Afternoon Report: Friday, May 2, 2025

This is WBZ, Boston's news radio redefining local news seventy one degrees in Boston at four o'clock. Good afternoon. I'm Ben Parker. Here's what's happening. May during now excuse to the day at the Karen Reid red trial in Denham, had a Knowles with the vast State Police crime Lab finished up testifying this afternoon. She had calculated how drunk read would have been when she allegedly hit John o'keef with her SUV.

So you calculated the defendants blood alcohol concentration to be between point one four and point two eight at twelve forty five am on January twenty ninth, twenty twenty two.

Is that correct?

Yes. During cross examination, the defense points out her calculations were based on testing that was done by a third party hospital.

Basically, you cannot personally vouch for the ethanol testing that was performed at Good Samarian.

Correct, that's accurate.

The reliability of the results that my calculations were based on.

My calculations are only as good as the numbers that I was provided.

Court will resume in Norfolk Superior Court on Monday. We're expecting a full week of testimony next week. Another promise from the President to take away federal dollars from Harvard University, WBC's jabal Letts and Cambridge with reaction.

Things are on campus that don't function like they used to because they can't because if nobody. Students at Harvard say they're constantly checking headlines in the school's ongoing feud with President Trump. I think it's a shame. You know.

I know a lot of people personally affected by it.

I know researchers who can't do research.

I almost I have a research job.

I almost didn't get the job.

At the crack of dawn. The President says in his truth social account that he will rescind Harvard's tax exempt status, saying it's what they deserve. The Crimson responds in a statement saying, not only does the Commander in Chief not have the legal basis to do so, the move would swipe billions in financial aid and research funding.

Some of my money is being paid for privately by a Professor's.

Battle began not long after President Trump regained the office. He accuses Harvard of doing little to condemn anti semitism on campus. In Cambridge, JWILLTWBZ Boston's News radio.

President Trump's twenty twenty six budget plan would slash non defense domestics spending by one hundred and sixty three billion dollars, while national security spending would increase. It's according to statements released by the White House today, the budget shows a desire to reign in diversity programs and initiatives to address climate change. However, the administration has yet to release details on what it wants income taxes, tariffs, or the budget

The CDC says two hundred and sixteen children died of the flu this season, the highest number since the swine flu pandemic in twenty nine to ten. The number could go even higher. Last year's flu season wasn't counted fully until autumn. Pediatricians say one big reason for fatalities is fewer kids are getting flu shots. Less than half of all children got vaccinated against the flu this season, down from sixty four percent five years ago.

That is ABC's Sherry Preston. Beginning Wednesday, history gets underway in Vatican City, the College of cardinals will meet in conclave to select a new pope. Preparations today going up in smoke, so to speak, the installation of the chimney out of the Sistine Chapel that will signal AA or nay when it comes to the election of the new Pope. And mostly cloudy skies as we head into the evening tonight.

J Pisarros is as good as it gets around these parts. Little piece on tour right now with the band sticks, playing sold out venues in the Midwest. But he has been reluctant to tour in recent weeks because last month he went to check in on his dad and found him on the floor. Dad had had a freak accident a fall and broke his neck and been laying there for fourteen hours. Weeks later, now, mister Passaros has got some feeling back at his feet, his grip is showing

Starbucks is making changes with its sales slowing.

The coffee chain is cutting back on automation and we'll hire more baristas instead to give its restaurants a more human touch. Starbucks has been testing new technology called Siren at some of its stores to make it easier for employees to make drinks and food, but the chain has decided adding baristas will work better. The company is also working on a new algorithm to lower its in store and drive through way times to less than four minutes Michael Wallace, CBS News.

An art piece by Banksy is being uncovered after more than a decade in storage. The slab of Brooklyn wall covered with graffiti is going to be auctioned off later this month. Some proceeds will be going to the American Heart Association. The family that owns the piece, called Battle to Survive a Broken Heart, says they are honoring their father, who died of a heart attack. He worked in a warehouse, the warehouse where Banksy stenciled that image in twenty thirteen.