Our wintry weather continues this week with temperatures consistently staying cold and a couple quick snow chances.
Thursday, we begin clear and sunny with temperatures that have dropped into the teens and 20. The wind is quite gusty to start, but…
Massachusetts
Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting raises concerns about protecting large events in Boston
The Super Bowl parade shooting in Kansas City is raising concerns about protecting large events in Boston.
We’ve dealt with more than our fair share of championship rallies in Boston — originally holding them on City Hall Plaza, but obviously that puts a large crowd in a very tight space.
When the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl in 2004, the police commissioner at the time decided to shift the celebration to a rolling rally. That way fans weren’t stuffed into City Hall Plaza. They were more spread out and constantly moving.
Retired FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Tabman worked in Kansas City and said there’s always an inherent danger with events like this, bringing a million people together in a wide-open location.
“Unfortunately, in that type of open environment, where people are just allowed to come and gather, it’s not going to stop people from coming in with a weapon concealed, there’s no way to stop that,” said Tabman. “The only way to try to prevent it, and nothing’s foolproof of course, is to cordon off the area, blockades and search everybody as they come in. And of course, that’s not foolproof, there’s always people outside the perimeter, but at least if you search people coming in, you hopefully will catch all weapons.”
Law enforcement officials are constantly learning from past tragedies — like the marathon bombings more than a decade ago — and they’re constantly adjusting their safety plans.
As one might imagine, they will look at what happened in Kansas City, as they prepare for our next major event in Boston: the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
More on the Kansas Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting
As storms bring more flooding, Boston considers options to mitigate impacts
After another nor’easter slammed New England this week, with Boston’s Long Wharf impacted by flooding Tuesday.
A City of Boston initiative estimates sea levels could rise by 2 to 7 feet by the year 2100.
Stone Living Lab is working t…
Man arrested after woman’s deadly stabbing in Worcester
A woman was stabbed to death Wednesday afternoon in Worcester, Massachusetts, according to police.
Officers responded to an apartment on Douglas Street shortly after 5 p.m. to find a woman suffering from stab wounds. She was transported to a hospit…
Frederick Douglass bust breaks color barrier at Mass. State House
The first state-commissioned bust of a Black person was unveiled at the Massachusetts State House Wednesday.
Honoring Frederick Douglass, the bust was unveiled in the recently renovated Senate chamber in a well-attended ceremony held on the abolitionist, orator and newspaper owner’s birthday nearly 130 years after he addressed state lawmakers himself.
Senate President Karen Spilka has said that she left two alcoves in the chamber vacant so she could enhance the diverse representation of historical figures in the State House, one with Douglass’ bust and another with a woman’s, possibly Abigail Adams.
“My hope is that people will see the Senate recognizes Frederick Douglass as one of our founding fathers, basically laying a strong foundation, raising issues, fighting for civil justice, for civil rights and that his words and actions still are with us, still have to stay with us,” Spilka said an interview last week.
Douglass’s bust is situated near a quote of his painted on the chamber’s tympanum: “Truth, justice, liberty, and humanity will ultimately prevail.” It was unveiled on what’s believed to be his birthday, which Massachusetts recognizes as Frederick Douglass Day.
It’s the first bust to be added to the Senate Chamber since 1898.
When Douglass escaped slavery, he settled in New Bedford and spoke about his experiences across the country through the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, according to the National Park Service. His first speech to a mostly white audience happened in August 1841, during an anti-slavery convention held in the Nantucket Atheneum’s Great Hall, according to a town document.
During the Civil War, two of Douglass’ sons served in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, according to NPS.
Douglass spoke with House and Senate members during a visit to Beacon Hill on May 10, 1894. He previously came to the State House about five decades earlier, according to the Worcester Daily Spy.
“I have appeared before the American people in a number of qualities. Once as a slave, 56 years ago, I was seized with a strong desire to see Massachusetts, and came North with that end in view,” Douglass told the House before visiting the Senate, according to the Boston Daily Journal. “Again I appeared as a fugitive slave and again as an advocate in behalf of the slave.”
‘Unconscionable’: Leominster shocked by FEMA decision to deny aid after Sept. flooding
Months after severe flooding washed through homes, taking out roadway and causing millions of dollars in damage, the city of Leominster has learned they will not be receiving federal help.
FEMA announced the decision earlier this week, and it’s left residents confused and frustrated.
“We were told the damage needs to be $3 million countywide, or $ 12 million statewide. We submitted $35 million and everything is itemized,” said Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella.
The $35 million would go toward homeowners, city infrastructure and small businesses affected by flooding from the nearly 10 inches of rain the city received in September.
“The whole county saw the damage so I think everyone’s been surprised,” Mazzrella said.
The news comes around the same time the Senate passed a $95 billion package providing aid to Ukraine and Israel.
“And while everybody has their opinion about what gets spent where and how much the reality is these are hard working people,” Mazzarella said.
Families have already dug into their savings.
“A lot of people have had to reach into their retirement, a lot of people have had to borrow money, go to a bank or credit union,” the mayor added.
Congressman Jame P. McGovern fired back at the federal agency’s decision, saying,
“FEMA’s recommendation to deny disaster relief for the City of Leominster is unacceptable and unconscionable. ”
After experiencing over $35,000 in damages, Raymond Bissonnette is one of the 1,400 Leominster residents who filed online applications for FEMA assistance.
“It was denied through the federal government,” he said.
FEMA explained the denial in a letter, saying in part, “…the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies.”
The denial can be appealed within 30 days – something Mazzarella said he absolutely plans to do with the help of the governor.
