Boston Public Radio

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

"Parkland Rising" follows students leading March For Our Lives, grieving parents and others who used the tragedy in Parkland to change the national conversation about gun reform.

"Saving American Cities" tells the history of the man who brought a brutal City Hall to Boston, leveled an entire neighborhood, and sparked an economic revival.

The new law requires women seeking an abortion to have a medical procedure performed that serves no medical purpose.

The man behind the Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised close to a billion dollars for ALS research, has died.

An art installation of a banana taped to a wall sold for $120,000. Then, another artist ate it off the museum wall.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Joanna Weiss of Experience Magazine and WGBH News' Adam Reilly joined us for a politics roundup, discussing the South Carolina primary and what to expect on Super Tuesday. Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of BU’s School of Public Health, discussed all things coronavirus, including the slew of misconceptions surrounding it. Mass. Cannabis Control Commission Chair Steven Hoffman discussed the state of legal cannabis in Massachusetts, and took questions from callers. We opened the lines to talk with callers about your thoughts on the 2020 race ahead of Super Tuesday. Mass. Senator Elizabeth Warren phoned in to make her pitch to voters ahead of Super Tuesday. We re-opened lines to continue the Super Tuesday conversation. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, discussed Joe Biden’s win in South Carolina, and a scrapped memorial to Boston's history with slavery at Faneuil Hall. WGBH News Analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed a deteriorating peace plan between the U.S. and Taliban forces. TV writer Bob Thompson reviewed Netflix’s "Love is Blind" and “I Am Not Okay With This,” and discussed voice actor Hank Azaria’s retirement from voicing of Apu on “The Simpsons."

Today on Boston Public Radio: Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius discussed her vision for improving the city’s school system, and responded to questions from callers. “Beat the Press” host Emily Rooney discussed the media hype around whether Tom Brady will leave the Patriots, and read us her weekly list of fixations and fulminations. Boston Globe writer Shirley Leung discussed the impact of coronavirus fears on Boston’s economy, and the “democratization of coffee” at Panera Bread. “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley discussed President Trump’s latest appeals to Black voters, and Hillary Clinton’s new podcast. Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart discussed the Pop’s upcoming spring season, his 25 years at its helm, and the legacy of composer John Williams. WGBH's A Celtic Sojourn host Brian O’Donovan and multi-instrumentalist Torrin Ryan joined us for our weekly news quiz, to promote WGBH’s 12th annual A St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Sojourn.

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed Tuesday night’s Democratic debate, and gave his thoughts on the positioning of candidates heading into Super Tuesday. Fatima Shama, senior adviser to Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 campaign, discussed the former mayor's decisions regarding NDA releases, and her views on her candidate's path to a nomination. We opened our lines to ask callers: are you worried about the coronavirus? Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed President Trump’s recent statements about Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sonia Sotomayor, and the privileges convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein is expected to receive in prison at Rikers Island. Boston University professor Nathan Phillips discussed his experience going on a hunger strike to protest the Weymouth compressor. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed the Orwellian aspect of smart speakers, and safety risks associated with self-driving cars. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed a new IKEA policy that compensates for distance customers travel to stores, and his views on voting pets. We re-oped lines to ask listeners whether aging drivers should be required to re-take driving tests.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask callers: what did you think about Tuesday night’s Democratic debate? M.I.T. economist Jon Gruber discussed the impact the coronavirus is having on the U.S. economy, and the factors dissuading drug companies from creating a coronavirus vaccine. Ali Noorani, Executive Director for the National Immigration Forum, discussed President Trump’s newly implemented "public charge" rule for immigrants, and post-Brexit Britain’s handling of immigration. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed the U.S.’ preparedness for a coronavirus outbreak, and the mixed messaging about it from the Trump administration. WGBH arts editor Jared Bowen reviewed “She the People,” now playing at the Huntington theater, and the new exhibit by artist Tschabalala Self called “Out of Body” at the ICA. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed sentencing for a Hot Pockets heiress in the ongoing “Varsity Blues” scandal, and the emergence of an anti-Greta Thunberg. In light of a new NOVA documentary “Mysteries of Sleep," UMass Amherst neuroscientist Rebecca Spencer discussed the science behind why we dream.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Mass. Senate President Karen Spilka discussed her views on mental health parity, NDAs in the public sector, and Massachusetts transportation reform. NBC Sports Boston anchor Trenni Kusnierek reflected on Monday’s memorial for Kobe and Gigi Bryant, and the NHL debut of a 42 year-old Zamboni driver. We opened the lines to talk with callers about your views on early voting in the 2020 primaries. Former Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville discussed racial inequity at Boston's exam schools, the dipping graduation rates at Boston Public Schools, and a group of illiterate California students who sued their state and won $53 million for troubled schools. Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther discussed the impact of the coronavirus on local tourism, the "Shame Plane,” and whether it’s poor form to recline your seat on an airplane. CNN’s John King talked about the South Carolina primary, and what to expect from Tuesday night’s Democratic presidential debate. We re-opened our lines to continue the debate about reclining seats on an airplanes.