Latest news with #MichelleWu
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Keller: Political ad targets Boston's Mayor Wu over bike lanes, White Stadium
The opinions expressed below are Jon Keller's, not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global. An independent political action committee supporting Josh Kraft is behind the first TV ad in Boston's mayoral race. Does the ad, which is critical of Mayor Michelle Wu, pass the truth test? What the ad says "Too often, Mayor Wu acts as if she alone has all the answers," said challenger Josh Kraft in his campaign kickoff speech last winter. And the first TV ad of the Boston mayoral race - purchased by an independent political action committee supporting Kraft - picks right up on that theme. "We tried to tell Mayor Wu her ideas would only make things worse, but she ignored us," says the narrator, who rolls out Exhibit A: Wu's acceleration of bike lane installations around the city, in some cases over the vocal objections of neighborhood residents and businesses. In support of that claim, the city's April review of its bike lane policy found "consistent feedback" that "communications and community engagement were seemed predetermined," and "neighborhood feedback was not weighed as heavily as others." The mayor says changes will be made, but Kraft and his allies say it's proof of Wu's arrogance. Wu targeted over traffic, White Stadium The ad continues: "Bike lanes - all we got was worse traffic," citing a recent study of Boston's traffic woes. But that linkage is a stretch. In fact, that traffic study cited in the ad found Boston driver time stuck in traffic actually dropped by 10% last year, and an analyst for the company that did the study credits increased bike usage as a positive factor. More: "White Stadium? Luxury boxes and beer gardens, while Boston Public Schools are closed." The ongoing conversion of a decrepit public stadium in the heart of Franklin Park into a facility shared with a private pro soccer team has been a source of controversy. But linking it to the closure of some city schools is a real reach. Years of declining enrollments are behind the shutdowns, and it's unfair to imply Wu is prioritizing the party needs of soccer fans over the needs of Boston schoolkids. The big finish: "Boston's headed in the wrong direction, and a vote against Mayor Wu is a message she can't ignore." Are voters angry at Wu? That's the key question of this race. Most elections where an incumbent is running for another term wind up being a referendum on that incumbent and their record. Mayor Wu is trying to make it a referendum on Kaft by attacking his plans, experience and allies. Whoever wins the battle over framing the choice will likely win in November.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Boston overdose deaths decreased by double digit percentage in 2024; lowest in 10 years
Overdose deaths in Boston decreased by a notable 38% last year, according to a new data analysis released by the city's Public Health Commission. It was the lowest number of related deaths since 2015, reflecting 'the continuation of an encouraging downward trend,' the commission said, that has also played out nationally. Drug overdose deaths nationwide fell by nearly 27% during 2024, provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows — welcome relief from the crisis that at its worst claimed more than 107,000 lives in 2022. Read more: More and more Mass. children were being harmed by overdoses. That changed last year Many public health officials and those working in substance use have attributed the decrease to the increased availability of harm reduction tools, such as naloxone and fentanyl test strips, as well as the ever-changing illicit drug supply itself. Last month, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration released its annual threat assessment showing average fentanyl purity is falling. Meanwhile, drug traffickers are introducing new contaminants into the street supply, often unknown to people who use the drugs. An especially promising sign within Boston's 2024 overdose data is the significant drop in deaths of Black and Latino residents, specifically men, who in recent years were disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis. Read more: There's a new opioid antidote. But Mass. health officials are hesitant to endorse it While overdose death rates for white people were dropping, they increased for people of color. For example, in 2023, Black and Indigenous men across Massachusetts had the highest opioid-related death rates, compared to a 16% drop in the death rates among white men. But 2024 in Boston told a different story: opioid-related mortality in the city fell by 59% for Black men and 52% for Latino men. Overall, Black and Latino residents experienced an overall 58% and 48% decrease, respectively. The city called the numbers 'an encouraging sign.' Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Boston's public health commissioner, said the new data reinforces the city's commitment to 'eliminating racial and ethnic disparities and to ensuring equitable access to services for people with substance use disorders.' 'While we are encouraged by these data, we still have work to do,' she said. Last year, the city of Boston distributed over 23,000 doses of naloxone — the overdose reversal medication — via street outreach, public health vending machines, kiosks and community grants. Read MassLive's series on deadly pill press machines The Boston Public Health Commission conducted over 25,000 engagements with people and made over 2,000 treatment placements, often driving patients directly to a detox or treatment facility, the city said. In a statement, Mayor Michelle Wu said the new data represents 'the impact of our collective efforts to combat the opioid crisis, but emphasizes our continued support to communities who are disproportionately affected.' RFK Jr. says US ending COVID shot recommendation for healthy children, pregnant women Dangerous allergen triggers nationwide chicken soup public health alert Biden's cancer renews debate about prostate screenings for older men Listeria alert: Premade wraps at Big Y, Price Chopper trigger health warning Read the original article on MassLive.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Boston adding late-night food trucks around the city this summer
Looking for late-night eats in Boston? Soon, you'll be able to hit up a food truck after hours. Boston's new Late Night Food Truck Program will host food trucks at public sites near hospitals, universities, music venues and nightlife districts, Mayor Michelle Wu's office announced Saturday. Boston's new food truck program The Late Night Food Truck Program, headed by the Office of Nightlife Economy, will operate like the city's current food truck program, using a lottery to place food trucks at one of seven sites in the city. "My very first efforts in city government working under Mayor Menino focused on improving the restaurant permitting process and launching food trucks in Boston," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "Fifteen years later, I'm excited to continue creating opportunities for our food businesses and to make our city vibrant, welcoming, and fun." Locations for the food trucks will be announced later in June. The program will operate through the summer. Food trucks expected to boost business "The creation of the Late Night Food Truck Program is about more than just meals - it's about unlocking new opportunities for Boston's entrepreneurs and increasing access to late-night food," said Corean Reynolds, director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston. "This initiative is a direct response to conversations with residents, workers, and business, as they consistently indicated to me the need for more food options after hours." Local businesses said they feel the addition of food trucks will add to Boston's nightlife scene. "Being able to serve food later into the evening is a key part of continuing to make the city more vibrant and livelier," said Josh Bhatti, Senior Vice President for The Bowery Presents. "Providing food for concertgoers and our staff along with creating business opportunities for others is something that has been much needed in the city. I applaud the Mayor for pushing this initiative forward."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Boston late-night food truck program to launch this summer
This week, food truck owners have the chance to take part in the city's new late-night food truck program. Mayor Michelle Wu says it's going to provide food trucks the opportunity to utilize public sites designated for late-night service. 'My very first efforts in city government working under Mayor Menino focused on improving the restaurant permitting process and launching food trucks in Boston,' said Mayor Wu. 'Fifteen years later, I'm excited to continue creating opportunities for our food businesses and to make our city vibrant, welcoming, and fun. I encourage interested food truck operators to register for the lottery for a chance to operate at a late-night location this summer and fall.' The seven sites are located near hospitals, universities, and nightlife districts. In order to take part, food truck owners must participate in an online lottery, which is happening on Friday, June 6, at 4 PM, and owners must sign up for the lottery before Wednesday. The Office of Nightlife Economy will announce the list of locations and food truck operators after the lottery in June. The Late Night Food Truck season will take place throughout this summer and end in the Fall. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Boston launches new "Late-Night Food Truck" program for summer eats
Insomniacs with a major cheeseburger jones, this one's for you. Mayor Michelle Wu's office announced Saturday that the city is launching its new "Late Night Food Truck Program," aimed at bringing treats to places where people are working late or are stumbling out of clubs and bars and find themselves in need of a snack. This new program will led by the city's Office of Nightlife Economy. 'My very first efforts in city government working under Mayor Menino focused on improving the restaurant permitting process and launching food trucks in Boston,' Wu said in a statement. 'Fifteen years later, I'm excited to continue creating opportunities for our food businesses and to make our city vibrant, welcoming, and fun,' the mayor continued. 'I encourage interested food truck operators to register for the lottery for a chance to operate at a late-night location this summer and fall.' A lottery to operate near the seven sites near hospitals, universities, music venues, and nightlife districts will take place on June 6 at 4 p.m. If you're a food truck operator and you want in, you should sign up using this online form by Wednesday, June 4. You'll also need all the requisite documents to vend in the city. You can find a list of those required documents is available at this link. The new late-night program is 'about more than just meals—it's about unlocking new opportunities for Boston's entrepreneurs and increasing access to late-night food,' Corean Reynolds, the city's director of nightlife economy, said. 'This initiative is a direct response to conversations with residents, workers, and businesses, as they consistently indicated to me the need for more food options after hours.' District 8 City Councilor Sharon Durkan called the effort a 'win for small businesses, those getting off a late shift, students finishing a long study session, and folks enjoying a night out.' 'It also gives small businesses a new opportunity to connect with customers,' Durkan said. The city will announce the list of winning vendors in June, with the late-night program running until this fall. Business owners and the foodservice industry welcomed the new effort. 'Being able to serve food later into the evening is a key part of continuing to make the city more vibrant and livelier,' Josh Bhatti, the senior vice president for The Bowery Presents, said. 'Providing food for concertgoers and our staff along with creating business opportunities for others is something that has been much needed in the city. I applaud the Mayor for pushing this initiative forward.' 'With so many employers offering lunch to incentivize workers to come back to the office, Boston's food truck community is still struggling to recover from the impact of COVID,' Jen Faigel, the co-founder and executive director of CommonWealth Kitchen, said. Longtime Market Basket execs say they expect to be sacked amid company's turmoil Boston Red Sox prospect (Mass. native) promoted to High A; The Password stays hot High bacteria levels prompt closures for these Mass. beaches More than 30 pizzerias to be at New England's largest pizza festival in June Downtown Boston zoning changes could allow buildings up to 700 feet tall Read the original article on MassLive.
