Boston Public Radio

Will Boston become a victim of COVID-19?

42 year-old Dave Ayres was named an honorary North Carolinian on Tuesday.

For former Vice President Joe Biden a win in this Saturday’s South Carolina Democratic primary is crucial to proving his viability as a candidate, according to CNN’s Chief National Correspondent.

Boston Latin currently has 8% of Black students in its enrollment, compared to Boston's public schools at 30%.

On Saturday, the United States and the Taliban officially began a seven-day reduction of violence as the precursor to beginning peace talks between the two.

Hassan Minhaj and Kenan Thompson booked to take center-stage at this year’s dinner.

Today on Boston Public Radio: M.I.T economist Jonathan Gruber analyzes President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus plan, and how it could affect the economy at large. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed the build-up of domestic terrorism incidents under President Trump, culminating in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. She also gave her thoughts on anti-vaxxers during COVID-19, and discussed how organizers are preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. Next, we open phone lines to hear listeners’ thoughts on former President Trump’s impeachment trial. Rep. Ayanna Pressley weighs in on the first day of President Trump’s impeachment trial, and the debate among Democrats around cancelling student debt. She also talks about vaccine equity in Mass., touching on the lack of vaccination sites in communities of color. Then, we return to listeners, taking calls on the impeachment of former President Trump. Medical ethicist Art Caplan talks about worries around COVID-19 variations, and whether it’s time for restaurants to reopen. He also shares his thoughts on people are traveling long distances to get vaccines. We wrap up the show by talking to listeners about impeachment proceedings, and what outcomes they would like to see.

Juliette Kayyem made her weekly appearance on Boston Public Radio Wednesday, where she spoke about America’s relationship with the coronavirus in the years and decades to come. She contrasted pandemics with other varieties of crisis, like natural disasters or terrorist attacks, “where the thing comes and goes,” and explained that pandemics are fundamentally different because the viruses stick around. “The vaccine is a major contributor to getting back to normal-ish,” the CNN analyst prefaced. “But it doesn’t eradicate the virus, it simply makes us able to live with the virus. She continued, noting that certain aspects of our life “probably, are changed for good.” “I think masking will be a huge part of our lives for the years to come,” she predicted. But she was also keen to emphasize that things are likely to get much better in the near-term, considering the acute grimness of pandemic wintertime in New England. “I promise you, I think by May or June, you’re going to feel 70-75% more normal – or towards normal – than you do right now,” she said. Juliette 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.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Washington Post op-ed columnist EJ Dionne weighs in on former President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, and whether Republicans will choose to associate with Trump and the violence that took place at the Capitol on Jan. 6. He also spoke on hopes for bipartisanship in the Biden administration. Next, we open phone lines to discuss former President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial. Harvard professor Danielle Allen offers her views on how the country can come back from the Jan. 6 Capitol siege. She also argues for universal mandatory voter participation, and discusses her potential Mass. gubernatorial run. Next, we speak with listeners on about whether they’re willing to listen to the views of those on the opposite side of the political spectrum. Sen. Jeff Flake speaks on former President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, and why he thinks it may be a turning point for the Republican party. He also offers some predictions on how impeachment proceedings might play out among Republicans. We wrap up the show by opening phone lines to talk with listeners about the state of the GOP.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Constitutional law expert Laurence Tribe explains what’s likely to could happen at former President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, including possible First Amendment defense arguments from GOP senators, and what Trump could actually end up being charged with. NBC Sports Boston reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek discusses Sunday night’s Super Bowl, quarterback Tom Brady’s record seven Super Bowl wins, and lingering issues with racial equity in the NFL. Next, we open phone lines to talk with listeners about Tom Brady’s historic career, and hypocrisy in the NFL around racial equity. Ali Noorani, CEO of the National Immigration Forum, speaks about President Biden’s upcoming plan to decrease deportations and arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He also discussed the new bipartisan Senate DACA initiative, and what it could mean for the thousands of so-called Dreamers. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of GBH’s All Rev’d Up, weigh in on the hypocrisy of “woke corporatism,” challenges to a Utah school’s Black History Month curriculum in Utah, and outrage around footage of country music star Morgan Wallen using a racial slur. CNN’s John King discusses the latest headlines in the world of national politics, touching on former President Trump’s upcoming Senate impeachment trial, and whether Trump will become remain the voice of the Republican party. We wrap up the show by talking with listeners about former President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, which begins Tuesday.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We open phone lines to talk with listeners about Gov. Baker’s loosening of COVID restrictions in Massachusetts, and whether the state is ready. Media maven Sue O’Connell talks about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Feb. 2 Instagram live where she revealed she’s a victim of sexual assault, and the subsequent backlash she faced for it. She also discusses President Biden’s foreign policy memo on global LGBT rights, and the significance of having several openly LGBT officials serve in his administration. Beat the Press host Emily Rooney talks about MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell’s chaotic Tuesday appearance on NewsMax, and Tom Brady’s “Mean Tweets” segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko explains some of the ways that Gov. Baker’s vaccine website could have been more user-friendly. He also weighs in on a new user privacy feature from Apple, and how tech giants like Facebook are responding. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, offers her views on the necessary steps to safely bring teachers back to school for in-person learning, including the question of whether teacher vaccination ought to be top-priority. Mass. Senator Elizabeth Warren makes her case for the cancellation of student loan debt in order to move the needle on racial equity, and boost the U.S. economy. She also shares her thoughts on congressional members refusing to wear masks, and the ongoing Wall Street-GameStop saga. Food writer Corby Kummer explains how Gov. Baker’s capacity increase for state businesses might impact local restaurants, and the new safety guidelines restaurants must follow. He also talks about his hopes for the Biden administration on issues like food assistance programs and climate science.