport. Rent for a single-family home nationwide increased by an eye-watering 42.9% to $2,256, or a garage in Wellesley, probably. The median household income, at the same time, has only risen by 22.5% to around $82,000, vividly reminding people, in case they needed it, that wages haven't kept up with skyrocketing housing costs. Another reminder from Zillow: Boston remains one of the handful of U.S. cities where renters are on the hook for broker fees ― usually the equivalent of a month's rent — that come on top of security deposits and advance payments. And that also drives up costs. Lawmakers on Beacon Hill are weighing competing plans to spike them. But success is, by no means, assured. 'The greatness of America, the greatness of Harvard is reflected in the fact that someone like me could be invited to speak to you.' — Abraham Verghese, Stanford University professor, infectious disease doctor, best-selling writer and immigrant, as he delivered Harvard University's 374th commencement address last week. Many foreign students already fleeing Harvard University due to Trump order Sen. Warren, Mass. pols demand answers from Trump on 'attacks on international students' 'Global order has been upset': World Affairs Council gauges tariff war impact on Western Mass Mass. AG sues Trump administration over cuts to scientific research Mass. Gov. Healey slams ICE over migrant arrests on Nantucket, Vineyard No more 'fricking barber poles': Gov. Healey says as Mass. looks to shred regs A 'historic battle': Mass pols protest Medicaid cuts in 'Big Beautiful Bill' | John L. Micek With the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill just a couple of weeks away on June 17, Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin holds a briefing this Tuesday morning on events celebrating the big day. He'll be joined at the 10 a.m. news conference at the battlefield site at 43 Monument Square in Charlestown by Simone Monteleone, who's the acting superintendent for the National Parks of Boston, his office said in a statement. Galvin, in case you were wondering, is the chair of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, in addition to serving as chief overseer of the state's elections. Singer Halsey brings her 2025 tour to the XFinity Center in scenic Mansfield at 7 p.m. Wednesday. (tickets and more info here). From the film 'Ballerina,' here's the latest single 'Hand That Feeds.' Amy Lee, of Evanescence, also guests. There's no doubt that every shooting death is a tragedy, and it leaves survivors with mental and physical scars that last a lifetime. But new research shows that, when it comes to the lasting mental trauma of these explosions of violence, not all shootings are created equal. In April, research published by the journal Nature Mental Health found that people who survive 'commonplace' gun violence, such as robberies or domestic violence, had reported longer-term mental health symptoms than people who had survived mass shootings, according to The Trace, a publication that tracks gun violence nationwide. Here's the germane bit: ''What surprised us a bit was that people who experienced non-mass shooting gun violence were more likely to have their symptoms last a year or longer,' said Jillian Peterson, executive director of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University in Minnesota and the study's lead author.' 'A mass shooting — defined in the study as four or more people shot in a single incident — is a shared experience that prompts public attention and communal social support, said the study's coauthor, David Pyrooz, a sociology professor and criminologist at the University of Colorado's Institute for Behavioral Science. 'And that helps to resolve some of the distress that comes from it.'" ''When we had the King Soopers shooting, there was 'Boulder Strong,' donations, and an outpouring of support from the community,' he said, referring to the 2021 mass shooting. 'But when there is a robbery with a firearm, you don't get that same sort of outpouring.'' 'The largest discrepancy was in long-term post-traumatic stress symptoms. Among non-mass shooting survivors, 60% of those threatened with a gun, 65% of people who were shot at but not hit, and 44% of those who were hit reported long-term PTSD.' 'By comparison, long-term PTSD among people who experienced mass shootings ranged between 20 and 30%, depending on the type of exposure. The researchers surveyed a nationally representative sample of 10,000 adults.' 'Survivors of isolated incidents are often specifically targeted, which can hinder recovery. And the violation of safety and trust inherent in violence by someone you know can lead to more severe PTSD than mass shootings, said Mayer Bellehsen, a clinical psychologist at Northwell Health in New York.' That's it for today. As always, tips, comments and questions can be sent to jmicek@ Have a good week, friends. The piece of the Mass. budget that passes all understanding | John L. Micek A 'historic battle': Mass pols protest Medicaid cuts in 'Big Beautiful Bill' | John L. Micek Mass. Rep. Trahan's 'Les Miz' moment on Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' | Bay State Briefing Read the original article on MassLive.
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Boston Globe
Yo, robot: A word or two from Boston humans about self-driving taxis
The parochialism of my fellow Bostonians can be embarrassing sometimes. I've used Waymos in LA — hardly a paradise for drivers — and they did an incredible job. Not once did my Waymo sit at a green light because it was busy looking at its phone. (E Zola) The only thing worse than a Boston driver is a Boston pedestrian. You will realize this by visiting other cities where drivers and pedestrians actually obey rules and laws. Having computers guiding cars can only be an improvement. (NicksterNH) Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up How can they be programmed to know that using your blinker is a sign of weakness? (mrdman850) Advertisement I don't think they will do well in Boston when traffic is heavy because they have a hard time merging into traffic. I have used Waymo a few times in both LA and San Francisco. When humans are trying to pull into the traffic lane from the side of the road there, a decent person will eventually give way and let the car in. I noticed in California that drivers are less likely to yield to a car with no driver. At one point I sat in a car for 15 minutes as it tried to merge, and I eventually got out and called an Uber. (Tim_Hill) Advertisement Years ago when my wife and I moved from Texas, where the road signs read, 'Drive Friendly,' to the city of Boston, where there is no such thing, we were rudely welcomed with many car horns for our ineptitude, particularly if we were first in line at an intersection and wanted to turn left but failed to bolt when the light turned green. We eventually learned, but only after months of cowardice. (MisterEd47) Welcome to the definition of 3 milliseconds: the time from when the light turns green until someone honks at you. (user_1127668) AI is coming for the human race. Make no mistake about it. In 100 years the human, as we know it today, will be extinct. (dewitt clinton)
Time Out
3 days ago
- Time Out
Boston is one of the world's best cities for green space, says new Time Out ranking
Boston might be most famous for its history, sports teams and Irish heritage, but don't overlook its green side. According to a Time out survey, Boston was just ranked the second-best city in the world for green space—just behind Medellín, Colombia. Boston is a dream for those who crave city life without losing touch with nature. Bostonians know what's up when it comes to parks. Let's start with the backbone of Boston's greenery: the Emerald Necklace, a 1,100-acre linear chain of parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It stretches from the historic Boston Common and Public Garden all the way to Franklin Park, home to miles of woodland trails and a zoo. The Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain is a 281-acre haven of curated trees and peaceful paths, perfect for strolling, biking or simply lying in the grass. Head to Jamaica Pond for kayaking and people-watching, or find a quiet spot in Back Bay Fens, where gardens, wetlands and wildflowers coexist just steps from Fenway Park. If you're looking to escape even further, Boston offers easy access to the Blue Hills Reservation, just a short drive or train ride away. With over 125 miles of trails, it's a legit hiking destination right outside city limits. Or take the ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands, where you'll find hiking, picnicking and some of the best skyline views around. Nearly 90 percent of locals who responded to the Time Out survey said Boston's green space is "good" or "amazing"—and they're right. Whether you're tracing history on the Freedom Trail or finding your Zen in the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston gives you space to breathe.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Time Out
Cape Town voted among world's best for green spaces
The results are in, and after the numbers have been crunched on thousands of global votes, Time Out has confirmed what we Capetonians have known all along: that colourful, cosmopolitan Cape Town is also one of the best places in the world to combine urban adventure with easy access to the great outdoors. In the latest global survey of the best cities in the world for access to nature and green spaces, more than 18 500 urban natives cast their vote for what made their city great for getting outdoors. Those that made the top 20 list had the highest share of 'good' or 'amazing' ratings for their green space and access to nature. Coming out tops was Medellín, Colombia's second city, where 92 percent of locals raved about the green space and access to nature. Perhaps that's no surprise, as the 'city of eternal spring' boasts ' green corridors ' and a network of riverside parks. Coming in second was Boston, which also ranked second for walkability in a recent Time Out survey. Bostonians love the city's green spaces and access to nature, with incredible parks open to both locals and tourists. This includes the iconic Boston Common, the most visited green space in the city and the oldest park in the US! Third place went to Sydney, which boasts more than 100 beaches and easy access to the Blue Mountains National Park. And Cape Town? Well, we clocked in at 9 th position in the poll, a slot shared with Abu Dhabi and Chicago. Now Abu Dhabi may seem like a strange bedfellow for a green oasis like Cape Town, but in fact the capital of the United Arab Emirates is home to some 200 parks and beaches, making it something of a hotspot for getting outside. Chicago, too, is a city that embraces the outdoors, with the Chicago Park District managing over 600 parks and thousands of hectares of green space. They love urban greenery so much that they even put it in the city's motto: 'Urbs in horto' (City in a garden)! Against that sort of competition, Cape Town can be proud of coming in 9 th, and whether you're wandering through the historic Company's Garden, hiking on Table Mountain – try one of these fantastic day hikes in Cape Town – or hanging out in some of the city's fantastic urban parks, you're never far from a bit of green space. Besides, what Chicago, Sydney or even Medellin don't have is the best accolade of all: #1 spot in Time Out's list of The 50 best cities in the world for 2025.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor Wu slams rival Josh Kraft over big bucks infusion: ‘Boston is not for sale'
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu didn't waste any time Tuesday making her feelings known over news that rival Josh Kraft was not only dropping big bucks on his campaign, but also was getting a leg-up from a super PAC on top of that. "Most Bostonians don't have a billionaire father to buy them a condo so they can move in to run for an office they've never voted for, live in a ward they don't know, and spend millions from their family wealth and connections to try to buy the election," the Democratic incumbent said in a statement released through her campaign. A bit of background: Kraft, a political newcomer and the son of billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, announced last week that he was putting $2 million of his personal cash toward his campaign for City Hall, according to published reports. Late last week, Your City, Your Future, a pro-Kraft super PAC, disclosed through a state filing that it was spending $1.42 million on text messages, digital, TV and radio advertisements, along with billboards, supporting the challenger. That personal donation effectively erased Wu's fundraising lead. Heading into last week, the Democratic incumbent was sitting on more than $2 million in her campaign accounts, compared to Kraft's $151, 161. "The power of incumbency is a real thing,' Kraft said in a Friday statement to The Boston Herald. 'While Mayor Wu appears to be running her campaign out of City Hall, I have a fully staffed campaign team, including a campaign headquarters in Nubian Square.' 'While my campaign just reached the $1 million mark in donations, a modern campaign that includes a strong and robust field organization requires more resources than I can raise in such a short time frame,' he said, adding, 'I have never felt more optimistic about my campaign and what lies ahead.' Wu fired back on Tuesday, saying the senior Kraft and his "fellow Trump associates are trying to buy Josh a job by trashing our city with millions of dollars of negative attack ads. And without grassroots support for his campaign of half-measures and grievances, Josh Kraft is now having to self-fund his campaign with millions more from his family wealth too." 'This is an unprecedented early start to outside money raining down on a Boston city election as Kraft runs the most negative mayoral campaign in generations,' Wu continued. Wu and Kraft, who officially made the 2025 ballot last week, have spent most of the campaign exchanging jabs on social media and in dueling public statements. That happened most recently during a forum earlier this month that took in issues ranging from the city's prohibitive housing costs to public safety. Here's who's on the ballot for Boston mayor, City Council — so far Boston mayoral candidates clash over city budget, housing and transit in first forum Angela Menino, wife of former Boston Mayor Tom Menino, endorses Michelle Wu for reelection Read the original article on MassLive.
