Boston Public Radio

When news broke that a novel coronavirus which was first discovered in China was spreading it was reminiscent of the plots of some novels Dr. Robin Cook has written.

Economist Jonathan Gruber criticized President Trump's push for a payroll tax cut, and also called for the government to stimulate the production of a vaccine.

Theaters and museums have to find the balance between public safety and the success of their organizations.

"We're using ideological filtering, not science filtering," said medical ethicist Arthur Caplan.

Kayyem praised Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker for declaring a state of emergency due to coronavirus.

According to CNN's John King, it may depend on how the delegate lead shakes out.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show by taking phone calls on Thursday’s Gubernatorial Debate between Democrat Maura Healey and Republican Geoff Diehl to get our listeners’ opinion on the respective candidates ahead of the general election on Nov. 8. Tibisay Zea of The World and Rafael Ulloa, the Executive VP of Content for El Planeta Media, discussed their new project being produced by GBH, “Salud”. The show, which focuses on healthcare issues within the Latino community, airs on Saturday mornings at 9:30 on GBH 89.7. Michael Curry talked about his concerns regarding the low percentage of people getting covid-19 booster shots.He ended with an update on King Boston, the group beyond the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial coming to Boston Common, changing its name to Embrace Boston. Micahel Curry is the President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. He’s also a Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, where he chairs the board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee. Jeff Belanger stopped by to discuss the history of horror legends and shared some personal stories of his experiences with ghosts. He also gave some suggestions on his favorite local haunted spots across New England. Jeff is the host of PBS’ New England Legends TV show and podcast. He’ll also be hosting a virtual event with GBH on Monday night, you can find more information here. Painter & Playwright Ryan Landry stopped by to talk about how the band “The Chicks” has commissioned some of his artwork and his latest play, “Little Christmas Tree Shop of Horrors”. Jim and Margery will be making a cameo. Landry also discussed his love for Martha Stewart, and his hatred for James Corden. Leo Eguchi, Earl Maneein, Kareem Roustom performed for the latest installment in our Live Music Fridays. Leo is an acclaimed cellist with a new show “Unaccompanied,” highlighting the immigrant experience through music. Earl Kareem discussed their writing process for two of the pieces they composed for the show. The show premiers Saturday night at 7 o’clock at the Pao Arts Center in Chinatown. We closed the show taking our listeners' calls to hear about their favorite television shows of all time.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about the now ex-British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who served 45 days in office before stepping down. Rep. Ayanna Pressley discussed student debt forgiveness, and the current state of the MBTA after numerous safety issues. Andrea Cabral talked about the resignation of Woburn police officer John Donnelly after he was accused of helping plan the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, VA. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Paul Reville shared his thoughts on ongoing teachers’ strikes in Haverhill. Reville is Massachusetts’ former secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also runs the Education Redesign Lab. Sue O’Connell talked about members of KPOP group BTS enlisting in South Korea’s military for mandatory service, and the cancellation of numerous TV shows centering queer women. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, and contributor to Current on NBC LX and NECN. Jared Bowen explained the Supreme Court’s debate over whether Andy Warhol stole famed artist Lynn Goldsmith’s portrait of Prince. He also talked about MFABoston’s exhibit on the photography of LIFE Magazine. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. We ended the show by talking with listeners about talking with and smiling at strangers.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Sen. Elizabeth Warren called in to talk about student loan forgiveness and what is coming ahead for Democrats in the midterms. Warren has been representing Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate since 2013. We opened our lines to ask listeners: What is motivating you to cast your ballot on Nov. 8? Juliette Kayeem discussed the purchase of conservative social media app Parler by rapper Kanye West, and deadly floods in Nigeria over the weekend. Kayyem was the assistant secretary for Homeland Security under former President Barack Obama, and is the faculty chair of the Homeland Security program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Her 2022 book is “The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters.” Jeremy Hobson discussed his new live, call-in national radio show, “The Middle,” which aims to reach middle America. Hobson is the former co-host of NPR’s “Here and Now.” Sy Montgomery joined us for another edition of, “The Afternoon Zoo.” She discussed recent mystery respiratory illnesses in dogs, a new report that finds animal populations have plummeted nearly 70% in the last 50 years and more. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and Boston Public Radio contributor. Her latest book is “The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty.” Jim Salge discussed how climate change is impacting fall foliage, and fielded questions from listeners about everything fall foliage. Salge is a foliage reporter, photographer and former meteorologist at the Mount Washington Observatory.

Dunkin’ Donuts has devalued reward points and removed free birthday drinks as part of their new rewards program — and brand loyalists are not happy. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to share his thoughts on the backlash on Tuesday. “The whole idea is, this worked for them, and it created loyalty,” Kummer told hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. “It’s dumb to take something away that keeps customers coming and spending money.” “[At Dunkin Donuts, customers were saying] ‘here’s when I was born, and it’s my birthday — make me feel special.’ What a dumb thing to take that away.” In the wide-ranging interview, Kummer also discussed the rise of NFT reservations and paywalled restaurants, the arrival of vegan meats at Hannaford deli counters, and the $24.6 billion Kroger-Albertsons Merger. 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.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about new polling that puts the economy and inflation at the top of mind for voters just three weeks out from the midterm elections. Trenni Casey talked about Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s marriage to Dana Blumberg. Casey is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson discussed MA Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey questioning MBTA officials over multiple safety incidents, and the current state of driving in Boston. Aloisi is the former Massachusetts transportation secretary, a member of the Transit Matters board and contributor to Commonwealth Magazine. Thompson is executive director of Livable Streets. Corby Kummer talked about the $24.6 billion Kroger-Albertsons merger, and backlash after Dunkin’ Donuts altered their rewards program. 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. We then continued our conversation on changes to the Dunkin’ Donuts rewards program with listeners. John King updated us on the latest political headlines, focusing on Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake’s denial of the 2020 election results. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m.