Boston Public Radio

Protests are a health risk amid COVID-19, but there are steps people can take to be safer about it.

'Today we're taking a closer look than we have in a long time,' at racism in America, poet Richard Blanco said.

The former Massachusetts governor said that George Floyd's death was "a heinous murder carried out by a person with a badge."

The Gold Dust Orphans theater company founder said it was important that Americans remember their country's racist legacy.

Demonstrations against police brutality are beginning to coalesce around a platform of policies. Is this a turning point in America?

The GroundTruth Project CEO said there's credence to concerns the president is slipping into authoritarianism.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to hear from listeners three years into COVID-19. Boston Medical Center’s Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discussed the real-world impact of corporations and big money on our health and wellness. GBH's Callie Crossley, host of Under the Radar with Callie Crossley, discussed the announcement this week from the Justice Department that Louisville Police Department routinely discriminates against Black residents. The Department of Justice investigated the police department in the wake of Breonna Taylor's killing in 2020. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed the ethics of medical tourism. He’s 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. Sue O’Connell discussed Tennessee's push to revoke marriage equality. She's the co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, and contributor to Current, on NBC L-X and NECN. We heard from the LGBT-centered chorus Coro Allegro for Live Music Friday, and spoke with Artistic Director David Hodgkins and Executive Director Yoshi Campbell. We ended the show by opening the lines to hear from listeners about -- and allow Jim his annual commentary calling for -- permanent Daylight Saving Time.

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd joined for his weekly roundup of political news. We opened the lines to hear from listeners about the housing crisis, as Boston City Council approved Mayor Wu's rent control proposal this week. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung joined to discuss We re-aired a conversation Jim and Margery had with former president Jimmy Carter from 2014, about his book "A Call To Action." Former education secretary Paul Reville discussed Governor Healey's call for tuition-free community college. Jazz singer Nnenna Freelon and violinist Chelsey Green joined the show ahead of their concert Friday as part of the Boston celebrity series. For more information, go to CelebritySeries.org. We ended the show by hearing from listeners about mess. Are you, like Marie Kondo, rethinking the so-called lifechanging magic of cleaning up?

Today on Boston Public Radio: We started the show by opening the lines to hear from listeners about a backslide of women’s rights, on International Women's Day. Joseph Feaster, chair of Boston's Reparations Task Force, joined with task force member Carrie Mays to discuss their work. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the latest news on four Americans kidnapped in Mexico, two were found dead; Fox News lying to its viewers about the 2020 election; and CPAC's radicalization. GBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen discussed impressionist artists of the 1800s giving us a climate change warning in their blurred landscapes; and a roundup of arts and culture events to explore in and around Boston. GBH Reporter Liz Neisloss discussed her reporting on Everett's school committee not renewing their superintendent of schools' contract, amid a broader culture of discrimination and retribution allegations against City Hall. Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery joined to discuss her recent trip swimming with humpback whales in the Dominican Republic. We closed the show by opening the lines to hear from listeners about their favorite TV shows to re-watch.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson aired “new” footage from the Jan. 6 riot using it to downplay violence and further the narrative that “mainstream media” has lied. How do we confront the alternative facts movement around the Jan. 6 insurrection? We opened the phone lines to hear from listeners. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox joined BPR for the first time to discuss reform initiatives and a rise in violence in Boston Public Schools. Commissioner Cox also commented on why the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency has not sustained civilian complaints against the police department. Trenni Casey discussed the Celtics blowing a massive point lead against the Nets; the Bruins being the team to beat this year; and a juicy anonymous survey from the NFL Players Association. Carol Rose discussed why Walgreens is pulling abortion pills from its stores in some states that have threatened legal action, President Biden’s new asylum restrictions and a story in the Boston Globe about local elected officials’ texts. Violinists Mark and Maggie O’Connor performed at the Boston Public Library for a Live Music Tuesday in advance of their performance at City Winery. John King discussed the latest national political headlines, including January 6th misinformation, the debt ceiling and the Democratic Party’s attempt to increase support from older voters. A New York Times piece out today asks the question “is ice the height of domestic luxury?” Since the late 1800s, Americans have been obsessed with ice water, but have we taken it to new levels with fancy molds of varying shapes and flavored infusions? We opened the lines to ask listeners if they are ice-obsessed, or if they prefer a more European, ice-less beverage.

We started the show to get the listener's thoughts on “do nothing days.” Are they happier for setting aside time for nothing, or are they dedicated to their to-do list? Michael Curry discussed the 300,000 people likely to be dropped from MassHealth this year, and Black employees, vendors, and convention guests alleging discrimination by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Corby Kummer examined the allegations of ‘cookie espionage’ at a shop in Central Square, the future of SNAP food assistance and the restaurant kitchen fee trend. Evan Horowitz from the Center for State Policy Analysis, delved into Gov. Healey’s budget and tax package. Christopher Muther discussed a new low-cost airline running from Boston to London this fall and how Montreal has embraced winter into its city culture. The Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discussed President Biden’s visit to Selma to mark the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. How much would you throw down to snag an exclusive adults-only plane ride? What can airlines do to make travel more kid-friendly? Listeners weighed-in on traveling with kids.