Press Releases

  As the people of Massachusetts enter a historic time of new leadership, WBZ-TV introduces Project Mass. Project Mass is the station's commitment to Bay State residents to acknowledge and explore their top concerns for building a viable state for future generations. WBZ-TV will launch the initiative on Monday January 15, 2007 and resolves to examine issues and offer solutions, hold the powerful accountable, and champion the agenda of WBZ-TV's viewers. Project Mass represents WBZ-TV's dedication to going the extra mile when advocating for the citizens of Massachusetts and representing the interests of viewers when covering news and enterprising stories.

On Monday, Project Mass will become an integral part of WBZ-TV News' coverage as well as beat reporting on the topics that viewers say are most critical to them: Government, Transit, Health, Education, Money, and Environment. Anchored and reported by WBZ-TV's established team of trusted journalists, Project Mass reports will deliver news and information to Bay Staters that will help and enhance the way we live our lives.

Also as part of the Monday kick-off of Project Mass, WBZ-TV will hold an online town meeting beginning at 6:30PM on cbs4boston.com. This exclusive, interactive town meeting will be hosted by Lisa Hughes and Jack Williams and will feature a diverse audience of Massachusetts men and women representative of the community. The invited participants were selected from across the state and from all walks of life. They represent various religions, races, education levels, and professions. The online town meeting is interactive, and everyone is invited to participate at cbs4boston.com. In addition to online, topics and feedback from the town meeting will be featured on WBZ-TV News during the premiere week of Project Mass. Here's an overview of some of the stories planned for Week 1:

Monday on WBZ-TV News at 6PM
The State of Massachusetts… WBZ-TV News surveyed 500 Bay Staters to get information on exactly what issues are most pressing for citizens, and you'll get the results at 6PM. Then, at 6:30PM, we take our questions to the web at cbs4boston.com for our online town meeting.

Monday on WBZ-TV News at 11PM
The Voice of the People… Political Analyst Jon Keller wraps-up the town meeting and explains how he's going to approach Governor Deval Patrick on these issues.

Tuesday on WBZ-TV News at 6PM
The Housing Crunch… Why is it so hard to afford a home in Massachusetts? Joe Shortsleeve looks into this and reports through the eyes of a single mother who has been searching for a home for three years.

Tuesday on WBZ-TV News at 11PM
The State of Education: Special Education… The state mandates special education but doesn't cover all the costs…leaving communities with the bill. Lisa Hughes reports on who suffers and what could be done.

Wednesday on WBZ-TV News at 6PM
Universal Health Care… Dr. Mallika Marshall reports on the pros and cons and follows a small business owner as he navigates the system.

Wednesday on WBZ-TV News at 11PM
Viewers Get Answers Part I… Governor Patrick talks to Jon Keller about the results of and feedback from WBZ-TV's Project Mass survey and town meeting.

Thursday on WBZ-TV News at 6PM
Reforming the Government… After years of investigative reporting on government waste, I-team reporter Joe Bergantino has suggestions for Governor Patrick about where he should start to make reforms.

Thursday on WBZ-TV News at 11PM
Viewers Get Answers Part II…Governor Patrick talks to Jon Keller about the results of and feedback from WBZ-TV's Project Mass survey and town meeting.

Friday on WBZ-TV News at 6PM
The State of Education: Higher Education… Are our public colleges and universities sufficiently funded? Could funding be improved to make sure citizens receive the best education and future workforces are staffed by the most qualified?

Friday on WBZ-TV News at 11PM
The Real Cost of Taxes… Joe Shortsleeve reports on "to tax or not to tax"… the dilemma of not having disposable income enough to afford higher taxes versus the consequences of under funding civic budgets.

WBZ-TV's Project Mass beginning Monday, January 15 because: "You take Massachusetts personally…so do we!"

WBZ-TV is part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation.