Latest news with #Kraft
Yahoo
2 days 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.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Times
Our Doughnuts, Ourselves
It feels like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has declared war on tastiness. In his May 22 'Make America Healthy Again' report targeting ultraprocessed foods, he had an amnesic disregard for the toxic pleasures he grew up with. He's come up just shy of telling Americans that anything delicious will leave us glued to insulin pumps. Anyway, that's how a United States cabinet secretary inspired my sudden craving for Wonder Bread. The Trump administration's whitewashing of American history from our libraries is bad enough. Whitewashing white bread from my digestive history? Unspeakable. Riding the bread aisle of an aging medium-brow Los Angeles grocery store that appeared bravely oblivious to the iffy Whole Foods-inspired religion of organic everything, I noticed the word 'grain' was everywhere. Just as I realized I didn't really know what a grain was if not followed by 'of salt,' I saw bags of Wonder Bread huddled in shame on a bottom shelf. The future turned present: The lusciously larded foods of my youth were already beside me on the endangered species list. Within minutes, my cart held an old-school reunion while it still could: Wonder Bread, Kraft macaroni and cheese, Kellogg's Corn Pops (nee Sugar Pops), Entenmann's doughnuts (with the dark brown waxy coating they don't even pretend to call chocolate on the box), Hungry Man (nee Swanson's) fried chicken — OMG: frozen White Castle burgers! — Nestlé's Quik, now Nesquik ('Same tooth decay, one fewer syllable!'), whole milk, the once un-P.C. Uncle Ben's rice and grossly un-P.C. Aunt Jemima's syrup (both revamped), Oscar Mayer bologna and, just to keep current, maximum strength Pepcid. I paid the nonjudgmental self-checkout machine and walked off to find my America in a caloric time warp. This would be my own Marcel Proust madeleine quest — childhood morsels as time machine. (Not to say that if Proust lived today he'd be writing about Froot Loops, but he'd surely mourn our dietary penal colony.) Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Time Business News
2 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Eco-Friendly Custom Boxes Online
In a world increasingly driven by environmental consciousness, businesses are under growing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint. One of the most effective and practical steps a company can take is to switch to sustainable packaging. That's where eco-friendly custom boxes come into play. By choosing environmentally responsible packaging solutions, brands can demonstrate their commitment to the planet while enhancing their identity and customer satisfaction. This isn't just about being trendy—it's about being responsible. Whether you're a small business owner or part of a large corporation, the choice to buy custom boxes online that are both stylish and sustainable speaks volumes to your customers and stakeholders alike. The global packaging industry is a significant contributor to pollution and waste. Over 300 million tons of plastic are produced each year, much of it used for packaging—and a large portion of it ends up in landfills or oceans. This growing crisis has sparked a shift in consumer values, with more customers actively supporting brands that prioritize sustainability. Eco-friendly custom boxes offer an opportunity for businesses to: Reduce environmental impact Promote recycling and reuse Appeal to conscious consumers Stand out in a crowded market These green packaging solutions align your brand with the values of the modern consumer, making your product not just better looking—but better for the world. Boxes made from recycled or biodegradable materials significantly reduce emissions during production. Choosing materials such as Kraft, corrugated cardboard, or other FSC-certified papers can make a measurable difference in environmental impact. Eco-conscious packaging tells your audience that you're serious about sustainability. When customers see an environmentally friendly custom box, they associate your brand with care, responsibility, and ethical business practices. While eco-friendly packaging may have slightly higher upfront costs, it leads to greater long-term savings. Reduced product damage, fewer returns, and enhanced customer loyalty all contribute to a higher return on investment. Custom boxes designed for reuse and recyclability keep materials in circulation, reducing waste and conserving resources. This contributes to a circular economy model, which is increasingly being adopted by governments and large-scale industries. Not all green packaging looks the same. Businesses now have a variety of custom shipping boxes and packaging options to meet their needs, including: Sturdy and reliable, these are perfect for shipping large or fragile items. They offer excellent printability while maintaining sustainability. Popular for retail packaging, Kraft boxes are made from unbleached wood pulp, making them 100% recyclable and biodegradable. Ideal for lightweight products such as cosmetics, these boxes can be made from recycled paperboard and designed with low-ink or soy-based printing. Designed for multiple uses, these durable boxes reduce waste and create a unique customer experience. You don't need to compromise on aesthetics to be eco-friendly. With modern technology and design tools, it's easy to create custom boxes that are visually striking and environmentally responsible. Customization options include: Natural color palettes that reflect organic values Water- or soy-based inks for safe printing Minimalist designs to reduce ink usage Embossed logos or texture instead of foil or lamination Die-cut windows using biodegradable films With millions of packages shipped daily, e-commerce companies can make a massive difference by switching to sustainable custom shipping boxes. Eco-conscious packaging reduces environmental impact and boosts brand loyalty. Eco-friendly packaging is vital in the food sector. Biodegradable boxes and inserts maintain product safety while showcasing commitment to sustainability. The wellness industry thrives on natural, organic values. Using recycled or compostable custom box designs aligns with consumer expectations for ethical practices. Clothing brands can use recycled mailer boxes and tissue paper to enhance the unboxing experience while maintaining environmental responsibility. Ready to make the shift to green packaging? Visit buycustombox to explore a variety of eco-friendly custom boxes tailored to your brand's needs. With user-friendly design tools, flexible order quantities, and expert support, the process of creating beautiful, sustainable packaging has never been easier. You can start small or go big—with affordable pricing, professional templates, and a commitment to quality, buy custom boxes online is now seamless and impactful. Not all boxes marketed as 'green' are genuinely sustainable. When you buy custom box options, look for the following certifications and features: FSC Certification : Ensures paper comes from responsibly managed forests. : Ensures paper comes from responsibly managed forests. Recyclable Symbol : Confirms the materials can be processed after use. : Confirms the materials can be processed after use. Compostable or Biodegradable Materials : Especially for food and health products. : Especially for food and health products. Minimal or No Plastic: Avoid plastic coatings or films that complicate recycling. Also, consider the lifecycle of your packaging. Encourage customers to reuse or recycle your boxes, and provide tips on your website or included inserts. Sustainability in packaging is constantly evolving. Businesses must stay ahead of the curve to meet growing expectations and environmental regulations. Includes compostable, dissolvable, or fully recyclable designs that leave behind no harmful residues. Integration of QR codes or digital tags that tell the story behind the product and its sustainable journey. Used in food and beverage, this trend is gaining momentum in reducing single-use waste. Switching from petroleum-based to plant-derived adhesives and dyes helps reduce chemical waste. Sustainable packaging is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. Over 70% of consumers say they're willing to pay more for environmentally friendly packaging. What used to be a niche concern has become mainstream, and companies that fail to adapt risk falling behind. Businesses that make the shift to eco-friendly custom boxes gain access to a broader audience, better public relations, and a future-ready operational model. More importantly, they become part of the solution—not the problem. 'Switching to eco-friendly packaging transformed our brand image. Customers love our natural look, and we've seen a 25% increase in repeat purchases!' — CEO, Organic Glow Skincare 'Thanks to buycustombox, we customized 100% recyclable boxes without compromising on design. Our packaging is now as eco-conscious as our product.' — Co-Founder, GreenFit Apparel As the packaging landscape evolves, the companies that adapt are the ones that will thrive. Environmentally responsible businesses are no longer just preferred—they're expected. By choosing eco-friendly custom boxes, you're not only reducing your ecological footprint but also crafting a brand image that stands the test of time. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Stock Market: Companies Are Struggling With Inflation-Driven Consumers
Inflation has altered consumers' buying habits Year-to-year inflation may look low, but prices continue to compound upwards. For example, "Food at home" pricing, accounting for 8% of the total CPI basket, was up 1.8% in 2024. That seemingly low inflation rate nevertheless pushed up the Covid period price inflation to 27.6%, and that is what consumers are contending with. So, why is that a problem for companies? Because consumers' actions to reduce the inflationary effects can adversely affect business revenues and profits. Grocery shopping is a good example. Here are examples of what consumers can do: These actions not only affect the grocery stores, but also affect the companies that produce packaged food. The effect is measured by 'volume/mix' changes caused by consumers' altered decisions. In last year's 2023 annual reporting, Kraft's management anticipated 2024 growth from rises in both sales and prices. However, consumers tripped up the company's strategies and expectations. From the 2024 Annual Report: Note the higher pricing was well below the 2024 CPI inflation rate of almost 3%. So, how did Wall Street view Kraft's 2024 results and plans? Not well. Below is the stock's performance for the Covid-period. Note that the company (and others like it) was able to produce inflation-beating results early, but then the consumer actions began to hit, causing a reversal of the previous gains. With the consumer shifts continuing to hit results in 2025, the stock has now fallen below the cumulative inflation, making the Covid-period "real" (inflation-adjusted) stock performance negative. Kraft Heinz Covid-period stock performance (including dividends) now below cumulative CPI While the Federal Reserve focuses on the latest 12-month change in prices, it is the cumulative inflation damage that consumers focus on. After all, a "good" 12-month inflation change of 'only' 3% nevertheless compounds high prices even higher. The Covid-period rise is now about 23%. That level of inflation continues to cause damage, particularly in this period of high uncertainty (see "Uncertainties Are Churning U.S. Stock Market Outlooks" for explanation of why uncertainty can be more troublesome than risk). Here are the S&P 500's nine companies in the sector/industry combination of the normally safe consumer defensive/ packaged foods. They all got an inflation boost early but are now struggling with both higher costs and changing consumer buying actions. The weak and negative "real" (inflation-adjusted) total returns for the Covid period show Wall Street's bearish views of the situation and the outlook. Double-digit negative real performance shows inflation's continuing problems In the early 1970s when inflation was a similar concern, I read an interview with a wealthy individual. He made a surprising statement, saying he would happily give up half his wealth if the other half was guaranteed to retain its value. Why was he willing to make such a large payout? Because inflation has a potentially destructive power that can become self-sustaining, even as economic, business, and financial conditions deteriorate. It is what happened in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown's viral dig at Patriots owner Robert Kraft rekindles massage parlor scandal
Antonio Brown takes aim at Patriots owner Robert Kraft (Image via AP) Antonio Brown is back in the spotlight not for football, but for stirring controversy. This time, he's taking aim at New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, reopening old wounds tied to Kraft's infamous massage parlor scandal. Brown's sharp jab reminds fans that some stories never fade, especially when grudges run deep. His words hint at a simmering tension still unresolved between the outspoken star and the Patriots' powerful owner. Antonio Brown's viral jab reopens old scars It started with a viral clip from the Massage Championship World Tour, showcasing bizarre techniques that had the internet buzzing. Comedian Theo Von couldn't help himself and tweeted, "Type sh*t." That's when Brown swooped in, turning harmless fun into a loaded moment with a single line, "Where the Robert Kraft special at tho?" The comment wasn't just trolling, it was a deliberate reference to Kraft's 2019 scandal, when he was charged with soliciting prostitution at a Florida massage parlor. Though the charges were eventually dropped after the court ruled the video evidence inadmissible, the episode never really faded from public memory. For Brown, this wasn't new territory. When he was released by the Patriots just 11 days after joining the team following his own off-field allegations, he tweeted in frustration, "Kraft got caught in the parlor AB speculations fired different strokes different folks clearly." Although he later apologized to Kraft on Instagram, this recent comment shows the bitterness hasn't gone away. It's not just about being funny, it's personal. Antonio Brown exposes NFL's double standard Antonio Brown's post revives an uncomfortable truth, while players often face swift backlash and career consequences, powerful owners can walk away from scandal with little damage. For a player like Brown, whose career was derailed by allegations and controversy, the double standard clearly still stings. His latest jab may read like a joke on the surface, but beneath it is a deeper challenge, one aimed at the NFL's culture of power and protection. So, was it just AB being AB? Maybe. But it was also a reminder that while he may be off the field, Antonio Brown hasn't gone silent and he's still willing to say what others won't. And when it comes to unfinished business with New England, clearly, he hasn't forgotten. Also read: Patrick Mahomes steals the spotlight as Tom Brady's Olympic dreams stir speculation
