Acting Mayor Kim Janey Fires Boston Police Commissioner: The HUB

The HUB is an effort to get you caught up on whatever you need to know each weekday in Boston and around Massachusetts.

Good morning! Today is Tuesday, June 8. Let's get started.

Mike Carraggi is off today, so I'm attempting to step into his shoes for a day, and they're big shoes to fill, he's tall. Don't worry, he'll be back later this week.

Today there's some hopeful news about COVID-19 cases, the return of fallout from last year's School Committee meeting that involved an open mic and some racial mocking, and questions about the future of remote working.

But first...

Acting Mayor Kim Janey fired Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White and turns to reform.

Boston’s acting mayor has officially fired Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White amid accusations of domestic violence.

A big part of the reason why? Instead of expressing regret, growth, or contrition, White vilified his former wife, she said in a news conference Monday.

His return to the commissioner post would send the wrong message to survivors of domestic violence and reinforce the “blue wall of silence” within the department, she said.

But she didn't leave it there. Janey said she will go ahead with plans to require background checks for all Boston police leadership positions, will update the department's 15-year-old domestic violence policy and form what looks a lot like a police reform task force: a committee of residents, public safety advocates, and law enforcement officials to help define what the city wants from its police leadership.

But White's attorney said this isn't the last we'll hear about this; cue the continued legal wrangling.

3 Things You Need To Know Today

School Committee Member resigns over texts about 'Westie whites'

A controversial public Boston School Committee meeting last year that lasted nearly nine hours keeps making headlines — and for the wrong reasons. Michael Loconto, then-chairman of the committee, resigned after he was heard on a hot microphone mocking the Asian names of attendees who were waiting to speak at the contentious October hearing.
Lorna Rivera.

Now, there’s a second political casualty from the same meeting. (Boston Globe)

Remote Work Is Here To Stay — Or So We Thought

Will employers choose a new, more hybrid path, or will the desire to return to normal pull everyone back into the office full-time? (WBUR)

Milestone on the virus tracker

Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported less than 100 new coronavirus cases for the first time since last June. (Boston Herald)

What I'm reading today: In 2019 after more than 50 infants had lost their lives Fisher-Price recalled it's popular 'Rock 'n Play sleeper in 2019. WBUR reports that executives at Fisher-Price ignored repeated safety warnings.

Weather

The National Weather Service says: The hot and humid conditions from Monday continue today.

A heat advisory will stay in effect for the eastern part of the state, and forecasters expect temperatures to hit 95° to 99° this afternoon.

In addition to the heat, the National Weather Service says scattered thunderstorms may hit the region and, if they do, watch for "torrential" rainfall along with localized floods.

Hope your Tuesday includes tacos.

You can email me at jenna.fisher@patch.com and follow me @ReporterJenna