Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Foreign.
[00:00:17] With an AM Quincy news update for Tuesday, April 14th. The Quincy City Council's Finance Committee continued discussion on a proposed ordinance that that would establish fiscal safeguards, reserve protections and financial transparency. The committee discussed the proposal from Council President Ann Mahoney for two hours last night and agreed to continue the discussion to a future council meeting. Mayoral spokesman Chris Walker argued that many of the provisions in Mahoney's ordinance already exist and that the council already has authority over those proposals. Mahoney said the ordinance is meant to install safeguards on the city's finances and also create transparency for councilors and residents to know how their tax dollars are being spent. Mahoney said the goal is not to cut the budget, but to bring clarity to spending. Walker said many of the questions raised in the proposal would be answered during an upcoming presentation on the budget and the city's debt. Mayor Thomas Koch is expected to introduce a level funded budget to the city council on May4.
[00:01:28] Boston's first recreational marijuana dispensary has abruptly shut down, leaving workers without jobs, answers or even access to their belongings. Employees at Pure Oasis in Dorchester's Grove hall said they were getting ready to go to work last Wednesday only to receive an email that the business had suddenly shut down and and their jobs were gone. The employees also explained they've been unable to retrieve personal belongings left inside the store after repeated attempts to contact management when unanswered financial troubles may have been building behind the scenes. Court filings indicate the dispensary was sued over alleged missed payments to vendors. Company is facing six lawsuits filed against them in the past year.
[00:02:19] The latest judgment ordered against them for over $2.2 million. Pure Oasis made history as Boston's first recreational cannabis shop back in 2020, but now its abrupt closure is leaving workers searching for accountability and their next paycheck.
[00:02:39] Joe Castiglione, whose four decades of broadcasting Boston Red Sox games on the radio earned him a place in the National Baseball hall of Fame, said he is cancer free after undergoing treatment. The 79 year old Castiglione underwent surgery for a sarcoma in his right leg in October and subsequent treatment including radiation. Although he retired in 2024, he said that he plans to return to the radio booth for some games later this season. Castiglion began calling big league baseball games in 1979 and started as the Red Sox's lead radio voice in 1983. He was on the radio broadcast for four Boston championship runs 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018 and famously called the final out of the historic 2004 World Series game for victory. He was honored with the 2024 Ford C. Frick Award, which is presented annually by the hall of Fame for Excellence in Baseball Broadcasting.
[00:03:52] Governor Healey was joined by former governors Mitt Romney, Deval Patrick, Bill Weld, Michael Dukakis and other state leaders yesterday morning to mark the 20th anniversary of Romney Care, the state's landmark health care law. The Health Connector co hosted the event with Healy to celebrate the law, known as Chapter 58, which served as a model for former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. The event was held at Fanu hall, where the original legislation was signed. The legislation's mandate helped to expand access to affordable coverage that meets minimum standards for hundreds of thousands of state residents. The Massachusetts Health Connector was created under the law as a health insurance clearinghouse. Before it was enacted, almost 10% of state residents were uninsured.
[00:04:43] Now, more than 97% of Massachusetts residents have coverage. Healy also thanked Patrick for all of his hard work to implement the law, Weld for laying the groundwork and Dukakis for serving as a role model for all future governors and how to be a public servant. Romney said part of what made it all work was that politicians worked together across the aisle to get things done instead of focusing on just getting elected. That included working closely with former US Senator Ted Kennedy on the landmark legislation. Yesterday's event also included remarks from Healy, Romney, Patrick, legislative leaders and Health Connector enrollees. There were also panel discussions with local leaders in business, healthcare, government and policy who reflected on collaboration that was required to pass the law and the momentum needed to implement it.
[00:05:38] The Bar association of Norfolk county offering free legal help at the Quincy District Courthouse tonight from 6 to 8pm Walk in service will be available for attorneys in all areas of the law. No appointment is necessary.
[00:05:55] Reminder the Quincy Police Department offers certified Child Passenger Safety Seat Technician assistance every Tuesday from 4 to 8pm just drive to the front of the new police station on C Street and ask an officer inside for a car seat installation technician check of business news this morning, stocks are higher. The Dow rose 301, the Nasdaq's up 280 and the S&P added 69.
[00:06:24] Asian stocks were higher, the dollar fell, the euro was up and oil at almost $97 a barrel.
[00:06:33] In sports, the Red Sox lost in Minnesota 13 to 6 last night. They play again tonight at 7:40 and the Bruins host New Jersey tonight at 7.
[00:06:46] The national weather Service forecast for today? Partly sunny, warm and maybe an isolated Thunderstorm high of 83 for tonight, cloudy, a low of 59.
[00:06:58] Tomorrow, partly sunny again. A chance of an isolated storm, high 75.
[00:07:02] Same thing on Thursday. Isolated thunderstorms, high 75. Still unsettled on Friday, a chance for storms, high 74 for the boater. Waves about a foot. A West wind at 5 to 10 knots becomes southeast 10 to 15 with gusts 220. High tide 9:34am Sunrise 604 sets at 724.
[00:07:25] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Tuesday, April 14th.
