The Loop From WBZ NewsRadio
Mid Day Report: Thursday, July 11, 2024
This is WBC Boston's news video redefining local news. Sticking 79 cloudy, we've got a little rain out there. It's 11 o'clock. This Thursday morning, good morning. I'm Laurie Kirby. And our top story, it's another day. And yet another defection among Democrats. Vermont Senator Peter Wells becomes the first Democrat in the upper chamber to publicly call on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 election. In a Washington Post op-ed, Senator Wells says we cannot unsee the president's disastrous debate performance. And Biden is no longer the best candidate to take on Donald Trump. CBS's Major Garrett is on Capitol Hill. He says the dam might be breaking here. I was told by a senior member of the House Democratic Caucus last night that more and more members will come out today, followed by more and more members, Senate and House members on Friday, that many had been waiting for the NATO summit to end, not wanting to appear, to do anything to undercut the American president at a time of deliberations with allies, both in Europe and in Asia. But that time is passing very soon. I asked this member of Congress, well, what about the president's press conference today? So it's not going to make any difference, at least not on the upside. Most members have come to the conclusion he told me that it is time for the president to step aside. That does not mean that's what's going to happen. But there will be more and more calls and more and more public pressure from elected Democrats in the House and Senate for him to do just that. And yesterday, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged Democrats to hold off until the NATO summit is over later today. Now, if President Biden does step aside, who do Americans, Democrats, he replaced some ABC News Political Director Rick Klein with worn out on a new Washington Post Ipsos poll. The numbers are within the margin of error. They're very small. But we do see Kamala Harris with a small edge over Donald Trump. Again, Biden was down one. We have Harris up three. That is a hypothetical match up. Nothing is happening right now because it can only happen. If Biden steps away, we ask Democrats who should run instead if Biden steps aside. The only answer that we saw, any significant number four was Kamala Harris, almost a third of Democrats named Harris. That same poll has 85% of Americans thinking President Biden is too old for another term. 60% think the same thing about Donald Trump. Stay with us for all the latest here. And again, you can always listen to WBC Radio, wherever you go on the iHeartRadio app. A third person is sentenced in connection with an overtime fraud scheme at the Boston Police Department. Former officer Craig Smalls of Roxbury gets probation. The 58-year-old will also have to pay back the money he stole when he falsifies his hours to the tune of 30 grand. The investigation thus far has filed charges against more than a dozen Boston police officers. Ray Sky is a bit of a breeze that's helping with all that high-heated humidity. Right now, though, we're in the 70s, not so bad. But the sun is supposed to make an appearance more strongly later today. Those kind of spike up our temps to the low 90s inland near 90 in Boston. Upper 70s to low 80s on the Cape and Islands doing a little bit better tonight, inch by inch, step by step. As the three stooges used to stay, low 68 to 72 degrees tonight. That's actually one of the coolest nights I've seen in some time here. So Friday and Saturday, we've got some thunderstorms, especially Saturday looks like heavy severe weather in our forecast. We dry out the sun comes out hot on Sunday. We're also getting a better view of what questions we'll be voting on in Massachusetts this November. With that, here's WBC's Jim McKay. Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office announcing the state has certified signatures on four questions thus far. They include allowing rideshare drivers the right to unionize, giving the state auditor the authority to audit the state legislature, legalizing psilocybin. The psychoactive ingredient and psychedelic mushrooms also eliminating MCAS as a graduation requirement. There's one question that is being challenged before the state ballot law commission, but advocates say it's likely to go through. That would allow tipped restaurant servers the ability to earn the state's minimum wage of $15 an hour. Jim McKay, WBC, Boston's News Radio. A commercial truck driver involved in a chain reaction crash that killed seven bikers in the granite state will not be allowed to drive for at least two more years. The state's highway safety department ordered vlonamiers, Zukovsky's driving privileges to be suspended for seven years. But the penalty has been backdated to the time of that crash in 2019. Zukovsky, who's from Ukraine, was acquitted of criminal manslaughter at his trial. But prosecutors alleged he was under the influence of drugs at the time of that crash. Now, the family members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club bikers killed in 2019. Many Marines will be notified if and when the truck driver appeals in the future to get his license back. Let's go to the beach. Revere beach sets the stage for its international sand sculpting festival, and Carl Stevens never misses it. More than 400 tons of high-quality sand perfect for sculpting. He was dumped here to kick off what Revere Mayor Patrick Keefe calls Christmas in July. Christmas in July, huh? Yes, Christmas in July, and it looks like Santa Claus is here dropping off. I believe nine truckloads of sand are going to be dropped today. Fifteen of the world's greatest sand sculptors are going to use this sand to create their masterpieces. This will be the 20th annual Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival. Well, not only do we have artists from all over the world, but we definitely see visitors from every corner of the earth. Bringing more people to this beach which this summer with all the heat has already been a pretty popular place. From Revere Beach, Carl Stevens, WBC Boston's News Radio. You are now in the loop for news updates throughout the day. Listen to WBC News Radio on the I-Hard Radio app. I'm Laurie Kirby, WBC Boston's News Radio. (keyboard clicking)