Boston Public Radio

When it comes to health care, fewer choices may lead to better decisions.

Education reformers praised the bill for promising to inject $1.5 billion into the state’s schools, but the funding for the bill is expected to come from future tax revenues and the hope that the legislature continues to allocate funding for schools in future budgets.

The upside down OK hand sign, known as a white power symbol, was flashed by men in uniform during the football game television coverage.

On Dec. 12, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party won 326 seats in the United Kingdom’s Parliament and secured an absolute majority.

The reverends discuss the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, which investigators think could have influenced the attackers in last week's anti-Semitic domestic terror attack in Jersey City.

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

Today on Boston Public Radio: Media maven Sue O’Connell talked about the new tell-all book about the Trump family from the president’s niece, and the decision by the Dixie Chicks to change their name to the Chicks. We opened lines to her listeners' thoughts on the president’s response to the ongoing pandemic. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Friday press conference. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called in for our monthly edition of “Ask the Mayor.” WGBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen reviewed Jon Stewart’s “Irresistible,” and discussed a Provincetown art exhibit honoring the life of local icon and art collector Napi Van Dereck. “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley talked about the real meaning of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On," and a recent string of white celebrities apologizing for their use of blackface. We opened lines to talk with listeners about Vice President Mike Pence’s Friday assertion that the U.S. is making "truly remarkable progress" with COVID-19, despite the current resurgence of cases.

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd talked about the rise of coronavirus cases throughout the U.S., and how it’s impacting the president’s poll numbers. We opened lines to talk with listeners about the rise of COVID-19 across the nation, and hear your thoughts on the state’s reopening. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral talked about a recent Boston Globe profile of BPD Captain John "Jack” Danilecki, and her views on corruption within AG William Barr’s Department of Justice. We reopened lines to talk with listeners about coronavirus. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Thursday press conference. Former Mass. Secretary of Education Paul Reville talked about the new guidelines for the reopening of schools in Massachusetts. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed questionable use of face recognition technology by Detroit law enforcement, and news that Rhode Island is using remote learning to ditch snow days altogether. Huntington Theater Managing Director Michael Maso discussed news that the Huntington is cancelling all in-person programs until 2021, and how the Black Lives Matter movement is influencing changes at the theater.

Three months into the coronavirus pandemic, it’s time to face the hard truth: now is not the best time for America’s buffets. With cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise across the country, the buffet’s communal eating factor has made it unlikely that people will want to return any time soon. Food writer Corby Kummer, however, says that might not be the worst thing in the world. The award-winning writer and senior editor at The Atlantic returned to Boston Public Radio on Thursday, where he reflected on why it’s probably for the best that Americans aren’t being tempted by the allure of the hot bar. The first upside Kummer gave (aside from the obvious) was cost. “Paying by the pound,” he said, is "always more expensive than just buying and making the food yourself.” Also on the table is the over-eating factor. “It’s this whole idea that you’re pulling a fast one at a buffet,” he said. "You’re getting a lot of food for nothing. Somehow, when nobody’s looking, you’re going and you’re getting another portion– and nobody ever offers you another portion.” "It’s gonna result in better portion control. Life is actually going to be better without buffets,” he said. But while Americans taking the pandemic seriously are unlikely to return to buffet lines any time soon, Kummer said it’s probably inevitable that they’ll return, in some form or another. "They’re more economical for the hotels and restaurants. If you think you’re pulling a fast one and getting a bargain whereas they are making more money, they’ll come back,” he said.

Today on Boston Public Radio: WGBH News reporter Adam Reilly discussed new polling from WGBH, in partnership with the Boston Globe, MassLive, State House News Service, and Suffolk University, about the attitudes of Mass. residents towards police reform and the state’s reopening. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the findings from the newly released polling. Rep. Joe Kennedy called in to discuss his issues with the president’s handling of COVID-19, and how he believes the federal government needs to address racism and police brutality. Jim and Margery made their pitch for donations to WGBH, as part of Wednesday’s single-day pledge drive. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Wednesday press conference, where he discussed the conclusions of the official report on malpractice at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Medical ethicist Art Caplan explained why he doesn’t expect a readily available COVID-19 vaccine in 2020, and discussed whether the MLB will be able to mitigate coronavirus transmissions in their 2020 season. We reopened our lines to continue the conversation about Black Lives Matter and police reform in Massachusetts.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Tuesday press conference. We opened lines to talk with listeners about your experiences with racism in the classroom. Mass. AG Maura Healey called in for our monthly edition of “Ask the AG." FRONTLINE producer and director Tom Jennings discussed his latest documentary, “Opioids, Inc.” CNN’s John King talked about Tuesday’s primary elections, and broke down the latest Washington headlines. We opened lines to ask listeners: with Summer nearly in full swing, are you pining for baseball’s return?