Boston Public Radio

President Donald Trump’s handling of the spread of COVID-19 has earned criticism from some who think the president has not acted swiftly enough to prevent the virus' spread.

The “Under the Radar” host said difficult conversations are the best way to confront the realities of racism.

"We need uniformity," Attorney General Maura Healey said, urging the state to ease rules around testing, lab licensing and unemployment insurance.

Two local bartenders brought the spirit of St. Patrick's Day to the studio.

Event cancellations, due to coronavirus concerns, will impact businesses and workers.

The “Beat the Press” host also read a coronavirus-themed edition of her weekly list of fixations and fulminations.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Saraya Wintersmith discusses Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s report on the investigation into former Boston Police officer Patrick Rose for alleged child sexual abuse. She also talks about the Boston Globe’s reporting on Boston City Councilor and mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George, and questions over whether she used her City Council position to benefit her husband’s housing development business. Wintersmith covers Boston City Hall for GBH. Next, we ask listeners what they thought was the best strategy to get more people vaccinated. Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses the COVID-19 Delta variant and the CDC’s updated guidelines on mask mandates, as COVID-19 cases rise. She also answers listeners’ questions. Gergen Barnett teaches in the Department of Family Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School. Callie Crossley shares her thoughts on Costa Rican gymnast Luciana Alvarado’s tribute to Black Lives Matter in her Olympics routine, and teenager Kieran Moïse raising $38,000 for kids with cancer by cutting his 19-inch afro. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Sue O’Connell highlights LGBTQ+ athletes at the Olympics. She also discusses the criminal charges against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick for allegedly assaulting a minor. 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. Kwame Alexander explains his writing process, and shares how to connect children with poetry. Alexander is a poet, educator and award-winning writer. He’s collaborating with GBH Kids on a multiplatform project, including an animated television series based on his first children’s book: “Acoustic Rooster and his Barnyard Band.” He’s an executive producer of the show, along with GBH’s Marcy Gunther.

Food policy writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to discuss the prevalence of genetically modified food in our society, and the shifting realization that engineered ingredients aren’t inherently evil. When genetically modified organisms first gained popularity in the 1990s, Kummer said “it was all about huge commercial gain.” Now, the development of a genetically modified tomato — with high nutrient value — not intended for large-scale sales may be changing perceptions of what genetically modified produce can offer. “It needs a rebranding, and that rebranding should be: here are more antioxidants in your tomato,” said Kummer. Corby 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.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, from the Senate’s vote to move forward with the infrastructure bill to GOP lawmakers refusing to wear masks in Congress. Todd is the moderator of “Meet The Press” on NBC, host of “Meet The Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Then, we talk with listeners about the return of mask mandates. Andrea Cabral shares her thoughts on President Joe Biden’s nomination of District Attorney Rachael Rollins for U.S. attorney of Massachusetts. She also talks about the Rise of the Moors’ lawsuit against the Massachusetts State Police. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Corby Kummer explains why restaurant workers are leaving their jobs in droves, and how megadroughts are causing price fluctuations for wheat products. Kummer is the executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Andy Ihnatko discusses the investigation into hacking company NSO Group after their spyware product was allegedly used to target notable politicians, activists, and journalists. He also talks about DuckDuckGo’s new email protection program. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Jill Medvedow talks about what the past year has been like for the Institute of Contemporary Art, sharing how the museum pivoted during the pandemic. She also highlighted current and upcoming exhibits. Medvedow is the Ellen Matilda Poss Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art. We end the show by asking listeners whether they’d return to the office if they were offered free food at work.

NBC Sports reporter Trenni Kusnierek joins Margery Eagan and Jared Bowen — in for Jim Braude — for an update from the Tokyo Olympics. Athletes are performing without fans, without their usual support systems, in scorching weather conditions, and in a highly regulated COVID-19 environment. And everyone is watching. Kusnierek discusses the pressure elite athletes are facing in these Olympic games, as tennis star Naomi Osaka and gymnastics phenom Simone Biles have both opened up about the mental health toll.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Alex Morse talks about the rise in COVID-19 cases in Provincetown, updating us on the latest plans to stop the spread of the virus. He also discusses the return of the indoor mask mandate. Morse is the Town Manager of Provincetown. Next, we talk with listeners about Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from the individual all-around gymnastics competition in the Olympics due to concerns over her mental health. Juliette Kayyem discusses Tuesday’s congressional hearing on the Jan. 6 Capitol attacks, and shares her thoughts on the spread of misinformation surrounding the attacks from Fox News. She also talks about the security threats posed by climate change. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Jonathan Gruber explains the economics behind individuals who choose not to get vaccinated, following “signaling theory.” Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He 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." Art Caplan shares his thoughts on the backlash against Simone Biles following her withdrawal from the individual all-around gymnastic competition due to her mental health, and President Joe Biden’s plans to require federal workers to be vaccinated or face weekly COVID-19 testing. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. Ali Noorani discusses the athletes of the Refugee Olympic Team, and the Biden administration’s decision to resume fast-track deportation. Noorani is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Immigration Forum. His latest book is "There Goes the Neighborhood: How Communities Overcome Prejudice and Meet the Challenge of American Immigration.” Christopher Wilkins highlights the Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s 20th anniversary season, sharing what audiences can expect from this season’s performances. Wilkins is the Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s music director.