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Mayor Wu: I won’t ‘roll out the welcome mat’ for Trump’s mass deportations | Bay State Briefing

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Mayor Wu: I won’t ‘roll out the welcome mat’ for Trump’s mass deportations | Bay State Briefing


Good Monday Morning, all.

As if it were needed, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu provided further confirmation last week that she won’t be “[rolling] out the welcome mat” for the incoming Trump administration if it comes to town and starts trying to deport people.

The Democratic mayor’s comments came after President-Elect Donald Trump’s pick for border czar, Tom Homan, dismissed Wu, a two-time Harvard grad, as “not very smart” for her very public defiance, and questioned why any public official would stand in the way of getting criminals off the streets.

“They can not cooperate,” Homan told the cable news channel NewsMax last week, according to The Boston Herald. “But there are certain laws in place that they can’t cross and I hope she doesn’t cross it.”

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Wu fired back in a statement, arguing that Trump and his lieutenants can “say whatever they want about me, but our public safety record speaks for itself: Boston is the safest major city in America.”

The mayor’s tough talk represented the latest escalation in tensions between the Bay State’s top Democrats and the incoming Republican White House as it firms up its plans to use the U.S. military to deport millions of people who are in the country illegally.

If Trump carries through on those plans, tens of thousands of people in Massachusetts also could be deported. However, the effort is expected to face vigorous legal challenges.

Democratic Gov. Maura Healey already has said that the State Police won’t be put to work assisting the new administration.

  • Read More: A big climate bill is headed to Mass. Gov. Healey’s desk. What’s next? | Bay State Briefing

In an interview with MSNBC earlier this month. Healey noted that “every tool in the toolbox has got to be used to protect our citizens, to protect our residents, and protect our states, and certainly to hold the line on democracy and the rule of law.”

Massachusetts Republican Party Chairperson Amy Carnevale slammed Healey and Wu in a statement last week, saying that it’s “appalling and disgusting” that the two pols are “prioritizing appeasing the most radical elements of their political base over the safety of Massachusetts residents.”

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Carnevale’s statement came in response to the news that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices in Boston had arrested two undocumented immigrants on child rape charges and taken another into custody who had been convicted of the same charge in Brazil.

“Parents across the Commonwealth are horrified that individuals charged with such serious crimes are allowed to roam free because local authorities refuse to work with ICE to remove these criminals from our streets,” Carnevale continued.

X boss Elon Musk also weighed in, attacking state policies and Boston’s decade-old status as a sanctuary city.

“Why are ‘sanctuary’ cities protecting child rapists? Unconscionable. Any politician who does so should be recalled immediately,” the billionaire, and close Trump ally, posted to the social media site, WBUR reported.

In that same statement, Wu defended the city’s approach.

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“Our homicide rates are among the lowest of any city nationally, and gun violence has been at an all-time historic low over the last two years here in Boston,” Wu said, according to WCVB-TV in Boston.

“This is no coincidence — it’s a reflection of the trust between our residents and our public safety officials and a result of our daily focus on community policing and coordinating city services. We will continue to focus on that work and have no intention of rolling out the welcome mat for them,” she continued.

At least one Bay State Democrat has acknowledged that the party’s immigration policies are a political liability.

Speaking to business leaders in Boston last week, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-8th District, said the Democrats’ policies have “caused people to be afraid.”

“Our task is to know who is coming into the country — to have an orderly process that does not scare the bejesus out of people of Arizona and New Mexico,” Lynch said.

Democrat Elizabeth Warren speaks to supporters at SoWa Power Station in Boston on Nov. 5, 2024 after the Associated Press declared her the winner in the U.S. Senate race against Republican John Deaton.(Sebastian Restrepo/MassLive)

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Can you hear them now?

There’s no doubt that Election Day went pretty well for Massachusetts Democrats. Vice President Kamala Harris handily carried the state; U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren coasted to reelection, and the party retained its super-majority on Beacon Hill.

Nonetheless, Bay State Dems are engaging in the same kind of group introspection that’s kind of become a cottage industry since Nov. 5.

Party officials announced a “virtual listening tour” last week that will analyze what worked and what didn’t in 2024; gather feedback on areas for improvement, and “foster a collaborative environment where all voices are heard.

“Your voice matters, and this is your opportunity to help us build on our successes and strengthen our movement for the future. Together, we can ensure the Massachusetts Democratic Party continues to represent and advocate for the values that matter most to our communities,” state Democratic Chairman Steve Kerrigan said in a statement.

Details on the sessions, conducted over Zoom, will be coming soon, the party said.

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U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, holds a news conference in Brookline, Mass., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 (John L. Micek/MassLive).

U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, holds a news conference in Brookline, Mass., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 (John L. Micek/MassLive).John L. Micek

The plural of caucus is …

U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, has joined with several of his House colleagues to launch a pro-housing caucus on Capitol Hill. The group has been dubbed the “YIMBY Caucus.” Or “Yes in My Backyard.”

Other members of the bipartisan group include U.S. Reps. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz.; Scott Peters and Robert Garcia, both Democrats of California; Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo.; Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., and Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y., Auchincloss’ office said in a statement announcing its creation.

“The cost of housing is the greatest economic challenge facing Massachusetts. The answer: build more housing,” the Newton lawmaker said. “At all levels of government, Americans need permitting & land use reforms that unlock more housing production.”

Zzzzz …

If you lost sleep on Election Night, take heart, you’re hardly alone.

Nearly 93% of Americans said the nation’s quadrennial political drama cost them some shut-eye this year, according to a post-election study by SleepCycle.

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The website analyzed more than 593,000 sleep sessions to come up with its results. And if there’s any comfort, Americans slept better in 2024 than they did during the 2020 election, the analysis found.

In Massachusetts, 73% of residents reported some quality shuteye on Nov. 5. And most of you headed to bed around 11:35 p.m., according to the analysis.

Voters in Wyoming got the soundest sleep on Election Day, while Mississippi voters had the roughest night, the analysis found.

Phillip Eng, MBTA

Phillip Eng, the general manager of the MBTA walks near a Green Line train at Riverside Station on March 27, 2023. (Chris Lisinski/State House News Service)

They said it

“They continue to deliver on the schedule that we’ve set, and the quality has not shifted. Quality, in fact, has gotten better … All of the learning curve that took place during the Orange Line [car delivery] prior to myself getting here is being factored in, so now the Red Line cars are performing right off the bat.”

MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng on the improving quality of the T’s newly delivered Red and Orange Line cars after the agency “reset” its contract with Chinese manufacturer CRRC (via State House News Service).

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Massachusetts Republicans are hoping to build on earlier gains during legislative elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 (State House News Service photo).

Massachusetts Republicans are hoping to build on earlier gains during legislative elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 (State House News Service photo).State House News Service

More MassLive politics coverage

A new state law could ease Mass.’ nursing shortage. Here’s how

Boston council worried about missing ballots, but says receivership is ‘premature’

Economic development bill green-lights investments across Western Massachusetts

Mass. Gov Healey signs nearly $4B economic development bill clearing the field for new Revs stadium

Mass. Rep. Clark retains top House leadership post

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Mass. rail backers push for ‘Northern Tier’ passenger trains

Charles Luster, co-founder of Uncommonwealth Group, running for Worcester City Council

Turned up to 11

Because, sometimes, you just need to start the work week with Carly Rae Jepsen. Here she is, live, with Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers with a live version of “Tiny Moves,” recorded at Fisher Green Pavilion in Seattle in July.

Your Monday long read

President-elect Donald Trump has been populating his incoming administration with allies and loyalists from the two states he calls home — New York and Florida. On Friday, the Republican named former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his choice for U.S. attorney general.

Writing for The Dispatch, Michael Warren delves into the Sunshine State’s move into the national spotlight.

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Here’s the germane bit:

“No one represents this Florida takeover better than Susie Wiles, the co-chair of Trump’s 2024 campaign who will serve as his White House chief of staff. And Wiles is not just the architect (along with Chris LaCivita) of Trump’s victory this year,” Warren wrote. “She’s a powerhouse in Florida Republican politics, getting a large amount of credit for both Rick Scott’s out-of-nowhere victory in his 2010 run for governor and Ron DeSantis’ win in the 2018 gubernatorial race. Wiles ran the Trump campaign’s Florida operation in 2016, putting the state back in the Republican column for the first time since 2004. In the eight years since, Florida has only tipped further into the GOP’s column, up and down the ballot.”

That’s it for this morning. Tips, comments, and suggestions can be sent to jmicek@masslive.com. Have a good week, folks.



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Boston, MA

Geekie Lifts Bruins to 2-1 Overtime Win Against Kings  | Boston Bruins

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Geekie Lifts Bruins to 2-1 Overtime Win Against Kings  | Boston Bruins


“Maybe a little bit of opportunity. Just being able to seize it a little bit better, too and take advantage of that. Just kind of trusting myself more in those situations,” Geekie said of his goal-scoring growth. “It is easy to build confidence when you have confidence. I think over the last year, it’s slowly been building.” ​

The B’s displayed a new look to their top six on Friday, which featured Geekie on the second line with Steeves and Marat Khusnutdinov. The Czech trio of Matěj Blümel, Pavel Zacha and Pastrnak made up the first line.

“I think overall, it was just a better overall fit. We spread it out a little bit,” Sturm said. “I thought the Czech line was pretty good. The other guys were better, too. We just don’t want to put everything on one line and put the pressure on them all the time.”

The Kings found the 1-1 equalizer with a shorthanded goal from Joel Armia at 13:03, which forced overtime. Geekie’s ensuing tally sent the Bruins flooding onto the ice to celebrate the 2-1 win.​

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“[Geekie] worked even more this summer on his shot, on his release. Everything pays off. It’s been nice to see that hard work gets rewarded. I believe in that, and he’s one of them,” Sturm said. “The way we played today, it was really outstanding. One of the better games we’ve played.”

Beating the Kings carried a little extra meaning for Sturm, too, who spent seven years in the organization as both LA’s assistant coach and the head coach of its AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Friday was his first time back in the building as an NHL head coach.

​“Anyone knows when you leave, you come back to your old stomping grounds, you want those two points badly,” Lindholm said. “I think we played our strong Bruins game tonight – kind of like the identity [Sturm] wants us to play. It was a perfect win that way.”​

The Bruins are back in action on Sunday in San Jose for an 8 p.m. ET game against the Sharks at SAP Center.

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Little November warmup ahead on Friday after Boston reaches a late first freeze – The Boston Globe

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Little November warmup ahead on Friday after Boston reaches a late first freeze – The Boston Globe


Sometime in the early-morning hours on Thursday, Logan Airport finally reached 32 degrees for the first time this season. This marks the 17th latest first freeze on record and is a trend of later frost starts that continues to occur. For the Boston area, the average date is Nov. 5, according to National Weather Service records.

Overall, the weather over the next several days is looking sunny and dry. But the good news is the brief warmup New England will get on Friday.

When you get up Friday morning, temperatures will be in the 30s east of I-495 and in the mid- to upper 20s west and over the higher elevations, not quite as cold as the past couple of mornings due to some high cloudiness and a southerly flow of air. The day will warm up, getting near or even a little above 50 degrees, especially along the coastal plain. This little boost in mild weather will also feature a blend of clouds and sunshine.

Highs on Friday may reach the low 50s for Boston and areas south.Boston Globe

Friday night: Possible light showers

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A weak weather system crosses the area Friday night Friday night into early Saturday, with the chance of some shower activity, but this is minimal at best. The clouds will tend to thicken, and there is the chance of a couple of hours of showers. The data that I used to determine rainfall doesn’t show much in the way of precipitation, and some models even have it completely dry.

A front will bring light, scattered showers into New England on Friday night.Boston Globe
Friday will see increasing clouds with showers arriving during the night.Boston Globe

Saturday-Sunday: Back to sunshine

When you get up Saturday morning, if there is an early shower, it’s quickly out of the picture and we go back to sunshine. Temperatures will start above freezing everywhere Saturday morning, so if you have any field games, the ground will not be frozen. In the afternoon, readings will be between 43 and 48 across most of the region.

Clear skies Saturday night allow temperatures to once again fall back to typical levels in the 20s and 30s, and then it’s a gorgeous Sunday with temperatures in the mid-40s in the afternoon and light wind.

Highs on Saturday will reach the upper 40s across Southern New England.Boston Globe
Highs on Sunday will likely remain in the mid to upper 40s.Boston Globe

The lack of wind this weekend will make it great for leaf-raking and other fall cleanup since the leaves won’t be blowing around. Remember, if you can leave the leaves in your garden beds, it does act as a protection for many perennials, but I do recommend removing the leaves from the lawn.

With the nice weather across all of New England this weekend, it’s actually an opportunity to take advantage of the early snow that has fallen across Vermont, New Hampshire, and portions of Maine. Northern Vermont, in particular, as well as the mountains of New Hampshire, have done particularly well in terms of November snowfall. This means you can expect almost mid-winter conditions on a few trails for those areas that received the bulk of the snowfall.

Some portions of Northern New England have 4 to 16 inches of snowpack heading into the weekend. Above is the snow depth as of Thursday, Nov. 20.NOAA

Thanksgiving week look-ahead forecast

Next week looks dry until we get to around Wednesday. A weather system may bring a few showers sometime on Wednesday, but it doesn’t look significant. This means great travel weather starts the work week. I don’t see any major storms nationwide to create travel delays. Thanksgiving also looks dry as of now.

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Here’s the 7-day outlook for the Boston area.Boston Globe

Greater Boston: Look for a blend of clouds and sunshine on Friday with temperatures starting in the low to mid-30s and reaching near 50 in the afternoon. An early shower gives way to sunshine on Saturday with highs in the 40s.

Central/Western Mass.: Look for temperatures starting in the 20s on Friday, reaching the upper 40s in the afternoon, along with a blend of clouds and sun. Clearing takes place Saturday morning with highs in the 40s along with sunshine.

Southeastern Mass.: Plenty of sunshine mixed with clouds on Friday with temperatures near 50. An early shower Saturday leads to clearing in the afternoon. Highs will be in the 40s with lows back in the 20s. Sunday features sunshine with temperatures back into the mid-40s.

Cape and Islands: Look for a blend of sunshine and a few clouds on Friday with temperatures in the mid-40s. The weekend starts on a cloudy note with clearing developing in the afternoon on Saturday and highs near 50. It’s cold Saturday night with temperatures near 30 and in the 40s with sunshine on Sunday.

Rhode Island: Sunshine is abundant on Friday with temperatures near 50. Look for clearing from north to south on Saturday morning after an early sprinkle across the south coast. Temperatures will be near 50 in the afternoon sunshine, with temperatures in the 40s for Sunday.

New Hampshire: You can expect sunshine on Friday with temperatures near 40. Look for a dry weekend ahead with temperatures within a few degrees of 40 on Saturday and just under 40 on Sunday. Both days will feature sunshine; it’s a bit breezy on Saturday.

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‘Game-changer’ as Michelin Guide recommends Boston-area restaurants

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‘Game-changer’ as Michelin Guide recommends Boston-area restaurants


Boston finally has its first Michelin star.

311 Omakase in the South End received one star at Michelin’s Northeast Cities ceremony in Philadelphia Tuesday night. The 10-seat restaurant is tucked away in a basement, and the price starts at $250 per person. It was the only restaurant to receive a star in Boston’s inaugural year with the Michelin Guide.

“It’s a starting point. It’s going to build momentum for us,” said David O’Donnell, vice president of communications for Meet Boston.

Meet Boston was influential in bringing the Michelin Guide to Boston, but would not disclose how much the organization paid for it.

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“Any recognition you get from Michelin is a game-changer, not only for those restaurants and chefs, but for the destination,” O’Donnell said.

The legendary recognition goes to 311 Omakase on Tremont Street in the city’s South End.

Six restaurants received Bib Gourmand awards recognizing high-quality food at a reasonable price, including Bar Volpe and Fox & the Knife in South Boston, both owned by Karen Akunowicz.

“I want to cry. I mean, I was shocked, and I still am,” said Akunowicz. “For me, that was like getting three stars. Our teams work tirelessly to bring excellent food and amazing hospitality experiences to the folks in Boston and beyond.”

In Cambridge, three restaurants — Jahunger, Pagu, and Sumiao Hunan Kitchen — also earned Bib Gourmands, along with Mahaniyom in Brookline.

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On top of that, 20 eateries were named Recommended Restaurants, including Select Oyster Bar in Boston’s Back Bay.

“We try and serve the best seafood we can get our hands on, and if it’s not top-shelf, A+ grade, we don’t let it in the door,” said Benjamin Sandrof, a bartender at Select Oyster Bar.

Toro in the South End also earned the honor of Recommended Restaurant after two decades in the neighborhood.

“This long in, we’re like, ‘Who would ever even recognize us for what we’re doing?’ Because there’s so many new, great chefs in Boston, and we’re not the new kid on the block anymore, and it’s just so nice that people still notice the effort,” said Ken Oringer, the chef and owner.

See the full list of Boston-area restaurants recognized in the Michelin Guide.

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