News

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETS – Takeda spokeswoman Julia Ellwanger issued a statement saying that Japanese Drug Maker Takeda will gradually relocate from Deerfield, Illinois to Boston.

The move was more or less expected. Its parent company that is based in Tokyo, is in the process of acquiring Irish drug maker Shire for $62 billion.  Once the deal is concluded, the company will start its major move.

Ellwanger mentioned that all the employees, unfortunately, will be affected by the move. Some will get an offer to relocate, while others won’t. Now, the company employs over 1000 employees.

The closure date hasn’t been announced yet. Nevertheless, the affected employees will be notified within six months of the completion of the Shire deal.

Takeda has been operating in the area of Chicago for more than 40 years. It is the largest biopharma employer in Illinois. In 2017, the company moved about 700 of its 1,700 positions to Massachusetts. It also leased a large building on its campus along Lake Cook Road.

The spokeswoman mentioned that this move will greatly help Takeda better funnel its pipeline and improve its operations.  The health industry is shifting from traditional drug compounds toward biologics and gene-based treatments. Boston offers a boosting infrastructure for research and development.

On Wednesday, Massachusetts House members put in a vote to revoke old-fashioned laws of Massachusetts. One of the laws that were reversed was the anti-abortion law that has been set since 1845.

The Massachusetts House had 139 votes that were approving to get the law removed and only 9 votes to keep the ban on abortion.

During the vote meeting, Democratic state Representative Claire Cronin stated, “The changing dynamics of the Supreme Court is a real and legitimate concern.” Ever since President Donald Trump announced that he is determined to overturn Roe v. Wade, it has kept some House members concerned.

Though they did overrule to reverse the ban on abortion, lots of critics thought that there was no need to vote to reverse the law rendered in a ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in 1981. The ruling basically grants access to people who wish to get an abortion.

Some of the other laws that also got reversed by the vote yesterday include access to contraception.

In Massachusetts, people who are not married cannot be granted access to contraception, as well as abortions. They cannot even be given any information on either one of the two.

However, now because of the votes, people will no longer be held back from contraception or abortions. They will do as they please and it will be legal.

Two of the biggest supporters of rights to abortion and contraception are Republican Governor Charlie Baker and Senate President Harriette Chandler.

Their main goal is to make sure the people are protected if ever Roe v. Wade gets overturned.

The Catholic Action League Executive Director stated, “A possible future U.S. Supreme Court decision reversing or modifying Roe v. Wade would have no effect in Massachusetts.”

BOSTON, Massachusetts — A passenger died on a flight from Houston to Boston overnight.

United Flight 1888 left Bush Intercontinental Airport Tuesday night heading for Logan Airport, but about two hours into the flight – just before midnight – it was diverted to Washington-Dulles because there was a medical emergency on board.

When the Boeing 737 landed, medics met the crew on the runway, but the passenger had died.

Jonathan Guerin, a United spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday, “We are saddened to learn that our customer passed away. We extend our sincerest condolences to their family.”

He said that some passengers helped the crew trying to save the man. His name has not been publically released yet.

Sharon Kaye of Texas, a passenger on the flight, told the local news he was a man in his early 40’s who had a heart attack.

“Another passenger told me she was close to where the man was and that there were no defibrillators on the plane. Everyone was shocked and saddened by the situation,” Kaye said. However, United disputed the defibrillator claim.

“Our crew used all the available equipment including an AED defibrillator,” Guerin told the local news.

Kaye and the rest of the passengers have changed their plane to Boston at 3:09 a.m.

There is no further information available at this moment. The investigation is still ongoing.

Yesterday, a robbery was in process at a Bank of America around the afternoon in Boston, MA.

The suspect, Leo Willwerth, is a 31-year-old man who robbed the Bank of America on Andover Street yesterday.

Willwerth went into the bank and threatened the employees that he had a bomb on him. However, nobody saw any weapons on the suspect.

He asked for them to give him cash otherwise he would have bombed the bank.

After stealing the money, he ran and got into a taxi by the North Shore Mall with a woman.

Bob Flaherty, a dispatcher at Tri-City Taxi, did not know that one of their drivers was picking up Willwerth, the bank robber.

Soon enough, police contacted Tri-City Taxi and got in touch with Bob Flaherty.

Flaherty tried to contact the taxi driver and follow his GPS location while police remained on the line.

However, he suspected that the radio might have been turned off. They assume the suspect might have asked the driver to turn the radio off, thus making it harder for Flaherty to get in touch with the taxi driver.

Even with the radio off, he used the taxi’s back up GPS to locate it.

Boston State Police sent out a helicopter in the area which led to them locating the taxi.

After searching for almost an hour, police caught and stopped the taxi right on Melnea Cass Boulevard in Boston.

Willwerth was arrested and so was the woman that was with him in the taxi.

Police do not know if the woman was involved with the incident that occurred at the bank.

No injuries or deaths were reported.

Willwerth has a court hearing today at Peabody District Court.

If you have a sweet-tooth and love free pastries, you’re in luck! It’s National Doughnut Day today! Most doughnut shops in the Boston area are celebrating by giving customers free doughnuts!

In Framingham, Cumberland Farms is treating their customers to free doughnuts with every purchase of a Farmhouse blend or a drink from their “Chill Zone.” But here’s the downside, only the remodeled stores are participating in this deal. Find out more on their website.

Honey Dew Donuts, all over Massachusetts, are giving away their S’more doughnuts with every purchase of a medium drink! Hurry up before they’re all gone!

Need gluten-free doughnuts? We got your back! Head to Kane’s Donuts today to try any one of their 3 gluten-free doughnuts. They have 16 options in total and you can try their “super dozen” deal for today. The deal includes 15 doughnuts for only $12! With only two locations in the city, be sure to head there before they are sold out for the day!

Union Square Donuts will be celebrating this national pastry holiday with a DJ at their stores. Not only do they serve doughnuts in their own stores, but you can actually find their doughnuts at other businesses. Triangle Coffee, located at the Innovation Design Building serves Union Square Donuts on Fridays only. Open until 4 PM today. Longfellow is also serving Union Square Donuts until 3 PM today. Other locations that are serving these delicious doughnuts include Barrington Coffee Roasting Company, George Howell Coffee located at the Godfrey Hotel, Intrepid Café, Wired Puppy, and 1369 Coffee House.

Of course, Dunkin’ Donuts is also offering free classic doughnuts with the purchase of a free drink. To celebrate this sweet day, they’re renaming their classic doughnuts. Dunkin’ has also teamed up with Lyft to offer rides for free to any Dunkin’ Donuts store! Use code “DUNKINDONUTS18” to get a free ride for up to $10. What could be better than a free ride and a free doughnut?

Saving the best for last, Krispy Kreme is giving customers a free doughnut of their choice. You don’t even need to purchase anything.

So, if you’re one of many that celebrate National Doughnut Day, head over to any or all of these stores for free doughnuts today!