Boston Public Radio Podcast

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...

We started the show by asking listeners about the future of public beaches. Are private landowners buying up coastline and how can towns protect public beach access? Chuck Todd gave us the latest out of Washington, including what’s going on with the potential Trump indictment. Andrea Cabral discussed local law & order headlines. This week it’s the anti-vax former cop who has been following Mayor Wu around in a car. There was also the story of worker exploitation by the owner of Stash’s...

Two animal rights activists charged with stealing two chickens from a truck headed for slaughter have just been acquitted, drawing attention to the cruelty of factory farming in America. According to Vox, the chickens — worth $8.16 each — were both severely ill and struggled to stand: One of the chickens (Ethan) died four days after the rescue, while the other (Jax) recovered after intensive veterinary care and now lives on a farm sanctuary. “Of course they wanted this to be publicized...

Sports betting is now legal in Massachusetts. We opened the phones to hear listener opinions. Are they concerned about the occasional gambler sliding to addict, or are they all-in on the potential to win big? Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed a company setting up shop in Massachusetts to offer full body scans powered by AI, and how Boston scientists are getting closer to growing human eggs in a lab. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the potential Trump indictment and...

The UN climate change report was released on Monday and we opened the lines to get listener’s reactions to impending climate disasters. NBC Sports Boston anchor/reporter Trenni Casey continues to cover March Madness and the slippery slope of placing online bets. Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, discusses various transparency issues in the state, including Healey's pledge to be the most transparent governor, and a Supreme Judicial Court...

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to ask listeners what their thoughts are surrounding the impending indictment of Former President Donald Trump. A national/local politics panel with Charlie Chieppo of Pioneer Institute and Michael Curry of Mass League of Community Health Centers & NAACP national board A transit panel with former transportation secretary Jim Aloisi & executive director of Livable Streets Stacy Thompson A discussion of the American banking system with...

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to ask listeners what their thoughts were on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision’s right to be rude at public meetings. Marty Baron joins us in person to talk about the state of journalism and the legacy behind him. Baron to be editor of the Globe before switching over to lead the Washington Post. He's in town wrapping up a two day fellowship award ceremony at Brandeis and has a book due out in October. Environmentalist Bill...

Today on Boston Public Radio: Are you a TikTok addict? We opened the lines to ask listeners about their thoughts on the proposed ban on TikTok in the United States. Chuck Todd is for his weekly Washington roundup. Andrea Cabral discuses the fired Boston Police Department officers, plus Biden’s executive order on guns, how Boston’s preparing against white supremacists at the St. Patrick’s Day parade, and the story of an African serval cat who was found with Cocaine in it's system at a...

Today on Boston Public Radio: Our show began by opening up the lines for our listeners to share if they believe our country is goin backwards as state legislatures fight to roll back trans and gay rights, reproductive rights, and child labor laws. GBH’s Jeremy Siegel and Nicci Kadilak of the Burlington Buzz join to discuss Jeremy’s reporting on local news Medical ethicist Art Caplan discusses the GOP trap of the COVID lab leak theory: He argues we should be talking about lousy security,...

Today on Boston Public Radio: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined for “Ask the Mayor,” discussing the Globe's public records request stating that she does not use text for anything work related and taking listener calls. NBC Sports Boston anchor and reporter Trenni Casey discussed March Madness, online betting’s launch in Mass., and the Natural Selection snowboarding competition. GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen covered the MFA exhibiting enslaved Black potters’ work in ‘Hear Me...

Today on Boston Public Radio: We started off the show by asking listeners about their financial concerns following the U.S. bank failures. Jennifer Nassour & Jesse Mermell joined for a political panel and discussed Sen. Elizabeth Warren's comment on Boston Public Radio that made national headlines regarding her support for President Joe Biden's reelection. When asked if she would support Vice President Kamala Harris on the 2024 ticket, she said, “I really want to defer to what makes...

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to hear from listeners three years into COVID-19. Boston Medical Center’s Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discussed the real-world impact of corporations and big money on our health and wellness. GBH's Callie Crossley, host of Under the Radar with Callie Crossley, discussed the announcement this week from the Justice Department that Louisville Police Department routinely discriminates against Black residents. The Department of Justice...

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd joined for his weekly roundup of political news. We opened the lines to hear from listeners about the housing crisis, as Boston City Council approved Mayor Wu's rent control proposal this week. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung joined to discuss We re-aired a conversation Jim and Margery had with former president Jimmy Carter from 2014, about his book "A Call To Action." Former education secretary Paul...

Today on Boston Public Radio: We started the show by opening the lines to hear from listeners about a backslide of women’s rights, on International Women's Day. Joseph Feaster, chair of Boston's Reparations Task Force, joined with task force member Carrie Mays to discuss their work. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the latest news on four Americans kidnapped in Mexico, two were found dead; Fox News lying to its viewers about the 2020 election; and CPAC's...

Fox News host Tucker Carlson aired “new” footage from the Jan. 6 riot using it to downplay violence and further the narrative that “mainstream media” has lied. How do we confront the alternative facts movement around the Jan. 6 insurrection? We opened the phone lines to hear from listeners. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox joined BPR for the first time to discuss reform initiatives and a rise in violence in Boston Public Schools. Commissioner Cox also commented on why the Office of...

We started the show to get the listener's thoughts on “do nothing days.” Are they happier for setting aside time for nothing, or are they dedicated to their to-do list? Michael Curry discussed the 300,000 people likely to be dropped from MassHealth this year, and Black employees, vendors, and convention guests alleging discrimination by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Corby Kummer examined the allegations of ‘cookie espionage’ at a shop in Central Square, the future of SNAP...

Outdoor dining in Boston remains a contentious issue this year, as Mayor Michelle Wu released plans that curtail what restaurants in the North End are allowed to offer. “This is bedeviling a lot of cities,” said Corby Kummer on Boston Public Radio on Monday, citing ongoing debates in New York City about traffic and trash concerns. Last year, North End businesses were required to pay an extra fee for al fresco dining. This year’s plan limits North End businesses to outdoor space only on...

Today on Boston Public Radio, live from the Boston Public Library: South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh was found for guilty of the murder of his wife and son. We opened the phone lines to hear from listeners about their thoughts on the verdict. Shirley Leung discusses Healey’s tax proposal, Wu’s plan to revitalize downtown Boston, and the new leadership at MassBio and John Hancock. Callie Crossley discusses Melvin B. Miller passing the torch over at the Bay State Banner, Brian...

Today on Boston Public Radio, live from the Boston Public Library: We opened the phone lines to hear from listeners about the future of automation and what it means for their careers and livelihoods. Nancy Gertner gave us the rundown on the latest legal headlines, including the Supreme Court’s opinion on student loans, and a case on whether the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is constitutional. Judge Gertner also reflected on a recent Texas judge’s ruling on abortion pills. Gov....

Today on Boston Public Radio: Reuters recently documented 220 instances of death threats and harassment against school board members. We opened the lines to hear thoughts from teachers, students, and everyone in between. Juliette Kayyem discuss her latest column on how Musk destroyed “disaster response Twitter” and clears up the facts surrounding the COVID lab leak theory. She also touched on Murdoch's acknowledgement on Fox News hosts endorsing election fraud lies. Kayyem was former...