Riley Rourke,

Riley Rourke is a news reporter who covers various topics such as crime, entertainment, and local events in Massachusetts. Their work often focuses on breaking news stories like the stabbing attack in an AMC movie theater near Boston and the arrest of a suspect. Additionally, Rourke reports on cultural events like Ed Sheeran's visit to Boston Children's Hospital and his performance at Boston Calling. They also cover transportation issues, such as updates to the MBTA system allowing passengers to pay with a tap of their phone or credit card, and investigative stories like a man who received the first pig kidney transplant in the world. Rourke has reported on protests and free speech issues, like when author Colson Whitehead withdrew as a commencement speaker at the University of Massachusetts Amherst after pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested. They have also covered crime stories involving stabbings, hit-and-runs, and motorcycle accidents. In their reporting, Rourke sometimes highlights local personalities and events such as a celebration of life for Sarah-Ann Shaw, a legendary reporter at WBZ-TV and Boston's first Black woman TV news reporter. Rourke's work often emphasizes public safety concerns like high pollen counts affecting allergies and the dangers of driving under the influence. They also report on cultural events such as the release of Taylor Swift's new album, which garnered a positive response from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.