Baker forms group to tackle skills gap in state

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker says his administration is developing a plan for bridging the gap between the skills possessed by the state's workforce and the skills that are in demand by cutting-edge companies.

Baker has signed an executive order creating a Workforce Skills Cabinet that will begin formulating a strategy for meeting the current and future needs of employers in Massachusetts.

The cabinet will be chaired by Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Ron Walker and also include the secretaries of education and housing and economic development.

Walker says the solution will include community colleges, vocational schools and career centers.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito says the skills gap is one of the most challenging problems facing the state because employers are finding it difficult to fill key job openings.

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Analytic, sports lovers hit Boston

Nothing unites communities quite so well as sports.

The MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference at the Boston Conventention and Entertainment Center brings competitive, information-driven sports professionals, intellects and aficionados from all over to discuss their beliefs, theories and findings with people who share their love of sports.

As Celtics assistant general manager Mike Zarren illustrated early in the day when he asked attendees whether sending a scout to a game counted as analytics, or if it only counted it they sent 10 scouts and aggregated their findings, the only arguments left to be had regarding the place of advanced statistics in today's sports' landscape are semantic ones.

New baseball commissioner Rob Manfred was arguably the biggest name at Sloan. Of the major American sports leagues, Major League Baseball is generally considered by fans to be the most in need of a retooling with an eye toward modernity. Though he is early in his tenure, all signs indicate that it's a challenge Manfred has welcomed.

"I think debate, discussion, conversation and analysis gets you to a better answer, at the end of the day, and I think it's very important to run an organization in a way that fosters that kind of exchange," said Manfred at the Commissioner's Perspective panel.

Manfred also admitted baseball is looking to innovate its fantasy sports product, exploring ways where MLB fantasy sports would not be a 162-game, 183-day commitment.

Of course, it wasn't long before the conversation turned toward the week's hot-button issue – length of games and pace of play.

"What I really hope to accomplish this year on pace of play is to take out some of the dead time," Manfred said. "You don't want to interfere with players' performing at their absolute best.

"By the same token, we need to be cognizant of the fact that we live in a society that's pretty fast-paced, and we want to keep the game attuned with society."

During the 2014 season, the on-field movement of every NFL player was digitally tracked. With the help of league partner Zebra Technology, each receiver route, rush and defensive formation was charted and itemized, to be used by all 32 teams as they evaluate player performance, strategy and opposing personnel.

Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk, Harvard grad and current NFL director of football development Matt Birk, and Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton were all featured during the NFL's Next Generation Statistics panel, where they discussed the ways teams are incorporating comprehensive player data into franchise strategies.

Payton said the Saints wanted to use the data to find ways to minimize injuries, helping to make practices run even smarter. That's something that Faulk strongly believes in.

"I believe (player-tracking) is going to extend careers," said Faulk. "I think a lot of my talents were used up in practices, not games."

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Environmentalists rally in support of Cape Wind

BOSTON — Environmentalists are rallying on Boston Common this weekend to call on National Grid to reinstate its contract to buy half the power from the proposed Cape Wind offshore wind farm.

Organizers of the Saturday rally say they are hoping to attract several hundred people.

The activists also plan on planting 130 oversized pinwheels in the snow to symbolize the 130 turbines of Cape Wind proposed for Nantucket Sound.

National Grid and Eversource in January terminated their contracts to buy some of the power that would be generated by the proposed $2.5 billion wind farm, a move that opponents and some supports of the project say essentially killed the proposal.

The environmentalists rallying Saturday say investing in wind energy is a better alternative than investing in fossil fuel infrastructure.

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Malden woman sues Anthem over data breach

A Malden woman is seeking class-action status for a federal lawsuit she filed against Anthem Inc., claiming the insurance giant was negligent in failing to protect the personal information of its subscribers before a data breach disclosed this month.

"Anthem failed to take adequate and reasonable measures to ensure its data systems were protected, failed to take available steps to prevent and stop the breach from ever happening," according to the complaint filed by Lisa Diane Daniels in federal court in Boston this week. The breach, which Anthem disclosed Feb. 4, affected 80 million subscribers nationwide including nearly 1 million in Massachusetts. The company said hackers obtained names, birth dates, addresses, Social Security numbers, health care ID numbers and employment information.

"When you are dealing with people's sensitive information at any level, it's important to prevent a breach," said Justin Browne, one of Daniels' attorneys, "but when we're talking about a health-related information it's particularly sensitive."

Still attorneys not involved in the case are split on whether the suit will be successful.

"Courts have generally been receptive to the claims that a company has not taken the necessary steps to protect the data that they're maintaining for their customers and their employees," said attorney Peter Rukin.

But attorney Lisa Soto said a negligence claim may be tough to prove.

"Chances are high that it's going to be very difficult to show a nexus between any damage anyone suffered and this event," Soto said.

Anthem did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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Victorian gets beautiful restoration

This completely renovated mansard Victorian sits on a side street in West Somerville near Tufts University.

The newly gut-renovated 1910-built single family at 30 Conwell Ave., on the market for $1,499,000, has four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, 3,183 square feet of living space and a detached three-car garage.

The home's restored gray clapboard exterior has white trim, a new asphalt-shingled mansard roof and bumpout bay windows on the front and sides.

A covered front entryway leads into a foyer with new oak floors and a contemporary overhead light. To the right sits a library/study with restored oak flooring, 10A-foot coffered ceilings and four windows, three in a bay arrangement. A full wall has built-in bookshelves and cabinets.

To the left of the foyer is the home's open living/dining area with new red oak floors and recessed lighting. The living space has four windows, with a three-part bay window and 10A-foot coffered ceilings. The dining area has a built-in granite-topped peninsula that seats six.

The adjacent kitchen has 14 white cabinets, with granite-topped counters, a herringbone-patterned white tile backsplash and an island. Jenn-Air stainless-steel appliances include a six-burner gas stove with a fluted hood, a large side-by-side refrigerator and a dishwasher. A corner breakfast nook gets light from a three-part bay window.

Behind the kitchen is a bathroom with a ceramic-tile walk-in shower and granite-topped vanity, and a good-sized bedroom with a bump-out bay window and restored oak floors.

There's also a rear sunroom, with a door out to a decent-sized grass backyard. A three-car garage sits at the end of a long driveway.

Back inside, a red oak staircase leads to three bedrooms on the second floor, off a hallway with a closet holding a washer/dryer hookup. There's also a second-floor sunroom.

The master suite has a good-sized bedroom featuring new red oak floors and a gas fireplace. There are three walk-in closets with built-in wardrobes. The en-suite bathroom has ceramic tile floors and a ceramic tile wall with glass-mosaic inlay above a tub. There's also a ceramic-tiled walk-in shower and a linen closet. A large granite-topped vanity has two sinks.

Two other bedrooms on this floor have restored oak floors and two windows each. They are served by a second full bathroom with small black-and-white tile floors. White subway tile with glass-mosaic inlays surrounds a tub/shower, and there's also a granite-topped vanity.

Half of the home's lower level has been finished as a carpeted family room, with a granite-topped wet bar with room for a mini-fridge. Adjacent sits a full bathroom with small-tile ceramic floor, a one-piece Fiberglas shower and a granite-topped vanity.

The other half of the basement is unfinished with lots of storage space, and it also houses the home's water heater and new gas-fired central heating and cooling system.

Home Showcase

• Address: 30 Conwell Ave., Somerville
• Bedrooms: Four
• Bathrooms: Four full
• List price: $1,499,000
• Square feet: 3,183
• Price per square foot: $471
• Annual taxes: $8,620
• Location: A mile to retail, restaurants and Red Line T stop in Davis Square; half a mile to Teele Square.
• Built in: 1910; gut renovated in 2014-15
• Broker: Stephen bremis of bremis Realty at 617-828-1070

Pros:

• Master bedroom suite with built-in gas fireplace, three walk-in closets
• Stylish granite kitchen with Jenn-Air appliances, island, breakfast nook
• Library/study with full wall built-in, coffered ceilings
• New and restored red oak floors throughout

Cons:

• It's a mile walk to Davis Square

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2015 Lincoln Navigator navigates blizzards with style

As the Blizzard of 2015 approached New England, I knew I would be called upon to photograph the impending snowstorm. I would have accepted any four-wheel-drive vehicle, but when a 2015 Lincoln Navigator 4x4 showed up in our lot, I thought why ride in coach when you can go first class.

My gray metallic tester with a split-wing chrome grille had 22-inch polished aluminum wheels that provided plenty of ground clearance and some visibility over the snowbanks. Doors automatically unlocked thanks to a passive entry system that senses when the key fob is in range of the vehicle. Power running boards dropped down automatically when the doors opened to provide a convenient step for climbing into the SUV. A push-button starter let me keep the key fob in my pocket under all the layers of clothing I had on for the storm.

As expected, the Navigator's interior was upscale. Dark wood trim on the center console, the top half of the steering wheel and the doors contrasted nicely with the plush light brown leather seats. As I cruised the city looking for snow photos with my window down, the Lincoln's climate control system kept the interior warm and comfy. Snow blown in by the intensifying blizzard quickly melted off the heated, 10-way power adjustable front seats. The third row seats folded flat with the push of a button to create a cavernous rear cargo area.

The Navigator's infotainment system had a 4.2-inch display in the instrument panel and an intuitive, 8-inch touch screen on the center stack. I appreciated the traditional knob controls below the touch screen and cruise, phone, and volume controls were integrated into the steering wheel.

The 5.4-liter V8 that has powered the Navigator for years has been replaced with a twin turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine. Lincoln reports that the new engine cranks out 380 horsepower and 430 pound-foot of torque with an undiminished towing capacity. I found the large SUV had ample power off the line and highway passing was effortless. A six-speed automatic transmission with a manual override option allowed me to take control of the gear shifting, which I found useful when descending steep and narrow, snow-covered streets.

The Navigator stomped through the accumulating snow as I ventured into Beacon Hill to look for people trying to dig out along the unplowed streets. The big SUV barely squeezed through the snow-clogged one-way streets, but never lost traction on the steep, frozen hills. A rear-view camera saved the day when I had to back down a side street blocked by snow removal crews.

Once the storm cleared, I switched the Navigator back into two-wheel drive and hit the highway. The Lincoln was quiet on the open road and handled like a much smaller vehicle, thanks in part to electronic power-assisted steering, which also made it easier to park. Road imperfections produced an occasional front end dive, which served as a reminder of the big SUV's size and weight.

The 2015 Lincoln Navigator might be the ultimate full-size 4x4 for New England weather. The Navigator has a base price of $61,920, which is considerably less than the Cadillac Escalade that starts at just under $73,000. My tester topped out at $73,895.

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Massachusetts details enrollment via revamped connector site

BOSTON — Massachusetts health connector officials say more than 125,000 people signed up for health insurance plans through the agency's rebuilt website during a more than three-month open enrollment period.

Another 286,000 people qualified for the state's Medicaid program.

The Massachusetts open enrollment period began on Nov. 15 and was to expire Feb. 15, but was extended until last Monday because of the severe winter weather.

The connector was forced to place hundreds of thousands of people into temporary Medicaid coverage a year ago when the initial website failed. It was relaunched in November and officials say it has operated well since then.

Gov. Charlie Baker has named a new executive director for the connector and recently asked for — and received — the resignations of four members of the connector board.

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Berkshire Hathaway's 4Q profit declines 17 percent

OMAHA, Neb. — Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s fourth quarter profit slid 17 percent because of declines in the paper value of its investments and derivative contracts.

Warren Buffett's company released its latest results Saturday along with his letter to shareholders.

Berkshire's quarterly net income declined to $4.16 billion, or $2,529 per Class A share, on $48.3 billion revenue. That's down from $4.99 billion, or $3.035 per share, on $47 billion revenue last year.

The biggest factor was investment and derivative gains of $192 million this year compared to $1.2 billion last year.

Buffett says operating earnings, which exclude investments, are often a better measure. Those were $3.96 billion, or $2,412 per share, up from $3.78 billion, or $2,297 per share.

The four analysts surveyed by FactSet expected operating earnings per of $2,655.09 on average.

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Buffett reflects on his firm's success and strength

OMAHA, Neb. — Investor Warren Buffett believes his company, Berkshire Hathaway, will continue to thrive for decades thanks to its vast and varied collection of "remarkable businesses" and investments, which will help it withstand challenges in any one sector.

Buffett's annual letter to shareholders was posted online Saturday. This year he reflected on 50 years of leading Berkshire and its future.

Buffett reiterated that Berkshire's huge size will keep it from achieving gains nearly as strong as in the past. And he defended Berkshire's decentralized structure as the ideal way to combat bureaucracy and maximize gains.

"I think Berkshire will outperform the average American company, but our advantage, if any, won't be great," Buffett said.

But Berkshire's financial strength that comes from owning more than 80 companies and holding large stakes in public companies will help the company endure whatever the world throws it.

"I believe the chance of any event causing Berkshire to experience financial problems is essentially zero," Buffett said. "We will always be prepared for the thousand-year flood: in fact, if it occurs we will be selling life jackets to the unprepared."

The 84-year-old investor didn't name his eventual successor, but he did discuss the qualities that person will need. The comments this year will only add to speculation about which Berkshire executives are on the short list to be the next CEO.

"My successor will need one other particular strength: the ability to fight off the ABCs of business decay, which are arrogance, bureaucracy and complacency," Buffett said. "When these corporate cancers metastasize, even the strongest of companies can falter."

Buffett's letter is one of the best-read reports in the business world because of his track record and knack for explaining complicated issues.

Berkshire said its full-year profit grew 2 percent, to $19.87 billion, or $12,092 per Class A share. That's up from $19.48 billion, or $11,850 per share.

Buffett said BNSF railroad struggled with service problems last year as a strong grain harvest combined with the surge and crude oil shipments clogged rail lines just as extreme cold weather took hold. BNSF still contributed nearly $3.9 billion to Berkshire's earnings, up from the previous year's $3.8 billion.

Buffett said BNSF plans to spend $6 billion on upgrades to its rail network this year, but he apologized for the problems.

Buffett recommended owning stocks as the key to building wealth over time, but investors must avoid the common mistakes of trading too often and paying high investment fees.

The billionaire investor said there's every reason to expect stocks to perform well long-term, even if prices are volatile.

Buffett said his Berkshire Hathaway Inc. conglomerate benefited over the past 50 years from the S&P 500's growth from 84 to 2,059.

He said no commentator or investment adviser can predict the stock market. He said "market forecasters will fill your ear but will never fill your wallet."

Buffett isn't immune from investing mistakes. He told Berkshire shareholders the company lost $444 million on its investment in British retailer Tesco largely because he was slow to sell the $2.3 billion stake.

Berkshire's subsidiaries make up a varied collection of companies, including those that make clothing, furniture and jewelry, among many other things. It's insurance, utility, railroad, chemicals and manufacturing units account for most of its profits.

The company also has major investments in such companies as Coca-Cola Co., IBM and Wells Fargo & Co., and last year bought NV Energy and a major stake in H.J. Heinz.

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Follow Josh Funk on Twitter at https://twitter.com/funkwrite

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Hyundai recalls 263,000 cars due to power-steering problem

NEW YORK — Hyundai is recalling about 263,000 cars in the U.S. and Canada because a sensor problem could cause drivers to lose power-assisted steering.

The company has not reported any injuries or accidents. A representative for Hyundai Motor America wasn't immediately available for comment.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a sensor in the affected cars could detect a discrepancy in the steering input and signals and disable power-assisted steering as a result. Cars would revert to manual steering and require greater effort to steer at low speeds, raising the risk of a crash.

Hyundai Motor America says it plans to notify owners and that dealers will fix the control unit of the electronic power steering at no cost.

The affected cars include model years 2008 to 2010 of Elantras made between June 1, 2008 and April 30, 2010 and Elantra Touring vehicles made between Nov. 1, 2008 and April 30.

The recall includes nearly 205,000 cars in the U.S. and about another 58,000 in Canada.

Owners can contact Hyundai's customer service at 1-855-671-3059.

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