Latest news with #OntheRecord
Politico
5 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Warren defends a former foe
FRIEND OR FOE — Sen. Elizabeth Warren has long been a fierce Jerome Powell critic. But as his future atop the country's central banking system teeters, she's increasingly become one of the Federal Reserve Board chair's staunchest defenders. President Donald Trump has flirted with the idea of firing Powell, ostensibly over an expensive renovation to the Federal Reserve building in D.C., although there's little doubt the real reason is his resistance to lowering interest rates. Warren, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, has been going to bat for Powell on TV and in a recent speech. 'The president has the capacity to fire everybody in his Cabinet. ... But he does not have the legal authority to fire the chairman of the Fed. The Fed is supposed to be independent,' Warren said on CNN Wednesday night. Dumping Powell could crash the stock market, she said on MSNBC Thursday morning. 'If Donald Trump destroys [the Fed's independence], then he brings down those markets,' Warren said. 'He burns something of value to the United States.' On Wednesday, Trump publicly backed off comments he reportedly made to congressional Republicans suggesting he might fire Powell — in part because lawyers warned him the dismissal might not hold up in court, POLITICO reported Thursday. Fed chairs can only be removed 'for cause,' and the legal experts doubted the pricey renovations to an aging office building would withstand legal scrutiny. Warren's defense is an unlikely turn for the sole senator to vote against advancing Powell's nomination in 2017. Since then, Warren has remained a vocal critic of Powell. She's described him as 'a dangerous man' to lead the Fed, and in 2023 implied President Joe Biden should remove him from the position. Warren's advocacy to prevent Powell's ouster, however, doesn't mean he's won her over. 'Independence does not mean impunity, and I have long pushed for more transparency and accountability at the Fed,' she said during a speech before economists Wednesday. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey has no public events. THIS WEEKEND — Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott, head of the Massachusetts Sheriffs Association, is on WBZ's 'Keller @ Large' at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. State Sen. Dylan Fernandes is on WCVB's 'On the Record' at 11 a.m. Sunday. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? DATELINE BEACON HILL — Despite rapidly declining numbers and closure of hotels, Healey administration says emergency shelter system still in crisis by Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe: 'The number of families living in the state's once-overwhelmed emergency shelter system is half of what it was at its peak. Governor Maura Healey insists the costs, which ballooned to $1 billion last year, are coming down, and the government is six months ahead of its deadline to end the widespread use of hotels and motels as family shelters. But the Healey administration says the shelter system is still in crisis. State officials last Friday extended a formal emergency declaration, asserting that even though the number of families in shelter is below the cap set by the Legislature, the state still cannot keep up with the demand. Healey officials say they issued the declaration specifically so they can continue to impose restrictions on shelters, such as limiting who gets priority for beds and how long they can stay.' — State lawmaker pleads guilty to drunk driving charges by Walter Wuthmann, WBUR: 'Watertown state Rep. John Lawn pleaded guilty to drunk driving charges on Monday in Boston Municipal Court after a not guilty plea had been previously entered on his behalf earlier in the morning. He admitted to driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash near the State House. Lawn faces fines, alcohol treatment and education and a 45-day driver's license suspension. Both charges will be continued without a finding if Lawn maintains a clean record a one year.' House Speaker Ron Mariano told the Boston Herald's Joe Dwinell that it was 'aberrant behavior' for Lawn, who he believes will 'use this as a reset.' Mariano also shut down one question that bubbled up after the Watertown representative reportedly told police he was coming from an event at the State House: 'He had not had a drink when we left the State House,' Mariano told the Herald. FROM THE HUB — Boston Mayor Wu touts office to housing conversion success, with 100-plus units under construction by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: 'Mayor Michelle Wu gleefully took a sledgehammer to the walls of an eight-story South Boston building to break ground on the city's largest office-to-residential conversion project to date, accounting for 77 of the 141 such units under construction. Wu, flanked by her planning and housing chiefs, key state elected officials, including ally Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, and developers behind the latest project, spoke to how Thursday's milestone marking the first 100 office-to-housing units under construction seeks to make a small dent in the city's housing crisis.' — Parents' group sues over BPS exam school admissions, alleging discrimination against white students by Christopher Huffaker, The Boston Globe: 'A group representing parents whose children were denied admission to Boston's prestigious exam schools filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the school district, alleging racial discrimination by proxy in the schools' admissions system. The group, which also represents parents whose children plan to apply to the school, is seeking to block the district from continuing to use the admissions system the School Committee adopted in 2021 which divides the city up into socioeconomic 'tiers' students compete within. The lawsuits also ask that the group members' children who were denied admission to one or more exam schools be admitted to the school of their choice.' — Greater Boston home prices surpass $1 million for first time in history by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — For T riders, the shutdown fatigue is real by Jeremy Siegel, GBH News: 'The slow zones are gone. The shutdowns are shorter. But T riders are still frustrated by the deluge of recent service changes that have forced riders off of trains and onto shuttle buses. For the second week in a row, the MBTA is closing down a key piece of the Red Line for three days. Starting Thursday at 8:30 p.m., trains won't run through Downtown Boston until Monday morning, with shuttle buses replacing service between Kendall/MIT and JFK/UMass as crews conduct routine maintenance work and track repairs.' DAY IN COURT — Massachusetts trash strike: Greater Boston cities, towns take Republic Services to court by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: 'Greater Boston communities at the center of the ongoing sanitation worker strike are taking Republic Services to court, seeking immediate relief as trash piles mount, attracting rats and giving off a sickening stench. Gov. Maura Healey is backing the six cities and towns that have filed a complaint in Essex County Superior Court, calling for the waste management giant to resolve its dispute with striking members of Teamsters Local 25.' EYES ON 2026 — Rep. Seth Moulton draws a primary challenge after criticism over trans athlete remarks by Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe: 'Bethany Andres-Beck, a software engineer and Democratic activist, is launching a primary challenge to six-term US Representative Seth Moulton, who caught flak last year after he made remarks about how trans athletes and identity politics contributed to Democrats' November losses. Andres-Beck, who identifies as transgender, said that Moulton is 'exactly wrong on the strategy piece' when it comes to the transgender community, and that his comments are 'part and parcel of being out of touch with America.'' — Patrick Roath hopes to ride a youth movement into Congress and oust Stephen Lynch by Anthony Brooks, WBUR. FALL RIVER FALLOUT — Did Gabriel House ever conduct fire drills? Here's what Fall River inspection reports say by Dan Medeiros, The Herald News: 'Residents who were evacuated from Gabriel House assisted living facility after the deadly July 13 fire did not paint a pretty picture of the building. The city on July 16 and 17 released Building and Fire Department reports for the last several years. Despite residents' concerns, the documents show a facility that, though occasionally hit with bedbug and roach problems, was up to code and passed all fire safety inspections the last six years running — including holding fire drills, which some residents have claimed did not occur.' — 10th victim dies from fire at Fall River assisted living facility via The Boston Globe. FROM THE 413 — Chicopee native announces candidacy for at-large city councilor position by Namu Sampath, The Springfield Republican: 'A Chicopee native has thrown her hat in the ring for one of the vacant at-large city councilor positions. Jessica L. Avery, who works in credit union advocacy, announced her campaign in a statement Thursday. Avery's priorities include housing, support for veterans and seniors, and removing barriers to government access.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — Methuen seeks extension in police discrimination lawsuit by Teddy Tauscher, The Eagle-Tribune: 'After a judge ordered the city to produce 10 years of documents in a police discrimination lawsuit, city lawyers said they have located 600,000 new emails and attachments, equating to nearly a million pages, which must now be reviewed by outside counsel. In an emergency motion made on Tuesday, city attorneys asked for more time to examine the documents, which were supposed to be due to the court on July 15. On April 24, 2024, Methuen Detective Charles DeJesus filed a sweeping lawsuit claiming that for decades he and members of the community have been the victims of racial discrimination by the police department. The city has denied his allegations.' — Liberty Gas looking for state approval to sharply increase rates for Attleboro area by Stephen Peterson, The Sun Chronicle: 'Liberty, the natural gas company for part of the Attleboro area — North Attleboro, Plainville and Wrentham, is looking for state approval to increase rates by a substantial amount and revamp its rate system. Liberty Utilities (New England Natural Gas Company) Corp., doing business as Liberty, has filed a petition with the state Department of Public Utilities for an increase in gas base distribution rates, according to a full page ad on page B7 in Friday's Sun Chronicle.' — New Bedford woman denied bond at immigration hearing by Kevin G. Andrade, The New Bedford Light: 'A New Bedford mother of three was denied bond in immigration court Thursday — a decision likely related to a recent policy memo issued by ICE that disallows bonds for those who entered the U.S. illegally. Yury Melissa Aguiriano-Romero, 35, an asylum applicant from Honduras, was denied bond by Immigration Judge Natalie Smith during a hearing at Chelmsford Immigration Court regarding a reopened asylum claim.' HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Former Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley, chief sustainability officer at Vicinity Energy, and Kathryn Niforos, communications director for Vineyard Offshore, welcomed Matilda Georgia O'Malley on July 1. Pic! HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Rep. Paul Schmid, former state Rep. Jeff Sanchez, Nate Everett, Sarah Iselin, Michael Bakshi, Emerson College lecturer Keri Thompson, Amy Sweeney, Eddie Flannery and Sarah Kashinsky. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Milton state Sen. Walter Timilty, Jordan Meehan, state Rep. Simon Cataldo and Google's Catherine Cloutier, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers to former state Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty, Krista Zalatores, Mass. native and POLITICO alum and David Giambusso.
Campaign ME
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Do AI influencers resonate?
Forget everything you thought you knew about influencers. Turns out, brands are leaning into ones that don't drink matcha, go on sponsored retreats, and don't even exist – at least not in the traditional sense. In today's digital-first landscape, some of the most compelling brand voices aren't human at all. They're virtual, coded brand ambassadors. Welcome to the age of the AI influencer – where storytelling is more nuanced and a glitch might just be what it takes for humans to find the 'humanity' in AI. After Campaign Middle East's On the Record video podcast welcomed AI influencers to its studio, one thing became clear: these digital darlings aren't just passing fads or virtual novelties. To better understand how AI influencers are rewriting the rules of engagement, storytelling and brand loyalty, we asked regional marketers and agency leaders: What makes an AI personality resonate with audiences in an authentic way? Do they serve a purpose beyond mere short-term campaign tools? The authenticity dilemma Over the past year, one of the many buzzwords that has echoed across the industry is authenticity. To achieve authenticity, brands have attempted to push past polished perfection and build meaningful connections with communities. But the authenticity dilemma arises when a solution that's intrinsically 'inauthentic' resonates authentically with audiences. Tony Kayouka, Head of Social and Content, TBWA\RAAD, explains, 'Let's get this out of the way: AI influencers aren't authentic, and they don't need to be. The best ones don't pretend to be real. They're believable because they're designed with intent. That's what today's audiences respond to; not another hyper-polished avatar, but a personality that's flawed, specific and sometimes even contradictory.' Building on the 'imperfect by design' narrative, Nizar Malaeb, Marketing Director, Arabian Automobiles Company (AAC), says, 'With AI influencers becoming a fixture across social platforms, audiences, especially Gen Z or younger millennials, expect more than polished avatars and curated feeds. They want honesty and a sense of connection from any online voice, whether human or not.' What then does it mean to be 'authentic'? Mousa Nimer, Account Director at Cicero & Bernay, says, 'Authenticity isn't about being human as much as it is about being believable.' Kayouka adds, 'It's not about tricking people into thinking it's human. It's about making the character compelling enough that they care anyway.' As a result, several brands have embraced imperfection in the pursuit of what is relatable to their hyper-local audiences in the region. Explaining how this imperfection is achieved, Malaeb says, 'Human writers and community managers must shape each AI persona to sound natural, adding pauses, slang and even small mistakes that echo real speech.' Nimer adds, 'A little quirk here, an intentional flaw there … it's like digital botox with just the right amount of asymmetry. Consumers don't want avatars that look like they live in an airbrushed alternate reality. They want voice, nuance and, yes, maybe even a glitch or two. That's where marketing meets meaning.' Kayouka says, 'Great AI personas lean into bias, hesitation, irony: all the things that give them texture. Authenticity doesn't come from looking real. It comes from being written well. In this space, taste matters more than tech. And story beats symmetry every time.' However, for brands to build true credibility, they also need to be transparent about the artificial nature of AI influencers – and own that narrative. Hussein M. Dajani, Group Chief Marketing and Customer Centricity Officer, Petromin Corporation, says, 'Brands are implementing radical transparency by clearly disclosing AI origins while developing virtual personalities that engage meaningfully with local communities around social causes and cultural interests.' Malaeb adds, 'Instagram and TikTok now offer 'AI-generated' labels. Followers know exactly what they're seeing. Brands that are straightforward, tend to earn more trust and engagement. Companies can answer the authenticity challenge by being upfront about what's real and what's not.' The critical piece here is that although the AI influencers are artificial, the values they communicate and the way they are curated are so human driven that they come across as authentic 'avatars' of brands. Akanksha Goel, Founder and CEO – Middle East, Socialize /We Are Social adds, 'It's never just AI – it's always AI and human. The best outputs don't come from tools; they come from teams with taste. As creative leaders, our job is to shape, not just scale. AI lets us build faster, but it's human insight, intuition and cultural intelligence that make it believable, even memorable.' Malaeb explains, 'Virtual ambassadors work as part of a larger brand story, shaped by ethical guidelines and managed by real people. This mix of transparency and genuine human input makes AI influencers credible, even when everyone knows they're artificial.' Do AI influencer have a beating heart? Apart from authenticity and transparency, leaders also say that to truly connect with core audiences, brand ambassadors such as AI influencers need to be culturally relevant. As Kayouka puts it, 'What matters isn't realism; it's resonance. Audiences can spot hollow content in seconds, and in that landscape AI influencers have more to offer than synthetic faces. Ultimately, it's not just about realism; it's about cultural relevance and storytelling that resonates.' In a world where real-life influencers and content creators still strive for perfection in the framing of their photographs, in the aesthetics of the setting, in the lighting and the 'vibe' of their social feeds, AI influencers have a harsh reality to share. Dajani says, 'Rather than pursuing flawless digital personas, brands are investing in AI influencers that demonstrate genuine understanding of regional lifestyle preferences, using local dialects and showcasing authentic cultural experiences. This approach addresses consumer demand for relatable brand ambassadors while maintaining the innovative appeal of AI technology.' However, this requires an understanding of culture, habits and local routines. When brands use this approach, they're helping people see their own lives reflected at them. That's how lasting connections form,' says Malaeb. If done right, AI influencers have the power to transcend traditional marketing approaches by evoking emotions and creating connections, thus transforming data-led insights into compelling human narratives. Humanising data-driven insights AI influencers are also bridging the gap between data and creativity. Cultural intelligence derived by analysing first-party data is translated into empathetic narratives … and that's where AI influencers come in. Nimer says, 'AI can crunch numbers, but it can also tell stories if we let it. The magic isn't in mimicking humans; it's in giving data a heartbeat, digitally speaking. AI influencers can translate raw insights into narratives that can make us feel something.' Dajani adds, 'By starting with decision-focused narratives rather than data points and building structured stories that connect numbers to human experiences, AI influencers can humanise complex information while fostering community engagement around authentically resonant messaging that avoids superficial trend-chasing.' 'Data is a starting point, not the story itself,' Malaeb says. 'For example, if research shows parents care about car safety, the message shouldn't stop at listing features. Instead, content should show real-life moments – like the rush of a school drop-off or the quiet of a late-night drive home. When these details feel true to life, audiences pay attention.' This is where human intelligence in the driving seat with AI influencers riding shotgun really matters. Nimer says, 'My take is: We should use AI not to replace the human voice, but to amplify it strategically, empathetically and creatively. The humanising aspect isn't necessarily about whether it sounds real; it's about saying the right things.' He adds, 'When crafted with purpose, AI influencers deliver that 'wait, did an AI just say that?' charm. But here's the kicker: they still need us. Marketers are the ones feeding the AI with the right context, strategy and storytelling DNA. We're not stepping aside for machines; we're teaching them how to speak brand fluently.' Goel agrees saying, 'AI can create more space for human creativity – if we let it. The opportunity isn't to replace the human touch, but to reimagine how we express it at scale. Culture now moves at the speed of social, and for brands that want to shape it, AI is the hack: a way to translate data into creative expression that travels – across markets, time zones and cultural lines.' From a campaign tool to a differentiated brand assets To date, AI influencers have been viewed as effective campaign tools, but leaders say that it's time to view them as more than just 'disposable characters'. Kayouka comments, 'Most brands still treat AI influencers like novelty acts built for headlines, not memory. But the smart ones treat them like intellectual property (IP): distinct voice, narrative stretch and a role within the brand's cultural system. That kind of presence doesn't run on autopilot. It takes upkeep: scripting, styling, evolving tone and responding to context.' Leaders agree that the 'smarter' companies are using AI influencers as flexible voices that evolve alongside their agile businesses. Malaeb says, 'Instead of fading them out after a single launch, they become part of everyday communication – adjusting content and tone as needed and always staying true to the brand's core identity.' This approach, leaders agree, is especially valuable in sectors such as automotive or technology where education and ongoing conversation matter. Dajani adds, 'Forward-thinking brands are repositioning AI influencers from tactical campaign tools to strategic brand assets that deliver sustained competitive advantage. Unlike human influencers, AI brand ambassadors maintain consistent messaging, never experience scandals, and can operate across multiple markets simultaneously.' Malaeb adds, 'With a long-term role, AI influencers help keep messaging clear and consistent, even as products or markets evolve. When brands invest in this way, the AI persona becomes part of their foundation, helping them stand out and stay relevant in crowded digital spaces.' The bottom line? In the hands of skilled marketers, AI influencers are becoming more than tools. They're turning into long-term brand ambassadors with cultural fluency, emotional intelligence and brand-building power. 'The win? A character that doesn't age, burn out or go off-script. It's one that adapts to platform shifts, speaks with consistency and carries meaning across time. In a feed full of forgettable faces, an AI persona with point of view isn't just efficient, it's unmistakable,' says Kayouka. Leaders reach a consensus that success lies not in the realism or the perfection of AI, but in transparency, resonance, the cultural sharpness of its expression and how the humanity of creatives shines through the AI influencers that they are bringing to life.
Politico
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Markey marks his territory
TURF WAR — Sen. Ed Markey is rolling out more than two dozen new endorsements this morning from current and former state and local officials from across a swath of the state. At first glance, there's no clear connection between the 26 politicians on the list — which includes state Sen. Michael Rodrigues, Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan. But they share one not-so-subtle connection: The area they represent spans Massachusetts' 4th Congressional District. That just happens to be the home turf of Rep. Jake Auchincloss, one of Markey's more regularly mentioned possible primary challengers. Auchincloss, who won the seat former Rep. Joe Kennedy III vacated to challenge Markey in 2020 (getting drubbed by double digits) has said he plans to run for reelection to Congress. But when pressed during an interview on WCVB's 'On the Record' at the start of the year, he didn't close the door on the idea. 'I don't rule things out proactively. I'm running for reelection to be a member of Congress,' he said. The slew of endorsements Markey's campaign is rolling out this morning also includes a batch of politicians from Newton, Auchincloss' hometown. State Reps. Amy Mah Sangiolo and Greg Schwartz, and former state Reps. Kay Khan and Ruth Balser are on the list, as is the city's mayor, Ruthanne Fuller. Markey, Fuller said in a statement, 'has consistently delivered for our families. Newton needs him back in the Senate as our advocate and champion.' Rounding out the list: State Reps. Kevin Honan, John Lawn, Brian Murray, Jeff Roy, Bill MacGregor, Josh Tarsky, Adam Scanlon, Tommy Vitolo, Jim Hawkins, Alan Silvia, Steve Ouellette and James Arena-DeRosa — and Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, former state Sen. Marc Pacheco, former state Rep. Paul Schmid and former Taunton mayors Thomas Hoye Jr. and Bob Nunes. Point of intrigue: Some of the names are the same ones that have been floated as potential candidates for Auchincloss' seat, should it open up. Markey didn't address the congressional district connection in a statement shared with Playbook. Instead, he said he's 'deeply grateful to have the support of these tremendous leaders who are dedicated to fighting every day for the health, safety, and futures of Massachusetts communities.' GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The congressional tax bill could cover the cost of 10,000 Jayson Tatums, per the Boston Globe. Imagine how many Luke Kornets that would be. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey has no public events. Lt. Gov. Kim Drsicoll speaks at the opening of a senior living community in what was formerly a high school at 11 a.m. in Beverly. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on SparkFM at 10 a.m., cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of Mendez Barbershop at 10:45 a.m. in West Roxbury and attends the Somali Independence Day Festival at 4:15 p.m. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ EYES ON 2026 FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Democratic congressional hopeful Patrick Roath, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch, will report raising more than $286,000 from early May to the end of June, according to his campaign. Roath's haul is close to half of the more than $590,000 a former Lynch primary challenger, Robbie Goldstein, raised from 2019 to 2020 when he ran. The second quarter covers fundraising from April 1 through June 30, but Roath didn't officially launch his campaign until early May. Federal Election Commission reports are due July 15. Lynch still holds the cash advantage, with more than $1 million in his campaign coffers as of the end of March. DATELINE BEACON HILL — Beacon Hill Democrats ship Gov. Healey budget accord that boosts reliance on surtax by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: 'Massachusetts lawmakers sent a $61 billion budget to Gov. Maura Healey Monday that requires residential brokers' fees to be covered by the party that enlists those services and boosts the state's reliance on a surtax on incomes over $1 million. The votes to advance the budget marked the first time since 2016 that lawmakers have sent a spending plan to the governor before the start of the next fiscal year. But Massachusetts is still set to kick off fiscal 2026 without a budget in place because Healey gets 10 days to review the proposal.' IN OTHER BUDGET NEWS — 'How do you negotiate with that?' Massachussets lawmakers cut a proposed pay hike for court-appointed attorneys amid work stoppage. by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: 'Massachusetts legislative leaders sliced a measure from their $61 billion budget plan that would have raised the pay for some, but not all, of the state's court-appointed attorneys at a time many are already refusing to take new cases over pay rates they say are too low. Democratic leaders' decision to omit the proposal from their wider spending plan frustrated attorneys, known as bar advocates, who in late May launched a work stoppage that has pushed the state's courts to a breaking point. The measure contained in an earlier budget bill was far more limited than what attorneys have sought, and several said Monday it would not have addressed some of their deeper concerns about how bar advocates are compensated. The decision to cut it out of the final package nevertheless sent a message, they said.' — Healey administration shutters hotels, transfers families through HomeBASE program by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: 'The Healey administration has closed all but a handful of hotel shelters, with two dozen programs shuttering this month alone. The remaining four hotel shelters will close by July 31. 'Providers and on-site case managers have been working closely with all impacted families to help them identify secure housing before the closing date,' said a spokesperson for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in an emailed message. At the start of the month, there were 623 families in the 24 hotel programs set to close by the end of June. Thirty total families are moving out of the 11 hotel shelters closing just today, and the rest have been transferred.' RELATED — 'I'm really worried.' With the state's hotel shelter system closing, families struggle to find places to live. by Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio and Jade Lozada, The Boston Globe. — Maura Healey loves TripAdvisor, values a good souvenir, and would travel with Oprah if she could by Juliet Pennington, The Boston Globe. FROM THE HUB — Boston fire union backs tax provisions in President Trump's 'big beautiful bill' amid local tensions by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: 'Boston fire union leadership was featured in an official White House promotional video for President Donald Trump's 'big beautiful bill' proposal, speaking about the benefits they see in some of its tax breaks for firefighters. Sam Dillon and Leroy Heyward, the respective president and vice president of Boston Firefighters Local 718, joined leadership from the International Association of Fire Fighters in throwing their support behind certain tax provisions in the bill, in an Instagram video posted by the official White House account last Saturday.' — New England's first public housing complex is getting a makeover by Katie Lannan, GBH News: 'One of the largest public housing complexes in New England will get a complete overhaul over the next two decades in a redevelopment effort that kicked off Monday with a ceremonial groundbreaking. All 1,016 affordable apartments in the Mary Ellen McCormack complex in South Boston will be replaced throughout the course of the project, which will also add more than 2,000 new market-rate and middle-income homes.' — As foreign students reconsider coming to Boston, local businesses prepare for fallout by Tréa Lavery, MassLive. — Ruthzee Louijeune is the city's first Haitian American City Council president. Now she's fighting the Trump administration on immigration. by Jule Pattison-Gordon, Governing. FROM HARVARD YARD — Harvard inches closer to losing more federal money after civil rights accusation by Juan Perez Jr. and Megan Messerly, POLITICO: 'The Trump administration formally accused Harvard University of violating federal civil rights laws and failing to mount an appropriate response to alleged campus antisemitism. Monday's notice marked a stark and renewed threat to Harvard's federal funding amid quiet negotiations between the elite school and government authorities that have otherwise been replete with court fights, threats to Harvard's research funding and foreign student enrollment — and the recent possibility of a detente raised by President Donald Trump.' WARREN REPORT — Senators slam Lloyd Austin over new consulting firm by Daniel Lippman, POLITICO: 'Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Rick Scott are blasting former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for starting a D.C. consulting firm after saying he would not become a lobbyist after leaving the government. '[T]his move is particularly disappointing because you made a clear promise during your nomination hearing to uphold the public trust,' the bipartisan duo said in a letter to Austin on Monday obtained by POLITICO.' WATCH — Elizabeth Warren shocked to find agreement with Musk over megabill via CNN. DATELINE D.C. — The Senate megabill is on a collision course with House fiscal hawks by Benjamin Guggenheim, POLITICO: 'House fiscal hawks are looking at the math underlying Senate Republicans' sprawling domestic policy legislation, and they don't like what they see. As Senate Republicans try to muscle President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' for final passage, they're on track to violate a budget framework brokered between House fiscal hawks and Speaker Mike Johnson. Under that framework, if the GOP piles on tax cuts over $4 trillion, they'd need to match them dollar-for-dollar with additional spending cuts beyond the $1.5 trillion in the House-passed bill.' FROM THE 413 — Police misconduct, employment allegations have cost Springfield a whopping $11 million in recent years by Danny McDonald, The Boston Globe: 'In one case, police officers allegedly stomped on a man in a package store, breaking his nose and ankle. In another confrontation, cops allegedly shot an unarmed man twice. In a third, a woman died after complaining about chest pains and breathing difficulties while in police custody. In the wake of each of those instances, the City of Springfield paid money to settle claims of police misconduct. In a city dogged by allegations of endemic police malfeasance and corruption in recent years, Springfield has ponied up more than $11 million in taxpayer money to address claims of law enforcement wrongdoing since the second half of 2019, a Globe review of public records has found.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — Nearly 1 year after death of state Trooper Delgado-Garcia, family, lawmakers await answers by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette: 'Two months shy of the first anniversary of the death of Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his collapse and demise is yet to be finalized. Worcester city records show the cause of death is still pending on his death certificate. Like the cadet's family, Worcester lawmakers are awaiting the findings of an ongoing inquiry.' — Congress may cut funding to MassHealth. For some in New Bedford, it's a major source of support. by Abigail Pritchard, The New Bedford Light. HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Tara Healey, Pierson Fowler and Amy Blum.
Politico
27-06-2025
- Business
- Politico
Dems ... in array?
ALL TOGETHER NOW — Beacon Hill Democrats might finally be on the same page. Relations between the House and Senate were … less than cozy in the waning days of the formal lawmaking last summer, and some of that sentiment bled into the new session. But there were a few signs this week that Democrats are ready to put the bickering on the back burner. After bold commitments to update the joint rules they've struggled to agree on over the last five years, top House and Senate Democrats suddenly reached a deal this week on a package they say will make things run more smoothly and with increased transparency. House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka cheered the agreement after their semi-regular meeting with Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. Spilka even hit Mariano with a little light back-slapping as they took their victory lap. 'Neither one of us liked the way it ended July 31 of last year,' Mariano told reporters at the time, referencing the impasse Democrats hit during what normally would've been their final formal session (Both chambers came back to work to pass the bills left undone later in the year.). 'We just knew it was time to make this thing work. And we did,' Mariano added. Lawmaking has been slow-going so far — the Legislature has only passed a handful of bills, and most of what's moved has been supplemental budgets. But as the Senate met Thursday to pass new protections for patients and providers seeking and administering abortions and gender-affirming care, Mariano told reporters the House could take up the issue in the coming weeks. 'As soon as we can get something from the Senate, go through it, see how we can be helpful … we just have to keep plugging away,' he said. One thing to keep an eye on in the next couple of days: How quickly negotiators can reach a budget deal. Monday is the final day of the fiscal year, a deadline the Legislature hasn't hit in more than a decade — but in a sign that things could be getting close, the House gaveled out Thursday night (after members hung around for hours) without passing the interim budget Healey filed to fill a potential budget gap. Still, getting a budget signed on time is likely out of the question, since Healey gets 10 days to decide on any vetoes. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey has no public events. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a coffee hour in the North End at 10 a.m. and speaks at the Boston Arts Academy Foundation lunch at noon in Beacon Hill. THIS WEEKEND — Gov. Maura Healey is on WBZ's 'Keller @ Large' at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale is on WCVB's 'On the Record' at 11 a.m. Sunday. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ DATELINE BEACON HILL — A Massachusetts. doctor mails 2,500 abortion kits out of state per month. Lawmakers voted to further protect providers like her. by Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe. — Will Massachusetts ban Native American mascots in schools? Legislators make another push by Margie Cullen, Taunton Daily Gazette. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — U.S. wants to deport FBI informant who was set to testify in gang case in Massachusetts. by Jesús Marrero Suárez, WBUR: 'In November 2022, a man in El Salvador believed he had few options: be snatched off the street by police or testify against Massachusetts members of MS-13, the criminal organization responsible for countless murders and other violent crimes in the U.S. and Central America. But both happened. After nine months in Salvadoran prisons, the man only known as John Doe in court documents came to the United States as a material witness for a racketeering case in exchange, as he understood it, for refuge in the U.S. He's now locked up in a facility here. A material witness often has testimony crucial to a case, and can be detained to protect them or prevent them from fleeing. In the midst of the MS-13 case, the U.S. government revealed his identity in evidence and has been attempting to deport him.' FROM THE HUB — Boston's property assessments questioned; city accused of secret tax hikes by Maya Shavit, Boston Business Journal: 'The Pioneer New England Legal Foundation, a group formed from the merger last month of the Pioneer Public Interest Law Center and the New England Legal Foundation, said this week that commercial property owners in Boston who appealed their tax assessments were penalized without notice over the past year. In a letter to the state commissioner of Revenue, a copy of which was sent to the city of Boston, the legal foundation claims the city is unlawfully charging taxpayers with bills that are based on property valuations those taxpayers dispute.' YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS CASH DASH — Former Secretary of State John Kerry headlined a Cambridge fundraiser for Sen. Ed Markey Thursday night, per the invitation. On the guest list: A whole host of former ambassadors. FROM THE DELEGATION — Two Massachusetts military vets in Congress break from Democratic consensus of outrage over Trump's Iran strike by Sam Brodey, The Boston Globe: 'After President Trump ordered dramatic airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday night, most Democratic lawmakers were outraged — not just because Trump bypassed congressional approval for the attack, but also because many worried the escalation could destabilize an already volatile situation with Iran. A smaller but still influential group within the party, however, responded to the attack on Tehran's nuclear program differently— including two vocal members of Massachusetts' generally progressive delegation in Congress. Representatives Jake Auchincloss and Seth Moulton, Marine veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively, were both extremely alarmed that Trump didn't consult Congress. But they didn't share the immediate anger of their colleagues that the aftermath of the strikes was obviously dangerous or damaging.' — Baby on board: Mass. lawmaker asks Trump to keep strollers, cribs out of his trade war by John L. Micek, MassLive: 'A Democratic lawmaker from Massachusetts, joined by more than two dozen of her colleagues, has called on the Trump White House to exempt already pricey baby products from its overseas trade war. In a letter shared exclusively with MassLive, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, called on U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to move ahead with exemptions for such key products as strollers, car seats, cribs and highchairs from current and future tariffs.' FROM THE 413 — Silent standout in Northampton protests ICE detainments, deportations by Alexander MacDougall, Daily Hampshire Gazette: 'It's not uncommon to see protesters and activists assembled in front of Northampton City Hall, speaking out in support of social issues and against injustices of the day. But the gathering held there early Thursday afternoon did not feature boisterous speeches or calls to action; rather, it struck a more somber tone in protesting against the detention and deportation of immigrants and foreign nationals in the U.S. by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — AG: Barre town officials intentionally violated open meeting law hiring DPW director's cousin as his assistant by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: 'Town officials in Barre are facing a $500 fine after the Office of the Attorney General ruled they intentionally violated the Open Meeting Law when hiring the cousin of the Public Works director to serve as his administrative assistant. A town official who filed the complaint said it supports his contention that town is being improperly managed, while the selectmen chairwoman — who was among those faulted by the attorney general — said she had no intent to violate the law.' — Reprimanded police sergeant committed more sexual harassment, then retired without discipline by Anastasia E. Lennon, The New Bedford Light: 'A city police sergeant, reprimanded for sexual harassment in mid-2023, was found last year to have committed further sexual harassment. He went on paid administrative leave and then medical leave, and retired without discipline in November, months after the investigation's findings were submitted to the police chief.' — Bitterly divided Brockton school board meets behind closed doors to discuss longtime member by Chris Helms and Jacob Posner, The Brockton Enterprise: 'A bitterly divided Brockton School Committee met behind closed doors Tuesday evening, June 26, to discuss Ward 7 School Committee Member Tim Sullivan. Massachusetts law requires that most public business be done in public. However, there are a handful of exceptions that allow elected boards to go into executive session where any discussion and votes they take can be kept from the public for a certain period. The reason the board gave for the executive session is broad. It was about the 'reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual.'' — 'Critical' Sandwich gate at Joint Base Cape Cod gets another reprieve by Rachael Devaney, Cape Cod Times: 'A July 1 deadline for the potential closure of Joint Base Cape Cod's East Sandwich gate loomed over local residents, workers, and military personnel who use the gate year-round. But on Thursday, Don Veitch, Joint Base Cape Cod public affairs officer for the Massachusetts National Guard, said the gate will remain open and funded for one year. Funding, said Veitch, will be continually reevaluated. The Sandwich gate was originally scheduled to close May 16 due to federal funding cuts. Joint Base Cape Cod then extended the closure until June 30 after reallocating funds and arranging for soldiers to perform their annual training at JBCC, according to Veitch.' HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Sen. Joe Boncore, state Sen. Michael Barrett, former Plymouth state Rep. Mathew Muratore, Molly McGlynn, of AG Andrea Campbell's office; Nick Mitchell, Jesse Lehrich and Paul Tencher, a Sen. Ed Markey alum. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Erin McPike and Moses Marx, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Ben Jarrett, Amish Shah, Jason Ostrander, Katrina Gaddis and state Sen. Liz Miranda.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Simmons sues HBO for $20 million over doc alleging sexual misconduct
NEW YORK — Russell Simmons has filed a lawsuit against HBO and the makers of the 2020 documentary 'On the Record,' claiming defamation for their allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. The record executive, who's seeking $20 million in damages, is also accusing them of ignoring or suppressing evidence from witnesses who 'refuted and rebutted the accusations falsely made' against Simmons, according to lawsuit filed in New York. 'Despite voluminous support for Mr. Simmons in the form of credible information, persuasive evidence, witness statements and calls for further investigation by notable members of the media, politics and the civil rights movement, the defendants simply disregarded it, and released, and continue to re-release globally, a film that tremendously disparaged and damaged Mr. Simmons with salacious and defamatory accusations that he vehemently denies,' his attorneys, Imran Ansari and Carla DiMare, said in a written statement to Variety. In the complaint, Ansari claims the streamer ignored multiple polygraph tests that 'would have been discovered with due diligence and adherence to accepted journalistic standards.' The documentary made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2020 and detailed sexual assault and misconduct allegations against the Def Jam Records founder from multiple women. The project was originally to be produced as a part of Oprah Winfrey's deal with Apple TV, but the media mogul later withdrew from the film and it ultimately landed at HBO Max. Along with the $20 million, Simmons is requesting a court order to have the title removed from all of HBO's platforms. Simmons has faced multiple lawsuits accusing him of misconduct. More than 20 women have come forward alleging sexual assault, many of whom participated in the documentary. A spokesperson for Warner Bros., the parent of HBO, told TMZ the company 'stand[s] by the filmmakers and their process, and will vigorously defend ourselves against these unfounded allegations.'
