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Axios Boston
Humpback vs. boat. Boat loses.
A pair of New England fishermen are lucky to be alive after a 80,000-pound humpback whale smashed into their boat off Rye, New Hampshire.The latest: Video of the collision shows a very big whale leaping onto the back of a boat that's tiny by comparison.The boat quickly begins to capsize and throws its two passengers into the sea like candlepins.💭 Deehan's thought bubble: The video is truly a must-see. Not quite baby wheel-level, but it's up there. Somebody better call Jay.What they're saying: "He went under, he disappeared for a few minutes, and then the next thing we know, he just popped right up on our transom," fisherman Ryland Kenney told WMUR.The intrigue: Marine biologist Alisa Schulman-Janiger told National Geographic the whale wasn't attacking the boat or the humans.She said it was "a collision between a whale 100 percent focused on feeding, and a fishing boat dead in the water," and not making any noise that would let the whale know it was there.Go deeper: Schulman-Janiger said the whale was likely just following a school of fish when it impacted the boat.
Taunton Mayor in court for violent spousal abuse claims
Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell found herself in court this week on charges of assault and battery stemming from a domestic dispute with her husband.Catch up quick: Police say O'Connell's husband Ted O'Connell called them after an argument escalated into violence Friday night.He says Shaunna O'Connell, 54, bit him on the arm, struck him with a metal automotive crowbar, then jumped on the hood of his Lexus as he tried to get away.O'Connell pleaded not guilty to the charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and domestic assault and battery on a family member. She denied the accusations.Her husband...
Just days left for tricky Beacon Hill compromises
Massachusetts State House lawmakers are scrambling to finish at least some of the work they assigned themselves this year before recessing in six days for the remainder of the year.Why it matters: House and Senate members leave most of the heavy lifting until the very end of their two-year session.Deals are worked out between the branches until and beyond the 11th hour, but there's usually one or two major pieces of legislation that won't pass simply because elected officials ran out of time.The big picture: There's plenty more work in front of the top Democrats that schedule votes and negotiate...
Tax breaks for Leo, Marky Marky and more
Massachusetts granted $46 million in tax credits to the 2021 Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence film "Don't Look Up," the most the state has ever dished out for a Hollywood production, reports the Boston Globe.Why it matters: Lawmakers made the tax credit for films and television permanent in 2021 after a debate over whether the breaks boost the local film industry or just pad Hollywood's bottom line.The intrigue: Here are some other movies and TV shows that got good deals for filming in Massachusetts:"Ghostbusters" (2016) — $26.7 million"Patriots Day" with Mark Wahlberg (2016) — $15.7 million"Julia" (2022) — $12.9 million"Kevin Can F**k Himself" (2021) — $10.3 million"Godmothered" (2020) — $8.2 million
JFK Library hosts free yoga, display of Kennedy's fitness initiatives
Steph here. If you're like me, you've been scouring the Boston calendar's listings for free yoga classes and events around the city.The JFK Presidential Library and Museum is hosting both tonight: fitness classes and a one-night display for free.Zoom in: The library is free for fitness classes and a display of artifacts related to former president John F. Kennedy's fitness initiatives in a curator's corner.The library will be open and free from 5pm-8pm.The classes include tai chi (6pm-6:30pm) and yoga (6:30pm-7pm) outdoors.If it rains, classes will be indoors.Yes, the classes are short, but this could be the right mix for someone who wants to knock out some exercise while doing some learning.
Massachusetts's shelter policy changes mirror MassGOP proposals
Gov. Maura Healey shocked housing advocates by cutting stays to overflow family shelter sites — among other changes Massachusetts Republicans have proposed for months.Why it matters: Massachusetts' plan to rein in its family shelter system and network of overflow sites could leave families on the street, advocates say.But the moves announced by Healey on Tuesday so far face no apparent opposition from Beacon Hill leaders.Catch up quick: Starting Aug. 1, families qualified for but waitlisted from family shelter are limited to five days in an overflow site.That's down from the current cap of at least 30 days, with chances to...
Massachusetts is 'out of shelter space,' Healey says
The Healey administration is changing who can get prioritized for emergency shelter and cutting stays in its overflow sites to five days.Why it matters: The administration says the changes will address capacity constraints, lower costs and make the EA system financially sustainable long-term.The Norfolk site, which just opened last month, is already nearing capacity.The big picture: It's the state's latest effort to rein in the shelter system, following nine-month caps for family shelter stays, trips to the U.S.-Mexico border and requests for federal funding.The changes also prioritize long-time Massachusetts residents facing calamities, rather than new arrivals fleeing violence and other...
Vote for the Boston area's best pizza (Round 2)
Bracket: Axios VisualsSteph here, shaking my head at some of these results. But to each their own, right?Catch up quick: After giving you my rundown of Boston's best pizza, we're having our readers decide whick ranks above all others.State of play: Boston's classics — Santarpio's and Regina Pizzeria — remain in the running.RIP Armando's, which lost to Santarpio's.Source lost to Regina.Dirty Water Dough Co. in the Back Bay beat Pinocchio's Pizza & Subs in Harvard Square by three votes.Area Four got a slightly more solid edge over Florina.Let's see which pizzerias land in the top two. Voting's open until 3pm today.Vote here:
Things to do around the Boston area this week
Tuesday 7/23📖 New York Times Magazine staff writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner, author of "Fleishman Is in Trouble," discusses her new novel "Long Island Compromise" at the Harvard Book Store at 6pm.🎸 Two bands from different eras but with similar appeal, Santana and Counting Crows, will be at the Xfinity Center.🐶 Your dog can channel its inner Picasso at Dorchester Brewing Co. "yappy hour" with dog lick paintings, 6pm-9pm.Price: $20.Wednesday 7/24🎻 The Boston Landmark Orchestra performs music from two major American composers, George Gershwin and John Williams, at the Hatch Memorial Shell, 7pm-9pm.They'll play music from Gershwin's "Girl Crazy" overture, Williams' music...
These Massachusetts Dems are backing Kamala Harris for president
Massachusetts Democrats are joining the chorus of politicians endorsing Kamala Harris for president.Why it matters: The vice president is seeing a groundswell of support from the Democratic establishment nationwide, dampening calls for a competitive convention.The latest: The Massachusetts Democratic Party said Monday night its delegates overwhelmingly voted to endorse Harris.The party is sending 116 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.Gov. Maura Healey, one of those delegates, endorsed Harris Monday afternoon.She said Harris will reduce costs, create jobs and "make sure every woman has access to the health care she needs."Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll also backed Harris.Their...
Karen Read's next trial set for January 2025
Karen Read's next murder trial is set to start in early 2025. Why it matters: The high-profile case over the death of Read's boyfriend, Boston Police officer John O'Keefe, continues after a mistrial was declared earlier this month. State of play: Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone set a trial date of Jan. 27, depending on whether Read's defense team can clear the date. One of Read's attorneys has to confirm he won't have a conflicting trial that starts in Essex County earlier that month.Yes, but: The defense will make the case to dismiss two charges — second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a fatal accident — against Read at an Aug. 9 hearing. Read's attorneys said earlier this month four jurors came forward to say the jury unanimously deemed her "not guilty" on those charges, but were split on whether to find her guilty of manslaughter while driving under the influence.The defense argues trying her on those charges again would constitute double jeopardy.
Who has the best pizza in the Boston area? It's readers' turn to decide.
Bracket: Axios VisualsSteph here. I gave you my rundown of the Boston area's best (and overhyped) pizza. Now it's your turn.The intrigue: Axios readers, we need you to tell us who you'd rank at the top for local pizza.Zoom in: The 16 finalists in our bracket include classics like Santarpio's and Regina Pizzeria, bougie options like Area Four and Picco and some no-frills hole-in-the-wall joints.For me, Armando's Pizza & Subs in Cambridge served up the best slice I've had since leaving New Jersey. But some of you might cling to your so-called champions (looking at you, Regina).What to do: Click the link below and submit your vote before 3pm today.Trash talk welcome, even from those of you with trash takes.
Vineyard Wind turbine maker, GE, has seen other turbine mishaps
The Vineyard Wind turbine breakage has renewed scrutiny of GE Vernova, the turbine manufacturer.Why it matters: The company's turbines have made headlines for similar incidents in Germany, Sweden and the U.K.State of play: Crews continue to search for debris from the broken turbine blade, a GE Haliade-X, off the coast of Nantucket.Zoom in: The Vineyard Wind incident is the latest in a series of failures involving turbines built by GE Vernova, Reuters reported.A Haliade turbine blade was damaged at the Dogger Bank wind farm off the U.K. coast in May. The installation resumed days later.Two Cypress turbine blades were damaged in separate incidents at the Alfstedt-Ebersdorf wind farm in Germany last year, Wind Power Monthly reported.Yes, but: Each incident had a different root cause, including manufacturing issues, transportation and handling.The other side: Treacy Reynolds, a GE Vernova spokesperson, said GE is working "around the clock" with Vineyard Wind and government officials to mitigate the damage and find out what caused the incident.Plus: It's not just GE. Siemens Gamesa, a competitor, is fixing problems with its wind power turbines after several blades broke, per Reuters.
Healey admin's AI blueprint starts to take shape
The future of scallop farming could be an AI-powered robot wielding metal chopsticks.Northeastern University researchers showed Gov. Maura Healey the prototype Thursday, one of several proposals pitched to her team.Why it matters: The Healey administration's vision for how AI can fix major problems in Massachusetts is taking shape, from AI-driven scallop sorting to less-invasive tools to detect cancer beneath the skin.Catch up fast: The state's AI Task Force has met throughout the spring and summer to pinpoint what improvements AI can make in various industries and government work.The state has also paired up with Northeastern's Institute for Experiential Robotics, whose...
Measles hits Massachusetts for first time in years
Measles has reappeared in Massachusetts for the first time in four years. Why it matters: The deadly respiratory infection has been surging around the world and international efforts to vaccinate every child against the disease have stalled out since the pandemic. The latest: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said...
Nantucket wind turbine blade falling into the sea
A wind turbine blade that's breaking off of a Vineyard Wind installation in Nantucket Sound is falling into the ocean.Why it matters: The faltering turbine is a massive technical and publicity failure for the region's biggest clean energy project.Debris from the 107-meter blade has already washed up on shore and forced the closure of beaches on Nantucket.The latest: The company reported a "significant part" of what remains of the blade detached Thursday morning.Reports and photos show nearly the entire blade missing from the turbine.Power production was halted after the blade began failing on Saturday.The wind project's CEO Klaus Moeller abruptly cut short an apology before the Nantucket Select Board when the situation went from bad to worse.There's even a toll-free number to call to report any debris islanders might come across.Context: Vineyard Wind just started producing clean electricity in February after years of construction and decades of debate about siting a large wind project on Nantucket Sound.
"Ghost gun" crackdown in Mass. Dems' sights
Firearms constructed from parts that lack serial numbers would be outlawed in Massachusetts under a new gun reform proposal likely to become law in the coming weeks.Why it matters: The bill strengthens Massachusetts' already tight gun laws, gives law enforcement more latitude to seize weapons and revamps the licensing process.What's happening: The conference committee tasked with drawing up a compromise between the House and Senate filed a final new bill Wednesday that will likely easily pass the Legislature and become law.Between the lines: Democrats in the two chambers were miles apart when the issue first gained traction on Beacon Hill,...
Declining to euthanize dog not a crime, SJC rules
The state's Supreme Judicial Court ruled a woman who took her ailing dog home instead of euthanizing him did not commit a crime. Why it matters: The case could affect anyone in Massachusetts who is torn between following medical advice and giving their pet a natural death at home with loved ones.
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