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