Boston Public Radio

Rep. Jim McGovern, the Chair of the House Rules Committee, has proposed allowing members of the House to vote remotely or by proxy.

The Gold Dust Orphans Founder talked about his new painting habit, and hopes of staging a “Tiger King” themed Christmas play this December.

The former state transportation secretary said officials owe it to the essential workers who live in areas where high auto pollution is linked to COVID-19 deaths.

While some governors are taking steps to open up their states, most Americans aren't ready for this stage, Kayyem says.

Nursing home residents account for more than half of COVID-19 deaths in Massachusetts.

What are people watching to fill the live sports void?

Today on Boston Public Radio: Adam Reilly discusses his reporting on scholastic sports during the era of COVID, and the pressure on local-level leaders around whether or not to postpone basketball and hockey seasons as Mass. returns to phase three, step one of Gov. Baker's reopening plan. We open lines to talk with listeners about your experiences with scholastic sports during the pandemic. Ali Noorani, CEO of the National Immigration Forum, discusses conclusions drawn Tuesday by Mass. A.G. Maura Healey that Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson violated the civil rights of immigrant detainees. He also weighs in on a recently-filed court case out of Texas that’s threatening the future of DACA. Medical ethicist Art Caplan talks about the latest news on the COVID-19 vaccine front, reflecting on how the world’s richest nations have already bought up much the supply. He also offers his take on right-wing criticism of First Lady-elect Jill Biden using "Dr." in her title. Next, we return to listeners, opening lines to talk about your feelings around the upcoming snowstorm. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discusses the importance of setting up fair expectations for the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, issues with vaccine skepticism, and explains what's publicly known about a recent string of Russian hacks against several federal U.S. agencies. Journalist and naturalist Sy Montgomery closes out Wednesday’s show by discussing her work patrolling Cape Cod beaches to help protect cold-stunned sea turtles, recapping a dramatic swan rescue in New York City, and explaining the bizarre ways that bees are protecting themselves against murder hornets.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We open lines to talk about the latest round of pandemic rollbacks in Mass., asking: is this the right thing to do? NBC Sports Boston anchor and reporter Trenni Kusnierek talks about the economic consequences of the truncated, physically distanced year in professional and collegiate sports, Celtics player Jaylen Brown getting named a “Bostonian of the Year” by the Boston Globe, and the Cleveland Indians’ announcement that they're going to change their name. Self-described “transit nerds” Jim Aloisi and Chris Dempsey talk about the ramifications of the MBTA board's approval of severe pandemic-related service cuts, and offer their takes on President-elect Biden's best options for transportation secretary. Behavioral economist Michael Norton talks about the science behind people's decision making processes, and why we have a tendency to turn down opportunities even when there’s nothing to lose. Boston Globe cannabis reporter Dan Adams discusses the latest news on the state of cannabis in Mass., four years after voters elected to legalize marijuana, including the opening of the first legal pot shop in Hyde Park, head by a former Boston firefighter and a Roxbury-based activist. He also touches on what he’s expecting from the incoming Biden administration on the question of federal cannabis legalization. CNN’s John King discusses the latest political headlines out of Washington, including Monday’s electoral college vote confirming President-elect Joe Biden’s November win, and President Trump’s announcement that Bill Barr will be stepping down in his final month as A.G. We close out Tuesday's show by returning to listeners, asking: what are you saying "good riddance" to as we head out of 2020?

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the week off by opening lines and asking listeners: after Monday’s electoral vote, should the media stop covering President Trump’s legal efforts to challenge November’s election results? Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart offers news on The Boston Pops’ virtual holiday concert for 2020, and discusses the complicated logistics of putting on a safe and festive show, which is available through January 9. Dr. Rebecca Weintraub explains the U.S.’ current vaccine distribution plan, with inoculations beginning on Monday for frontline healthcare workers and long-care health facility staff. Weintrau heads Ariadne Labs' Vaccine Delivery initiative, and also helped create the New York Time’s “Find your Place in the Vaccine Line” tool. Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther talks about some best practices for spurned travels looking to get refunds and rebates after pandemic-related cancellations. He also touches on a DOT crackdown on emotional support animals, and how President-elect Joe Biden’s win might boost U.S. tourism. Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of GBH’s All Rev’d Up, discuss COVID vaccine skepticism in the Black community, the legacy of 98 year-old civil rights activist Gloria Richardson, and their indifference to ongoing debate around President-elect Biden’s Catholic faith. TV expert Bob Thompson reviews NBC’s widely-panned “Grinch the Musical,” HBO Max’s “Love Boat,” and that 15 minute KFC ad featuring Mario Lopez, “A Recipe for Seduction.” We end Monday's show by returning to listeners to talk about the conflicting reality of “streamer burnout,” as the U.S. heads into month nine of the coronavirus pandemic.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Rep. Ayanna Pressley discusses Gov. Charlie Baker’s decision to send the Mass. police reform bill back to legislators, racial disparities with facial recognition software, and what she’s doing to confront the country’s ongoing eviction crisis. We open our lines to talk with listeners about the recently-approved Pfizer vaccine and ask: are you eager to get one? Beat the Press host Emily Rooney celebrates the (temporary) death of the office party, and reads a monopoly-themed list of fixations and fulminations. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem gives a reality-check on the rollout timeline for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, which was approved for distribution on Thursday by the FDA. Media maven Sue O’Connell talks about recent reporting on the cognitive decline of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and the ensuing questions about aging public officials. Former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral discusses the 106 Congressional Republicans backing a Texas lawsuit to overturn President-elect Biden’s win in the 2020 election, and Gov. Baker’s refusal to sign the Mass. police reform bill. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley weighs in on the police killing of 23 year-old Casey Goodson, a new Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor highlighting Colin Kaepernick’s activism, and hints at some of her secrets to making the perfect deviled egg.

Note: Much of Thursday’s show was devoted to GBH’s one-day pledge drive. If you’d like to make a contribution to support the local journalism produced by GBH, you can visit the link here. Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discusses President Trump’s refusal to concede his election loss to President-elect Joe Biden, stalled COVID stimulus talks out of Washington, and the standing of the four senate candidates ahead of the Georgia’s January runoff election. Next, we turn to listeners, talking about the anticipated FDA approval of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, and hearing your takes on whether the government ought to create a vaccine mandate to pull the U.S. out of the pandemic. Then, we keep our lines open, talking with callers about all the things you’re looking forward to returning to in a post-pandemic world. Suffolk County D.A. Rachael Rollins talks about her recently published letter urging Gov. Baker to sign the Mass. police reform bill, and weighs in on a range of other criminal justice issues as part of our monthly series, “Ask the D.A.”