The Rundown: Worcester Police Oversight Vote and Racist Incident at YWCA Mural

Heated Debate Over Police Oversight

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic-Radio Worcester

Questions, Concerns, Opinions?

TEXT US! >> 774-364-8255

Worcester, MA-

This week on The Rundown, Randy Feldman joins Hank, Mark Henderson of the016.com, “Big” Ben and Tom Marino of This Week in Worcester to discuss the controversial vote to file a Civilian Review Board proposal for oversight of the Worcester Police Department. The disagreement turns into a heated exchange over the proposal and what the vote means for Worcester.

The panel also addresses an incident near the YWCA in which a man shouted racial epithets at artists painting a mural honoring women of color. Panelists discuss the video of the incident and debate how the community should respond, including the role social media can play in identifying the man and seeking accountability.

Why Words Matter—and What Makes Local News Truly Local

Why Early News Reports Use Carefully Measured Language

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic-Radio Worcester

Questions, Concerns, Opinions?

TEXT US! >> 774-364-8255

Worcester, MA- This episode examines the critical role of precise language in journalism and law enforcement communication. Why certain language had to be used in regards to Worcester Police Officer Kurt Solomon. Mark Henderson, the016.com, explains how journalists and police departments must use carefully measured terminology to report only confirmed facts, avoiding speculation that can fuel misinformation on social media. The conversation highlights the distinction between terms like “found dead,” “killed,” and “murder,” and explains why preliminary reports may seem vague.  “And journalists act the same way. We just say that there was a man found dead. Well, why didn’t they say he was killed? Well, because that determination, that’s a determination that somebody has been killed when they die by the hand of another versus somebody who’s taken their own life.” says Henderson.

Finally, Hank, Mark and Tom Marino, thisweekinworcester.com, address just what makes local news and talk outlets, local. They look at the shift toward centralized, national programming, arguing that local media ownership and investment remain viable despite private equity consolidation strategies that have reduced local newsroom staffing and community presence. Hank makes the observation,  “I think that it’s interesting that although our wheelhouse is local, a lot of people, everything is judged by are you on the right or are you on the left with the national issues?” As Tom Marino said, “Even if you have local people talking about national issues, I don’t think that that’s necessarily the local show, right? I mean, you talk about national issues, but you talk about a host of local issues as well.”

Mark Henderson points out there is an appetite for local, “We’ve gone from seven in 2013 to now it’s up to about 20. In the ring towns or in the suburbs of Worcester, there have been six new publications in the past 18 months, so the past 20 months now.”

Panel:Redemption, Public Safety, Gambling Expansion and Police Accountability

Radio Worcester’s panel discusses a Controversial Parole Decision Sparks Debate About Justice and Redemption

By-Hank Stolz
Photo- Radio Worcester

Questions, Concerns, Opinions?

TEXT US! >> 774-364-8255

Worcester, MA-The Rundown, Hank and “Big” Ben, Mark Henderson of the 016.com and Tom Marino of thisweekinworcester.com look at top stories from the past week.

Key topics include the parole board’s decision to grant parole to a man convicted of murder in 1979 who escaped in 1990, raising questions about criminal justice philosophy and community safety. The panel asks the philosophical question of do we really believe in redemption or just in everlasting punishment? As Mark Henderson points out, “I just want to remind people that he was convicted of second-degree murder and got life, but with the possibility of parole.” “What do we believe in as a society? At what point would we say that you are no longer a threat? Do we really think that this guy is going to get out and stab someone else? Is he a danger? And do we believe that there is some sort of rehabilitation or are we just warehousing these people and we’re throwing away the key?”

The panel examines the Massachusetts lottery’s expansion to online platforms, weighing concerns about increased gambling addiction and harm to local businesses against arguments for regulated access. A noise complaint case involving a church conducting late-night services highlights enforcement challenges with local ordinances. The discussion also addresses the expiration of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and the closure of residential programs affecting vulnerable populations in Worcester, particularly the city’s large Haitian community.

Additional topics include a proposal for a statue commemorating the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Massachusetts . The hosts debate upcoming city council discussions on establishing a civilian review board for police accountability. “I think if the proponents of a civilian review were smart, what they would do is bring up the settlement, the $825,000 settlement and say, “You said that there was police accountability already in the city. Okay, show us what happened here.” said Mark Henderson.

Radio Worcester Political Roundtable Debates ICE Shooting in Maine and Presidential Claims on Election Integrity

Immigration Enforcement and Election Integrity Take Center Stage

“These were young people in large numbers irate over ICE… It was a rally unlike any I’d ever seen.” — Randy Feldman

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic- Radio Worcester

Questions, Concerns, Opinions?

TEXT US! >> 774-364-8255

Worcester, MA-Two issues dominating the national political conversation—immigration enforcement and election integrity—took center stage during this week’s Radio Worcester Roundtable as Hank Stolz welcomed immigration attorney Randy Feldman and political commentator Robert Amorello for a wide-ranging discussion.

The conversation began with the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old Colombian national by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Biddeford, Maine. Feldman, who traveled to the city following the incident, described an atmosphere unlike any protest he had previously witnessed.

“And the people there, unlike all the No Kings rallies that we see, they’re all young,” Feldman said. “These were young people in large numbers irate over ICE… It was a rally unlike any I’d ever seen. It was aching more to George Floyd or the 1960s.”

Feldman argued that the shooting raises broader concerns about immigration enforcement, including officer training, operational quotas, and constitutional standards governing the use of deadly force. He pointed to a landmark 1985 Supreme Court decision establishing that law enforcement generally may not use deadly force against a fleeing suspect unless that person poses an immediate threat to officers or the public.

“Could you imagine police officers who are used to telling people, ‘Stop or I’ll shoot,’ and the kid doesn’t stop and the police officer shoots and the kid dies?” Feldman asked. “ICE doesn’t seem to have gotten the message from the 1985 case.”

The discussion explored whether current immigration enforcement policies should be reformed, temporarily suspended, or more closely aligned with traditional law enforcement standards, while acknowledging differing viewpoints on how immigration laws should be enforced.

The Roundtable then shifted to President Donald Trump’s nationally televised address focused on election integrity and alleged Chinese interference in American elections.

Robert Amorello questioned both the timing and purpose of the speech.

“When I heard that the president was going to address the country, I said, ‘Oh, that’s good. He’s probably going to talk about the war and what’s been going on with Iran,'” Amorello said. “I was shocked that the purpose of the address was voter fraud… this was a real missed opportunity.”

Panelists discussed whether the address represented an appropriate use of presidential airtime and debated whether the remarks were intended primarily to address election security concerns or to lay political groundwork for future election disputes.

Throughout the conversation, the panel emphasized the importance of examining complex public policy issues through legal, constitutional, and political perspectives while recognizing the significant consequences these debates have for communities across the country.