Boston Public Radio Podcast

Meat company West Texas Provisions, Inc sold over $1 million of degraded meat to 32 prison institutions in 18 states. The meat was marketed by West Texas Provisions as USDA approved, when in fact no such inspection was held. The meat packing plant also violated ground meat standards by adding whole cow hearts into their products. Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Tuesday to explain why this violates health and ethics standards. "They paid no attention to food safety for meat that went into prisons and [West Texas Provisions] would send people in the night, when the inspectors weren't there, to cut up the heart valves and put them in," he said. "This kind of contempt treats people as second class citizens, as if they aren't really people." This kind of health abuse only adds to the unjust treatment that prisoners face, Kummer said. "It is part of the whole movement in this country to treat prisoners as animals, as refuse and as members of society who don't deserve any kind of humane tr

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to ask our listeners about the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Kusnierek spoke about college athletics in California. ACLU of Massachusetts' Matt Segal discussed their lawsuit against the city of Boston to release more information about "Operation Clean Sweep." Food writer Corby Kummer talked about eating insects and McDonald's roll out Beyond Meat burgers in Canada. Martin Smith discussed his latest FRONTLINE documentary, "The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia." CNN's John King spoke about the latest updates regarding impeachment. Playwright Ryan Landry discussed if Judy Garland is still a gay icon.

Today on Boston Public Radio: WGBH News Political Reporter Adam Reilly and Experience Magazine Editor Joanna Weiss discussed the latest headlines in national politics, from impeachment to the 2020 election. Charlie Sennott, WGBH News Analyst, discussed international news, including the one year anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder by Arab officials, and a potential no-confidence vote of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnston. TV expert Bob Thompson discussed the the latest in television, including Netflix’s "The Politician" and the final season of Amazon’s "Transparent". Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, discussed a recent scandal for Harvard’s President Lawrence Bacow, who likened an update of donor rules to the ratifying of the 13th Amendment. WGBH News Reporter Craig LeMoult discussed his recent series on previously misunderstood health risks associated with life near high-transportation areas, like highways and airports.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Raj Chetty, Harvard Economist, discussed his research into housing vouchers and their value in bringing people out of the poverty cycle. Emily Rooney, host of WGBH News' Beat the Press, joined to give her weekly list of fixations and fulminations. Richard Trethewey and Jeff Sweenor from NECN’s This Old House discussed their show’s upcoming season premier, and took restoration questions from listeners. Shirly Leung, Boston Globe Business Columnist, discussed the impact of Gov. Charlie Baker’s vaping ban on Massachusetts vape shops. Under The Radar host Callie Crossley discussed the new Downton Abbey movie, as well as a recent scandal involving $1 million dollars to charity and racist tweets. Jason McCool and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone stopped by for the weekly news quiz

Today on Boston Public Radio: Boston Medical Center physician and Massachusetts state Rep. Jon Santiago discussed the impact of the opioid crisis on Boston communities, and his thoughts on addressing it. Dr. Aaron Bernstein, pediatrician at Harvard's School of Health, discussed the effects of climate change on young people's health, and its potential influence on their climate activism. Steve Hoffman, chairman of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, spoke about Massachusetts' growing recreational pot industry and the future of vaping in Massachusetts. We opened the lines to callers to hear their thoughts on Thursday’s House Intelligence Committee’s hearing.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened up the lines to callers to discuss House Democrat’s impeachment inquiry into President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. Sue O’Connell, political analyst for NECN, discussed President Trump's statements about LGBTQ rights at the UN General Assembly, as well as conservative media's response to Greta Thunberg's U.N. Climate address. Homeland security expert Juliette Kayeem discussed the newly released memo of President Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky, as well as the president’s recent speech at the U.N. General Assembly, and how the Bahamas is struggling to recover from hurricane Dorian. Art Kaplan, an expert in medical ethics, discussed the ethical implications of face transplants, as well as Massachusetts’ temporary ban on the sale of vaping products. Alex Beam defended his controversial opinion that funerals are better than weddings.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Massachusetts Sen. President Karen Spilka discussed the timeline of the state’s hands-free driving bill, as well as upcoming changes to the state’s education investments. NBC Sports Boston Anchor Trenni Kusnierek spoke about Antonio Brown’s departure from the New England Patriots, along with the broader issue of rape culture in the U.S. Climate change activist Bill McKibben discussed Greta Thunberg’s U.N climate address, as well as Ed Markey’s environmental legacy in light of his upcoming Senate race against Rep. Joe Kennedy. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed food-conscious religious communities’ relationship to the imitation meat industry. Political writer Robert Kutner spoke about his new book, The Stakes: 2020 and the Survival of American Democracy. CNN’s Chief National Correspondent John King discussed President Trump’s Ukraine scandal, as well as Elizabeth Warren’s climbing support in early polls.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expected to relocate to Kansas City, Missouri at the end of this month. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue says the move will save millions of dollars, but many see it as a purposeful attack on USDA researchers. Food writer Corby Kummer joined *Boston Public Radio *on Tuesday to speak about the consequences the relocation will have on the USDA and climate research. "This is one of the great tragedies of the Trump administration," he said. "These researchers have been compiling the statistics of crop yield, weather patterns, and productivity for animals, but they're "too science-y," they have bad news about climate and the Trump administration has waged a war on science." Purdue has set an ultimatum to it's researchers: relocate or give up your job, Kummer said. "This was one of the agencies that had the respect of the world, and is now being shredded and decimated." Two-thirds of its current employees will be unable to relocate, according to the U

Today on Boston Public Radio: Steve Kerrigan, CEO of the Edward M Kennedy Community Health Center, and Jennifer Horn, former chair of the New Hampshire Republican party, joined us for a political roundtable. They discussed Joe Kennedy III's bid for Ed Markey's senate seat, a whistleblower complaint lodged against President Donald Trump, and other political headlines. WGBH News Analyst Charlie Sennott delved further into the recent whistleblower complaint against Trump. The Trump administration has thus far refused to release any information about the complaint, but media reports indicate it is related to a conversation Trump had with Ukraine. We opened the lines to hear from listeners about their views on impeaching President Donald Trump. TV critic Bob Thompson recapped the Emmys and reviewed Netflix's latest police procedural, Criminal. Reverends Irene Monroe and and Emmett G. Price III joined us to discuss the Rhode Island Diocese's failure to protect parishioners from a predatory priest. WGBH Science Co

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the phones to hear from listeners about climate actions across the world today, and heard from WGBH reporter Bianca Vasquez Toness live from the field at Boston’s climate strike at City Hall. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed a new report that shows the abortion rate in America is at the lowest rate since Roe V. Wade. WGBH’s Emily Rooney joined us for her famous list of fixations and fulminations. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed whether the Jeffrey Epstein scandal at MIT is a sign of big tech’s moral bankruptcy. Boston Globe consumer protections reporter Sean Murphy discussed some of his latest cases, including a family whose trip to Ireland ballooned to $17,000. We opened the lines again to hear from listeners about whether they’ve completely foregone phone calls for texting. Chefs Peter Davis of Henrietta’s Table and Erin Miller of Urban Hearth joined us for our weekly news quiz and to preview WGBH’s upcoming Chef’s Gala, which will be emceed by Jim and Marge

Today on Boston Public Radio: ·      Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker discussed education reform, controversies surrounding RMV license suspensions, as well as recent calls for the resignation of MIT’s president over the handling of donations from Jeffery Epstein. ·      Chuck Todd, moderator of MSNBC’s Meet The Press, discussed congressman Joe Kennedy’s Senate run, which is expected to be announced Saturday. ·      Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey discussed the state’s current suit against OxyContin producer Purdue Pharma. ·      Alex Beam explained the dishwasher lobby’s efforts to persuade the Trump administration to weaken environmental rules, and why chess tournament players are losing weight. Beam is a Boston Globe Columnist, whose latest book is “The Feud: Vladmir Nabakov, Edmund Wilson and the End of a Beautiful Friendship.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to ask our listeners: is the voting public enamored with outlaws? Former Massachusetts education secretary Paul Reville spoke about Boston Public Schools' late bus problem. Homeland security expert Juliette Kayyem talked about President Donald Trump's next national security advisor. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed Jeffrey Epstein's donations to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Jenifer McKim, senior investigative reporter at WGBH's New England Center for Investigative Reporting, joined to speak about her reporting on suicides among college students. Naturalist Sy Montgomery talked to us about the pros and cons of spaying and neutering our pets, as well as the legal verdict of a rooster being allowed to cock-a-doodle-doo. WGBH's executive arts editor Jared Bowen gave us his review on the Downton Abbey movie.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to hear listener thoughts on the impact criminal punishment of corporations accused of wrongdoing has on society. Attorney General Maura Healey is one of a handful of AGs not accepting a settlement with Purdue Pharma, as she seeks harsher conditions. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek joined us to break down the latest news on Patriots player Antonio Brown, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, and other allegations of wrongdoing. Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell discussed her call to curtail corruption at City Hall by establishing a full-time inspector general. Michael Norton, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, discussed minimalism in the age of Trump. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the latest food policy headlines. CNN's John King broke down the latest political news regarding gun legislation. Playwright Ryan Landry dished on the controversy around "Saturday Night Live" hire and fire: Shane Gilli

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has given their support to the dairy industry and recommended that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not allow plant-based milks to use the label 'milk' on their products. Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Tuesday to explain the money-based bias in studies that say children are better off drinking cow's milk. "The American Academy of Pediatrics gets lots of money from the dairy board," Kummer said. "So they pay attention to dairy board sponsored studies that say pediatricians are concerned that children might be lacking nutrients. It's a bogus study because New Food Economy called up a bunch of pediatricians who said they're not worried. It's just industry that wants to protect the designation of milk and doesn't want to lose its market." While cow's milk is a nutrient-packed product, it's incorrect to say that switching to plant-based milks will harm children, Kummer added. "The nutrient density of cow's milk is incredibly high and it's

Today on Boston Public Radio: Michael Curry and Jennifer Braceras joined our political roundtable covering the latest in policy and news. Curry is senior vice president and general counsel at Mass League of Community Health Centers, and a member of the National NAACP Board of Directors. Braceras is a political columnist, senior fellow with the Independent Women’s Forum, and a former Commissioner of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Charlie Sennott, executive director of The GroundTruth Project, spoke about the attack on the Saudi Arabian oil supply. Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, went over the latest immigration headlines. 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang talked to us about his race to the nomination. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III spoke about the call for slavery reparations. We opened the lines to ask our listeners about sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. TV expert Bob Thompson talke

Today on Boston Public Radio: Did you make it through the 3 hour long 2020 Democratic presidential debate last night? We opened the lines to ask our listeners their thoughts on the matter. Emily Rooney, host of WGBH News' Beat the Press, joined to give her list of fixations and fulminations. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh joined Jim and Margery in the WGBH Studio at the Boston Public Library to answer our listeners' questions. Callie Crossley, host of WGBH News' Under the Radar, spoke about gun reform. Author Salman Rushdie talked about his latest novel, Quichotte. Dani Babineau of Redemption Rock Brewing Company and Rob Burns of Nightshift Brewing Company joined us for our weekly News Quiz.

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC’s Meet The Press moderator Chuck Todd previewed Thursday night's Democratic debate. MIT Ford Professor of Economics Jon Gruber discussed surprise medical bills, and answered listener questions about them. GFord Professor of Economics at MIT. Andrea Cabral reviewed California Senator and presidential candidate Kamala Harris' criminal justice reform plan. Art Caplan discussed the Trump administration's decision to crack down on e-cigarettes. Author Malcolm Gladwell discussed his new book "Talking To Strangers: What We Should Know About The People We Don't Know." WCAI science editor and host of Living Lab Radio Heather Goldstone joined us to discuss President Trump's coercion of NOAA to back his tweets about Hurricane Dorian. We opened the lines to hear listener opinions on sexual allegations against newly signed Patriots player Antonio Brown.

Today on Boston Public Radio: *Washington Post *politics reporter Annie Linskey previewed Thursday night's 2020 Democratic presidential debate. Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung discussed her column on City Hall corruption. Homeland security expert Juliette Kayyem spoke about the ousted national security adviser John Bolton. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam talked debated the origin of the name of Canada geese. WGBH's executive arts editor Jared Bowen reviewed The Goldfinch and Lyric Stage Company's production of Little Shop of Horrors. Media maven Sue O'Connell discussed the Bryon Hefner case and Doyle's closing in Jamaica Plain. We opened the lines to ask our listeners about restaurants and bars that have closed that are now missed.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to hear listeners' takes on how the United States is handling Bahamians seeking refuge from hurricane damage. NBC Boston sports reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed Antonio Brown's deal with the Patriots, and other sports headlines. Chris Dempsey, director of Transportation for Massachusetts, broke down congestion pricing, and Governor Charlie Baker's hesitation to it. Corby Kummer, executive director of the Food and Society Policy program at the Aspen Institute, discussed how the movement to eat less meat is growing, to the concern of farming advocates. Abby Ellis, director of a new Frontline documentary that goes behind the headlines of the Flint water crisis, joined us to discuss the investigation, which revealed one of the country's largest outbreaks of Legionnaires disease was largely hidden from the public. CNN's John King gave us the latest on the breaking news Tuesday that President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton is out, and prev

If you're a consumer at Chipotle or Sweetgreen, you might feel virtuous that the bowls used there are considered compostable. Yet new findings show that these compostable bowls can still cause harm to both the environment and human health. Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Tuesday to talk about what this new research means for the future of your food bowl. "A writer from The New Food Economy got 19 different samples of compostable bowls, from Chipotle to Sweetgreen. All of them had high content of fluorines, which is what these 'forever chemicals' contain," he said. Compostable bowls began to find increasing popularity when some cities like New York banned Styrofoam containers, Kummer said. "New York and others started banning single-use foam because it was so bad for the environment and it never biodegraded." These foam containers contained long chain PFAs, and switching to compostable materials seemed reasonable, Kummer said. Yet these compostable containers consist of the less re