Boston Public Radio

As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history enters its fifth week, the future of federal food assistance remains uncertain.

Rev. Irene Monroe said the film, which is about the relationship between a black pianist and his white driver and bodyguard, is overly reliant on the trope of the "white hero."

Poet Richard Blanco highlighted his favorite works by poet Ada Limón, which are united by a common theme of searching for meaning in "seeming oblivion."

Healey said she is “actively reviewing” the existing policies and procedures that surround the reporting of cases of sexual misconduct.

After Barack Obama left Office, Pete Souza made sure he still remained a part of the national dialogue.

Richard Blanco, the nation's fifth inaugural poet, shared poems that seize on the changing of the seasons as an opportunity to reflect on death, rebirth, and the passage of time.

Today:Israel’s war against Hamas rages on in Gaza, while Netanyahu appears emboldened to open a second front on its northern border with Lebanon and Hezbollah. We talk with GBH news analyst Charlie Sennott about the destabilizing Middle East.And, how are the presidential candidates reaching out to Americans of faith? We talk with Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price.

We opened the show by asking listeners what issues matter to them this presidential election. We spoke again to John Deaton, Elizabeth Warren's senate challenger.Then, the GroundTruth Project's Charlie Sennott discussed the escalating war in the Middle East and other world headlines.NYU medical ethicist Art Caplan talked about renewed calls to abolish religious exemptions for school vaccinations and why there's a brain drain at the FDA leading to massive inspection backlogs.There's a bull on the loose on North Attleboro (allegedly) after a herd escape from a rodeo over the weekend. We're obsessed with this story, but don't know why. So we ask listeners to text in with their thoughts. The Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discussed which faith groups are most likely to vote for which candidate, and the outreach each campaign is doing to woo them.We ended the show with a meltdown. Why, even as adults, are we prone to toddler-like outbursts when we get tired?

Today:Saxophonist James Carter is back in town for two shows Saturday night at Scullers Jazz Club. But first, he and his band swing by the BPL.And, Tom Stoppard's Leopoldstadt is on stage now at the Huntington. We speak with director Carey Perloff and actor Rebecca Gibel about the play, about a Jewish family in Vienna at the rise of the 20th century.

People are more stressed than ever. We opened the lines to hear what listeners are stressed over.James Carter performed for Live Music Friday, ahead of his return to Boston this weekend at Scullers. Longtime Boston broadcaster/music critic Steve Elman joined as well. Callie Crossley on Harris/Oprah interview.Director Carey Perloff and actress Rebecca Gibel joined to talk about their work in the Huntington Theatre Company’s production of Leopoldstadt.Corby Kummer broke down some myths and misconceptions about sugar, food waste bans making a difference in Mass., and the hidden environmental cost of food.We ended the show by discussing sparkling vs. still water

Today:Legendary Frontline filmmaker Michael Kirk previews their latest film highlighting “THE CHOICE” voters have between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.And, Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses a murky new pro-business group fighting Massachusetts' high-tax reputation.