1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:07,440 Good morning and a warm welcome to your show, Sunny Mornings in Boston. 2 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:13,360 I'm your host Melissa, and it's Thursday, February 29th. 3 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:17,320 Coming up on today's show, we'll get into the weather outlook, then we'll jump into 4 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:24,280 some local news and a few interesting happenings in business, tech, and science. 5 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:29,380 But first, you'll be interested to know today is Leap Year Day. 6 00:00:29,380 --> 00:00:36,640 Leap years, including 2020, 2024, and subsequent multiples of 4, align with U.S. presidential 7 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:42,720 elections, Summer Olympics, and an extra day in February. 8 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:50,240 This adjustment is necessary because Earth's orbit around the sun takes 365.24 days, not 9 00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:56,520 the 365 days accounted for in common years. 10 00:00:56,520 --> 00:01:01,800 Without leap years, seasons would gradually shift, causing summer to occur in December, 11 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:03,800 in the Northern Hemisphere. 12 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:10,680 However, leap years don't occur strictly every four years due to a slight overcompensation. 13 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:19,120 Years divisible by 100, but not by 400, skip the leap year to prevent this drift. 14 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:22,860 And now, it's time for the weather report. 15 00:01:22,860 --> 00:01:25,360 In the Boston area. 16 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:32,880 This morning it's sunny, but feels like 17 degrees, with 22 mile per hour wind. 17 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:40,160 The sunset will take place at 5.33 p.m., and it will rise again tomorrow at 6.18 a.m. 18 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:46,080 It looks like we're in for a sunny day, with a high near 35, and a breezy west wind 18 19 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:50,480 to 24 mile per hour, with gusts as high as 40. 20 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:58,040 Tonight, mostly clear with a low around 25, and wind of 9 to 18 mile per hour, with gusts 21 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:00,760 as high as 30. 22 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:05,880 If you can brave the crazy weather and get out for a run, the first low tide Thursday 23 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:11,480 will be just after 8 a.m., with a high tide around 2.30. 24 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:22,360 The nearshore buoy at Cape Cod Bay reads 39 degrees for the water temperature. 25 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:23,680 Looking ahead in the weather. 26 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:30,520 We'll see a sunny Friday with highs in the mid-40s leading into a partly cloudy night. 27 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:36,280 The weekend forecasts a chance of rain starting Saturday afternoon, and possibly into Sunday 28 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:45,520 night, with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low to mid-50s. 29 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:47,880 Bonjour food enthusiasts! 30 00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:53,520 This podcast is brought to you by Versailles Cafe and Pastries in Encinitas. 31 00:02:53,520 --> 00:03:00,080 Nestled on El Camino Real South, just north of Encinitas Boulevard, this cafe is a haven 32 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:02,920 for culinary delights. 33 00:03:02,920 --> 00:03:08,520 Indulge in their amazing Eggs Benedict or their gluten-free crepes. 34 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:13,880 You can grab a panini for lunch or just breeze on through to get your morning coffee. 35 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:17,360 They are open every day from 8 to 5. 36 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:20,840 So stop on by and don't forget to tell them. 37 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:24,440 Sunny mornings send you! 38 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:30,560 In local news, authorities have urged ships to slow down off the Cape Cod coast after 39 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:36,940 spotting 31 endangered North Atlantic right whales feeding near the surface, a rare sight 40 00:03:36,940 --> 00:03:42,440 observed by New England aquarium scientists during an aerial survey. 41 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:47,260 This unusual feeding behavior, potentially linked to climate change, prompts concerns 42 00:03:47,260 --> 00:03:54,480 as right whales, with a population of only 360, face threats from vessel strikes, fishing 43 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:59,500 gear entanglements, and climate impacts on their food supply. 44 00:03:59,500 --> 00:04:05,260 In response, a voluntary slow zone has been extended to March 7th, requiring ships to 45 00:04:05,260 --> 00:04:09,320 reduce speeds to protect these whales. 46 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:14,560 Past incidents, including a whale-named caterpillar who survived a ship strike, highlight the 47 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:24,440 dangers even from slow-moving vessels. 48 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:26,400 Now on to sports. 49 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:33,520 In a comprehensive NFL survey, the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings emerged as top NFL 50 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:37,360 teams, praised by players across various categories. 51 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:44,040 Conversely, the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders ranked at the bottom. 52 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:50,080 With over 1,700 players participating, the survey evaluated teams on aspects from facilities 53 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:52,480 to staff. 54 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:57,140 Despite the Chiefs' success on the field, their facilities, nutrition, and training 55 00:04:57,140 --> 00:05:00,400 support were criticized. 56 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:04,680 The survey aims not to shame, but to encourage improvements. 57 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:10,940 Notably, the Jacksonville Jaguars made significant progress, climbing to fifth overall after 58 00:05:10,940 --> 00:05:16,640 addressing previous criticisms, including facility conditions. 59 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:23,880 In Boston sports last night, Boston College men's basketball lost to Virginia 72-68. 60 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:29,520 The Eagles remain at the bottom of the league, with 15 wins and 13 losses. 61 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:34,000 Tonight, the Bruins are at home, taking on the Golden Knights. 62 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:39,160 Let's see if they can get out of this game within regulation time, and maybe with a win 63 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:42,700 as well. 64 00:05:42,700 --> 00:05:44,560 In top news. 65 00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:49,880 The recent shakeup at Disney, with Sean Bailey stepping down and David Greenbaum stepping 66 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:56,120 up, reflects broader strategic shifts amid financial pressures and a creative stalemate. 67 00:05:56,120 --> 00:06:02,480 Bailey's departure, after a successful tenure with blockbuster live-action remakes, points 68 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:09,320 to changing audience tastes and the challenges of refreshing Disney's cinematic offerings. 69 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:15,160 Greenbaum's promotion suggests a move towards leveraging strong filmmaker relationships 70 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:22,000 and possibly infusing Disney's slate with fresh, arthouse-driven perspectives. 71 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:27,120 This transition comes as Disney navigates succession planning, with CEO Bob Iger's 72 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:32,920 eventual departure looming, positioning Alan Bergman and other executives as potential 73 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:35,160 successors. 74 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:40,240 The reshuffle underlines Disney's quest to rejuvenate its film segment while balancing 75 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:45,080 traditional strengths with new creative directions. 76 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,120 In business news. 77 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:53,160 Michael Saylor, the chairman of MicroStrategy, experienced a significant increase in wealth, 78 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:59,800 gaining about $700 million due to a surge in both his company's stock and Bitcoin prices 79 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,840 over the last three days. 80 00:07:02,840 --> 00:07:10,080 MicroStrategy, primarily valued for its substantial Bitcoin holdings, saw its shares rise by 40%. 81 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:16,800 Saylor, the company's largest shareholder with a 12% stake and a personal Bitcoin ownership 82 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:27,200 of 17,732 units, saw his combined holdings escalate to nearly $3 billion. 83 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:33,040 This financial boost coincides with Bitcoin reaching its highest value since November 84 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:38,440 2021, emphasizing Saylor's confidence in the digital currency as a solid investment 85 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:40,520 strategy. 86 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:47,480 In crypto movement, Bitcoin is currently over $61,000 after a couple big pops, Ethereum 87 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:56,720 is over $3,300, and Solana is $121. 88 00:07:56,720 --> 00:07:58,960 Moving on to a more local vibe. 89 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:05,740 In our community spotlight on health and wellness, we are working with a national Pilates studio 90 00:08:05,740 --> 00:08:09,840 to bring you some free classes, so listen up. 91 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:14,280 Check out Club Pilates with several locations in the Boston area. 92 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:20,440 Pilates presents a comprehensive wellness approach, cultivating strength, reducing tension, 93 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:23,760 and elevating mental well-being. 94 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:27,000 Public research affirms its benefits. 95 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:31,280 So now you can check out Club Pilates for a free class. 96 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:37,680 With locations in Canton, Wellesley, Hingham, Brookline, and Framingham, just be sure to 97 00:08:37,680 --> 00:08:41,680 tell them Sunny Morning sent you by. 98 00:08:41,680 --> 00:08:44,480 And now back to the show. 99 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:47,960 Let's talk tech. 100 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:53,400 Apple has decided to terminate its decade-long endeavor to create its own electric vehicle, 101 00:08:53,400 --> 00:09:00,400 known as Project Titan, redirecting its focus towards generative artificial intelligence. 102 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:06,840 The move reflects a strategic pivot amid evolving industry challenges and competitive pressures, 103 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:10,520 particularly from Tesla's advancements. 104 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:16,960 While some Project Titan employees will transition to AI projects, many will not. 105 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:22,880 This shift underscores Apple's recalibration of priorities towards areas like AI, believed 106 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:28,960 to offer more immediate synergies with its core consumer electronics business. 107 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:34,000 The cancellation marks a significant shift from Apple's initial ambitions in autonomous 108 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:39,400 driving, highlighting the complexities of automotive manufacturing and the competitive 109 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:42,880 landscape. 110 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:48,960 And in entertainment news, Sony Pictures has made a groundbreaking move by signing a deal 111 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:54,400 with The Beatles and Apple to create four interconnected films, each spotlighting a 112 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:57,880 member of the iconic band. 113 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:04,920 Directed by Sam Mendes, the ambitious plan is to release all four movies in 2027. 114 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:09,880 This unprecedented project aims to bring the Beatles' story to the big screen in a way 115 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:16,760 that honors their legacy, exploring the individual journeys of the Fab Four. 116 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:23,440 The films are expected to start production in mid-2025 in the United Kingdom. 117 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:28,360 This strategy marks a bold approach in film distribution and storytelling, reflecting 118 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:34,360 Sony's commitment to innovation and the enduring appeal of the Beatles' music and cultural 119 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:35,360 impact. 120 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:41,240 Well, alrighty folks, it's time for the quote of the day. 121 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:47,040 And today, in honor of the man who invented leap year, here's a quote from Julius Caesar, 122 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:51,320 What we wish we readily believe. 123 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:54,340 And what we ourselves think. 124 00:10:54,340 --> 00:10:58,760 We imagine others thinking so. 125 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:01,120 And that's a wrap for this morning. 126 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:04,400 Remember to stay tuned tomorrow for more news and updates. 127 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:11,400 Have an amazing day, my good friends.