Boston Public Radio

Boston Medical Center's vice chair of primary care innovation and transformation discussed all the latest news regarding coronavirus in Massachusetts.

What will this year's Emmy Awards look like, amid the pandemic?

Rep. Val Demings would be a top choice for Biden, the Revs say.

As coronavirus cases increase in Massachusetts, one city is pausing further reopening.

All election scenarios played out by the Transition Integrity Project resulted in 'a giant mess.'

The media maven said she’s worried students won’t have the infrastructure and support many rely on, should schools remain closed in the fall.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the state legislature looking at allowing driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. Art Caplan talks about the International Olympic Committee’s handling of figure skater Kamila Valieva testing positive for banned substances. He also shares his thoughts on whether COVID-19 has become an endemic, rather than a pandemic. 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. Juliette Kayyem updates us on the latest news from Russia’s potential invasion of Ukraine, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s response to the “Freedom Convoy” in Ottawa. Kayyem is former assistant secretary for homeland security under President Barack Obama, and the faculty chair of the homeland-security program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Her forthcoming book is: “The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters.” Shirley Leung discusses the state’s overpayment of pandemic unemployment assistance, and weighs in on Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Mayor Michelle Wu joins us for “Ask the Mayor,” answering listeners’ questions and calls on fare-free public transit, COVID-19 precautions in the city, and how rising sea levels could impact Boston.

Today on Boston Public Library: We begin the show by opening phone lines, asking listeners about whether they’re returning to pre-pandemic activities as COVID-19 cases wind down. Trenni Kusnierek shares her thoughts on the International Olympic Committee allowing Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva to continue competing despite testing positive for banned substances. She also discusses Roger Goodell’s recent statement on diversity in the NFL. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Stacy Thompson and Jim Aloisi discusses Mayor Michelle Wu’s announcement of a two-year, fare-free program for MBTA bus routes 23, 28, and 29 beginning March 1, 2022, and how the program relates to Mayor Wu’s mission to make the T free. Aloisi is the former Massachusetts transportation secretary, a member of the Transit Matters board and contributor to Commonwealth Magazine. Thompson is executive director of Livable Streets. Carol Greenwald talks about the end of “Arthur” after 25 years on-air. Greenwald is executive producer of Arthur, and has been since the beginning of the show. Rep. Katherine Clark discusses threats to Roe v. Wade, and state and federal authorities attempting to get back at least $2.7 billion in unemployment payments they accidentally overpaid people during the pandemic. Rep. Katherine Clark is assistant Speaker of the House. John King updates us on the latest political headlines, from Russia’s potential invasion of Ukraine to the state of inflation. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. We wrap up the show by talking with listeners about whether they enjoy being late to things.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Dr. Katherine Gergen-Barnett takes questions from listeners on the latest mask guidance from the state, when to replace your mask, the importance of booster shots and more. Gergen-Barnett teaches in the family medicine department at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School. Meredith Goldstein gives out Valentine’s Day advice and takes listener calls on all things love. Goldstein is an advice columnist and features writer for the Boston Globe. Her advice column, “Love Letters,” is a daily dispatch of wisdom for the lovelorn that has been running for more than a decade. She also hosts the “Love Letters” podcast. Richard Blanco reads his favorite love poems, including his poem “Killing Mark,” his poem “Maybe” and “You Are Who I Love” by Aracelis Girmay. He’s the fifth presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history. His latest book, “How to Love a Country,” deals with various socio-political issues that shadow the United States. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III debrief last night’s Super Bowl and the halftime show. Rev. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist and the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail. Rev. Price is founding pastor of Community of Love Christian Fellowship in Allston and the Inaugural Dean of Africana Studies at Berklee College of Music. Together they host the All Rev’d Up podcast at GBH. Paris Alston and Jeremy Siegel introduce themselves as the new hosts of Morning Edition, and talk through this morning’s headlines. Alston and Siegal are the new co-hosts of GBH’s Morning Edition, which you can catch every weekday from 5 until 10 AM. We end the show by asking listeners if they think playing sports can make you a better person.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on newly released details about former President Donald Trump’s toilet habits, including that he clogged White House toilets by trying to flush documents. Judge Nancy Gertner discusses Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins’ comments about Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and the death penalty, and the ethics of the Supreme Court. Judge Gertner is a retired U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court here in Massachusetts. She’s currently a Senior Lecturer on Law at Harvard University. Callie Crossley talks about a bipartisan bill passed by Congress strengthening protections for victims of sexual misconduct, the Obama Portraits headed to the MFA and research showing homes on streets named after Confederate leaders are valued lower than homes on other streets. She’s currently a Senior Lecturer on Law at Harvard University. Matt Gilbert rounds up the best in television, including “Maid,” “A Teacher,” “Unorthodox,” “Normal People” and “Inventing Anna.” Gilbert is the TV critic for The Boston Globe. Rick Steves updates listeners on his latest travels, including romantic spots in Europe and why he loves Istanbul. Steves is an author, television and radio host and the owner of the Rick Steves’ Europe tour group. You can catch his television show, “Rick Steves’ Europe,” weeknights at 7:30 p.m. on GBH 2 and his radio show, “Travel With Rick Steves,” Sundays at 4 p.m. on GBH. Sue O’Connell weighs in on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ new “Don’t Say Gay” law banning teachers from discussing sexuality and queerness in schools and Dolly Parton paying tuition costs her employees. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the South End News, as well as NECN's political commentator and explainer-in-chief. We end the show by asking listeners their plans for the Super Bowl.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they’re coping with the high levels of inflation. Paul Reville weighs in on Governor Charlie Baker’s decision yesterday to end mandatory masking in schools, and Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announcing her resignation. Reville is the former Massachusetts secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also heads the Education Redesign Lab. His latest book, co-authored with Lynne Sacks, is “Collaborative Action for Equity and Opportunity: A Practical Guide for School and Community Leaders.” Andrea Cabral talks about new technology in detecting stoned drivers, and a new report from the state detailing the racial breakdown of traffic stops in Mass. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Andy Ihnatko discusses the Justice Department charging two people with laundering $4.5 billion in crypto currency, and the death of 3G networks and the potential problem that might bring for cars. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Shirley Leung updates listeners on the state’s attempts to get money back after overpaying unemployment money to residents, and employers offering paid leave after pregnancy loss. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Jon Gruber breaks down the economics of the rose industry in advance of Valentine’s Day. Gruber was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health care reform and the Affordable Care Act, and his latest book is “Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth And The American Dream.” We end the show by asking listeners about when and how they cry, and if they find it cathartic.