Boston Public Radio

Pope Francis appoints first Black Cardinal and expresses support for gay rights — but is it just "lip service"?

The former Suffolk County said U.S. democracy as we know it will "cease to exist" if President Trump wins a second term.

Larry Calderone, president of Boston’s Police Patrolmen’s Association, weighed in on a range of reform proposals.

Barrett's vague response to what she's done to educate herself on racism was embarrassing and harmful, the Revs say.

Whitehouse detailed a 'court-capture machinery' to sway court rulings along partisan lines.

The Boston University law professor talked about his time standing vigil by the casket of Justice Ginsburg, and spoke on the expected appointment of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to his former boss' vacant Supreme Court seat.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: as Congress quarrels about further coronavirus relief, how are you coping with the economic stress of the pandemic? NBC Sports Boston reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek talked about the status of college football, and how Boston’s sports teams are faring with their respective returns. Journalist Oscar Guerra discussed his new documentary for FRONTLINE, “Love, Life & the Virus.” Ali Noorani, Executive Director for the National Immigration Forum, talked about unique economic burdens for immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent polling of American attitudes around immigration. Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther talked about what he thinks it’s going to take for Americans to feel comfortable flying again, and his recent experience navigating COVID requirements to vacation with his parents in Maine. CNN’s John King discussed the dysfunction in Washington over more coronavirus relief, and President Trump’s call to bring back college football. We opened lines to talk with listeners about your experiences traveling during the summer of COVID.

Today on Boston Public Radio: CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed the U.S.’ passing of 5 million coronavirus cases, and a new report from American intelligence about Russian meddling in the 2020 election. We opened lines to talk with listeners about the Trump administration’s escalating attacks on the U.S. Postal Service. Politico’s Stephanie Murray broke the latest news around the Mass. Senate race., and a recent scandal for congressional challenger Alex Morse. TV expert Bob Thompson reviewed the miniseries “Upright”, Disney Plus' “Howard,” and the TV remake of “The Fugitive.” Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, talked about words with racist origins that we still use, and a disconnect within the Catholic Church around the Black Lives Matter movement. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko recapped cybersecurity news from last week's Black Hat security conference, and discussed President Trump’s attempt to ban U.S. companies from working with Tik Tok and WeChat. Poet Richard Blanco called in for our monthly edition of “The Village Voice,” where he talked about the poet Dorianne Laux, and read some of her work.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with listeners about your thoughts on the return to colleges and universities in the fall. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the restaurant industry’s reckoning around toxic workplace culture, and a commemorative feast at a Michigan prison to celebrate the life of George Floyd. Beat the Press host Emily Rooney discussed a Georgia High School suspending students for sharing photos of crowded hallways, and read her list of fixations and fulminations. Nia Grace, owner of Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen and co-founder of the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition, discussed Boston's Black Restaurant Month, and talked about how Darryl’s is holding up through the pandemic. Media maven Sue O’Connell talked about President Trump’s claim that Joe Biden is “anti-god,” and reflected on worries about the efficiency of the USPS ahead of the November election. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed major conflicts of interest for the president of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and her recent endorsement of Jesse Mermell to fill Rep. Joe Kennedy’s vacant congressional seat. We opened lines to talk with listeners about how you're supporting local businesses through the pandemic.

Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio on Friday about an innmate at the Muskegon Correctional Facility in Michigan who organized a special meal to honor the life of George Floyd. "This innmate decided as a tribute, and sign of solidarity to George Floyd, to gather together other prisoners who had the liberty to use plastic knives, and have a memorial tribute lunch, which took weeks of meticulous planning," he said. Kummer is a *senior editor at The Atlantic*, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: The Greater Boston Food Bank’s Catherine D’Amato talked about the state’s new “Breakfast After the Bell” program, and other ways Mass. is addressing food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about your feelings around school reopening and distance learning. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley discussed a handful of obituaries for victims of COVID-19 that place blame on the government’s pandemic response, and news that Trader Joe's is sticking with their ethnically insensitive branding. We aired our October interview with Susan Rice, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., where she discussed her book “Tough Love,” and spoke on the presidential campaign of Joe Biden. Former Mass. Education Secretary Paul Reville talked about the confusion around how Mass. K-12 schools are going to operate in the fall. We opened lines to ask listeners: with COVID-19 cases beginning to climb, should we consider scaling back reopening in Mass.? Travel guru Rick Steves talked about employing the “traveler’s mindset” while stuck at home, and the importance of positive serendipity as a traveler.