Episodes
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BPR Full Show 6/30/20: Set Off
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the widespread use of illegal fireworks in Massachusetts, and hear your thoughts on how and whether to address the issue. NBC Sports Boston reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek gave her take on Cam Newton, the prospective new Patriots quarterback, and talked about why she doesn’t expect fans will be able to attend baseball games in 2020, despite Red Sox President Sam Kennedy saying he hopes they’ll be able to. Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther talked about restrictions for traveling in New England, and his experience lodging at a “glamping” resort in the White Mountains. Ahead of Gov. Baker’s press conference, we opened lines to talk with listeners about the latest national headlines. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Tuesday press conference. Suffolk County DA Rachael Rollins called in for our monthly edition of “Ask the DA." -
BPR Full Show 6/29/20: The About-Face of Amazon
Today on Boston Public Radio: Boston Medical Center’s Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett talked about how Massachusetts is faring in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and responded to questions from listeners. We opened lines to talk about Whole Food’s ban on employees wearing Black Matter masks. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung talked about the treatment of workers at Boston's Four Seasons hotel, and the looming evictions for Boston renters hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, talked about the politics behind white depictions of Jesus, and the president’s choice to retweet video of someone shouting “white power” at Black Lives Matter protesters. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about President Trump retweeting video of an apparent white supremacist yelling at Black Lives Matter protesters in Florida. TV expert Bob Thompson reviewed Jon Stewart’s film “Irresistible,” "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am,” and “Disclosure.” -
BPR Full Show 6/26/20: 'Several Drops in the Bucket'
Today on Boston Public Radio: Media maven Sue O’Connell talked about the new tell-all book about the Trump family from the president’s niece, and the decision by the Dixie Chicks to change their name to the Chicks. We opened lines to her listeners' thoughts on the president’s response to the ongoing pandemic. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Friday press conference. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called in for our monthly edition of “Ask the Mayor.” WGBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen reviewed Jon Stewart’s “Irresistible,” and discussed a Provincetown art exhibit honoring the life of local icon and art collector Napi Van Dereck. “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley talked about the real meaning of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On," and a recent string of white celebrities apologizing for their use of blackface. We opened lines to talk with listeners about Vice President Mike Pence’s Friday assertion that the U.S. is making "truly remarkable progress" with COVID-19, despite the current resurgence of cases. -
BPR Full Show 6/25/20: The New School
Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd talked about the rise of coronavirus cases throughout the U.S., and how it’s impacting the president’s poll numbers. We opened lines to talk with listeners about the rise of COVID-19 across the nation, and hear your thoughts on the state’s reopening. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral talked about a recent Boston Globe profile of BPD Captain John "Jack” Danilecki, and her views on corruption within AG William Barr’s Department of Justice. We reopened lines to talk with listeners about coronavirus. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Thursday press conference. Former Mass. Secretary of Education Paul Reville talked about the new guidelines for the reopening of schools in Massachusetts. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed questionable use of face recognition technology by Detroit law enforcement, and news that Rhode Island is using remote learning to ditch snow days altogether. Huntington Theater Managing Director Michael Maso discussed news that the Huntington is cancelling all in-person programs until 2021, and how the Black Lives Matter movement is influencing changes at the theater. -
Corby Kummer: ‘Life is Actually Going to Be Better Without Buffets’
Three months into the coronavirus pandemic, it’s time to face the hard truth: now is not the best time for America’s buffets. With cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise across the country, the buffet’s communal eating factor has made it unlikely that people will want to return any time soon. Food writer Corby Kummer, however, says that might not be the worst thing in the world. The award-winning writer and senior editor at The Atlantic returned to Boston Public Radio on Thursday, where he reflected on why it’s probably for the best that Americans aren’t being tempted by the allure of the hot bar. The first upside Kummer gave (aside from the obvious) was cost. “Paying by the pound,” he said, is "always more expensive than just buying and making the food yourself.” Also on the table is the over-eating factor. “It’s this whole idea that you’re pulling a fast one at a buffet,” he said. "You’re getting a lot of food for nothing. Somehow, when nobody’s looking, you’re going and you’re getting another portion– and nobody ever offers you another portion.” "It’s gonna result in better portion control. Life is actually going to be better without buffets,” he said. But while Americans taking the pandemic seriously are unlikely to return to buffet lines any time soon, Kummer said it’s probably inevitable that they’ll return, in some form or another. "They’re more economical for the hotels and restaurants. If you think you’re pulling a fast one and getting a bargain whereas they are making more money, they’ll come back,” he said. -
BPR Full Show 6/24/20: Polls & Pols
Today on Boston Public Radio: WGBH News reporter Adam Reilly discussed new polling from WGBH, in partnership with the Boston Globe, MassLive, State House News Service, and Suffolk University, about the attitudes of Mass. residents towards police reform and the state’s reopening. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the findings from the newly released polling. Rep. Joe Kennedy called in to discuss his issues with the president’s handling of COVID-19, and how he believes the federal government needs to address racism and police brutality. Jim and Margery made their pitch for donations to WGBH, as part of Wednesday’s single-day pledge drive. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Wednesday press conference, where he discussed the conclusions of the official report on malpractice at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Medical ethicist Art Caplan explained why he doesn’t expect a readily available COVID-19 vaccine in 2020, and discussed whether the MLB will be able to mitigate coronavirus transmissions in their 2020 season. We reopened our lines to continue the conversation about Black Lives Matter and police reform in Massachusetts. -
BPR Full Show 6/23/20: Milton's Lesson
Today on Boston Public Radio: We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Tuesday press conference. We opened lines to talk with listeners about your experiences with racism in the classroom. Mass. AG Maura Healey called in for our monthly edition of “Ask the AG." FRONTLINE producer and director Tom Jennings discussed his latest documentary, “Opioids, Inc.” CNN’s John King talked about Tuesday’s primary elections, and broke down the latest Washington headlines. We opened lines to ask listeners: with Summer nearly in full swing, are you pining for baseball’s return? -
BPR Full Show 6/22/20: Love Thy Neighbor
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: are you ready for Massachusetts to enter the next phase of reopening? TV expert Bob Thompson talked about the Juneteenth special of “Sherman’s Showcase,” and broke down the best and the worst of what’s on TV. WGBH News analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed the recent UN resolution on systemic racism, and American exceptionalism in the age of COVID-19. Boston Public Library President David Leonard spoke about the library system’s “BPL to Go” program, which launches this week. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, talked about the controversy surrounding a Milton middle school’s response to classroom discussions about police brutality, and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross’ meeting last week with AG William Barr. Poet Richard Blanco read and discussed “Let There Be Pride,” a poem he wrote for Sam Adams as part of their “Love Conquers All” campaign for Pride Month. We opened our lines to ask listeners: has lockdown has brought you closer to your neighbors? -
BPR Full Show 6/19/20: Freedom, Liberation, Jubilee
Today on Boston Public Radio: CNN analyst and national security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the Supreme Court’s ruling on DACA, and why she thinks Trump’s Tulsa rally could get cancelled. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed the Supreme Court’s ruling on LGBT discrimination in the workplace, and commemorated the passing of Jean Kennedy Smith. Beat the Press host Emily Rooney discussed Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s public withdrawal from Joe Biden’s VP pool, and defended her disdain for monuments and memorials. We aired live audio from Gov. Baker’s Friday press conference. We opened lines to hear your thoughts on Gov. Baker’s announcement that Massachusetts will move into the next phase of reopening on Monday. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley talked about the legacy of Juneteenth, and discussed new accusations that the Atlanta police officer who killed Rayshard Brooks of covering up the 2015 killing of Jackie Harris. -
BPR Full Show 6/18/20: The Podcast Where It Happened
Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed the political ramifications of former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s new book, and the president’s upcoming indoor rally in Tulsa, Okla. We opened lines to talk with listeners about the rise of COVID-19 in states outside of New England. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the current BPD payroll, and her thoughts on Gov. Charlie Baker’s police reform proposals. Andrew Bacevich, a former army colonel and President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, discussed his writing for The New Republic on how the U.S. fetishizes war. Travel guru Rick Steves discussed his new documentary, “The Story of Fascism in Europe,” and the parallels between the Trump Administration and the rise of fascism in 20th century Europe. AG Maura Healey called in to discuss the Supreme Court’s Thursday decision to uphold the DACA program. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam talked about his writing on the “better angels” of America, and the appearance of several lion's man jellyfish off the coast of Massachusetts.
