Series: The Ten O'Clock News
Date: 1990-12-27
Duration: 00:03:46

Subject: Election law
People: Atkins, Chester; Boeri, David; Brett, James; Early, Joseph; Flynn, Raymond; Forman, Peter; Frank, Barney; Heckler, Margaret; Kennedy, Joseph; Weld, William;

Clip Description
David Boeri reports that the state of Massachusetts has lost a seat in the US House of Representatives because of a decline in the population according to the 1990 census. Boeri notes that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston ) and others are calling for a recount because they believe that the census undercounts urban residents. Boeri's report is accompanied by footage of census workers going from door to door. Boeri reports on speculation that Joe Early (US Congressman) may retire and on speculation that a redistricting plan would force congressmen Chester Atkins and Barney Frank to run against one another. Boeri's report is accompanied by a photo of Early and by footage of Atkins and Frank. Boeri reports that William Weld (governor of Massachusetts) has proposed a redistricting plan under which the city of Boston is represented by one congressman. Boeri's report includes footage from an interview with Peter Forman (state representative). Forman says that suburban areas are unfairly represented and that the city of Boston would represent a "minority seat." Boeri interviews Jim Brett (state represtentative). Brett discusses options for possible redistricting plans. Boeri's report is accompanied by footage of Weld. Boeri reports that the proposal to limit Boston to one Congressional seat will probably fail.

Series Description
A local program aimed at the Boston audience, The Ten O'Clock News debuted on January 15, 1976. Its two immediate predecessors were The Reporters and Evening Compass. A news and public affairs show focusing on neighborhood, local and state issues, The Reporters was produced and broadcast on WGBH from 1970 to 1973. The Reporters was then replaced by Evening Compass, which expanded into a twice-nightly news broadcast during the tense moments of Boston's busing crisis. On the air from 1973 to 1975, Evening Compass found an audience through its in-depth coverage of school desegregation in Boston, which began in 1974. The Ten O'Clock News stood out as an in-depth news program. It strove for a balance between local and national stories, between politics and the Arts. The last The Ten O'Clock News program was broadcast on May 30, 1991.

See also: http://main.wgbh.org/ton/programs/7728_02