Boston Public Radio

As the novel coronavirus responsible for the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to spread, there is a growing chorus of people calling for the release of prisoners who either no longer pose a threat to society or committed nonviolent offenses and are vulnerable to fatally contracting the disease

Members of the House are expected to vote Thursday on a $2.2 trillion economic relief bill to mitigate financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The "Meet the Press" moderator also defended former Vice President Joe Biden's limited public response to the pandemic.

Sports reporter Trenni Kusnierek says that Brady is promoting dangerous advertising during the coronavirus pandemic.

Former education secretary says state education officials need to make determinations about learning requirements as school shifts online.

In response to the outbreak, MassInc conducted a tracking poll, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, to gauge public sentiment about COVID-19 within Massachusetts.

Today:Looking for the best bottle to bring to that family or office holiday party? TJ and Hadley Douglas of The Urban Grape have you covered. And, through December 29th, Boston audiences have a chance to see SIX on its North American tour, at the Emerson Colonial Theater through Broadway in Boston. We’ll talk with the women playing Catherine of Aragon & the notorious Anne Boleyn.

We start the show by asking listeners whether they are making big purchases in expectation of Trump tariffs in 2025. TJ and Hadley Douglas of Urban Grape join us for a holiday wine tasting, and to discuss how American wine producers could be impacted by the tariffs.NBC Boston's Sue O'Connell discusses the two men arrested for flying a drone near Logan, Trump considering a pardon for Eric Adams and the fate of TikTok.Carol Rose of the ACLU of Massachusetts discusses the DOJ's report on Worcester police and data privacy legislation proposed by Sen. Warren that aligns with the ACLU's work to pass the Location Shield Act.Two of Henry VIII's wives join us, Anne Boleyn (Gaby Albo) and Catherine of Aragon (Chani Maisonet), from the Boston cast of SIX.Then, we ask whether gift cards are ever acceptable as holiday gifts.

Today:We talk with one of the legislators – State Senator Nick Collins – who led the charge to defeat Boston Mayor Wu’s plan to shift the tax burden towards commercial properties in the city.And, states don’t have to give into anticipatory obedience on everything Trump will try to rollback – We talk with Terri Gerstein of NYU's Wagner Labor Institute and Paul Sonn of the National Employment Law Project, who say states can and should act now to shore up worker protections ahead of Jan. 20.

South Boston Senator Nick Collins discusses the demise of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's proposed tax shift plan that would have helped Boston homeowners.ABC News just agreed to give $15 million to Donald Trump's presidential library fund to settle a lawsuit. We open the phone lines to get your thoughts on whether legacy media can be trusted to hold "Truth to Trump" in his second term. Terri Gerstein of NYU Wagner Labor Initiative and Paul Sonn of the National Employment Law Project share what states can do before Jan. 20 to ensure labor protections under another Trump era.Ilan Stavans of Amherst College discusses the very-much-alive Yiddish language and what Democrats always miss about immigration. Plus, a few Hanukkah recipes from his book "Sabor Judio."Charlie Sennott of the GroundTruth Project gives a round-up of the world news: France's government crisis, the rebel government in Syria, South Korea's impeachment and Ukraine's plea to Donald Trump.We ask listeners what tattoo Jim should get, now that he's decided 70-something is the perfect age get inked for the first time.Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther discusses the holidays in Iceland and a magical airport in Singapore.We finish with another BPR moldy chestnut: holiday tipping. Yea or nay?

Funny Uncle Cabaret is a years-long tradition over at the Cambridge Dance Complex, a colorful & glamorous meditation on found families during the holidays. We heard from founder Peter DiMuro, singer Robert McFletcher Jones, and drag star Mizery McRae.Callie Crossley reflected on the passing of Nikki Giovanni… also weighs in on Zuckerberg & Bezos kissing Trump’s ring, Jay-Z allegations, and the LA Times owner weighing in on their opinion coverage.Clementina Chery discussed leading the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, celebrating 30 years working towards a gun violence-free Boston. Sy Montgomery on the world’s oldest known bird giving birth at 74. Also, moths communicating with plants, and the cruisin’ rats of Richmond.