Michael Dukakis recently retired at age 90. He leaves an impressive resume, including the Democrat presidential nominee for 1988 (he got creamed by George H.W. Bush), Northeastern University professor, and two-term Governor of Massachusetts (1983-1991). 

One of Dukakis’ less-than-shining moments was when he went for a cruise in an army tank while sporting a blue helmet. Another was declaring April 24, 1989, New Kids on the Block Day in Massachusetts. 

That was 35 years ago. I had almost forgotten until it popped up on social media.

New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) was a boy band from Dorchester, Massachusetts, active between 1984 and 1994, only to reemerge in 2008. 

NKOTB’s original members included 15-year-old Donnie Wahlberg and his schoolmates Jamie Kelly, Jordan Knight, his older brother Jonathan, and Danny Wood. When Kelly left the group, 12-year-old Joey McIntyre replaced him.

Some fans insist Donnie’s brother Mark Wahlberg was a founding member of New Kids on the Block, but that is not quite accurate. Wahlberg was with the group briefly but it was when it was known as Nynuk before it adopted the name New Kids on the Block. 

The change from Nynuk to New Kids on the Block occurred after Mark Wahlberg left the group, became Marky Mark (with and without the Funky Bunch), acted in films, and opened hamburger joints.

Technically, Mark Wahlberg was never a member of New Kids on the Block.

Mark Wahlberg ran afoul of the law and developed an addiction to cocaine while running as a young pre-teen in the Boston area. After 45 days in jail and some coaching from his brother Donnie, Mark got his act together and has had a successful career.

New Kids on the Block is touring this summer with a stop in Connecticut in July and a show at Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts on  August 10, 2024.

An arrest was made in Massachusetts in connection with the fatal shooting on Sunday in Hoboken, stated Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

The Hoboken Police Department responded to shots fired in the area of 320 Marshall Drive at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The victim was 21-year-old Damon Murray of Hoboken. He was transported to Jersey City Medical Center by private auto. He suffered from an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen and was pronounced dead around midnight.

Albert Morales, 33, of North Bergen, has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of weapon. He was arrested on Tuesday in Chicopee, Massachusetts by Massachusetts State Police.

Morales will remain in custody pending extradition to New Jersey.

Local: Home in Hoboken’s historic Castle Point Terrace neighborhood listed for $4.15 million

SHREWSBURY, MA — State House lawmakers last week passed their version of the fiscal 2025 budget, with local lawmakers including plenty of funding for local projects in the $58 billion spending plan.

State reps. Hannah Kane, R-Shrewsbury, and Kate Donaghue, D-Westborough, said they included money in the budget for the following local initiatives:

• $50,000 for Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services
• $10,000 for accessibility improvements to the bathrooms at Dean Park (Shrewsbury)
• $10,000 for improvements to the gazebo at the Shrewsbury Town Common
• $27,000 for radios for Westborough ambulances

The fiscal 2025 budget also includes an increase in Chapter 70 funding, which is the state’s contribution to each school district. Westborough could get about $12.3 million compared to $11.9 million in fiscal 2024, and Shrewsbury could get about $21.5 million compared to about $20.7 million in fiscal 2024.

The budget also includes an increase in unrestricted aid for cities and towns. That type of cash can be used for a variety of municipal services, ranging from libraries to the fire department. Westborough may get about $1.4 million in unrestricted aid ($1.39 million in fiscal 2024), and Shrewsbury may get $3.36 million ($3.22 million in fiscal 2024).

The House budget proposal, however, is subject to change. The state Senate will next take a crack at the budget with possible changes before it goes to Gov. Maura Healey for a signature. Healey could also veto portions of the budget. Last year, Healey vetoed $272 million in spending priorities.