Boston Public Radio

James Beard Award cookbook author Grace Young is raising awareness about the struggles facing Chinatown neighborhoods.

Andrea Campbell chose last week the head of her office’s newly created Housing Affordability Unit starting in July, focusing on expanding affordable housing across Massachusetts.

Joe Spaulding, the longtime president and CEO of the Boch Center, first met the theater’s current namesake in the ticket line for a Cat Stevens concert. The rest is history.

But Republican Michael Sullivan, former U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, disagreed: “I felt a great deal of sadness.”

President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers Michael Curry spoke about new COVID-19 variant called FLiRt and the impact on Black and Brown communities who struggle with long COVID.

Katie Theoharides discussed the new parking system at Crane Beach and the impact of climate change on shoreline access.

Ballot question #2 debate: Deb McCarthy, VP of the Mass Teachers Association represents YES on 2; Keri Rodrigues, founder of the National Parents Union.NASA astronaut Sunita Williams joined over Zoom into the show from the International Space StationWe opened the lines to hear from listeners about their opinions on question 2National security expert Juliette Kayyem on FEMA making "operational adjustments" amid threats to rescue and aid workers for hurricanes Helene and MiltonGovernor Maura Healey answered listener questions for Ask The Gov.

Today:We host a debate on Ballot Question 4 - whether to legalize certain psychedelic drugs. Representing Yes on 4: Emily Oneschuck from Massachusetts for Mental Health Options. Representing No on 4: Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, a psychiatrist and researcher specializing in depression and bipolar illness.

Ballot Question #4 debate with Emily Oneschuk, grassroots campaign director for Massachusetts for Mental Health Options, representing YES; and Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, professor of psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center and clinical lecturer at Harvard Medical School, representing NOAttorney General Andrea Campbell spent the hour taking listener questions for Ask The AGCNN's John King discussed the latest national political headlinesWe ended the show discussing Trump's impromptu concert

Today on the podcast: BPR hosts its first of five ballot question debates, starting with Question 5 - to eliminate the tipped minimum wage, and bring tipped workers up to the state minimum wage, currently $15 an hour. Alex Galimberti, organizer for One Fair Wage Massachusetts and a former restaurant worker, argues in favor of eliminating the tipped wage. Opposite Alex, is Doug Bacon, local restaurateur aligned with the Committee to Protect Tips, against changing the tipped wage model.

Our first debate of the week on Question 5 - the minimum wage for tipped workers -- with Alex Galimberti, founder of the organization’s Mass. chapter of One Fair Wage and former restaurant worker representing YES, and Doug Bacon, head of Red Paint Hospitality, on behalf of the Committee to Protect Tips, representing NO.We then opened the lines to hear listener thoughts on Q5.Charlie Sennott of the GroundTruth Project discussed the latest news from the Middle East.Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed Harris' medical report and Vance's high-risk pool health insurance plan.Brooks Tingle, CEO of John Hancock, discussed life insurance and longevity ahead of the second annual John Hancock Longevity SymposiumWe ended the show discussing the companionship of dogs