1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,680 Good morning and a warm welcome to your show, Sunny Mornings in Boston. 2 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:12,200 We're the daily podcast that gets you started on the right foot and always with a positive 3 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:13,200 vibe. 4 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:18,960 I'm your host, Melissa, and it's Thursday, February 15th. 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:26,080 You'll be interested to know, 46 years ago today, in 1978, Leon Spinks beat Muhammad Ali 6 00:00:26,080 --> 00:00:30,840 to become the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. 7 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:35,200 Stay tuned for more about this fight later in the episode. 8 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:38,980 And now let's check out the weather in the Boston area. 9 00:00:38,980 --> 00:00:46,580 This morning, it's sunny skies and feels like 11 degrees, with 13 mile per hour wind. 10 00:00:46,580 --> 00:00:52,320 The sunset will take place at 5.15 p.m. and will rise again tomorrow at 6.40 a.m. 11 00:00:52,320 --> 00:01:00,120 We're now getting 12.5 hours of daylight, and it's got me feeling pretty good. 12 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:05,040 It looks like we're in for a day with increasing clouds and a high near 38. 13 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:08,440 West wind will be 8 to 13 mile per hour. 14 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:15,560 Tonight, we'll have some snow flurries, mainly after 9 p.m. and a low around 29, with 15 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,920 south wind 8 to 15 mile per hour. 16 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:25,960 Chance of precipitation is 80%, with new snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. 17 00:01:25,960 --> 00:01:33,840 The nearshore buoy at Cape Cod Bay reads 39 degrees for the water temperature. 18 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:38,960 Looking ahead in the weather, we'll see a breezy Friday with a slight chance of morning 19 00:01:38,960 --> 00:01:43,240 snow and highs near 39 degrees. 20 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:48,200 Friday night turns mostly cloudy, cooling to 25. 21 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:54,360 The weekend brings intermittent snow and mostly cloudy skies, with highs around 36 and lows 22 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:58,480 dipping to 17 degrees on Saturday night. 23 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:04,200 Sunday remains mostly sunny with similar temperatures, and Washington's birthday greets us with 24 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:08,280 sunny skies and a high near 39. 25 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:12,160 Bonjour, food enthusiasts! 26 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:17,800 This podcast is brought to you by Versailles Café and Pastries in Encinitas. 27 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:24,400 Nestled on El Camino Real South, just north of Encinitas Boulevard, this café is a haven 28 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:27,160 for culinary delights. 29 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:32,800 Indulge in their amazing Eggs Benedict or their gluten-free crepes. 30 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:38,160 You can grab a panini for lunch or just breeze on through to get your morning coffee. 31 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:41,640 They are open every day from 8 to 5. 32 00:02:41,640 --> 00:02:45,120 So stop on by and don't forget to tell them. 33 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:49,280 Any morning sent you. 34 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:56,440 In local news, Soros Fund Management, founded by billionaire George Soros, is set to become 35 00:02:56,440 --> 00:03:02,200 the largest shareholder in Odyssey, a bankrupt radio station owner, which includes ownership 36 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:05,920 of WEEI in Boston. 37 00:03:05,920 --> 00:03:13,080 Soros' firm holds over $414 million of Odyssey's debt, as revealed in a U.S. bankruptcy court 38 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:14,760 filing. 39 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:23,320 The firm's investment comprises $280 million in term loans and $135 million in revolving 40 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:24,320 credit. 41 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:31,240 Odyssey, facing a steep decline in radio ad revenue, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier 42 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:33,240 this year. 43 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:38,680 Despite these challenges, an Odyssey spokesperson expressed confidence in the company's future 44 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:41,760 and its ongoing business operations. 45 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:49,120 Odyssey, parent company of WEEI, anticipates emerging from bankruptcy following regulatory 46 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:58,640 approval from the Federal Communications Commission. 47 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:00,840 Now on to sports. 48 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:03,880 Come along with me and jump in my time machine. 49 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:12,040 Back to February 15, 1978. 50 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:15,920 The joke's on you, Leon Spinks said. 51 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:18,880 The man upstairs made it come true. 52 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:24,280 The boxer from St. Louis was speaking to reporters after one of the most stunning sports upsets 53 00:04:24,280 --> 00:04:26,200 in history. 54 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:31,400 He just snatched away Muhammad Ali's world heavyweight boxing crown Wednesday night at 55 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:33,800 the Hilton Pavilion. 56 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:39,880 In the capital of gambling, there had been no official odds posted on such a possibility. 57 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:45,760 It would have been tantamount to Poland beating Germany in World War II, or to the cost of 58 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:48,640 living receding. 59 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:56,040 Besides divine providence, Spinks had an indomitable spirit, furiously flying fists and absolute 60 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:57,720 confidence. 61 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:00,920 Muhammad Ali had been a champion for all ages. 62 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:06,440 This was the 20th title defense for the 36-year-old Ali. 63 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:07,440 Think of it. 64 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:10,640 Muhammad Ali, an ex-champion, again. 65 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:16,360 You're still my champion, Spinks said to Ali in the press conference after the nationally 66 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:18,740 televised match. 67 00:05:18,740 --> 00:05:24,160 It was a press conference to remember because Ali, the people's choice, instead of sulking 68 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:30,640 because the championship had been lost, Ali magnanimously gave Spinks the credit he deserved. 69 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:37,240 The 24-year-old challenger seemed almost sorry he'd put an old man out to pasture. 70 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:45,600 I'm glad for you because you did what I did, said Ali, referring to his startling upset 71 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:50,600 of then-champion Sonny Liston in 1964. 72 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:55,040 You proved the people all wrong, Ali said. 73 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:58,500 I wasn't robbed, he said, of the split decision. 74 00:05:58,500 --> 00:06:03,760 He landed some of the best punches I've ever been hit with. 75 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:09,760 Spinks, a refugee from the trouble-infested Prude-Igo housing development, had begun boxing 76 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:17,120 when he was 14 years old just to stop neighborhood bullies from messing over me, he said. 77 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:23,520 But last night he was on the offense all night long, while Ali seemed content to lie on the 78 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:30,360 ropes for the early rounds, as was his famous rope-a-dope custom. 79 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:36,120 Spinks who fights as if a red blanket is being waved in his face piled up points with a relentless 80 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:41,120 assault to Ali's shoulders, head, and kidneys. 81 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:47,800 After six rounds, Spinks became world champion after only seven professional bouts to become 82 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:51,940 the fastest heavyweight in history. 83 00:06:51,940 --> 00:06:58,760 This article was written in 1978 by the great Hall of Fame baseball writer Rick Hummel of 84 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:05,080 the Post-Dispatch. 85 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:08,200 And we're back to 2024. 86 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:13,400 Last night, the Celtics playing the Nets once again gave them an even bigger whopping than 87 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:20,280 the night before, blasting Brooklyn to pieces 136 to 86. 88 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:24,680 Derek White topped the list for scoring with 27 points. 89 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:32,440 Tonight, in national hockey, the Bruins are at home taking on the Kraken. 90 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:36,920 In top news, let's talk about something healthy today. 91 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:44,200 A recent study reveals Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art, outperforms aerobic exercises 92 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:50,240 in reducing blood pressure for individuals with pre-hypertension. 93 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:54,920 Pre-hypertension is a condition where blood pressure is elevated but not high enough to 94 00:07:54,920 --> 00:08:00,760 be classified as hypertension, signaling potential heart disease risk. 95 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:07,800 The study published in JAMA Network Open involved 342 adults with pre-hypertension, 96 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:10,360 averaging 49 years old. 97 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:16,680 They were divided into two groups, one doing aerobic exercises, like jogging, and the other 98 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:19,600 practicing Tai Chi. 99 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:24,080 Both groups had hour-long sessions four times a week. 100 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:29,880 After a year, the Tai Chi group showed greater blood pressure reduction, with 22% achieving 101 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:35,200 normal blood pressure levels, compared to 16% in the aerobic group. 102 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:42,120 Tai Chi, described as meditation in motion, activates the parasympathetic nervous system, 103 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:45,920 promoting relaxation and stress reduction. 104 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:51,200 Besides lowering blood pressure, Tai Chi is also known for enhancing balance, reducing 105 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:55,880 fall risks, and improving mental health among older adults. 106 00:08:55,880 --> 00:09:01,160 Regular practice is key in maximizing these health benefits. 107 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:08,400 In business news, Intuitive Machines, a space startup, experienced a perplexing 7% drop in 108 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:11,680 their stock following the SpaceX delay. 109 00:09:11,680 --> 00:09:16,720 Originally, the SpaceX launch was set for Tuesday, but they encountered an issue with 110 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:20,680 fueling while the rocket was on the launch pad. 111 00:09:20,680 --> 00:09:24,300 The new launch is rescheduled for today. 112 00:09:24,300 --> 00:09:29,000 This minor delay in their moon landing mission seems to have disproportionately affected 113 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:34,120 their market value, wiping out over $30 million. 114 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:39,880 The market's short-term reaction to a mere two-day postponement raises questions, especially 115 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:45,560 considering SpaceX's strong track record of successful launches, having conducted nearly 116 00:09:45,560 --> 00:09:50,240 100 in 2023 and 11 this year. 117 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:57,400 While SpaceX, valued at about $175 billion, isn't publicly traded, it's recognized 118 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:01,000 as a leading aerospace and defense entity. 119 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:06,760 The impact of this brief delay on Intuitive Machines stock highlights the often unpredictable 120 00:10:06,760 --> 00:10:10,040 nature of stock market responses. 121 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:18,640 Speaking of unpredictable, in crypto movement, Bitcoin is currently up to $52,000, Ethereum 122 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:27,320 is almost $2,800, and Solana is $117. 123 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:34,260 Moving on to a more local vibe, in our community spotlight on health and wellness, we are working 124 00:10:34,260 --> 00:10:40,720 with a national Pilates studio to bring you some free classes, so listen up. 125 00:10:40,720 --> 00:10:45,440 Check out Club Pilates, with several locations in the Boston area. 126 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:51,160 Pilates presents a comprehensive wellness approach, cultivating strength, reducing tension, 127 00:10:51,160 --> 00:10:54,480 and elevating mental well-being. 128 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:57,720 Scientific research affirms its benefits. 129 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:02,000 So now you can check out Club Pilates for a free class. 130 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:08,400 With locations in Canton, Wellesley, Hingham, Brookline, and Framingham, just be sure to 131 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:12,400 tell them, Sunny Morning sent you by. 132 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:16,600 And now, back to the show. 133 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:18,240 Let's talk tech. 134 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:24,600 A groundbreaking experiment on the International Space Station involves Mira, a compact surgical 135 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:28,600 robot, performing a simulated surgery. 136 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:35,840 Weighing just 2 pounds, Mira is significantly lighter than existing robotic surgery technologies. 137 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:41,680 Developed by Virtual Incision Corporation, it's a product of 20 years of work by Shane 138 00:11:41,680 --> 00:11:44,280 Faradur and his team. 139 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:49,480 The experiment, funded by a NASA grant to the University of Nebraska, aims to explore 140 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:54,920 the feasibility of remote surgery in space, which could be vital for long missions to 141 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:57,520 the moon or Mars. 142 00:11:57,520 --> 00:12:03,520 Interestingly, this technology also holds immense potential for remote areas on Earth, 143 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:09,120 like rural regions or war zones, where access to surgeons is limited. 144 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:14,120 In the US alone, about one-third of counties lack a surgeon, with a projected shortfall 145 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:18,640 of up to 30,000 surgeons in the next decade. 146 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:24,320 Mira's space mission is a step towards realizing the broader vision of remote surgery, potentially 147 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:32,800 revolutionizing medical care in both extra-terrestrial and terrestrial settings. 148 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:41,840 And in entertainment news, Marvel's Fantastic Four is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, 149 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:46,520 with an exciting cast announcement that's sure to delight fans. 150 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:53,720 Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Eben Moss-Backratch, and Joseph Quinn have been officially cast 151 00:12:53,720 --> 00:12:57,320 as the iconic superhero team. 152 00:12:57,320 --> 00:13:03,480 Pascal steps into the role of Mr. Fantastic, Kirby as the invisible woman, Quinn as the 153 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:08,400 human torch, and Moss-Backratch as the thing. 154 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:13,640 The film, directed by Matt Schachman, known for his work on Marvel's One Division, starts 155 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:15,300 filming this summer. 156 00:13:15,300 --> 00:13:22,520 This release marks a decade since the 2015 reboot, which faced harsh criticism. 157 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:27,840 The screenplay, penned by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer, brings to life the 158 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:34,300 first characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for Marvel Comics. 159 00:13:34,300 --> 00:13:40,720 The anticipation is high for this new adaptation, hoping to redeem the Fantastic Four's cinematic 160 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,640 legacy. 161 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:46,040 And that's a wrap for this morning. 162 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:49,320 Remember to stay tuned tomorrow for more news and updates. 163 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:52,840 Have an amazing day, my good friends.