Boston Public Radio

The Hallmark Channel has reinstated ads featuring two brides kissing, after initially pulling them at the outcry of a conservative group.

Johansson also gave listeners a sampling of his abilities on the nyckelharpa, a Swedish fiddle.

Crossley said she was surprised at Haley's recent comments.

The team behind Juliet in Somerville joined Boston Public Radio for its weekly news quiz.

In the last few weeks, the company has released a blitz of star-studded films generating buzz as award season looms.

Bequia is an island yet to be bombarded by tourists, but soon might be, says Christopher Muther.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Michael Curry talks about the rise in breakthrough COVID-19 cases among vaccinated Americans, and shares his thoughts on how to persuade more people to get vaccinated. Curry is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and a member of Governor Charlie Baker’s COVID Vaccine Advisory Group. He’s also a Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, and the Chair of the Board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee. Next, we open the phone lines, asking listeners whether their kids are using summer school to make up for a year of lost learning. Shirley Leung updates us on the return of conferences and conventions to Boston, and the increasing number of local businesses considering mandatory vaccines for employees. She also talks about the lack of entrepreneurs of color in the Seaport neighborhood. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse discusses the release of new information surrounding the FBI’s investigation into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after allegations of sexual assault. He also shares his thoughts on the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling that California’s nonprofit donor disclosure requirement is unconstitutional, explaining how it could impact “dark money” in politics. Senator Whitehouse is a Democrat from Rhode Island. We then play the season finale of the All Rev’d Up podcast, in which Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III talk about gratefulness during the pandemic. Richard Blanco shares his poems on Cuba amidst historic protests in the country. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His new book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various socio-political issues that shadow America. We wrap up the show by talking with listeners about the “Sunday scaries.”

The small outermost Cape Cod community of Provincetown has gained national attention in the past few weeks after tourists and year-rounders saw a spike in infections from the COVID-19 Delta variant. Upwards of 70 percent of reported cases are understood to be among those who were vaccinated. Town Manager Alex Morse has since pointed out that of the 900 cases related to the P-Town cluster, there have been only 7 hospitalizations, and most people are only experiencing mild symptoms. Considering the high number of breakthrough cases, the vaccines appear to be doing a good job of limiting the impact of COVID. Still, there are concerns, particularly for the huge percentage of folks on the Cape living with HIV and AIDS. In P-Town, they account for about 10 percent of the nearly 3,000 year-round residents. In light of the potential impact, we felt it’d be apt to check in with someone from the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod to see how they’ve been holding up. Christine Iversen is a daily case manager for the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod. More information on the organization can be found at their website, www.asgcc.org.

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.