Morning Updates: New vaccine exemption pondered, police worry about fake guns
Good morning, Boston. Local police are increasingly worried about replica and look-alike guns, Massachusetts ponders a “personal beliefs’’ vaccine exemption, and the rest of today’s news.
South Carolina legislators vote take down the Confederate flag: “The Confederate battle flag that has flown at the South Carolina State House for more than 50 years will soon be gone after lawmakers capped a tension-filled session early on Thursday and voted to remove it from the grounds of the State Capitol. … ‘It is a new day in South Carolina, a day we can all be proud of, a day that truly brings us all together as we continue to heal, as one people and one state,’ [Gov. Nikki] Haley said in a statement after the vote, which she watched from her wing of offices just below the House chamber.’’ (The New York Times)
Fake guns, real consequences: “Following in the steps of Philadelphia, which prohibits all pellet and BB guns, [Boston Police commissioner Bill] Evans said he is pushing for local legislation that would ban the look-alike guns in public spaces. … ‘You can’t tell the difference, basically,’ Evans said in a recent interview. ‘Kids know they’re fake — we don’t. We’re trying our best to educate the public on the dangers of carrying the weapons around.’’’ (The Boston Globe)
Gov. Baker gets another MBTA change: “Three years. That’s how long Gov. Charlie Baker has to reform the MBTA without the boundaries of the so-called Pacheco law, according to the state’s budget agreement for the next fiscal year. … With the new budget, Baker can start tallying some MBTA victories, such as the control board and the Pacheco exemption. The next stop: putting the wins to the test and seeing whether they work.’’ (Boston.com)
Just say no to vaccine exemptions: “[L]egislators are considering a misguided bill that would allow more parents to refuse vaccinations for their children by adding a ‘personal beliefs’ exemption to the state law requiring all children to be vaccinated before they can be admitted to school. … Allowing personal beliefs to inform parents’ immunizations decisions creates a slippery slope that will only endanger whole communities.’’ (The Boston Globe)
Elizabeth Warren graces the cover of Time: “Who’s Afraid of Elizabeth Warren? She’s hounding Obama, haunting Hillary and paving the way for Bernie Sanders. How she’ll shape the 2016 race.’’ (Time) Meanwhile, Warren and her allies delayed the nomination of Keir Gumbs to the Securities and Exchange Commission because he has previously advised corporate groups. The Wall Street Journal isn’t pleased. “Here’s a rare and happy coincidence when Republicans can cooperate with Mr. Obama. If Ms. Warren wants to appoint SEC commissioners, she’ll have to run for President.’’ (Wall Street Journal)
A eulogy for Dexter D. Eure Sr., the Globe’s first black columnist: “Mr. Eure’s ‘point was clear: the Taylors and the Globe were constantly reminded to break off a piece of the pie for people of color,’ [former managing editor Gregory] Moore said. ‘He was protective of the Globe, make no mistake. But he was always pushing and never satisfied. Every black employee knew Dexter was watching, and watching over them … If I went too long without checking in with him, I’d be summoned to visit. After doing a pulse check to make sure I was doing OK, he’d remind me not to get too big for my britches and never forget to help other minorities get to the Globe and thrive.’’’ (The Boston Globe)
The Goodbye: Remember these Massachusetts politicians who got arrested?
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