Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Foreign.
[00:00:16] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Tuesday, May 12 Budget hearings have begun in Quincy. The City Council last night held the first of four scheduled hearings to review the mayor's proposed $492 million spending plan that takes effect on July 1. Councilors reviewed proposed budgets for municipal finance, retirement treasure, collector assessors, city clerks and other departments making several cuts. Counselors also reviewed revenues and learned that the city collected almost $304 million in property taxes, including $12 million from the district Improvement Area in Quincy Center. Prior to the Finance Committee meeting, the Oversight Committee received an update on the real estate that the city has purchased since 2020, totaling $78 million. Counselors learn there are currently no plans to develop a new maritime center on C Street or waterfront property the city purchased along Southern Artery. The next budget hearing is scheduled for May 19 at 7 at City Hall. That's where the police, fire and school department budgets will be reviewed, among others.
[00:01:34] Two people were struck by gunfire during a daytime shooting on Memorial Drive in Cambridge yesterday and are now in critical condition. Authorities say 46 year old Tyler Brown has been arrested and charged with two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, weapons possession charges and several other charges. Brown's criminal record spans nearly two decades and includes prior firearm and drug convictions. Just after one o' clock yesterday afternoon, Cambridge Police got a 911 call from Boston Police reporting an individual was acting erratically and was believed to be in the Cambridge area carrying a rifle and state and Cambridge police responded to the Memorial Drive area and according to officials, by the time officers arrived, an active shooter situation was already underway. During the shooting, two people in separate vehicles were struck, including an MBTA bus driver. A family member says the victim was shot in the head and he drove himself to the hospital.
[00:02:41] A male truck was also hit by gunfire that that driver was not injured. Both shooting victims remain hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities said a State Police trooper arriving at the scene along with a civilian described as a former Marine licensed to carry a firearm, moved toward the suspect while shots were being fired. Officials said the suspect was struck multiple times in the lower extremities and treated at the seam. Brown was taken to a hospital where he continues to receive treatment for his injuries and Investigators estimate between 50 and 60 rounds were fired during this incident, damaging multiple vehicles.
[00:03:23] Officials asked anybody with video footage of the shooting to provide it to Massachusetts State Police.
[00:03:30] Massachusetts officials have declared worsening drought conditions across much of the state, citing long term precipitation deficits that continue to strained water resources, energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced that the Connecticut River Valley, central and northeast regions, along with Nantucket county are now classified under a Level two significant drought. The western and southeast regions as well as Dukes county have been elevated to a Level one mild drought. The Cape also has improved slightly but remains at Level one.
[00:04:11] State officials say drought designations reflect long term trends, not short term weather. The Drought Management Task Force based the declaration on data collected From August of 2024 through April of this year. April precipitation across the state was well below normal, with monthly totals ranging from just one and a half to three inches. The greatest rainfall deficits were recorded by on Martha's Vineyard in Nantucket, where less than an inch of rain fell up to four and a half inches below normal over the past three to six months, most of the state has received only 60 to 90% of its typical precipitation. Nantucket remains the hardest hit, receiving about half of its normal rainfall during that period.
[00:04:58] Despite some temporary relief from the snow melt in March, officials said recent rainfall has not been enough to offset longer term precipitation and groundwater deficits that have been building for nearly two years.
[00:05:12] While surface conditions may appear improved in some areas, groundwater levels, which take longer to recover, remain below normal. The ongoing drought continues to affect streams, ponds, vernal pools, fish migration, vegetation and groundwater statewide, officials say increased water demand during the growing season makes conservation especially important, even though most local water supplies remain stable for now, Mass. General Brigham is in the midst of a nearly 10 year, $2 billion construction of its massive new complex that will modernize inpatient units and transform two full city blocks on Massachusetts General Hospitals West End campus. When it's complete, the Raygon Building will be a two tower patient care complex. One will host the system's cardiovascular institute, the other will host its cancer institutes. The project represents a significant investment in Mass. General Brigham's cancer care enterprise, which the system is building out as its relationship with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute nears its end.
[00:06:28] Sail Boston released some new details on its Parade of Sail, which kicks off July sail 250 tall ships as the city welcomes more than 60 ships from around the world to Boston Harbor. It's the largest convergence of ships to assemble in the area since 2000, and millions of spectators are expected to enjoy the the Meet Boston Parade of sail on July 11. The vessels, including 12 flagships, which represent allied navies from around the world, will gather beyond Deer island to parade past Castle island and into the city's inner harbor. At about 10:15 that morning, the ships will turn around in Boston's Inner harbor before heading to various berthing locations throughout the city. Once berth, the ships will be open for public visitation through July 15, including sailing exhibitions, sailing workshops and opportunities to interact with crew. Boston is the fifth port of the Sail 250 regatta, a global gathering of tall ships and military ships to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Tall ship celebrations are beloved Massachusetts and Boston tradition that dates to 1976, when a band of ships came to Boston harbor as part of the nation's bicentennial celebration. The tall ships returned to Boston in 1992, 2000, 2009 and 2017.
[00:08:05] Check of business news this morning. Stocks are higher. The Dow is up 95 points, the Nasdaq rose 27 and the S&P added 13.
[00:08:13] Asian stocks are mixed as optimism, encouraged by a record rally on Wall street, clashed with anxiety about surging oil prices and a possible AI bubble.
[00:08:27] The dollar rose, the euro was down. Oil at $105 a barrel and sports Red Sox and Phillies open up a series in Fenway at 6:45 tonight.
[00:08:40] Today's forecast for Partly cloudy day with a high of 63 for tonight, cloudy and a low 43. Mainly cloudy tomorrow, high of 63. Rain showers Thursday high of 65 and some lingering showers Friday at high 54.
[00:08:59] The boater waves about a foot. A wind out of the north at 5 to 10 becomes easterly later today. High tide 8:02am sunrise 5:25 sets at 7:55 and a traffic note for River Bridge scheduled to open at 9am I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Tuesday, May 12th.
