WBZ NewsRadio reporter Shari Small covers the reaction of city officials to the white supremacist Patriot Front marching through downtown Boston on the weekend prior to the Fourth of July holiday. In the days following its appearance, it was revealed that the group used public transportation to reach the Freedom Trail. The story quickly gained national attention, becoming an example city leaders used to decry bigotry and hate. Anchored by WBZ’s Madison Rogers. This piece aired on July 3, 2022.

WBZ - Hard News - Patriot Front Boston

WBZ NewsRadio
2022 Edward R. Murrow Awards 
Continuing Coverage 

MBTA WOES: CONTINUING COVERAGE FROM SPRING TO FALL OF 2022

Description: 

This is the ongoing coverage of the MBTA failures beginning in the spring, concluding with the MBTA general manager stepping down in the fall of 2022. WBZ NewsRadio closely followed MBTA safety concerns after many unconnected failures occurred on different train lines led to the federal government’s involvement. WBZ NewsRadio reported on each incident: public safety meetings and train line closures, giving commuters up to date information on how to get around the city each day to get to where they need to go.

WBZ - Continuing Coverage - MBTA

WBZ NewsRadio
2022 Edward R. Murrow Awards 
Excellence in Writing

EXCELLENCE IN WRITING: BILLERICA MARKET BASKETS

Description: 

WBZ NewsRadio reporter Matt Shearer speaks with upset Billerica residents after one of three Market Basket grocery stores on the same road close. Anchored by WBZ’s Ben Parker. 

===

VERBATIM:

BEN: In the Town of Billerica there are two Market Baskets, it may sound like a lot, but there’s a stretch of road where you could pass three Market Baskets in ten minutes— until recently. As WBZ’s Matt Shearer found out, residents aren’t too happy about the change…
 
MATT: For years, Billerica was like the capitol of Market Bask-achusetts… they had one on Boston Road, another on Boston Road, and also one on Boston Road… but now, the one on Boston Road is closed, as the landlord won’t renew the lease. 

(NATS: grocery store checkout scanner beeping)
 
PEGGY: I actually cried and I cried walking down the aisles last week.
 
MATT: That’s Peggy, a customer I found at the Market Basket on Boston Road. 

PEGGY: I felt like I lost a part of my family or something.
 
MATT: Marie is worried that all the customers from Boston Road will flood the location on Boston Road.
 
MARIE: Well, that’s going to make this one a heck of a lot busier, that’s for sure.
 
MATT: Carl’s upset that he’s gonna have to start going to the one on Boston Road.
 
CARL: I don’t like change, I tell my kids that dinosaurs didn’t become extinct by accident, they saw the future and said screw this let’s go to the tar pit.
 
MATT: Bill, on the other hand… 
 
BILL: If that’s all they have to worry about in life, they’re doing pretty good that’s all I can tell you, you kiddin’ me?

(NATS: mechanical horse sounds)
 
MATT: From the mechanical horse in front of Market Basket, Matt Shearer, WBZ, Boston’s NewsRadio.

WBZ - Excellence in Writing - Market Basket Boston Road

WBZ NewsRadio
2022 Edward R. Murrow Awards 
Feature Reporting

FEATURE REPORTING: HANDSOME WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Description: 
WBZ NewsRadio reporter Matt Shearer meets with John Sholl, a Wheel of Fortune contestant from Massachusetts, who is being talked about on Twitter for his good looks. Anchored by WBZ’s Ben Parker.
=== 
 
VERBATIM:

BEN: A Nashua man is breaking hearts after winning a fortune on a popular game show. WBZ’s Matt Shearer reports. 
 
MATT: Going into the bonus round on Wheel of Fortune, John Sholl was feeling confident.
 
JOHN: So, I happened to look over and I saw my total and I go oh my god, I was like I’m doing alright. 
 
MATT: Then came the final puzzle. 

(NATS: host saying good luck)

JOHN: Guava cake

(NATS: host saying that’s it)
 
MATT: Sending him back to Nashua with…
 
(NATS: cheering)

(NATS: host saying 83,550 dollars… very nice)
 
MATT: But things got even more interesting after the episode aired this week, and the tabloids came out… 
 
JOHN (reading): Winning looks, Wheel of Fortune fans lust over handsome contestant.
 
MATT: John, of course, is that handsome contestant, according to social media. 
 
JOHN: I was a part of a Twitter that I never even heard of before called ‘Hot Guys on Wheel of Fortune’
 
MATT: Of course his wife is loving this whole thing and so is his mom 

JOHN: She’s walking up to me she goes, “are you [SOUNDER] me”

MATT: Matt Shearer, WBZ, Boston’s NewsRadio.

WBZ - Feature Reporting - Handsome Wheel of Fortune Guy

WBZ NewsRadio
2022 Edward R. Murrow Awards 
News Series 

NEWS SERIES: SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SUFFOLK COUNTY D-A CANDIDATE RICARDO ARROYO

Description: 

On August 24, 2022, WBZ NewsRadio began following emerging reports of old sexual allegations resurfacing against a candidate for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office: Ricardo Arroyo. In the days and weeks following the discovery, the acting Boston city councilor lost several endorsements in his campaign. The story spiraled into violence at official meetings and conflict between city leaders. Arroyo then claimed that the Suffolk DA incumbent Kevin Hayden abused his power to deface his name.

WBZ - News Series - Arroyo Allegations

WBZ NewsRadio
2022 Edward R. Murrow Awards 
Breaking News

BREAKING NEWS: SUV CRASHES INTO FRONT OF APPLE STORE IN HINGHAM, MA

Description: 

On November 21, 2022, a SUV sped into the glass front of an Apple Store in Hingham, Massachusetts, killing one man and injuring many others. In the first 24 hours of the crash, WBZ NewsRadio spoke to eyewitnesses, reported on the extent of injuries victims suffered, relayed road closures and backups on the nearby Pilgrims Highway, and shared details on the sole fatal victim and suspect charged in the incident.

WBZ - Breaking News - Hingham Apple Crash

WBZ Awards

Related tracks