POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook Boston MEDIA’s Friday quake — A PRIMARY challenge in 14th Suffolk — BAKER staffs up campaign
12/11/2017 07:07 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
WELCOME TO MONDAY, MASSACHUSETTS.
THE DAY THAT SHOOK THE BOSTON MEDIA - Friday was a watershed moment for the Boston media landscape, delivering unexpected twists that by the end of the day left lingering questions about the city's composition as a two-paper town.
The day started with controversy about the Boston Globe on an unexpected front: Popular morning sports talk radio show hosts Kirk and Callahan on-air sought to address the growing rumors about an unnamed Globe reporter who left the paper following unspecified sexual harassment accusations. After an hour of talk, Kirk and Callahan did not directly name the individual, "though they managed to get it out there indirectly," as Boston media watcher Dan Kennedy put it , and ramped up speculation about how the Globe would address it.
Hours later, the Globe's Shirley Leung told Boston Public Radio listeners that a story addressing the allegations had been in the works and expected it to be published sometime in the afternoon.
As we all waited, Boston Herald leadership summoned its employees to the newsroom for an all-hands-on-deck, surprise announcement at 3:30 p.m.: The Herald had filed for bankruptcy and would be sold to GateHouse Media for $5 million pending a court's OK. Pat Purcell , the Herald's current owner who announced the sale, said "all I ever wanted to do was keep the Boston Herald alive. And it is with this pending sale that I am able to do that in these difficult newspapering times." Answers to questions around pension fulfillment are still unclear, and current reporters will have to re-interview for their jobs in January under the new leadership.
Following the Herald news and amid speculation about when the Globe, local NPR affiliate WBUR also dropped a surprise announcement: Nationally syndicated 'On Point' host Tom Ashbrook had been placed on leave for "unspecified allegations." The show continues today with a guest host, according to WBUR.
And in what critics say amounted to a Friday news dump, the Globe's "Me Too" story detailing accusations of sexual misconduct within its own ranks and the Boston media world as a whole dropped just before 6 p.m. Many who were eager to see a deep look inward by Boston's paper of record felt the story came up short, including some in the Globe's own ranks. Editor in Chief Brian McGrory explained the decision to cover the story because "we're applying an extra measure of transparency to ourselves," he wrote in a memo to staff. The now-former reporter, like everyone else except Ashbrook detailed in the Globe story, remained unnamed. McGrory defended the editorial decision: "Quite simply, the transgressions would not meet our standards for a reportable event if they happened at another company."
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY - Gov. Charlie Baker, LG Karyn Polito, Assistant Secretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay, Littleton Mayor Keith Berman, and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone to announce a comprehensive Housing Choice Initiative at a Roxbury event - Sen. Ed Markey holds a press conference with Massachusetts technology leaders ahead of an FCC vote on net neutrality later this week - The Cannabis Control Commission kicks off its first day of a week of meetings on the commission's regulations.
- "Admin officials departing for Baker campaign, MassGOP," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service : "Billy Pitman, who had been Baker's press secretary in the governor's office, served his last day in that post Friday. His new role is deputy campaign manager for communications and digital. ... Brian Wynne stepped down as executive director of the state Republican Party to become Baker's campaign manager. Wynne resigned from the party Wednesday, the day after Fitchburg Republican Dean Tran won a special state Senate election, a MassGOP spokesman said. ... MassGOP Chair Kirsten Hughes recommended Matt St. Hilaire, the Baker administration's director of personnel and administration, as the new executive director."
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
FRIDAY'S BOMBSHELL - "Former state senator Brian Joyce indicted on federal charges," by Andrea Estes, Milton J. Valencia and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "Former state senator Brian A. Joyce collected about $1 million in bribes and kickbacks that he laundered through his law firm, according to a sweeping 102-page indictment that accuses the Milton Democrat of turning his public office into a criminal enterprise - even accepting hundreds of pounds of free coffee from a Dunkin' Donuts owner. Joyce, once the Senate's assistant majority leader, was taken from his Westport home in handcuffs early on Friday morning and escorted by federal agents to be booked and fingerprinted, and face federal charges of mail fraud, corruption, money laundering, and embezzlement, among many others."
- THE STORY EVEN WENT INTERNATIONAL: "Former senator arrested on extortion and fraud charges after allegedly using his office to gain $1million, 700 POUNDS of free coffee and a Jeep," by the UK's Daily Mail.
- "Rosenberg faces challenge returning to top post," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "As one of Beacon Hill's top elected officials, Democrat Stanley Rosenberg is credited with championing same-sex marriage, transgender rights, equal pay for women and other liberal causes. But a pending ethics investigation into allegations of sexual assault and harassment by his husband, Bryon Hefner, now threatens to tarnish Rosenberg's reputation and potentially set back the Senate's legislative agenda when lawmakers return to formal sessions next month."
- "Mass. is tackling marijuana rules this week. Here's what to watch for," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "This week is crunch time for the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. ... The nascent agency, charged with overseeing recreational pot, has said it expects marijuana will be available for sale to adults older than 21 by July 1. But for that to happen, it must first translate the state law legalizing marijuana into the specific, step-by-step rules and policies that businesses and consumers and its own staff will follow. And it must file the first draft of those regulations by the end of the year, so there's enough time to hold public hearings and finalize the rules by March 15, as the law requires."
- "Baker administration reluctant to issue pardons," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "Dozens of people applied to the state this year for pardons or commutations, but none reached Gov. Charlie Baker's desk. Baker hasn't approved any requests for executive clemency since taking office in January 2015, despite nearly 200 requests filed with the state Parole Board. As Baker enters his fourth year in office, and seeks re-election to a second term, there's no indication that will change."
ON THE STUMP -
- FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: BOSTON ACTIVIST EYES CHALLENGE TO SCACCIA - This week, former legislative aide to Boston City Councilor Charles Yaney and Boston Police Camera Action Team co-founder Segun Idowu plans to form an exploratory committee to "to lay the foundation to explore becoming the next state Representative for the 14th Suffolk district, which includes the neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Roslindale, and West Roxbury," he told me. It would be his first run for office. If Idowu decides to run, he'll challenge state Rep. Angelo Scaccia in the Democratic primary. Scaccia has held the seat since 1994 and has gone largely unopposed, though he has faced a smattering of primary challengers in 2012, 2014, and 2016.
- "Booker, Patrick rally black Alabamians for Jones," by Gabriel Debenedetti, POLITICO: "In his brief remarks, Patrick stuck to outlining a broader case for Jones. 'We need more integrity, more grace, more patience, more understanding, and better listening in all of our leaders at every level of government, but especially in Washington,' Patrick said, standing next to Jones, Sewell, and Selma Mayor Darrio Melton. 'Alabama has a chance to regain its voice for integrity and grace, its patience and listening, its willingness to hear all sides and a chance to do what's right for the good of the whole .'"
TSONGAS ARENA -
- "L'Italien, Koh seen strong in 3rd District House race," by Chris Lisinski, Lowell Sun: "All three listed Dan Koh, an Andover native and former chief of staff to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and state Sen. Barbara L'Italien, who lives in Andover, in a top tier of candidates. Those two were the only favorites Berry listed, but Cluverius and Marsh also said they see Westford's Lori Trahan, an entrepreneur who was U.S. Rep. Martin Meehan's chief of staff when he represented the area, and state Rep. Juana Matias of Lawrence among the upper echelon."
- "Transgender Woman Runs For Massachusetts Congressional Seat," by NPR's All Things Considered: "NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to Alexandra Chandler. She's a transgender woman and a former intelligence analyst at the Pentagon. Now, she's running for Congress. She hopes to represent the 3rd district of Massachusetts in the House of Representatives."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "LET THEM LIVE IN A TRAILER PARK," "Sox' Wright arrested," "BREAKING BARRIERS." - Globe: "Fenway Health Center CEO resigns," "A BRAND NEW BOSTON, EVEN WHITER THAN THE OLD," "In this murder trial, foes now codefendants," "Matchmaker, matchmaker, find me a match."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
THE SEVEN-PART GLOBE SERIES ON RACISM: BOSTON. RACISM. IMAGE. REALITY from the Spotlight team. Part 2, out today: "Seaport: A BRAND NEW BOSTON, EVEN WHITER THAN THE OLD," by Andrew Ryan: "The city had a rare opportunity to build a new neighborhood for all Bostonians. Instead it built the Seaport." The series was reported by Akilah Johnson, Todd Wallack, Nicole Dungca, Liz Kowalczyk, Andrew Ryan, Adrian Walker, and editor Patricia Wen. Part 1, out Sunday: "Image," by Akilah Johnson.
- "Andrea Campbell says she has the votes to be council president," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "If her fellow councillors vote her into the presidency in January, Campbell will take up the post in her sophomore term, becoming the second ever woman of color - after outgoing Council President Michelle Wu - and the first African American woman to hold the post for this legislative body established in 1909."
- "Mitchell pleads fishermen's case to NOAA head," by Michael Bonner, South Coast Today: "In a meeting with one of NOAA's top administrators in Washington D.C, Mayor Jon Mitchell made his case for easing recent sanctions that he said are harming fishermen and city businesses. 'It's all sort of related,' Mitchell said. 'The idea is that these matters should be wrapped up. I pledged to continue to bring the parties together in however I can, as I have been doing for some time now.'"
- "Medical society offers primer on pot," by Christine Legere, Cape Cod Times: "The Massachusetts Medical Society is offering a beefed-up cannabis curriculum for the state's health care providers, on subjects ranging from pot's legal ramifications to dosing and drug interactions. The professional organization anticipates its members will be increasingly fielding questions about the substance from their patients, since medical marijuana is already being sold in dispensaries, and recreational operations are slated to be up and running by next summer."
- "DA Capeless expects 'all but maybe a handful' of 615 Berkshire drug cases to be dismissed after drug lab chemist's tampering," by Amanda Drane, Berkshire Eagle: "More than 600 drug cases in Berkshire County are in jeopardy as officials statewide contend with the fallout - years in the making - from drug theft and tampering in a now-defunct state crime lab. Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless said Friday he expects his office will have to abandon most of some 615 cases, with a wide range of drug convictions, that could be compromised."
- "Medical marijuana zoning bylaw change tops Lee special town meeting ballot," by Dick Lindsay, Berkshire Eagle: "Town meeting representatives next month will consider changing where medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed in Lee. The bylaw amendment would allow medical dispensaries in three of the municipality's eight zoning districts: rural business, industrial and Office Park and Light Industrial district, better known as the Quarry Hill Business Park on Route 102."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Access Systems Marketing Coordinator, birthday enthusiast, and Iowa-based Playbook superfan Morgan Dezenski.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! - The Celtics beat the Pistons 91-81.
NEW: POLITICO is accepting applications for its fifth session of the POLITICO Journalism Institute (PJI), an educational initiative focused on newsroom diversity . The intensive program, which is designed for college students, will be held May 29 to June 9, 2018. It features hands-on training for up to 12 recent grads and university students interested in covering government and politics. Students also will have an opportunity to have their work published by POLITICO. All expenses are paid for the program, reflecting POLITICO's ongoing support of journalism education, newsroom diversity and recruitment of top-notch talent. Admissions are made on a rolling basis, so APPLY TODAY but no later than Jan. 15, 2018. https://www.politico.com/pji
Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.
FOR MORE political and policy news from Massachusetts, check out: http://politi.co/1qNSlWx
SUBSCRIBE to the Playbook family: POLITICO Playbook http://politi.co/2lQswbh ... New York Playbook http://politi.co/1ON8bqW ... Florida Playbook http://politi.co/1OypFe9 ... New Jersey Playbook http://politi.co/1HLKltF... Massachusetts Playbook http://politi.co/1Nhtq5v ... Illinois Playbook http://politi.co/1N7u5sb ... California Playbook http://politi.co/2bLvcPl ... Brussels Playbook http://politi.co/1FZeLcw ... London Playbook http://politi.co/2xfDPuK ... All our political and policy tipsheets http://politi.co/1M75UbX
POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA
Comments
Post a Comment