Episodes
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BPR Full Show 7/23/20: Stuck in the Weeds
Today on Boston Public Radio: Mass. Cannabis Commission Control Commission Chairman Steve Hoffman and Commissioner Shaleen Title discussed the bureaucratic hurdles keeping Black-owned cannabis shops from getting off the ground, four years after marijuana legalization in Mass. We opened lines to hear your thoughts on the years-long delay of the Mass. legislature in getting Black-owned marijuana businesses off the ground. Ali Noorani, Executive Director for the National Immigration Forum, talked about news of ICE’s concealment of a COVID-19 outbreak at one of their detention centers, and weighed the President’s authority to restrict whether undocumented immigrants get counted in the 2020 census. WGBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen talked about the reopening of Boston’s museums, and new art from local muralist Rob Gibbs and photographer Raina Matar. Former Mass. Education Secretary Paul Reville discussed new guidelines for school reopening in Mass., and offered his take on pushback to school reform from BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. Congressman Joe Kennedy discussed the Senate’s lack of a COVID-19 relief bill, which was expected today, and offered his thoughts on police reform and term limits for Supreme Court justices. We opened lines to talk with listeners about a new Mass. law allowing bars to offer to-go cocktails. -
BPR Full Show 7/22/20: 'Until Further Notice, Wear A Damn Mask'
Today on Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan recapped the president’s Tuesday night reprise of coronavirus briefings, and offered his take on the anxieties around a rushed COVID-19 vaccine. We opened lines to talk with listeners about Gov. Charlie Baker’s extension of the state’s eviction moratorium. CNN analyst and national security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the deployment of militarized federal troops in Portland, Ore., and talked about the various groups raising doubt over the effectiveness of a rushed COVID-19 vaccine. Boston Police sergeant and Mass. Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers President Eddie Chrispin offered his take on the current legislation to address policing in Mass., and why he believes police officers ought to have more input on reform. Mass. Attorney General Maura Healey discussed the state's extension of the eviction moratorium, and responded to listeners' questions and comments as part of our monthly “Ask the AG” segment. -
BPR Full Show 7/21/20: The Election Question
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: do you have concerns about the prospect of a “warp speed” coronavirus vaccine? NBC Sports Boston reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek talked about San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler’s decision to kneel during the National Anthem at a Monday night game, and the latest headlines around how sports leagues are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Journalist Daffodil Altan talked about her latest project for FRONTLINE, a documentary titled “COVID’s Hidden Toll,” that reckons with the treatment of meat packing industry and farm workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Charles Stewart III, Kenan Sahin Distinguished Professor of Political Science at MIT, discussed mail-in voting preparedness and other election security questions ahead of the November election. Bay State Banner Senior Editor Yawu Miller talked about the state of Mass. police reform, and recounted his experience being questioned by Boston Police officers while reporting on Boston Police. CNN’s John King talked about the president’s return to coronavirus press briefings, and other national headlines. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about your expectations for the president reprisal of the coronavirus press briefings. -
BPR Full Show 7/20/20: An Elephant in the Room
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask callers: why do you think Americans aren’t taking to the streets over the 140,000 coronavirus deaths in the U.S.? Litigator Kevin O’Connor talked politics, and his campaign for Sen. Ed Markey's Senate seat on the Republican ticket. Dr. Katherine Dallow, Vice President of Clinical Programs and Strategy at Blue Cross Blue Shield, spoke about the state of COVID-19 in Mass., and responded to questions from callers. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, reflected on the legacy of Rep. John Lewis, and C.T. Vivian, who both died last week. TV expert Bob Thompson reviewed the season six premiere of W. Kamau Bell’s “United Shades of America,” and explained why NBC affiliate stations opted out of airing the “30 Rock" reunion special. With the launch of NBC’s Peacock streaming service, we opened our lines to ask listeners: do you feel overwhelmed with the number of options for watching TV? -
BPR Full Show 7/17/20: 'A Big Ol' Concern'
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: are you hesitant about the return to physical classrooms in the fall? Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed the influence of Gov. Charlie Baker on the Mass. Supreme Judicial Court, and the dire need for housing assistance ahead of the August 18 eviction moratorium lift. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley talked about hurdles with the current mail-in voting system, and renewed efforts to bring justice to family of DJ Henry, an Easton teenager who was killed by police in New York in 2010. We opened the lines to talk with listeners about your thoughts on mail-in voting ahead of the November election. Christopher Wilkins, Music Director of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, talked about their online Summer concert series, and why the orchestra is highlighting works by Black American composers. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called in for our monthly edition of “Ask the Mayor.” -
BPR Full Show 7/16/20: 'Naked With a Bunch of Finns'
Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd broke down the latest headlines around the coronavirus pandemic and the November election. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the Supreme Court’s Monday ruling on federal executions, and a Michigan teenager sent to juvenile detention for falling behind on her homework. Ahead of the governor’s press conference, we opened lines to ask listeners: should Mass. schools with Native American mascots follow the example of Washington's football team and adapt to the times? We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Thursday press conference. Travel guru Rick Steves talked about the E.U.’s ban on travelers from the U.S., and offered some of his cures for travel withdrawal. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko talked about a wide-scale Twitter hack that took place Wednesday night, and news that certain MacBook camera covers are cracking screens. We reopened our lines to continue the conversation with listeners about racist school mascots, and whether Mass. should reconsider its state flag. Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu talked about staggering racial disparities in Boston’s COVID contracts, and discussed the importance of maintaining public pressure in order to manifest systemic change in the city. -
BPR Full Show 7/15/20: Tax Day in July
Today on Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan talked about news of a promising COVID-19 vaccine from Cambridge-based Moderna Therapeutics, and his prescient writing in 2016 on "The End of Civilization and the Real Donald Trump.” MIT economist Jon Gruber talked about President Trump’s attempts to limit immigration during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighted all the ways that immigrants fuel the U.S. economy. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem talked about the surge of COVID-19 across the U.S., and the ongoing question of how to safely reopen schools. Mass. Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz broke down a new police reform bill, which passed in the state Senate early Tuesday morning. In light of tax day, we opened lines to ask listeners: has the COVID-19 pandemic made you more or less likely to skirt the rules when filing? Journalist and naturalist Sy Montgomery called in to talk about the reopening of the New England Aquarium, and how to tell if your dog is suffering from heat stroke. -
BPR Full Show 7/14/20: Tote the Line
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: should society be more forgiving to people with criminal records? NBC Sports Boston reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek talked about challenges for fitness studios trying to reopen, and how Boston’s sports teams are faring as they work to sort out their upcoming seasons. Sen. Ed Markey called in to discuss the possibility of more federal aid for struggling families and businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and offer his take on who bears responsibility for deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Former Secretary of Transportation Jim Aloisi talked about the likelihood that Mass. legislators will enact the gas tax, and challenges with getting commuters to return to the T. Food writer Corby Kummer talked about public blowback to Goya president Robert Unanue's remarks in praise of Donald Trump, and new economic pressures on independent restaurants sorting out how to reopen safely. CNN’s John King discussed the latest political headlines, from updates on the President’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, to news that the GOP convention in Jacksonville, Fla., will be held outside. We open lines to ask listeners: are you excited to use your reusable tote bags in grocery stores again? -
Corby Kummer On The Boycott Against Goya Foods
Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio on Tuesday about the boycott against Goya Foods, after the company's CEO, Robert Unanue, praised President Donald Trump last week. "If indeed Goya sales drop, not just for two weeks but for a couple of months, marketers are going to pay a lot of attention and be a lot more careful about their messaging," Kummer said. Kummer is a senior editor at The Atlantic, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy. -
BPR Full Show 7/13/20: 'Bling Bling Theology'
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: how much harm do you think President Trump is doing by sidelining Anthony Fauci? Massachusetts Education Commissioner Jeff Riley and MGH infectious disease specialist Dr. Sandra Nelson weighed the various approaches for reopening Massachusetts schools. WGBH News analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott talked about Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and explained the controversy behind Turkish President Recap Tayyip Eddogan’s decision to convert the historic Hagia Sophia back into a mosque. TV expert Bob Thompson talked about Colin Kaeperinck’s deal with Disney, and reviewed “Elvis from Outer Space." Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, discussed Kanye West’s bid for President, and why U.S. school curriculums have done such a poor job of teaching the history of American racism. “Make Way for Ducklings” sculptor Nancy Schon discussed her latest work, a memorial to the COVID-19 pandemic, and talked about the role of politics in art. We opened lines to ask: do you think the pandemic is bringing out the best in humanity, or the worst in humanity?
