Episodes
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BPR Full Show 01/31: Jazz, Scratch Tickets and Frozen Peas
Zishi Liu is a Chinese-born saxophone player inspired by Western greats like John Coltrane and Kenny G. He’s performing a unique Chinese-infused jazz with his band on Saturday at the Charles Hotel Regattabar. He joins us first for Live Music Friday.Ian Coss is host and producer of the GBH podcast The Big Dig. He’s back with another podcast series about the wildly successful Mass. Lottery called "Scratch and Win." He joins alongside Dawn Hayes, longtime lottery presenter for WBZ.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett talks bird flu, a new framework for defining obesity and RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearing. The NAACP's Michael Curry talks about what the federal funding freeze means for local health centers, Trump blaming “DEI” for Wednesday’s deadly plane crash, and a new study showing Black men are being hit disproportionally hard by the opioid crisis. -
Introducing Scratch & Win Part 1: The Instant Ticket
The mob once controlled America's gambling empire. Until the government saw the money flowing and decided: they wanted a piece of the action. What happened next was more than a turf war. It was a battle between street corner bookies and bureaucrats in suits. And at the center of it all: one state lottery that would change gambling forever by inventing something we all know: the scratch ticket. Introducing “Scratch & Win” – the true story of how the government got into the gambling business. The new 8-part series is made by the Peabody Award-winning team behind “The Big Dig” and produced by GBH News.This is Part 1: The Instant Ticket. It’s 1974, illegal bookies are everywhere and the brand new state lottery is struggling to compete. But a simple piece of paper is about to change the game forever: the nation’s first scratch ticket. New episodes drop every Wednesday. ---------------------------Credits:Host and scriptwriter: Ian CossExecutive Producer: Devin Maverick RobinsProducers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian CossStory Editor: Lacy RobertsEditorial Advisor: Jen McKimFact Checkers: Ryan Alderman and Isabel HibbardScoring and Music Supervision: Ian CossGraphic Design: Bill MillerProject Manager: Meiqian He -
Best Of BPR 1/30: Rep. Pressley Says Stop Normalizing The Abnormal & NOVA Asks "What Are UFOs"
Today:U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley has strong words for RFK Jr., the Republicans supporting him, and Trump himself -- who just this morning blamed diversity and equity initiatives for a tragic plane crash that killed more than 60 people in D.C. last night.And, NOVA filmmaker Terri Randall joins us with former Naval pilot Ryan Graves -- the first active duty pilot to come forward about frequent UFO sightings -- to discuss NOVA's latest film, "What Are UFOs?" -
BPR Full Show 01/30: The Doggler
Rep. Ayanna Pressley reacts to Trump-caused chaos, Democratic resistance and the deadly plane crash in Washington, DC. Former public safety secretary Andrea Cabral helps make sense of what’s going on behind the scenes with the Trump administration freezing (and unfreezing) federal funds. She also discusses a new case before SCOTUS that would allow the government to create publicly-funded religious schools.Boston Globe columnist Marcela Garcia discusses her reporting on local ICE raids, and offers thoughts on the future of TikTok, where her two dogs have over 100k followers.Filmmaker Terri Randall & Former Lt. U.S. Navy pilot Ryan Graves on the new PBS NOVA documentary “What Are UFO’s?” -
Best Of BPR 1/29: Highlighting Some Lesser Known Grammy-Nominated Artists
Today:We reconvene our music panelists ahead of Sunday’s Grammy Awards. Almost everybody knows about Beyonce and Sabrina Carpenter, but with help from CRB’s Brian McCreath, Berklee’s Emmett G. Price III, and GBH’s James Bennett II, we hear about some nominees you may have missed. -
BPR Full Show 1/29: The Federal Freeze
Jared Bowen on the Mona Lisa getting her own room at the LouvreJuliette Kayyem discussed the chaos from Trump's order to pause federal spendingBoston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed Lunar New YearBrian McCreath, Emmett Price III, and James Bennett II did a deep dive into this year's Grammy nominated artists. -
Best Of BPR 1/28: Trump's Governance By Sharpie & The Price Of Eggs
Today:Andrea Cabral fills in for Margery. We talk with CNN chief national correspondent John King about Trump’s whirlwind 8 days in office. He’s pardoned January 6 rioters, banned transgender people from serving in the military, and pressed pause on all federal loans – too busy to bring prices down though.Then, we open the lines for more egg talk: From bird flu to Trump-o-nomics – prices are up and supply is down. -
BPR Full Show 01/28: Double Clam Chowder
NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey on the upcoming Super Bowl, a new TGL golf league in Boston, and huge crowds at the women's Beanpot series. Roger Berkowitz, former CEO of Legal Seafoods, now Roger's Fish Co., brings some chowder to the BPL and talks about the seafood industry in New England and fishermen's reaction to Trump.Boston Globe political reporters Samantha Gross and Matt Stout on their recent stories about Healey's budget, immigration and takeaways from their 'State Secrets' series. CNN national political correspondent John King on Trump's continued division of Americans post-election. -
BPR Full Show 1/27: January Ask the Mayor
Brian McGrory, head of journalism at BU, on the first week of the Trump Era.Mayor Michelle Wu took listener questions and talked about her new opponent.We re-aired our conversation with Globe writer Billy Baker about the importance of maintaining friendships as you age.Corby Kummer discussed the fear in the restaurant industry as Trump comes into power and threatens deportations; and bird flu in Mass. -
Best Of BPR 1/27: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu On Immigration Raids, Tax Rates, And Josh Kraft
Today: Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung fills in for Margery.She and Jim talk with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for an abbreviated Ask The Mayor on January 27, 2025.
