Ben Simmoneau

Boston

Journalist at WCVB-TV (Boston, MA)

Dad, husband, journalist @WCVB. Retweets are not endorsements. [email protected]

Articles

'Boston Billy' marks 50 years since 1975 win, celebrates running for all

6 days ago | wcvb.com | Ben Simmoneau

Boston Marathon legend Bill Rodgers is marking 50 years since his first win on Boylston Street in 1975. In the aftermath of that victory, Rodgers would go on to win both the Boston and New York City marathons four times over five years. Despite his remarkable success in elite fields, Rodgers has dedicated much of his life to proving that anyone can be a runner, no matter the distance. The marathon great still runs about 20 to 25 miles a week.
Wu goes 'On The Record' on her reelection campaign, housing and safety

2 weeks ago | wcvb.com | Ben Simmoneau

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is running for reelection this year, hoping that a recent win streak will extend her historic administration. However, Wu not only faces competition locally in the upcoming Boston mayoral race, but she also has many opponents within President Donald Trump’s administration in Washington, D.C.On Saturday, Wu officially announced her reelection bid, though she had already told WCVB’s “On the Record” that she was running during her previous appearance on the show.
Frustrated customers say National Grid not complying with state order

3 weeks ago | wcvb.com | Ben Simmoneau

Frustrated customers of National Grid — who were hit with multiple months of bills all at once — said the company isn't doing enough to comply with a state order to waive old charges. Questions about thousands of customers, who went months without bills from National Grid this winter, got state regulators to crack down. On Monday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities ordered the company not to collect on charges older than 60 days if it didn't issue bills in a timely manner.
Mass. fines utility company, $15M in refunds expected for customers

3 weeks ago | wcvb.com | Ben Simmoneau

National Grid is expected to be required to return $15 million to utility customers after Massachusetts regulators penalized the company for a slew of consumer complaints, NewsCenter 5's Ben Simmoneau has learned. The action was tied to a review of complaints by National Grid customers in 2023. The Department of Public Utilities is still reviewing complaints from last year, and more penalties are expected.
National Grid customers in Mass. say they can’t find promised bill cut

4 weeks ago | wcvb.com | Ben Simmoneau

After a cold winter and soaring rates fueled eye-popping natural gas heating bills in Massachusetts, all of the state's gas companies promised 10% cuts in March and April. However, National Grid customers said they can't find that discount on this month's bills because it's not where the company says it is. "It tells you where it is, but when you go to where it tells you, it's not there," said Lee Selwyn.
Xfinity customers cry foul over cable change-up as Red Sox season begins

1 month ago | wcvb.com | Ben Simmoneau

With the Red Sox season getting fully underway this week, fans who rely on Xfinity may find themselves striking out when they try to watch games on television. That's because earlier this year, the cable giant moved NESN — home of the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins — and NBC Sports Boston — home of the Boston Celtics — into a higher and more expensive cable package. The company said most customers already pay for the larger package and aren't impacted. Those who are, however, are crying foul.
Mayor Wu launches new effort to help cut energy cuts in Boston

1 month ago | wcvb.com | Ben Simmoneau

Following her State of the City address on Wednesday, NewsCenter 5 took a closer look at Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's plan to try to ease utility bill pain in Boston.
Suddenly told she couldn’t drive her car, Mass. widow has warning for others

1 month ago | wcvb.com | Ben Simmoneau

Dealing with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but when her husband suddenly died, Martha Phippen couldn't understand why it was so hard to register their car in her name. So, she asked NewsCenter 5 for help, and her story serves as a warning every couple should hear. It was a year ago this month that Phippen lost her husband, Walter. She knew, with his military service and veterans' benefits, there would be paperwork — a lot of it.
Mass. DPU slashes energy efficiency plan to trim utility bills

1 month ago | wcvb.com | Ben Simmoneau

After a cold winter of skyrocketing energy bills, Massachusetts state officials are taking the biggest step yet to cut electric and gas rates. Regulators at the state Department of Public Utilities rejected the size of the proposed Mass Save plan Friday, telling the utilities their customers can't afford the costs. The original plan, to grow the program by 25% to $5 billion, will go back to the drawing board with a $4.5 billion price tag.
Timeline: How outrage over high bills brought Mass. to brink of policy change

1 month ago | wcvb.com | Ben Simmoneau

With the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities expected to take several actions Friday aimed at reducing soaring energy bills across the state, we're looking back at nearly three weeks of growing alarm over the cost of electricity and gas. NewsCenter 5 reporter Ben Simmoneau was the first to cover the surging gas bills that resulted from an exceptionally cold winter. Many customers said their recent bills were the highest they've ever had to pay.