Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC’s Chuck Todd on the latest political headlines. There have been a string of tragic shootings that happened recently and we opened the lines for listeners to share their thoughts on cases like Ralph Yarl’s and Kaylin Gillis'. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discusses additional COVID boosters approved by the FDA; Black pregnant women being tested more frequently for drug use; and retaining access to abortion pills by off-label prescribing. Jared Bowen discusses comedian Alex Edelman’s stand-up special ‘Just For Us’; Wild Life film about Patagonia’s founders; and My Fair Lady at Broadway in Boston. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discusses New Yorkers converting their food waste into home energy through curbside composting; and studies showing a mysterious health benefit to ice cream. Brian McCreath, Brian O’Donovan, and James Bennett II join for a local music events panel. Our show wrapped up by taking calls and texts on 4/20. We wanted to know how people’s relationship wi

Marichka Padalko is a Ukrainian journalist who just ran the Boston Marathon, fundraising for Sunflower of Peace, a local US non-profit that provides humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Ukrainians. Fox News settled with Dominion Voting Systems, giving the company $787 million. We opened the phone lines to ask listeners how they feel. Were they looking forward to a trial, or was monetary justice enough? National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed Fox News’ settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, the shooting death of Ralph Yarl by an 84-year-old man and the leak of classified documents by Jack Teixeira. EPA regional administrators David Cash and Daniel Blackman discussed new EPA pollution limits aimed at promoting electric vehicle sales, dramatic rising sea levels along the Eastern seaboard, and money to help small communities protect their water systems. Stephen Hammond is a descendent of enslaved families who lived at Arlington House, now the site of the Robert E. Lee memorial. Susan Glisson

Today on Boston Public Radio: David Leonard, president of the Boston Public Library, joined briefly at the top of the show to discuss Boston’s plan for housing units attached to some public library branches. It’s Tax Day. So we asked naturally asked listeners if they cheat on their taxes. Not many admitted to it but there was enough discussion that someone shared that they already served time for it. Trenni Casey, anchor/reporter for NBC Sports Boston, recapped the Marathon results and the Bruins success in Game 1 of the playoffs. Lauren Cook is CEO of Ellis Early Learning, early childhood education provider in the South End. Amy O’Leary is executive director at Strategies for Children, a statewide advocacy group. They talked about the child care crisis, from labor shortages to funding. Lehrhaus Tavern is now open in Somerville, a tavern and learning space for Jewish culture. Co-founder Rabbi Charlie Schwartz and executive chef Noah Clickstein joined at the BPL (with snacks). Boston Globe’s Marcela Garc

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines on the eventful day of Marathon Monday. We asked listeners to share what they’re doing to celebrate and watch. Not a huge fan of the marathon? We asked to hear about other big accomplishments people wanted to share. Michael Curry discussed the conservative campaign against transgender rights, the changing access to free COVID rapid test and more. Charlie Sennott of the Groundtruth Project discussed the Good Friday agreement, The McCartney sisters' campaign to demand justice for the killing of their brother Robert in 2005 and Biden’s trip to Ireland. A segment with Des Linden, 2018 Boston Marathon winner, taped earlier this month where she talked about her new book “Choosing to Run.” Andy Ihantko spoke about Montana being the first state to pass legislation banning TikTok on all personal devices, the Internet Archive and various tech headlines. Rick Steves discussed England’s lake district, travel as a spiritual act, and travel “post-pandemic.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: We asked listeners if they’ve ever ran the Boston Marathon. And if they’re in the group of people who keep telling themselves they’ll just run it the next year, when is it time to admit the truth to yourself? An earlier-than-usual Live Music Friday with Zili Misik, an Afro-Latin band. The founder and front-woman of the band Kera Washington shared music from the African diaspora that is bound to get you in the groove. GBH’s senior investigative reporter Phillip Martin is featured in the three-part Netflix documentary “American Manhunt: The Boston Bombing.” He discussed his reporting on the tragedy and subsequent trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The artist behind the Boylston Street memorial to victims of the bombing, Pablo Eduardo, reflected on the years-long effort to bring the project to fruition. He also touches on the role of public art in our experience dealing with tragedy and grief. Dave Fortier is a bombing survivor and president of the One World Boston Foundation, which h

Today on Boston Public Radio: CAI's Patrick Flanary, NEPM's Nancy Cohen and GBH's Katie Lannan discussed what listeners had had to say about Gov. Healey's first 100 days in office. We opened the lines to ask listeners if they are beginning to boycott Florida in solidarity with Equality Florida – that’s the largest LGBT advocacy group in the state – that issued an advisory for queer visitors and potential queer-intentifying residents. Andrea Cabral weighs in on the latest law & order headlines... this week that's Trump's attempts to postpone the E. Jean Carroll trial, Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg suing Rep. Jim Jordan to stop interference in his case against the former present. Michelle Wu is on for "Ask the Mayor". She'll discuss her newly unveiled $4.28 billion spending plan for 2024, what the city's got planned for marathon Monday, as well as new steps to make housing greener in Boston, a federal embezzlement trial for four BPD officers and more. We ended the show by asking listeners how they feel

Jim and Margery started the show with a reflection on Boston political leader and civil rights activist, Mel King, whose funeral they attended yesterday. Former mayor Kim Janey and former governor Deval Patrick also joined to remember King’s life and legacy. Next we heard from listeners about outdoor dining. Now the weather is warm, should more downtown streets be closed to cars and opened to the people? Mary Louise Kelly discussed her new book, It.Goes.So.Fast. Former Boston Police Department commissioner and prolific marathoner Bill Evans discussed what will be his 24th time running the Boston Marathon and reflected on the 10 years since the bombings. Tillie Walden is Vermont’s youngest cartoonist laureate. Her first graphic memoir, Spinning, was published in 2017 and draws from her experience growing up as a competitive ice skater. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed her latest reporting on board members at the Alliance for Business Leadership, who quit over how a sexual harassment

Andrea Cabral and Jared Bowen were in for Jim and Margery today, live from the Boston Public Library. We asked listeners about the state of the roadways today: pedestrian deaths are up, it seems like nobody is enforcing the distracted driving law and cars and trucks keep getting bigger. What’s up on the roads? Trenni Casey of NBC Sports Boston previewed the Boston Marathon and discussed a push on Beacon Hill to curb toxic youth sports culture in Massachusetts. Caitlin Saks, senior producer for NOVA, discussed their newest film out today called Weathering the Future. The film is about frontline communities combating climate change with real solutions. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discussed the effects Michelin ratings can have on a city’s dining scene, and how years of drought forced a shutdown of the salmon fishing season in California. Elaina Repucci of Simple Sips and Karen Clarke of Clarke’s Cakes & Cookies joined to discuss how their food business are growing through the Commonwealth Kitchen

Last Friday, a federal judge in Texas revoked the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, a key medication used for abortions. We opened the phone lines to hear listeners’ reactions. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the leaked Pentagon documents that show the U.S. spying on Russia, Ukraine, Israel and South Korea. Dr. Cheryl Hamlin is a local OBGYN who regularly flew to Mississippi pre-Dobbs to provide abortion care. She joined us along with reproductive rights activist Susan Yanow, who has worked with Self-Managed Abortion, Safe and Supported (SASS) to educate people about self-managed medication abortions. They discussed the Texas ruling that halts FDA approval of a key abortion pill. Jim Aloisi & Stacy Thompson joined for a transit panel to discuss new general manager Phillip Eng’s first day on the job. Plus, T contractors who are stole more than $8 million and a stellar Lexington zoning proposal that meets the state’s new housing law. The Reverends Irene Monroe & Emmett G. Price III

Today on Boston Public Radio: The world is watching Tennessee after 2 young black democratic lawmakers were expelled for speaking out of turn at a gun safety protest. Tennessee republicans didn't expel the 3rd white democratic lawmaker who was participated in the same protest. We opened the lines for listeners to weigh in. Boston Globe's Shirley Leung will talk about the state’s clawback of unemployment benefits after a 3 year pause, the state gambling commission rejecting bets on the marathon, and more. Nancy Gertner is back via Zoom, we’ll talk with her about Clarence Thomas privately accepting (very) expensive gifts from one GOP donor. She’ll also talk about the Trump charges, and what the Wisconsin Supreme Court vote mean for Democrats in post-Dobbs America. J. Ivy is a Grammy-winning poet and the man who gave John Legend his name. He’s performing at the Boston City Winery, he’ll join via Zoom. Sue O’Connell will discuss Marty Walsh siding with the NFL in a dispute over players wearing pride jerseys,

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd on Wisconsin Supreme Court election result takeaways and it’s connection to the issue of abortion and other national headlines. We opened the lines to ask listeners about their thoughts on the superintendent who lost his job offer for using the word ‘ladies’ in an e-mail. Did listeners think he committed a microaggression? Andrea Cabral continued analysis of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election and future ramifications, the Alpaca Cop Squad in Missouri and more. Paul Reville on high graduation & low college attendance rates for BPS students, the case of leading candidate for superintendent of the Easthampton Public Schools who lost his job offer for using the word ‘ladies’ in an e-mail and more. Volunteer Jen Robinson from Moms Demand Action and co-lead of the Massachusetts chapter is on to discuss substantive action everyday people we can do to address gun violence in Massachusetts and beyond. Sarah Thompson and Kendall DeBoer from the MFA are on to talk abo

We opened the phone lines to check in with listeners one day after Trump’s arraignment and the announcement of his 34 felony charges. Then, medical ethicist Art Caplan weighed in on MIT scientists who are calling for a pause in AI development, and a legal challenge to Obamacare in Texas that imperils the availability of HIV drugs, cancer screenings and other preventative care without copays. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed Harvard University’s police response to a hoax emergency call, Finland joining NATO and the arrest of a WSJ journalist in Russia. GBH’s Jared Bowen discussed the Elliot Norton Award nominees and a production of Coriolanus at the Actors’ Shakespeare Project. Comedian Aida Rodriguez joined us before her show at the City Winery Boston on April 12. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discussed big dairy’s all-out push to bring Gen-Z back from nut-milk nirvana; and the rise in popularity of turbot. A new analysis based on 40 years of the research was published in JAMA, fin

Today former President Donald Trump was arraigned in Manhattan. No video cameras were allowed in the courtroom. We asked listeners whether they thought the public should be able to view the proceedings. NBC Sports Boston’s Trenni Casey gave a rundown of the NCAA basketball title games, plus insights on the new Major League Baseball rules. ACLU of Massachusetts executive director Carol Rose discussed the Trump arraignment and a SCOTUS immigration case that centers on free speech. Martin Smith of Frontline discussed the new three-part series titled "America and the Taliban". Part one airs tonight on PBS. Lee Pelton, president and CEO of the Boston Foundation discussed the upcoming report that examines Black wealth in Boston. As Trump entered the courthouse, we broadcasted live to hear from Michael Curry, former federal judge Nancy Gertner and Ron Sullivan, the faculty director of the Harvard Criminal Justice Institute and the Harvard Trial Advocacy Workshop.

Today on Boston Public Radio: There’s history in the making with former president Trump being indicted. But is the media going overboard with too much Trump coverage? We opened the lines for listeners to let us know how they’re keeping afloat. Harvard labor lawyer Terri Gerstein discussed child labor laws being rolled back throughout the country. Charlie Sennott joined from Belfast to fill us in on the Good Friday Agreement, the WSJ journalist arrested for espionage in Russia, and the consequences of a "Trump revival" for foreign leaders.  E.J. Dionne discussed some of his latest columns on Biden's presidential legacy, being stuck in a "Trump world", and the departure of the chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. The Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III on to discuss Pope Francis' illness (and announcement that he's "Still Alive"), Mel King's influence on Boston leadership and whether DeSantis can break Trump's hold on the religious right.  Film critic Odie Henderson will dis

Jared Bowen filled in for Jim Braude at the Boston Public Library. Turns out Jim was too busy taking photos of Trump supporters outside of Mar-A-Lago. Last night the news broke about Trump’s indictment by a Manhattan grand jury. We started the show by hearing from former federal judge Nancy Gertner with her reactions and legal analysis. Then we opened the phone lines to hear from listeners. What were their reactions to the news, and what does the indictment mean for next year’s presidential election? Sue O’Connell discussed the transphobia surrounding the Tennessee mass shooting. On the lighter side, she celebrated the one-year anniversary of Wordle, and ancient artifacts that may or may not be sex toys. Corby Kummer joined to discuss the James Beard Award nominees, a meatball made from mammoth DNA and the state of food insecurity in Massachusetts. Journalist Andrea Bernstein from WNYC and co-host of the Peabody winning podcast Trump, Inc. joined to discuss Trump’s indictment. Will Dailey, a local s

Chuck Todd on the latest out of D.C., and his contentious interview last Sunday with Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina. Then we opened the phone and text lines to get listener’s take on Red Sox Opening Day. Does this mean it’s officially spring? Turns out, we have many nature-loving listeners who depend on the sound of spring peepers to signal the new season, not the ump’s call. Andrea Cabral on Chat-GPT making its way to Indian courtroom. She also discussed an indictment charge for the man who drove his car into a Hingham Apple store, the skiing trial of Gwyneth Paltrow and Adnan Syed (of “Serial” fame) getting his murder conviction reinstated. Michael Curry on accusations of racism in Wayland after a Black superintendent was placed on leave, and how some members of the NAACP are looking to get a travel advisory for Florida. He also touched on a few medical stories, including over the counter Narcan and a nursing home COVID outbreak. Elie Honig is a former federal prosecutor turned podcaster. The latest season o

Today on Boston Public Radio: Several schools throughout the state of Massachusetts went into lockdown after receiving swatting calls. Even though the threats are false, the impact is real. We asked listeners to share their thoughts. Michael Curry, President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, joined to reflect on longtime Boston political activist Mel King and his legacy. Senator Elizabeth Warren joined to discuss her senate re-election bid and her demands for more oversight of the Federal Reserve. National security expert Juliette Kayyem on the Washington Post piece detailing damage done by AR-15s to young bodies and the significance of Trump at Waco. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discusses Sen. Sanders grilling Moderna for quadrupling COVID vaccine price and Cigna’s penny-pinching practice of having doctors reject claims without reading them. Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther talks about his latest column on a Rockport man retracing his grandfather’s path throug

Today on Boston Public Radio: We started off the show by asking listeners how they are responding to the devastating news of the shooting in Nashville. NBC's Sports Reporter/Anchor Trenni Casey is back and will discuss the ticking clock for Bill Belichick and the March Madness final four field. GBH's Jennifer McKim shares her latest investigative story on a Shattuck hospital surgeon sued at least 20 times for medical malpractice. James Beard award Semifinalist and co-owner of Cicada Coffee Bar Vinh Le joins to share more about his Cambridge shop. He discuss Vietnamese food while Jim and Margery try the famous Vietnamese iced coffee. GBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen discusses the Italian mayor inviting the Florida principal ousted for showing sixth-graders the statue of David and the controversy over the song “Rainbowland” by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses the implications in Boston of SVB’s failure and more. Are Crocs really that comfortable

Hosts Jim and Margery held a Political Weekend in Review at the top of the show to cover weekend news that caught their eyes and might’ve caught yours. Then, we opened the lines to take calls and texts from listeners to join the conversation. Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio joined to discuss her attempt to audit the legislature and her response to Massachusetts House Speaker Ron Mariano rejecting the audit. Inaugural poet Richard Blanco joined to discuss the connection between poetry and civic engagement, how to be a “poet statesman” – he’s just received the National Humanities Medal from the White House earlier this month. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price discussed the rise in antisemitic incidents in Mass last year, and a report that nearly half of LGBTQ Americans are young and claim no religion. Boston Globe Love Letters columnist Meredith Goldstein discussed some of her latest columns, including on Somerville approving an antidiscrimination ordinance to protect people in polyamorous

Today on Boston Public Radio: A principal at Tallahassee Classical School is being forced out after showing sixth grade students Michelangelo’s David without the consent of parents. This isn’t the first time Florida’s made headlines from overly restrictive stunts. We asked listeners if they’re concerned about schools around the country following in Florida’s footsteps. Andy Ihnatko talks about all things AI including chatbots. He unpacks why all of this is the big deal that it is. Callie Crossley discusses Trump’s civil rape case, Chris Curtis’ suspension at WEEI, layoffs at NPR that occurred this week, and the development/future of Nubian Square.   Sue O’Connell on the Giselle Bundchen tell-all in Vanity Fair and Tom Brady’s poetic social media response… she’ll also talk about California lawmakers pushing to make Meta pay newspapers for content on their site, expansion of so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation in Florida and the Tallahassee principal ousted over a small feature of Michelangelo’s David.