December 1, 2025 • 6 mins
Massachusetts has a new proposal for high school graduation requirements after voters scrapped the MCAS, the Brian Walshe murder trial begins, and a new Massachusetts state flag may be on the way— but not anytime soon. Stay in "The Loop" with WBZ NewsRadio.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is wb Z Boston's news radio way defining local news.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Forty two degrees in Boston. Right now, it's eleven o'clock
on your Monday morning, partly cloudy in the city. We've
got a storm on the way. We'll get the forecast
coming up. I'm Nicole Davis. Here is what's happening. A
year after voters in Massachusetts decided to scrap the m cast,
the state is out today with some recommendations for new
high school graduation requirements. These recommendations have two core components.
(00:34):
One is an end of course exam administered by this state,
and second is portfolios that students complete to demonstrate mastery
of the subjects. These capstones or portfolios would be designed
and scored at the local level. Governor morri Heely says
this new model will set high school students up for success,
but there's already pushback. The state's largest teachers union, the
(00:54):
mass Teachers Association, says this is essentially the MCST, just
under a different name. They say, since it relies on
standardized testing, it defies the will of the voters. These
are just a framework, and the council working on these
guidelines will have more details in their final report, which
is due in June. Meantime, in New York at eleven
oh one, a hearing is underway that could determine what
(01:15):
jurors get to see in the upcoming trial of Luigi Mangioni.
Here's ABC's Peter harlamboos.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
One year after prosecutors say Luigi Mangioni brazenly assassinated the
CEO of United Healthcare in Midtown Manhattan, a multi day
hearing that could determine the balance of evidence in a
state murder trial. Mangioni's attorneys are trying to limit prosecutors
from using key evidence, including a three D printed gun
and purported journal writings they say police illegally obtained last
(01:42):
year when they searched Mangoni's backpack during his arrest without
a warrant. Peter Harralambus, ABC News New York.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Follow continues this morning from both sides of the political
aisle over a report in the Washington Post on US
air strikes against a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean.
The report says forces hit the same boat twice in
order to comply with orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
to kill all passengers. Here's ABC's Perry Russell.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
Allmakers on both sides of the isle say Hegseeth may
have violated international law. Heg Seth defending his orders, saying
the intent is to stop lethal drugs, destroy Narco boats,
and kill the Narco terrorists who are poisoning the American people.
Biden Cado terrorists, We kill them. Some experts argue, even
if Hegseth did not order that second strike, it may
(02:27):
still be a violation of the laws of war.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Heg Seth denied that report in the Post, calling it
fake news. And over the weekend, lawmakers were angry after
President Trump announced he will pardon former Honduran President Juan Hernandez.
Here's ABC's j O'Brien.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Democrats slamming this move, calling it part of a string
of controversial pardons issued by President Trump. Even Republican Senator
Bill Cassidy of Louisiana questioning why the administration would pardon
Hernandez and then go after Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro on
similar accusations of drug traffic.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
And this pardon comes after the leader was sentenced to
forty five years in prison last year for weapons and
drug trafficking charges. For the rest of the afternoon, we
are looking at pretty calm conditions, no problems that I
can see a bit of a breeze really, and we'll
have a very chilly afternoon at the high only in
the mid forties. Then for tonight, we have clear skies early,
(03:21):
but you'll notice some clouds moving in through the overnight
lo about twenty five in Boston, upper teens if you're
north and west. We have a winter storm watch for
northern and western suburbs of Boston that starts tomorrow at
seven am, last through the day and too Wednesday early morning.
That's because our next storm here is going to bring
a little bit of everything, depending on where you are.
You could see some snow, could see some freezing rain,
(03:43):
a little bit of just plain cold rain as well,
and again you're gonna see most of the snow here
north and west of Boston. Looks like the models are
coming together on this, so for tomorrow afternoon, that's when
the snow and rain are going to start. Storm moves in,
and we've got a high tomorrow if you're in the
northwest suburbs about thirty five forty in Boston, warmer on
(04:03):
the Capan Islands. Then tomorrow night, as the storm makes
its way out, rain will mix with or change to snow.
So we've got a storm total snowfall about maybe an
inch tops in the city, one to three inches between
one twenty eight and four ninety five, three to six
inches if you're further north and west. Wednesday partly sunny.
We've got a high in the upper thirties right now,
(04:24):
forty one in Westborough, where at forty one is well
in Ipswich, forty two in Brockton. In Boston at eleven
oh six, it is partly cloudy and forty two degrees.
Developing news and DEBTAM this hour is opening. Statements are
officially underway in the murder trial of Brian Walsh. This
is a case that has been getting national attention. This
(04:44):
trial starts almost three years after Walsh allegedly killed his
wife Anna, dismembered her body, and disposed of it. Now
last month, you might remember that Walsh changed his plea
on two of the three charges against him is including
Line two investigators and the disposal of Anna's body. It
maintains his innocence though on that charge of first degree murder.
Once it gets going. The trial is expected to last
(05:06):
about two or three weeks, so we'll keep you posted
throughout the day on WBZ and streaming on the iHeartRadio app.
A new flag for the state of Massachusetts might be
on the way, but not anytime soon.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
Time's just about up for a commission hired to come
up with a new flag, seal, and motto for Massachusetts,
and once again, it's crickets. The panel winds down an
extension filled with a one hundred thousand dollars budget to
come up with an alternate to the current seal, which
features a disembodied arm holding a sword above the depiction
of a Native American. It's been the angst of the
Native American population for decades. The most recent push came
(05:40):
following the Black Lives Matter movement, and while the public
has submitted dozens of recommendations that are deemed worthy of
further consideration, nothing's come of the effort, and it appears
another extension is on the way. Matt Shearer, WBZ Boston's
News Radio.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Well, Today, December first, is World Aid's Day, and for
the first time since the nineteen eighties, the United States
is not formally commemorating it.
Speaker 6 (06:02):
Today has been observed on December first of each year
since nineteen eighty eight to raise awareness of the AIDS
pandemic and to mourn those who've died. This year, The
New York Times is reporting that the US State Department
has instructed its employees not to use federal funding to
commemorate the occasion. It's part of the new federal policy
to refrain from messaging on commemorative days, which includes publicly
(06:26):
promoting World Aid's Day. I'm Michael Kassner.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
You are now in malup for news updates throughout the day.
Listen to WBZ Radio on the iHeartRadio app. I'm Nicole Davis,
w b Z and Boston's News Radio
This is wb Z Boston's news radio way defining local news.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Forty two degrees in Boston. Right now, it's eleven o'clock
on your Monday morning, partly cloudy in the city. We've
got a storm on the way. We'll get the forecast
coming up. I'm Nicole Davis. Here is what's happening. A
year after voters in Massachusetts decided to scrap the m cast,
the state is out today with some recommendations for new
high school graduation requirements. These recommendations have two core components.
(00:34):
One is an end of course exam administered by this state,
and second is portfolios that students complete to demonstrate mastery
of the subjects. These capstones or portfolios would be designed
and scored at the local level. Governor morri Heely says
this new model will set high school students up for success,
but there's already pushback. The state's largest teachers union, the
(00:54):
mass Teachers Association, says this is essentially the MCST, just
under a different name. They say, since it relies on
standardized testing, it defies the will of the voters. These
are just a framework, and the council working on these
guidelines will have more details in their final report, which
is due in June. Meantime, in New York at eleven
oh one, a hearing is underway that could determine what
(01:15):
jurors get to see in the upcoming trial of Luigi Mangioni.
Here's ABC's Peter harlamboos.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
One year after prosecutors say Luigi Mangioni brazenly assassinated the
CEO of United Healthcare in Midtown Manhattan, a multi day
hearing that could determine the balance of evidence in a
state murder trial. Mangioni's attorneys are trying to limit prosecutors
from using key evidence, including a three D printed gun
and purported journal writings they say police illegally obtained last
(01:42):
year when they searched Mangoni's backpack during his arrest without
a warrant. Peter Harralambus, ABC News New York.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Follow continues this morning from both sides of the political
aisle over a report in the Washington Post on US
air strikes against a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean.
The report says forces hit the same boat twice in
order to comply with orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
to kill all passengers. Here's ABC's Perry Russell.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
Allmakers on both sides of the isle say Hegseeth may
have violated international law. Heg Seth defending his orders, saying
the intent is to stop lethal drugs, destroy Narco boats,
and kill the Narco terrorists who are poisoning the American people.
Biden Cado terrorists, We kill them. Some experts argue, even
if Hegseth did not order that second strike, it may
(02:27):
still be a violation of the laws of war.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Heg Seth denied that report in the Post, calling it
fake news. And over the weekend, lawmakers were angry after
President Trump announced he will pardon former Honduran President Juan Hernandez.
Here's ABC's j O'Brien.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Democrats slamming this move, calling it part of a string
of controversial pardons issued by President Trump. Even Republican Senator
Bill Cassidy of Louisiana questioning why the administration would pardon
Hernandez and then go after Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro on
similar accusations of drug traffic.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
And this pardon comes after the leader was sentenced to
forty five years in prison last year for weapons and
drug trafficking charges. For the rest of the afternoon, we
are looking at pretty calm conditions, no problems that I
can see a bit of a breeze really, and we'll
have a very chilly afternoon at the high only in
the mid forties. Then for tonight, we have clear skies early,
(03:21):
but you'll notice some clouds moving in through the overnight
lo about twenty five in Boston, upper teens if you're
north and west. We have a winter storm watch for
northern and western suburbs of Boston that starts tomorrow at
seven am, last through the day and too Wednesday early morning.
That's because our next storm here is going to bring
a little bit of everything, depending on where you are.
You could see some snow, could see some freezing rain,
(03:43):
a little bit of just plain cold rain as well,
and again you're gonna see most of the snow here
north and west of Boston. Looks like the models are
coming together on this, so for tomorrow afternoon, that's when
the snow and rain are going to start. Storm moves in,
and we've got a high tomorrow if you're in the
northwest suburbs about thirty five forty in Boston, warmer on
(04:03):
the Capan Islands. Then tomorrow night, as the storm makes
its way out, rain will mix with or change to snow.
So we've got a storm total snowfall about maybe an
inch tops in the city, one to three inches between
one twenty eight and four ninety five, three to six
inches if you're further north and west. Wednesday partly sunny.
We've got a high in the upper thirties right now,
(04:24):
forty one in Westborough, where at forty one is well
in Ipswich, forty two in Brockton. In Boston at eleven
oh six, it is partly cloudy and forty two degrees.
Developing news and DEBTAM this hour is opening. Statements are
officially underway in the murder trial of Brian Walsh. This
is a case that has been getting national attention. This
(04:44):
trial starts almost three years after Walsh allegedly killed his
wife Anna, dismembered her body, and disposed of it. Now
last month, you might remember that Walsh changed his plea
on two of the three charges against him is including
Line two investigators and the disposal of Anna's body. It
maintains his innocence though on that charge of first degree murder.
Once it gets going. The trial is expected to last
(05:06):
about two or three weeks, so we'll keep you posted
throughout the day on WBZ and streaming on the iHeartRadio app.
A new flag for the state of Massachusetts might be
on the way, but not anytime soon.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
Time's just about up for a commission hired to come
up with a new flag, seal, and motto for Massachusetts,
and once again, it's crickets. The panel winds down an
extension filled with a one hundred thousand dollars budget to
come up with an alternate to the current seal, which
features a disembodied arm holding a sword above the depiction
of a Native American. It's been the angst of the
Native American population for decades. The most recent push came
(05:40):
following the Black Lives Matter movement, and while the public
has submitted dozens of recommendations that are deemed worthy of
further consideration, nothing's come of the effort, and it appears
another extension is on the way. Matt Shearer, WBZ Boston's
News Radio.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Well, Today, December first, is World Aid's Day, and for
the first time since the nineteen eighties, the United States
is not formally commemorating it.
Speaker 6 (06:02):
Today has been observed on December first of each year
since nineteen eighty eight to raise awareness of the AIDS
pandemic and to mourn those who've died. This year, The
New York Times is reporting that the US State Department
has instructed its employees not to use federal funding to
commemorate the occasion. It's part of the new federal policy
to refrain from messaging on commemorative days, which includes publicly
(06:26):
promoting World Aid's Day. I'm Michael Kassner.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
You are now in malup for news updates throughout the day.
Listen to WBZ Radio on the iHeartRadio app. I'm Nicole Davis,
w b Z and Boston's News Radio
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