Boston Public Radio

Todd says some Republicans are starting to re-establish themselves as deficit hawks.

The legislature signaled approval for a Gov. Baker-backed proposal that makes it easier for municipalities to zone for multifamily housing, but Connolly says the bill lacks measures to protect vulnerable populations.

Slaughterhouses won't release the number of employees who are infected by COVID-19, Kummer says.

The president of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy spoke about the history of America's first “green” infrastructure project.

The former business executive, presidential candidate and co-chair of Black Voices For Trump died this week of COVID-19 complications.

People need to go beyond reading books about anti-racism, the BU professor says.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about Massachusetts’ new distracted driving law. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed whether Bernie Sanders ought to release his full medical records, and the latest news on the coronavirus. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed Matell’s new “Self-Care Barbie,” and reporting from the Atlantic on the political history between Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders. Boston Lyric Opera director Esther Nelson, alongside soprano Elena Stikhina, discussed the B.L.O.’s upcoming production of “Norma,” as well as Boston's lack of an opera house. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed the potential impact of coronavirus on the tech industry, and his thoughts on the new Sony Walkman MP3 player. “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley discussed the quarantine on Mike Bloomberg coverage at Bloomberg News, and her thoughts on Massachusetts new distracted driving law. Kim Senior and Shayne Kenyon of “Sweat,” now playing at the Huntington Theater, joined us for our weekly news quiz.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to callers to discuss Wednesday night’s Democratic debate. WGBH News Analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed a possible peace deal between the U.S. and Taliban forces, and the 900,000 Syrians currently fleeing to Turkey amidst Bashar al-Assad’s recent military advancements. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the sentencing of Trump associate Roger Stone, and the question of whether Attorney General Bill Barr will resign. ESPN’s Howard Bryant discussed his new book, “Full Dissidence: Notes From an Uneven Playing Field.” Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’sAll Rev’d Up, discussed Wednesday night’s Democratic debate, and the possibility of the U.S. having its first Jewish president in Bernie Sanders or Mike Bloomberg. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed concierge medicine, rank choice voting, and remembered the life of Jesuit astrophysicist Rev. George Coyne. Rep. Ayanna Pressley discussed Elizabeth Warren’s performance at Wednesday night’s debate, and her view that Attorney General Barr ought to resign.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask caller: do debates influence how you vote? MIT economist Jon Gruber discussed housing affordability in Massachusetts, and whether rent control is the most effective solution. Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung discussed fraud charges against Mass. Rep. David Nangle, and former GE executive Ann Klee’s move to construction company Suffolk. Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn discussed Jeff Bezos’ pledge to commit $10 billion towards combating climate change. Journalist and naturalist Sy Montgomery discussed the role pangolins may have played in the spread of coronavirus, and news on the graciousness of crows. We re-opened our lines to talk with listeners about your experiences at dog parks, in light of a New York Times article arguing that they're bad for a dog’s health and development. WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen discussed 40 years of “Sheer Madness” at the Charles Playhouse, and a new exhibit at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, titled “Boston’s Apollo: Thomas McKeller and John Singer Sargent.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the rise of Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 campaign. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed Mookie Betts getting traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers, and new restrictions at the Tokyo Marathon over fears about the coronavirus. Former State Transportation Secretary James Aloisi and Transportation for Massachusetts Director Chris Dempsey discussed South Station construction, and long-term closures planned this summer for the green line. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the impact of coronavirus fears on Chinese restaurants across the U.S., and new research on the health benefits of coffee. TV writer Bob Thompson discussed the debut of the Black News Channel, reviewed Apple TV’s "Visible,” and the New Hampshire primary edition of “The Conners,” and "Better Call Saul." CNN’s John King discussed Wednesday night’s Democratic debate, and where the 2020 Democratic candidates stand ahead of Saturday’s Nevada caucuses. We re-opened our lines to talk with listeners about news on the health benefits of coffee, and how it might affect your relationship with the beverage.

Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio *on Tuesday to talk about Sweetgreen adding seaweed to the menu. "They are starting a new kelp seaweed bowl and they are buying from the Maine-based Atlantic Sea Farm, so it's a great New England story," he said. "It is taking kelp and seaweed years to actually become the fad, but it's a sustainable source of protein and has tons of vitamins and minerals." Many New Englanders are kelp advocates, Kummer said, since the plant is found in abundance on many eastern coasts. "Off of Maine, off Long Island, off many coasts in New England, there's this free abundant seaweed that’s now being farmed." *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.