Boston Public Radio

The longer businesses remain closed, the more likely they are to buckle under financial hardship.

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.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Raj Chetty, Harvard Economist, discussed his research into housing vouchers and their value in bringing people out of the poverty cycle. Emily Rooney, host of WGBH News' Beat the Press, joined to give her weekly list of fixations and fulminations. Richard Trethewey and Jeff Sweenor from NECN’s This Old House discussed their show’s upcoming season premier, and took restoration questions from listeners. Shirly Leung, Boston Globe Business Columnist, discussed the impact of Gov. Charlie Baker’s vaping ban on Massachusetts vape shops. Under The Radar host Callie Crossley discussed the new Downton Abbey movie, as well as a recent scandal involving $1 million dollars to charity and racist tweets. Jason McCool and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone stopped by for the weekly news quiz

Today on Boston Public Radio: Boston Medical Center physician and Massachusetts state Rep. Jon Santiago discussed the impact of the opioid crisis on Boston communities, and his thoughts on addressing it. Dr. Aaron Bernstein, pediatrician at Harvard's School of Health, discussed the effects of climate change on young people's health, and its potential influence on their climate activism. Steve Hoffman, chairman of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, spoke about Massachusetts' growing recreational pot industry and the future of vaping in Massachusetts. We opened the lines to callers to hear their thoughts on Thursday’s House Intelligence Committee’s hearing.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened up the lines to callers to discuss House Democrat’s impeachment inquiry into President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. Sue O’Connell, political analyst for NECN, discussed President Trump's statements about LGBTQ rights at the UN General Assembly, as well as conservative media's response to Greta Thunberg's U.N. Climate address. Homeland security expert Juliette Kayeem discussed the newly released memo of President Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky, as well as the president’s recent speech at the U.N. General Assembly, and how the Bahamas is struggling to recover from hurricane Dorian. Art Kaplan, an expert in medical ethics, discussed the ethical implications of face transplants, as well as Massachusetts’ temporary ban on the sale of vaping products. Alex Beam defended his controversial opinion that funerals are better than weddings.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Massachusetts Sen. President Karen Spilka discussed the timeline of the state’s hands-free driving bill, as well as upcoming changes to the state’s education investments. NBC Sports Boston Anchor Trenni Kusnierek spoke about Antonio Brown’s departure from the New England Patriots, along with the broader issue of rape culture in the U.S. Climate change activist Bill McKibben discussed Greta Thunberg’s U.N climate address, as well as Ed Markey’s environmental legacy in light of his upcoming Senate race against Rep. Joe Kennedy. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed food-conscious religious communities’ relationship to the imitation meat industry. Political writer Robert Kutner spoke about his new book, The Stakes: 2020 and the Survival of American Democracy. CNN’s Chief National Correspondent John King discussed President Trump’s Ukraine scandal, as well as Elizabeth Warren’s climbing support in early polls.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expected to relocate to Kansas City, Missouri at the end of this month. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue says the move will save millions of dollars, but many see it as a purposeful attack on USDA researchers. Food writer Corby Kummer joined *Boston Public Radio *on Tuesday to speak about the consequences the relocation will have on the USDA and climate research. "This is one of the great tragedies of the Trump administration," he said. "These researchers have been compiling the statistics of crop yield, weather patterns, and productivity for animals, but they're "too science-y," they have bad news about climate and the Trump administration has waged a war on science." Purdue has set an ultimatum to it's researchers: relocate or give up your job, Kummer said. "This was one of the agencies that had the respect of the world, and is now being shredded and decimated." Two-thirds of its current employees will be unable to relocate, according to the USDA. Purdue did this intentionally to get rid of researchers, Kummer said. "The move is meant to knock researchers out and get rid of those who were giving them bad news about the climate."