Episode Transcript
[00:00:16] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Tuesday, October 20th. The Quincy City Council is asking the mayor to remove or cover the 50 flock license plate reading cameras that are positioned throughout the city. The council last night voted 8 to 1 in favor of a resolution sponsored by Councilor at Large Susan Un to put a stop to the use of those cameras after residents spent over an hour speaking out against them. At large councilor Noel DeBona voted against the resolution. Opponents of the cameras say there are not enough safeguards in place to ensure that the company is not misusing the data collected by the devices.
[00:01:00] Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy says the cameras are an important crime fighting tool and that there are regulations in place to ensure that the cameras are not misused in Quincy. The resolution is a recommendation to the administration. Mayor Thomas Koch has previously said he supports the cameras and believes there are adequate safeguards in place to protect people's privacy. The City Council is also reviewing a proposed order calling for greater regulation of the license plate reading camera cameras.
[00:01:34] More than 1.5 million pounds of hot dogs, bacon, deli meat, bratwursts and more have been recalled nationwide. KM Foods is recalling about 1.58 million pounds of ready to eat meat and poultry products because they may have been stored at an unsafe temperature, according to the US Department of Agriculture. The products were made from March 31 to October 7 at the company's Chelsea facility. They were shipped to retailers and food service locations across the United States and to Hong Kong. Company said it began investigating after a customer reported warm products at delivery on October 1. It found that a warehouse cooler had experienced a temperature deviation while storing the products.
[00:02:26] No illnesses have been confirmed, but the USDA said some recalled items could still be in consumers refrigerators. Consumers should not eat the products. They should throw them away or return them to the store where they were purchased. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.
[00:02:47] Governor Healey holds a strong lead in her bid for reelection, according to a Suffolk University Boston Globe poll conducted after the final gubernatorial debate. The survey of 500 likely voters found that 59% support Healy, while 36% back Republican candidate Mike Minogue. The poll also highlighted economic concerns among voters. 35% of respondents described the Massachusetts economy as fair and 23% rated it as poor.
[00:03:21] When asked about their greatest source of financial stress, utility bills and housing costs topped the list, followed by grocery prices. Additionally, 34% of those surveyed blame Healy for the state of the Massachusetts economy, while 33% blame President Trump.
[00:03:42] A local teenager has turned an idea inspired by her own family's experience into a nonprofit that's spreading across the country and beyond.
[00:03:53] 16 year old Thayer Academy students Tatiana Calvillo loves working with children and helping others. This past spring, she came up with the idea of creating comfort kits for children in local hospitals. The idea was inspired by her own sister's hospital stay. That experience led Calvillo to create the Little Heroes Foundation, a student led nonprofit dedicated to supporting hospitalized pediatric patients.
[00:04:23] Fellow Thayer Academy student Bryn so was quick to volunteer after learning about the organization's mission, so also understands the challenges pediatric patients and their families face. Her sister was diagnosed with cancer last year. Through donations, Little Heroes volunteers assemble kits filled with items including small toys, coloring books and stickers. Even a small gift can provide a distraction for a child going through a difficult day, according to so. Her work with the nonprofit has also made her reflect on gratitude and giving back Calvillo and so hope that their efforts encourage other young people to find their own ways to help others.
[00:05:08] Since Little Heroes began back in April, it has grown to 19 chapters across the United States, along with chapters in France and Uganda. Volunteers have also started writing cards to patients that are sent out monthly with those comfort kits.
[00:05:26] The Quincy Department of Natural resources and Ward 3 City Councilor Walter Hubley are holding an invasive plant cleanup today.
[00:05:36] Volunteers are invited to meet at Bishop Field at the Hamilton Avenue entrance from noon to 2pm and learn about native versus non native plants and help remove invasive Asiatic bittersweet vines, Tree of Heaven saplings and others that are harming the park's natural areas. No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves and tools along with water, bug spray and sunscreen.
[00:06:12] A check of business news this morning and stocks are mixed. The dow is down 36 points, the Nasdaq rose 290 and the S&P is up 31. Asian stocks mostly lower. The dollar was down. The euro was flat. Oil at $104 a barrel and Sports Bruins are in Dallas against the stars tonight at 8 o'. Clock. Celtics open their regular season at Detroit against the pistons at 3 o' clock this afternoon.
[00:06:41] Forecast from the National Weather Service today, mostly sunny and breezy. The high of 63 for tonight, partly cloudy, a low 40 tomorrow, sun and clouds breezy. High 54. Thursday, partly cloudy, still breezy with a high of 62 and sunny 54 on Friday.
[00:06:59] Out on the water, waves 2 to 3ft. The winds northeast at 15 to 20 with gusts to 30 knots. There is a small craft advisory in effect. High tide 7:14am and 7:29pm Sunrise 7:02 sets at 5:54. Traffic note 4 River Bridge scheduled to open at 11aM I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Tuesday, October 20th.
