Emerging News Stories for 2020 [OPINION]

We are just a few days into the year 2020 and there are already plenty of important news stories to follow. National news and local news are both busy in 2020.

The impeachment trial and the re-election of President Donald J. Trump is the most important story in the world. There are so many potential outcomes to follow and nobody can be sure exactly how the whole situation will be resolved. The subplot to much of this story is the all-important decision of the Democrats about who they will nominate to challenge Republican Trump.

The continuing problems at the New Bedford Police Department and the hope of a new and better era for all involved is a big local story. The current chief will likely be retiring soon, as is the demand of the men and women who are the police officers he is trying to lead. The process by which Mayor Jon Mitchell will select the new chief is going to be a major development this year, too. The FBI probe of the finances of the police union and the former union treasurer can only add to the sad decline of a man who is still a legitimate hero for his actions under fire as a police officer.

The battle between Massachusetts Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III and U.S. Senator Edward Markey to be the nominee of the Massachusetts Democratic Party for U.S. Senate will also be a major storyline in the early part of 2020. The seat is currently occupied by Markey. This story is both national and local. All three previous members of the Kennedy family who were elected to the U.S. Senate used that opportunity to run for president. There is also the subplot of who, if anyone, the GOP puts up to run for that Senate seat in 2020.

The outcome of former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia's federal criminal charges will be interesting. The mayor and his attorney have vowed to take the case to trial and that will be a wild ride for the people of Greater Fall River as witnesses tell their stories in the courtroom. Or he could take a plea and rob us all.

And then there are all the stories we don't even know about yet – and a few only some of us know about at this time.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.