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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.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Wednesday's Child: 13-year-old Shemar
WBZ/MARE MARE - Shemar is an active and energetic 13-year-old boy with a bright mind and a big personality. He excels academically and makes friends with ease. Some of his favorite activities include reading books, riding his bike, and playing in a basketball league, where he can burn off some of that nonstop energy. He often takes on the role of the "class clown" at school to keep his peers laughing. His charm, intelligence, and playful spirit make him a joy to be around. For more information you can contact MARE: 617-964-MARE (6273) or visit Since its inception in 1981, Wednesday's Child has been a collaboration of the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), the Department of Children & Families and WBZ-TV/CBS Boston. Hosted by Jack Williams for 34 years, this weekly series has given a face and voice to the children who wait the longest for families. Wednesday's Child has helped find homes for hundreds of waiting children and continues to raise awareness about adoption from foster care.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Keller: Audit finds "mismanagement" in Massachusetts emergency shelter system, no-bid contracts
The opinions expressed below are Jon Keller's, not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global. The migrant deluge that overwhelmed the state emergency shelter system is mostly over, for now. But the fallout from the way it was handled continues in a scathing 74-page report from State Auditor Diana DiZoglio. No-bid contracts The audit hits the state agency in charge - the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) - for "mismanagement" and "failing to assess" the surging numbers, and bungling oversight of spending on food, transportation and housing costs while handing out no-bid contracts. Some examples highlighted in the audit: The state overpaid a food delivery vendor by almost 10%. A a cab company hired to take migrants to critical appointments billed the state at inflated rates. In Boston, a one-mile cab ride costs around $5. One company charged the state almost $147. "People are concerned about the lack of fairness when it comes to the execution of millions of taxpayer dollars," said DiZoglio in a WBZ-TV interview. "The administration was unable to provide evidence that they had really gone through a process of any kind." Number of families in shelters decreasing In response, EOHLC issued a statement, saying in part: "The Healey-Driscoll administration inherited an unprecedented surge in families due to failed immigration policies and a flawed shelter system not equipped to handle it. Since that time, we have made major changes to make the system safer and protect taxpayers.... Now, the number of families in shelter and the cost to taxpayers is going down, more than 85% of families seeking shelter are now long-time Massachusetts residents, and we just announced that we will be out of hotels this summer, months ahead of schedule." But while Healey and her defenders say the size of the migrant influx came as a surprise to everyone, DiZoglio says they should have known by early 2023 that tighter controls were needed. "EOHLC then waited January, February, March, April, May, June, July, and then only in August decided to consider these options for food and transportation," DiZoglio told WBZ. "Let's make sure that we are not allowing these types of circumstances to repeat themselves." Potential political fallout Predictably, the governor's critics are all over this audit, claiming Healey wasted billions and showed little regard for state procurement laws. This is sure to be an issue in a governor's race that already includes two former officials in the administration of former Gov. Charlie Baker, who was still in office when the migrant crisis began. And tension between Healey and DiZoglio herself shows up in the audit when it questions the administration's concern for taxpayer dollars. The crisis may be dying down, but you'll be hearing about it for some time to come.
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Severe storms possible in Massachusetts on Saturday, latest weather forecast maps shows
In what may be the least surprising news you have heard all week, the Boston area, once again, can expect some rain in the weekend weather forecast. The WBZ weather team is highlighting Saturday as a NEXT Weather Alert day in Massachusetts. This will not be a washout or all-day rain. However, there is a risk for some heavy downpours and a few severe storms. Severe weather risk for Boston The Storms Prediction Center has placed most of Southern New England in a "marginal" risk for severe weather Saturday with a "slight" risk in extreme western Mass. and Connecticut. WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston The timing of these storms is still a bit uncertain, our confidence in predicting the where and when will increase in the next 24 hours. For now, we would anticipate the typical time frame, between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., to be the most likely for storms. WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston Lighting, hail and damaging winds possible The air will be loaded with moisture, dewpoints will be the highest we have seen thus far approaching 70 degrees in some areas on Saturday. With this amount of moisture present, any storms that do form could contain some very heavy downpours. There is also a moderate risk of frequent lightning, small hail and some damaging winds within these storm cells. WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston Much drier air will move in on Sunday. Next week looks to be a cool one with high temperatures in the 60s to start and perhaps, even lower by weeks' end. Stay with WBZ-TV, CBS News Boston and for the latest forecast.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Keller: Looking at the Massachusetts people and projects impacted by federal funding cuts
The opinions expressed below are Jon Keller's, not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey's administration has created an online dashboard of federal funding cuts affecting state programs. Massachusetts programs impacted by federal cuts But there are human stories behind the raw numbers, like that of Yessenia Torres of Springfield, whose two young daughters have asthma. But they're no longer struggling to breathe thanks to a state program that removed the mold from their home. However, that program has now been cut, as has money from COVID recovery funds that had been slated for a new multi-million-dollar community health center based at New Bedford High School. "Primary care, immunizations, chronic disease management, mental health services, and it's all gonna happen on New Bedford High's campus," said nurse practitioner Alex Weiner, a New Bedford High grad who's been part of a group pushing for the facility for years. Studies show school-based health centers have had great success reaching patients who might have difficulty traveling to or finding time for medical care. But in a post on "X" justifying the cut, the federal Department of Education mocked the New Bedford plan, writing: "ED will consider all appeals for funding that are directly related to students' COVID learning loss recovery. MA even states in their own press release they want this money for BUILDINGS, not learning recovery." "I think this was one of the most forward-thinking uses of COVID relief money," said Weiner. And good luck to the Chelsea businesses like the New England Produce Center that have to deal with significant flooding all too often. Federal defunding of the Island End River Flood Barrier Project jeopardizes more than $7 billion worth of economic activity and the safety of thousands of residents, according to Chelsea officials. Is there wasteful government spending? Of course there is. But when you're cutting in haste with a chainsaw, can it be a surprise that mistakes are made and people are hurt? "Health and Human Services in the state affects one in three people across the Commonwealth," noted state Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. "So these cuts will hurt people in your family, your neighbors, your elderly parents. These cuts are hitting human beings." "I think a lot of the cuts we're seeing at the federal level are indiscriminate. They're algorithmic," said Weiner. "This was about people. If any human evaluated this project and sat down and looked at the numbers and looked at the research, how could they say no to this?" So where is all this headed? It looks like that will be up to the courts in the short term - that New Bedford High health center cut is part of an ongoing lawsuit, for instance. But right now Congress is wrestling with proposed cuts that have aroused bipartisan protest. How that battle comes out will help tell us what government will and won't be able to help people with going forward.
