Here is your Thursday morning roundup, with one story from Massachusetts, one from across the United States and one from overseas — a new voice for Boston Logan International Airport, questions about the defense secretary after the midterms, and a landmark national-security sentence in Hong Kong.
Massachusetts: Burlington pipefitter Christopher Donisi is the new Voice of Logan
Massport announced Thursday morning that Christopher Donisi, a pipefitter who lives in Burlington, Massachusetts, won the public contest to become the official voice of Boston Logan International Airport. His announcements will welcome millions of travelers each year starting in mid-November, in time for the holiday rush. Massport CEO Rich Davey revealed the result on KISS 108, telling Donisi the people had spoken and that the agency was excited to welcome him as Logan’s new voice.
More than 6,000 people auditioned and about 35,000 voted, according to Massport and CBS Boston. Donisi was one of eight finalists. He has described himself as a “home grown Boston guy, born just outside of the city in East Arlington,” and said in his audition that he knows how people move and flow around the region. After learning he had won, he told Davey he was shocked and “so pumped up,” adding, “Let’s go Boston!” Massport planned an 11 a.m. press conference at the airport Thursday to introduce him formally.
NBC Boston, CBS Boston and WHDH all confirmed the Thursday morning announcement. Donisi has said his mother spotted the contest and urged him to try; before the win he told WHDH that hearing his voice reach a million people “would be something special.” Judges said they wanted someone clear, authentic and unmistakably Boston. The other finalists included Meagan Lewis-Michelson, Phyllis Thibodeaux Beach, Alex Marcin, Ashley Cook, Samantha Edwards, Max German and Kristin Ingala.
United States: Trump publicly backs Hegseth while privately testing the waters
President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is “doing a very good job” and that he was not planning to replace him, even as multiple news outlets reported that Trump has been asking advisers whether Hegseth should stay after Republicans’ midterm losses. CBS News, citing several sources familiar with the matter, said the president has raised the question in person and by phone. NBC News reported that Trump has told some allies he is considering replacements. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the president “has full confidence in Secretary Hegseth.”
The debate is tied to the long Iran war, which Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both linked to the party’s defeat. Vance wrote Wednesday that “the reason we lost is the war.” One CBS source said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been floated as a possible successor who could seek confirmation in the lame-duck session and take the post when his gubernatorial term ends Jan. 5. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told ABC News that Hegseth is “100% committed” to leading the department through the end of Trump’s term and will not be deterred by “phony investigations.”
Democrats, now holding strong majorities in both chambers, are expected to step up scrutiny of Hegseth and the war, including possible impeachment efforts that began before Election Day. Trump also said he had not heard of Hegseth seeking appointment to the Tennessee Senate seat that will open when Sen. Marsha Blackburn becomes governor, though he predicted Hegseth “would be very popular if he did that.” ABC News noted that Trump has privately sought input from Republicans close to the White House on how Hegseth is doing even while dismissing replacement talk in public.
World: Joshua Wong sentenced to 10 more years under Hong Kong’s national security law
Hong Kong High Court Judge William Tam on Thursday sentenced pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to 10 years in prison for colluding with foreign forces under the city’s national security law, BBC News and The Guardian reported. Wong, who turned 30 last month, pleaded guilty in September. Prosecutors said that between July and late November 2020 he conspired with self-exiled activist Nathan Law to lobby for foreign sanctions and other hostile measures against Beijing. Tam called the conduct “grave in nature” and said only two months and two days of the new term will run concurrently with Wong’s existing sentence.
Wong has been imprisoned for nearly six years and was due for release in January 2027 on a four-year, eight-month subversion term from the “Hong Kong 47” case. He is the only activist in Hong Kong prosecuted twice under the 2020 national security law, The Guardian noted. He rose to global prominence as a teenage leader of the 2014 Umbrella Movement and later co-founded the now-disbanded party Demosistō with Law. Chief Executive John Lee said Wong and Law were “among the primary culprits responsible for undermining Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.” Beijing’s foreign ministry said China firmly supports Hong Kong in safeguarding national security.
The U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong said it “strongly condemns” the additional sentence and called for Wong’s immediate release. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch described the ruling as another use of the security law to punish dissent. Law, speaking from exile, said the sentence showed Beijing is determined to quash hopes for democracy. Dozens of people queued for seats in the public gallery amid a heavy police presence; Wong arrived in a dark blue shirt and glasses, nodded to supporters, and took notes as the judge spoke.
Stay connected
That’s the Thursday morning roundup. For community gatherings, talks and family events happening around Massachusetts this week, see the Mass Halal events calendar.