Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they’re coping with the high levels of inflation. Paul Reville weighs in on Governor Charlie Baker’s decision yesterday to end mandatory masking in schools, and Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announcing her resignation. Reville is the former Massachusetts secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also heads the Education Redesign Lab. His latest book, co-authored with Lynne Sacks, is “Collaborative Action for Equity and Opportunity: A Practical Guide for School and Community Leaders.” Andrea Cabral talks about new technology in detecting stoned drivers, and a new report from the state detailing the racial breakdown of traffic stops in Mass. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Andy Ihnatko discusses the Justice Department charging two people with laundering $4.5 bill

Concern is growing over what the Boston Globe is calling a potential “spudpocalypse” threatening Massachusetts’ potato supply. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Wednesday to explain whether Massachusetts residents might see a drop in potato stock at their local grocery stores. The spuds most at-risk are grown on Prince Edward Island (PEI), where farmers ship between 250 million to 300 million pounds of potatoes to the U.S. annually. According to the Globe, “Massachusetts residents consume an average of 75 million pounds of PEI potatoes each year, second only to Puerto Rico.” Lately, potato crops on Prince Edward Island have been decimated by potato wart, a fungus that poses no threat to humans but produces spores and appendages on potatoes. “It's been very bad for the [Prince Edward Island] potato industry; not all that bad for the Massachusetts potato supply,” Kummer said. “We have to be worried about Prince Edward Island farmers and their access to markets. They're hopin

Today on Boston Public Radio: We open the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on the “Freedom Convoy” of truckers and conspiracy theorists protesting COVID-19 precautions and vaccine mandates. Art Caplan shares his thoughts on a recent neo-Nazi demonstration outside Brigham and Women’s Hospital that targeted two physicians for their efforts to make healthcare more equitable, as reported on by GBH senior investigative reporter Phillip Martin. Caplan is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City. Juliette Kayyem discusses the “Freedom Convoy” protests against vaccine mandates, and Senator Mitch McConnell’s pushback on the Republican National Committee labeling the Jan. 6 Capitol riots as “legitimate political discourse.” Kayyem is former assistant secretary for homeland security under President Barack Obama, and the faculty chair of the homeland-security program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by opening phone lines, checking in with listeners about how their kids have been faring at school. Trenni Kusnierek talks about a decline in viewership during the Beijing Olympics, and tennis player Peng Shuai’s meeting with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. Kusnierek is an anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston, and a BPR contributor.  Imran Ahmed discusses the spread of misinformation on social media, and explains how social media platforms should combat misinformation online. Ahmed is CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, an international not-for-profit organization working to stop the cycle of online hate and misinformation. Robert Lewis Jr. shares the latest on his community youth outreach work through the BASE. He also talks about his new role as the head of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. Lewis Jr. is founder of The BASE in Roxbury, which he’s led for the past nine years. In March, he will become president of the

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the Republican National Committee labeling the Jan. 6 Capitol attacks as “legitimate political discourse.” U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins discusses the decision to dismiss criminal charges against MIT professor Gang Chen, who was accused of hiding ties to China. She also talks about her priority of combatting human trafficking. Rollins is the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, and the former Suffolk County District Attorney. Katie Murphy and Tami Hale talk about the burnout and staffing shortages facing nurses across the state. Murphy is president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association and a nurse at Brigham and Womens. Hale is a school nurse at Gates Lane Elementary School in Worcester. Emily Channell-Justice explains the foreign policy implications behind Russia’s threat to invade Ukraine, and what Ukrainian sovereignty means in the 21st century. Channell-Justice is the director of the Temerty Contemporary Ukra

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners their thoughts on whether it’s time for workers to return to the office. Shirley Leung argues that businesses need to bring workers back in person, and discusses self-driving cars doing poorly in Southie. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Billy Costa quizzes Jim and Margery on trivia questions, until they turn the tables and quiz Costa himself. Costa co-hosts Kiss 108’s Matty in the Morning,  Dining Playbook on NESN and the host of GBH’s High School Quiz Show – season 13 of which will premiere on GBH 2 tomorrow at 6 PM. Andy Ihnatko weighs in on the Spotify controversy with Joe Rogan and Neil Young and other streaming options, and worries about the growing threat of deepfakes. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Melinda Lopez and Maurice Emmanuel Parent preview their one-man show about an actor who begins working as a teacher. Emmanuel Parent is an actor and the star of the fabulous one-man sho

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd talks about former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL, arguing that the league has unfair hiring practices far removed from current corporate standards. Todd is the moderator of “Meet The Press” on NBC, host of “Meet The Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Then, we ask listeners about the state of sports following Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL and controversy surrounding the Beijing Olympics. Andrea Cabral discusses the neo-Nazi group that protested outside of Brigham and Women’s Hospital against doctors’ focus on anti-racist medical practices. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Jared Bowen talks about the Boston Lyric Opera’s “Svadba,” and the Lyric Stage Company’s “Mr. Parent.” He also previews this week’s edition of “Open Studio.” Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. Lynd

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan weighs in on Denmark getting rid of all COVID restrictions, desires for the U.S. to do the same, and ethical approaches to the metaverse following reports of sexual assault online. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. Then, we ask listeners their thoughts on whether the U.S. should follow the path of Denmark and ramp down COVID restrictions, or continue fighting the spread. Juliette Kayyem discusses the latest in the Jan. 6 committee news, tensions at the Russia-Ukraine border and a report into Miami’s dangerous condo development history following Surfside. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Michelle Singletary prepares listeners for tax season, including tips on how to deal with income through Venmo and Paypal and a racially biased IRS fac

Sen. Elizabeth Warren sat down with Mass Restaurants United and local restaurateurs in Cambridge for a roundtable discussion on Jan. 25 to hear the struggles they’ve faced throughout the pandemic. Chief among them is a call to replenish the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) as restaurateurs enter a third year of uncertainty during the pandemic. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to share his thoughts on the major takeaways from the roundtable, as well as replenishing the RRF. “It was a lot of restaurant people saying, ‘Hey, what is it with this administration? They promised us something,’” Kummer told Boston Public Radio. “But more than just complaining, they're advocating for [an additional] $60 billion in federal aid to the depleted Restaurant Revitalization Fund.” Some participants at the Jan. 25 roundtable shared that their restaurants would not have survived if it weren’t for money received from the RRF; others expressed frustrat

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening phone lines, asking listeners for their thoughts on Tom Brady’s retirement. Trenni Kusnierek weighs in on Tom Brady’s retirement, and Rafael Nadal’s record 21 Grand Slam tennis titles. She also talks about athletes’ COVID-19 precautions at the Beijing Olympics. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Carol Rose shares her analysis of a federal judge rejecting a hate crimes plea-deal for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, and Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement announcement. Rose is the Executive Director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. Alexandria Onuoha discusses the crisis of missing Black women and girls in Mass., and calls for increased community and political support to protect Black women and girls. Onuoha is the Director of Political Advocacy for Black Boston, a nonprofit focused on fighting injustice and creating community in Boston’s Black community. Corby Kummer talks about the rest

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening phone lines, talking with listeners about youth mental health during the pandemic. John Della Volpe talks about Gen Z’s relationship to political activism, and the events that pushed them to action. Della Volpe is director of polling at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics and a former Biden campaign adviser. His new book is: “Fight: How Gen Z Is Channeling Their Fear And Passion To Save America.” EJ Dionne discusses a surge in book ban efforts across the country. He also weighs in on the road ahead for President Joe Biden’s first nominee to the Supreme Court. Dionne is a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. His latest book is “Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country.” Dan Adams updates us on the latest headlines from the local marijuana industry, including Gov. Charlie Baker’s filing of the Clardy Law, which would treat driving impairment from alcohol and marijuana the same way. Adams is a cannabis

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the blizzard heading towards Massachusetts this weekend. Judge Nancy Gertner discussea Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement announcement, and the current state of the Supreme Court. Judge Gertner is a retired U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court here in Massachusetts. She’s currently a Senior Lecturer on Law at Harvard University.   Callie Crossley talka about the states fighting back against threats to voting rights, and the students at Wharton who believe that the average American worker makes over six-figures per year. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Anthony Everett shares the legacy of the WCVB television series “Chronicle,” which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Everett is the Emmy Award-winning anchor of “Chronicle,” WCVB Channel 5's nightly news magazine. Its 40th Anniversary special airs tonight at 8 on WCVB.  Sarah Harmon talks about organizing “Primal Scream” events around Greater

Today on Boston Public Radio: Gov. Charlie Baker discusses current vaccination rates in Mass., and overpaid unemployment benefits in the state. He also takes listeners’ calls during “Ask the Governor.” Andrea Cabral shares her thoughts on the delay of Mayor Michelle Wu’s vaccine mandate for city workers, and a new gun law in San Jose that requires gun owners to have liability insurance and pay an annual fee. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, focusing on President Joe Biden’s potential picks for Justice Stephen Breyer’s replacement and rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Todd is the moderator of “Meet The Press” on NBC, host of “Meet The Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Attorney General Maura Healey discusses her decision to run for governor, and the dismissed charges in the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home case.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan shares his thoughts on DJ Ferguson, a 31-year-old man who was denied a heart transplant at Brigham and Women’s after he refused to get vaccinated. He also talks about Neil Young urging Spotify to remove Joe Rogan from the platform – or face the removal of all of his music. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. We then ask listeners for their thoughts on refusing a heart transplant in order to remain unvaccinated. Juliette Kayyem discusses Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement announcement, and concerns over potential cyber attacks from Russia. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Ali Noorani weighs in on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempt to kick migrant children who arrived in the country without their parents out of Florida shelters and from transitio

While many think the suburbs have a “boring, white bread reputation,” the pandemic has caused a wave of restaurateurs to set their eyes on suburbia over the big city. Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Monday to share why increasing numbers of restaurateurs are choosing to open restaurants in the suburbs rather than the big city – and how new of a trend this really is. Although the pandemic spurred many people to move from urban areas to suburbia, Kummer notes that independent, award-winning restaurants have long pre-dated the pandemic. “There's lots of different groups that are opening restaurants, and I think there's a more discerning customer base that wants higher quality,” Kummer noted. Kummer pointed to Il Capriccio Ristorante e Bar in Waltham, an award-winning Northern Italian restaurant that first opened in 1981. The original owner of IL Capriccio, Enzo Danesi, worked at Barsanti’s in Boston and Le Bocage in Cambridge before opening his restaurant in Waltham. Il Capriccio recen

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on the state of ‘Jeopardy!’ after Amy Schneider continued her streak to become the second-place record holder for consecutive game wins. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the athletes taking extreme caution around COVID-19 before the Beijing Olympics, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the Buffalo Bills this past weekend. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka discusses the Mass. legislature moving forward with a $55 million COVID-19 response bill, and the possibility of passing same-day voter registration in the state. Spilka is president of the State Senate. Billy Baker shares the challenges of making friends in adulthood, especially for men. Baker is a Boston Globe reporter. His memoir, “We Need To Hang Out,” is out today in paperback. Bob Luz talks about how the restaurant industry has been impacted by Mayor

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners about their marijuana habits, after a report showed cannabis tax revenue has surpassed alcohol revenue in the state. Lylah Alphonse updates listeners on the latest news from Rhode Island, including the status of marijuana legalization and the state of hospitals amid the Omicron surge. Alphonse is the Rhode Island editor for The Boston Globe. Charlie Sennott weighs in on growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and the Biden Administration’s foreign policy decisions. Sennott is a GBH News analyst and the founder and CEO of The GroundTruth Project. Edgar B. Herwick III looks back on this season of the Curiosity Desk, including answering questions about fruit flies, right-on-red rules and unwritten rules of Boston. Edgar B Herwick III is host of the Curiosity Desk at GBH, which just wrapped up season one of its YouTube show.  The Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discusses Dorothy Day’s legacy after the Archdiocese of New York

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners what parts of pre-pandemic life they have left behind as we enter year three of COVID-19. LaTosha Brown weighs in on what the fight for voting rights and recent legislative failure means for the country’s Black community. LaTosha Brown is the co-founder of Black Voters Matter.  Callie Crossley talks about the death of fashion journalist and Vogue editor André Leon Talley, and where to find the best comfort food in Boston. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Andy Ihnatko updates listeners on all things tech, including a study by the Fed into whether the U.S. should create a “digital dollar” and debates over the effect of 5G on airports. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Sue O’Connell discusses a viral clip of a TV reporter getting hit by a car while on live air, the death of Meat Loaf and controversial updates to the M&M characters. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the Sout

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updates listeners on all things politics, including the failure of Democrats to pass voting rights legislation and the state of President Joe Biden’s term. Todd is the moderator of “Meet the Press,” host of “Meet the Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Then, we ask listeners their thoughts on Attorney General Maura Healey’s announcement that she is running for governor. Andrea Cabral tells the story of a con artist from Rhode Island arrested after faking his own death, and discusses debates over the efficacy of road tests for driving while high. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and the former Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She is currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Paul Reville explains how things are going in schools amid the Omicron surge and mental health crisis. Reville is the former Massachusetts secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he a

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan weighs in on the CDC’s messaging around Omicron, and threats to trans healthcare in Arkansas. Caplan is director of the division of medical ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. Then, we ask listeners their thoughts on the U.S. sending citizens free at-home tests and masks.  Juliette Kayyem talks about the unique challenges of protecting synagogues following the hostage standoff at Congregation Beth Israel in Texas. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Blair Miller and Elizabeth Bartholet discuss the state of adoption laws and child welfare amid the disappearance of Harmony Montgomery. Miller is a Boston Channel 25 reporter and the adoptive father of Harmony Montgomery’s brother. Bartholet is the Morris Wasserstein Professor of Law, Emeritus, at Harvard Law School, and Faculty Director of