The Massachusetts coastline is currently under threat as Hurricane Erin brings large waves and dangerously strong rip currents, prompting local officials to close beaches for swimming from Scituate to Westport to Nantucket.
A high surf advisory is in place and will remain effective until Saturday night, warning residents and visitors alike to exercise caution.
In a shift aimed at rebranding New England’s largest grocery chain, Stop & Shop has announced that it will lower prices on thousands of everyday items across its stores in Eastern Massachusetts.
Starting this Friday, the grocery chain is implementing price cuts as part of a multi-year strategy that comes after company leaders acknowledged last year that their value proposition wasn’t strong enough, a realization that led to the closure of 32 stores.
Stop & Shop’s parent company, Ahold Delhaize, is investing $1 billion to facilitate lower prices across its U.S. brands, despite inflation and other economic pressures that are pushing prices upward throughout the grocery industry.
Jennifer Brogan, a spokesperson for Stop & Shop, explained that the price reductions will cover more than 3,000 items.
This selection represents just a fraction of the store’s inventory, which typically includes between 50,000 to 60,000 different products.
Brogan emphasized that these cuts are focused on items that resonate most with customers, such as rotisserie chicken, Italian bread, and Chobani yogurt.
The reductions, which range from 5% to 40%, will be implemented in the chain’s 88 locations in Eastern Massachusetts over the course of the month, refreshing their competitive edge in the market.
In light of the changes, Brogan confirmed that there will be no expiration date on the price cuts.
“It’s our intent to do everything we can to keep prices low, and these are here to stay,” she stated, offering reassurance to shoppers.
In a different arena of local news, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has responded to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s staunch rejection of federal requests to adjust the city’s sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal deportation efforts.
Todd Lyons, acting ICE director, stated that the agency plans to increase the presence of immigration officers in Boston.
During a recent appearance on the Howie Carr Show, he remarked, “We’re definitely going to, say you’ve heard the saying, flood the zone, especially in sanctuary jurisdictions. […] Boston decided to stay sanctuary, so 100% you will see a larger ICE presence.”
Additionally, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested that the federal government might even consider deploying the National Guard to assist in immigration enforcement, similar to actions taken in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
This announcement follows Mayor Wu’s firm declaration that she would “never back down” in defending Boston’s policies against federal pressure.
In legal news, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins is facing federal extortion charges that he firmly denies.
Tompkins, who has served as sheriff since 2013, is set to plead not guilty at his arraignment hearing today in Boston.
His attorney, Martin Weinberg, asserted that Tompkins intends to mount a vigorous defense against the accusations.
Federal prosecutors allege that Tompkins pressured owners of a Boston-based cannabis firm into selling him $50,000 worth of stock and later demanded a refund when the stock value dropped.
Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Tompkins has not indicated any intention to resign from his post.
In transportation news, Massachusetts is taking a step forward in environmental sustainability with the launch of its first solar-powered e-bike-sharing station today in Davis Square, Somerville.
This station, which is located near the Davis MBTA station, marks a new initiative run by Metro Mobility, a Cambridge-based startup that facilitates e-bike rentals at a rate of $12 per day.
Importantly, for those with financial constraints, low-income riders can access e-bike rentals for just $1 a day, promoting inclusivity in transportation options.
One unique aspect of this service is that riders are required to return the e-bikes to the same dock from which they rented it.
The CEO of Metro Mobility, David Montague, highlighted the advantages of solar-powered stations, indicating that they are more cost-effective to install since they can be placed wherever there is sun.
Montague expressed hopes that this solar station will serve as a model for future installations, aiming to expand access to sustainable transportation.
In sports news, the Boston Red Sox confirmed that rookie infielder Marcelo Mayer has undergone season-ending surgery due to a wrist injury sustained last month.
The 22-year-old recently had a successful wrist arthroscopy, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora has indicated that the expected recovery time is roughly three months.
If all goes well, Mayer should be ready for spring training next year.
image source from：wbur
