John Henry’s Globe bid raises fears

Sports-savvy readers could be crying foul if Red Sox owner John Henry's bid to team up with the owner of the Bruins to buy the Globe wins out, fearing the beleaguered broadsheet would shy away from hard-hitting coverage, according to media experts.

"If he owns the paper, he can give good coverage to the team," said Edward Atorino, a media analyst with The Benchmark Company. "I know what I would do if it were my paper. I'd certainly want a bias to the positive of covering my team — come on."

Henry is joining forces with Delaware North — which is run by Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs — in an offer for the paper, according to a report in yesterday's Globe.

The potential conflicts could be difficult to deflect.

Editors, feeling ownership pressures, may avoid running hard-hitting Red Sox coverage or breaking a controversial Bruins story, if they fear it would upset top brass — especially in a struggling journalism job market, said one expert.

"It's what's in the back of an editor's mind, knowing he or she has a family to support and a job that's hard to replace," said Ken Doctor of Newsonomics.

Doctor said the Globe would have to demonstrate an ability to be objective despite the apparent conflict. He suggested running a box on page 2 of the sports section every day declaring the relationship and how the paper plans to avoid a conflict of interest.

Reached by phone, Henry declined to comment yesterday. Henry and Delaware North are co-owners of the New England Sports Network.

Jacobs' son, Charlie Jacobs, told the Herald: "I can't confirm or deny what has been reported. I can't comment because of the process. I know that's an awful quote, but that's all I can say."

It wouldn't be the first marriage between a newspaper and a professional sports team, Doctor pointed out.

The Chicago Tribune also owned the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field until 2007.

The Los Angeles Times got into trouble over a profit-sharing agreement in 1999 to publish a special magazine issue about the then-new Staples Center without disclosing it to readers and staff.

But Doctor didn't think the possible Globe-Red Sox conflict would hurt Henry's chances in the actual bidding process.

The Globe and Times both declined to comment.

Sports columnist Steve Buckley contributed to this report.

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Student loans gone wild, as interest rate doubles

Interest rates for one of the most popular federal student loan programs are set to double Monday, increasing the overall cost of higher education and potentially forcing students to reconsider where they go to school and how they will pay for it, according to students and educators.

The interest rates on new subsidized federal Stafford student loans will increase from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, after lawmakers failed to agree to a compromise to keep the low interest rate before the Monday deadline. Congress' Joint Economic Committee estimates the increase will cost the average student $2,600.

"I just don't think it's right to put that burden on students when we're just trying to get an affordable education," said UMass Amherst senior Emily Hajjar of Quincy, a political science major who said she will have to pay back federal loans when she graduates. "We're supposed to be the new generation to build the economy but they expect us to pay high interest rates."

She said many of her friends have already taken into account the financial burden when choosing a school thanks to the recession, and this will not help. "They can't even get the financial aid or afford the student loans" already, she said.

While the total amount of money owed will not skyrocket on an individual level, Judy Keyes, director of financial aid for UMass Boston, said graduates will have a larger financial obligation later in life. "The effects of this are more long-term," she said.

"This could have a ripple effect for all schools across the country down the road," said Daniel Fitzgibbons, a UMass Amherst spokesman.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has backed a bill that would keep interest rates at the current level for a year, so Congress can come up with a long-term solution. Another plan to fix the interest rate to market conditions also has been proposed.

Senators are expected to take up the proposal to extend the current rates for a year when they return to Congress on July 10.

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A lesson in finances

The interest rate will double Monday on new federally subsidized Stafford loans, which currently account for one-third of all student borrowing. Here are some other student debt numbers:

• Two-thirds of recent graduates have student loan debt, and carry an average balance of $27,200.
• Total student debt has nearly doubled since the beginning of the recession, jumping from $550 billion in 2007 to just under $1 trillion this year. Credit card, car and home debt have all declined or remained steady in the same time period.
• For the 2011-2012 school year, students borrowed $41 billion in subsidized Stafford loans, and more than $115 billion total.
• Students who borrow the maximum $23,000 in subsidized Stafford loans will pay an additional $4,500. The average borrower will pay an additional $2,600.
• The average price of a four-year public university education has increased by 86 percent since 2000.
• Private institutions have increased tuition by 36 percent.

Source: Congress' Joint Economic Committee report.

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Beacon pays steep markup to buy back Channel buildings

Beacon Capital Partners is back in the game at the Channel Center in South Boston's humming Fort Point Neighborhood.

The Hub real estate investment firm purchased the properties at 7-9 Channel Center for $7.8 million and 10-20 Channel Center for $62 million from Southport, Conn.-based CV Properties, according to Registry of Deeds documents filed yesterday.

The combined $69.8 million acquisition is a portion of the Channel Center holdings that Beacon had sold to CV Properties at a loss in 2007 for $21.5 million, after the area's revitalization was too slow to take hold. It originally bought 16 former Boston Wharf Co. industrial warehouse buildings in 2000 for $40.5 million, according to published reports.

"Beacon was one of the earliest companies to see the value of the Fort Point area," said Vivien Li, president of the Boston Harbor Association.

"The fact that they're now coming back to the district really says something about how the area has now evolved toward Class A office space."

Beacon declined comment, and CV Properties did not return calls.

The Channel Center consists of about a dozen former warehouse buildings off A Street that include 209 condos and 89 Midway Studios artist live/work units.

The 7-9 Channel Center buildings are vacant and yet to be renovated. Tenants at 10-20 Channel Center include members-only online shopping site Rue La La and Cengage Learning.

CV Properties is currently building One Channel Center, a $225 million, 11-story office building that's pre-leased to State Street Bank and a 970-space parking garage slated to be completed next year.

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The Ticker

BlackBerry shares dive after surprise loss

Shares of BlackBerry plunged yesterday after the company posted an unexpected quarterly loss and didn't break out the specifics of its smartphone sales.

The Canadian company reported a loss of $84 million, or 16 cents a share, on revenue of $3.1 billion. Adjusted for one-time events, BlackBerry lost $67 million, or 13 cents share.

Shaw's drops loyalty card program

Shaw's and Star Market ended their Rewards Card program yesterday that gave customers exclusive savings on weekly items. In a shift in marketing strategy, the grocer plans to instead lower prices on thousands of items across all of its 169 locations.

Honda tells Fit owners to park outside

Honda is urging the owners of more than 686,000 Fit and Jazz subcompacts worldwide to park them outside because the power window switches can catch fire.

The company said yesterday that it is recalling Fit and Jazz cars from the 2007 and 2008 model years. It's telling owners not to park them in garages until driver's side door switches can be inspected.

News Corp splits into two cos.

News Corp. formally split into two companies yesterday. One company will operate as a newspaper and book publisher and will retain the News Corp. name. The other will be an entertainment company, called Twenty-First Century Fox Inc.

Newspapers, book publishing and information services such as Dow Jones Newswires will be part of the publishing company. The 20th Century Fox movie studio, the Fox broadcast TV network and the Fox News Channel will be part of the media and entertainment company.

Puerto Rico facing economic crisis

Puerto Rico legislators yesterday rushed to try to approve a budget amid debate on how best to revive the U.S. territory's economy, which the New York Federal Reserve president warns has not yet bottomed out.

The proposed $9.8 billion operating budget proposes a flurry of new taxes while seeking to boost the island's education system and rescue a crumbling public pension system.

THE SHUFFLE

• TD Bank has promoted Gregg P. Desmarais, left, to manager in Springfield. He is responsible for new business development, consumer and business lending, managing personnel and overseeing the day-to-day operations at the bank serving customers in Western Massachusetts.
• Attunity Ltd., a provider of information availability software solutions, announced that Lawrence Schwartz has been appointed as the company's vice president of marketing. In this role, effective immediately, Schwartz is responsible for all aspects of marketing and sales enablement.

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Obama says not threatened by China focus on Africa

PRETORIA, South Africa — President Barack Obama says he doesn't feel threatened by the fact that other countries, led by China, are investing in Africa. In fact, Obama says the more countries that come to Africa, the merrier.

Obama says he's touring three African nations this week because the United States needs to increase its engagement with a continent that's showing promise and possibility.

He says such interaction is good for the U.S. regardless of what other countries do.

But he cautions that Africa must be wary of outside investment and always ask how it will benefit when other countries come seeking its natural resources or to make other investments.

Obama spoke Saturday during a news conference in South Africa with President Jacob Zuma.

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Verbal exchange between Doc Rivers, ESPN personality adds spice to NBA draft telecast

The actual NBA Draft proved dramatic enough Thursday night with General Manager Chris Grant and the Cavaliers making a mockery of most mock drafts throughout the country with their selection of power forward Anthony Bennett out of UNLV, but there was another unscripted moment that has gained national attention.

It came as the draft was headed for the doldrums, but that changed quickly.

ESPN's Shelley Smith interviewed new Los Angeles Clippers coach, Doc Rivers, who left the Boston Celtics earlier this week, to ask him about his new team's draft choice.

Bill Simmons, an NBA television analyst, popular writer for the ESPN-affiliated site Grantland.com and unabashed Boston Celtics fan, was working as part of the channel's draft team. He has been openly critical of Rivers in recent weeks, suggesting that the coach who led the Celtics to a championship, quit on the team. Topping it off, Simmons' devotion to the Celtics took another hit when their GM, Danny Ainge, continued to dismantle the team by trading Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets.

It capped an unusually bad week in Boston sports given the Bruins' loss in the Stanley Cup finals, the loss of Rivers and the arrest of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez for murder.

Wily journalist that Smith is, she also asked Rivers about the trade.

He promptly delivered this terse zinger: "I would like to call him (Simmons) an idiot, but I'm too classy for that."

Simmons, noticeably unhappy, replied on the air: "The truth keeps changing. He's giving different quotes about this. He did know, he didn't know, he kind of knew. He wanted the trade to happen, he was coming back, he needed a year off. When he sticks to a story, I'll believe the truth."

It made for great, honest television on Rivers' part. But I had to wonder if Simmons crossed an invisible line that few sports journalists cross.

Yes, we all have favorite teams in favorite sports, but for the most part, we don't allow it to affect our jobs and observations. Simmons has written sonnets expressing his love for all things Boston Celtics and for a while he allowed his inner fan boy to come out after news of that trade broke.

Good television it was, but I suspect it might be a moment Simmons eventually regrets. But I could be wrong. More and more, it seems that sports fans love to engage in groupthink and appreciate talented writers such as Simmons who can put into words his attachment to the Celtics with sincerity normally reserved for loved ones.

There's no doubt he possesses sharp wit, accounting for one of the show's funniest moments. At one point during the draft, he referenced the blaxploitation film classic Cooley High, the TV show The White Shadow and former Indians outfielder Oscar Gamble in a 30-second span when talking about Celtics draft choice Lucas Nogueira and his life-of-its-own afro.

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Mass. energy chief pushing wind turbine initiative

BOSTON — Massachusetts' top energy official says there will be new efforts to help developers install wind turbines and make it easier for communities to live with them.

The Cape Cod Times reports that (http://bit.ly/13c7Jjx) Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard Sullivan announced the initiative Thursday.

Sullivan said increased support for communities could include technical expertise or help in offsetting the expense of meeting noise-level standards. A technical advisory group will also look at possible changes in regulations or noise policies.

Sullivan said there are lessons to be learned from successful projects and from places with problems. In Falmouth, for instance, some residents have lobbied to have two town-owned turbines dismantled, saying they're making people sick.

Sullivan said he's open to supporting a comprehensive study on the health effects of turbines.

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Obama says climate change is make-or-break issue

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is trying to frame climate change as a make-or-break political issue, urging Americans to vote only for those who will protect the country from environmental harm.

He says people in the United States already are paying a price for climate change, including in lost lives and hundreds of billions of dollars.

"If you agree with me, I'll need you to act," Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address. "Remind everyone who represents you, at every level of government, that there is no contradiction between a sound environment and a strong economy — and that sheltering future generations against the ravages of climate change is a prerequisite for your vote."

In his remarks released Saturday but recorded at the White House before his trip to Africa, Obama is trying to persuade the public to help sell his climate change plan for him.

That plan, released last week, is bypassing Congress after years of efforts to get lawmakers to pass legislation to deal with the issue.

At the core of Obama's plan are new controls on new and existing power plants that emit carbon dioxide, heat-trapping gases blamed for global warming. The program is intended to boost renewable energy production on federal lands, increase efficiency standards and prepare communities to deal with higher temperatures.

None of the measures in Obama's plan requires congressional action.

Republicans and some Democrats have denounced the plan as a job-killing "war on coal," and opponents could try to undercut Obama's plan or hinder it through legal action if Americans don't seem to be on board.

"The question is not whether we need to act. The question is whether we will have the courage to act before it's too late," Obama said.

Obama has also pledged that the U.S. will lead other nations in a "coordinated assault" to reduce pollution. But he acknowledged Saturday in a town hall meeting with young people in Johannesburg that the U.S. and other wealthy countries must shoulder a disproportionate part of the burden.

His proposal to cut off U.S. subsidies for coal-fired power plants overseas, for example, includes exemptions for the poorest countries where no better technology is available.

"The United States cannot do it by itself," Obama said in South Africa. "I expect it's going to be your generation that helps lead this, because if we don't, it's going to be your generation that suffers the most."

In the Republican address, Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas says there are troubling, unanswered questions about the implementation of Obama's health care law.

"We must put an end to the fear and uncertainty," Roberts says. "Those 'bumps' and 'glitches' the president talks about? It's a train wreck, folks, and we have to get America out of the way."

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AP White House Correspondent Julie Pace in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

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Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP

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Government probes Honda Odyssey brake problem

DETROIT — U.S. safety regulators are investigating some Honda Odyssey minivans because they can brake without the driver pressing the pedal.

The probe affects nearly 344,000 vans from the 2007 and 2008 model years.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has received 22 complaints from owners about unexpected braking. In some cases, the vans braked while drivers were accelerating, cutting the speed by up to 30 miles per hour. Five people told the agency that dealers found trouble in a steering angle sensor in the electronic stability control system.

The agency said it has no reports of crashes or injuries.

Investigators will determine if the problem happens frequently enough to seek a recall. The agency opened the case this past Tuesday.

The problem is similar to one that resulted in the recall of about 250,000 vehicles worldwide in March. That problem was caused by improper electronics and wiring in the electronic stability control system, which automatically applies brakes to individual wheels if vehicles are out of control.

In that case, Honda Motor Co. recalled more than 183,000 vehicles in the U.S., including the Acura RL, Acura MDX and Honda Pilot SUV. It recalled another 56,000 in Japan, affecting the Odyssey, Legend, StepWgn and Elysion models. Also recalled were nearly 8,000 vehicles in Canada, nearly 1,000 in Australia, about 300 in Mexico and 70 in Germany. The vehicles were produced from March 2004 through May 2006.

A Honda official in California said he hasn't been told about the latest probe but would check into it.

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