Boston Public Radio

Michael Curry, a member of Gov. Charlie Baker's COVID-19 Advisory Group, spoke about the state's vaccine equity gap.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops lobbied against the bill because it included resources for the LGBTQ community.

Two mass shootings in one week have gun control advocates wondering whether legislation will ever be enacted.

"We have the capacity to force a vote, and I think it’s time we do that," the Massachusetts senator said.

The governor acknowledged criticism from lawmakers but insisted the current mix of state and local efforts is most effective.

Students and advocates are calling on Harvard University to acknowledge its role in slavery and offer reparations.

Today on Boston Public Radio: David Leonard joined the show to talk about book-banning attempts across the country. Leonard has been president of the Boston Public Library since 2016. We opened our phone lines and heard from listeners about their thoughts on former President Donald Trump’s new line of NFTs — like this one that imagines him dressed as a wrestler, going for $99. Callie Crossley discussed Harvard’s new president Claudine Gay, a settlement for Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend and more. Crossley is the host of GBH’s Basic Black and Under the Radar with Callie Crossley. Tony Williams and Khalid Hill from “Urban Nutcracker” joined the show to talk about the 2022 edition of their show and gave us a very special tap-dancing performance. The show runs from December 17th to the 23rd at the Shubert Theatre in Boston. Sue O’Connell dug into the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act by President Joe Biden, a hot-mic moment for New Zealand’s prime minister and more. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, and contributor to Current on NBC LX and NECN. The Handel and Haydn Society joined us for this week’s edition of Live Music Fridays. The Handel and Hayden Society will be performing “A Baroque Christmas” this weekend. We ended the show by talking with listeners about re-gifting.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about getting to know your neighbors. Shirley Leung talked about the housing groups calling for $3.2 billion in aid for Mass. renters, and concern over sports betting at Plainridge Park Casino due to the casino’s connection with Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy. Leung is a business columnist for The Boston Globe. Andrea Cabral discussed Jack Smith’s appointment to special counsel for the Department of Justice’s investigations into former President Donald Trump. She also talked about FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s recent arrest in the Bahamas. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and the former secretary of public safety. Jared Bowen shared his latest local arts and cultural rundown, focusing on “Torch Song” at The Moonbox Theatre and “Life of Pi,” adapted for Broadway. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor. Brian and Lindsay O’Donovan, Jenna Worden, and Karan Casey joined us to discuss this year’s “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn.” Brian O’Donovan and wife Lindsay O’Donovan, artistic director Jenna Worden, and vocalist Karan Casey are in this year’s “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn.” For more information and to get tickets, go to ChristmasCeltic.com. We ended the show by talking with listeners about where they’re shopping for holiday presents.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about the debate over Christmas trees in public spaces. Jon Abbott weighed in on the future of public media as his tenure at GBH comes to a close. Abbott is GBH’s outgoing President and CEO. Sen. Ed Markey discussed the need for stronger tech regulations, and Congress’ omnibus spending bill. Michelle Singletary explained how listeners can manage gift-giving expectations when they’re in debt. Singletary is a nationally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post, whose award-winning column, "The Color of Money," provides insight into the world of personal finance. Her latest book is: “What To Do With Your Money When Crisis Hits: A Survival Guide.” Art Caplan talked about the military’s vaccine mandate rollback, and a recent survey on physicians’ attitudes towards treating anti-vaxxers. Caplan is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City. Andy Ihnatko shared his thoughts on the new AI chatbot, Chat GPT. Ihnatko is a tech writer, blogger and podcaster. We ended the show by asking listeners if rising prices are causing them to ask friends to split dinner bills.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our show with a call-in segment, asking listeners about their thoughts regarding the recent spike in COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases, and if they are choosing to mask again. Nancy Gertner discussed the latest news coming out of the U.S. Supreme Court and former President Donald Trump’s legal woes. Gertner is a retired federal judge and a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School. Trenni Casey joined the show to talk about the sudden death of American journalist Grant Wahl in Qatar, and the return of Brittney Griner from Russia. Casey is a sports anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined us for this month's edition of “Ask the Mayor.” She fielded questions from listeners at home and members of the audience at the Boston Public Library. Wu has been the mayor of Boston since her election in 2021. Comedian Chris Fleming joined the show ahead of his performance at the Wilbur on Dec. 17. We closed the show with Jim and Jared's thoughts regarding house guests, both how they deal with them and sharing their own stories of being guests.

Local restaurateur Garrett Harker announced the return of long-beloved Boston restaurant Eastern Standard in 2023, just down the street from the original restaurant. The famous Kenmore Square establishment — along with Harker’s Island Creek Oyster Bar, and Hawthorne — shuttered in 2021 after negotiations with their landlord fell through. “This is just fantastic news,” award-winning food writer Corby Kummer told Boston Public Radio on Monday, “But what’s great about Eastern Standard is you could go at any time with any mix of people, and having restaurants creates that sort of equalizing effect in a city, from the most elite, rich people to families just out for a really good time.” Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.