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Coming up Friday on BPR, live from the BPL:
NPR’s Eric Deggans
Live Music Friday with musicians performing at this year’s Charles River Jazz Festival
Environmentalist Bill McKibben
Media maven Sue O’Connell
Recent segments
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Rep. Elijah Cummings Was 'The Embodiment Of Integrity,' Says Callie Crossley
Crossley spoke about Cummings' life and legacy. -
Gail Collins On Women Who Have Had The Audacity To Age
The New York Times columnist joined the show to discuss her latest book, a social history of American women and aging. -
Former DOJ Lawyer Says Trump Can't Prevent Aides From Testifying
Michael Zeldin said that while Trump can protect some information with executive privilege, he cannot stop his aids from talking to investigators. -
Paul Reville On MTA Pressure: 'I See This As A Step Backward'
The former state education secretary expressed frustrations with a new amendment to an education budget bill. -
Art Caplan: Hospital That Kept Vegetative Patient on Life Support to Boost Survival Rates Is 'Cruel'
Medical ethicist Art Caplan reviewed tapes of an investigation into one hospital's efforts to fudge statistics, disregarding patient care. -
Daniel Leader On How 'Living Bread' Is More Than Just A Cook Book
The artisan baker discussed his latest book of recipes and stories.
Listen to previous shows
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'Do Not Use Instacart' Says Corby Kummer
Instacart, an American grocery delivery service company, has been receiving criticism over its treatment of workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio *on Wednesday about how many Instacart workers haven't received safety kits or extended pay for having to quarantine. Instacart had announced back in March that it would offer two weeks of extended pay to in-store shoppers diagnosed with COVID-19, or placed in quarantine by an authority. "[Instacart] did everything they could to break their promise, and essentially break the health of workers," Kummer said. "A number of Instacart workers claimed the two weeks of pay, that Instacart promised them if they were ill, but Instacart denied the claims and made them go through red tape hurtles until the workers would give up." Instacart is not following through on its new guidelines to support the health of its workers, Kummer added. "They say that they care and that they're putting millions into healthcare, but all they do is cycle through workers, give the longtime workers worse routes, and don't care at all about their health," he said. "I will tell everybody I know, 'Do not use Instacart.'" *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. -
BPR Full Show 5/26/20: The Most Powerful Grandma in America
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask listeners: with hair salons and barbershops back open in Mass., will you be heading out to get your hair cut? TIME Magazine journalist Molly Ball discussed her new biography on Speaker Nancy Pelosi, titled “Pelosi." Environmental journalist Bill McKibben discussed the minor impact of quarantine on global carbon emissions, and the lessons we can gleam about our current climate crisis from the U.S.’ sluggish COVID-19 response. We opened lines to talk with listeners about the state’s gradual reopening, ahead of Gov. Charlie Baker’s Tuesday press conference. We aired live audio from Gov. Baker’s press conference. Behavioral economist Mike Norton talked about the exclusionary power of the inside joke, and responded to comments and questions from listeners. CNN’s John King discussed the politicization of the COVID-19 crisis, and President Trump’s efforts to quash mail-in voting. -
BPR Full Show 5/25/20: Remembering Our Nonhuman Heroes
Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with listeners about your concerns around the reopening of Massachusetts, and the people disregarding safety protocols. TV expert Bob Thompson commemorated the lives of actor Fred Williard and sportscaster Phyllis George, and discussed CBS' purchase of John Krasinski's "Some Good New" YouTube series. Travel guru Rick Steves showed off his piano skills on the blues scale, and talked about what he envisions for the slow reopening of European travel. Playwright Ryan Landry discussed the coronavirus politics that are causing issues in Provincetown, and gave his thoughts on virtual theater. Poet Richard Blanco called in for the latest edition of “Village Voice,” where he read a selection of poems by U.S. Poet Laureate Jo Harjo. Writer and naturalist Sy Montgomery discussed animal war heroes, in commemoration of Memorial Day. -
Corby Kummer on the Wonders of the 'Walktail'
For cities and states loosening their drinking restrictions, a new fad is gaining popularity– and it even has its own cute little portmanteau. Speaking on Boston Public Radio Friday, food writer Corby Kummer explained what “walktails” are, and why they might not be such a terrible thing for communities in quarantine. “It’s drinking while walking!” he said. “It’s getting a takeout cocktail." One of the benefits, Kummer noted, is the extra money it directs towards struggling bars and restaurants. "As we all know, alcohol is where the margins are,” he said. "Alcohol, and desserts in restaurants, which people unfortunately aren’t ordering so much of.” For those on a budget, the walktail can just as easily be made at home. Kummer also added that it can offer an additional outlet for of-age adults to socialize, all while maintaining a safe distance. "It’s another way of meeting your neighbors, keeping social distance, and having a drink,” he said. For Mass. residents, while you can’t drink outdoors, you* *can order takeout beer and wine with food orders, per a bill signed by Gov. Baker in April. Just be sure to keep it inside. 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. -
BPR Full Show 5/22/20: Asking the Mayor
Today on Boston Public Radio: – We opened our lines to talk with listeners about how you’re planning to spend this upcoming Memorial Day. – Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the Trump administrations crackdown on food stamp recipients, and the emergence of “walktails” for people looking to socialize while social distancing. – Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam talked about his harrowing experience at a nudist resort in the early 90’s, and his recent column on “the revenge of the coronavirus nerds." – Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called in for “Ask the Mayor,” where he discussed his administration’s measured approach to reopening the city, and responded to questions from listeners. – We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Friday press conference. – We reopened our lines to continue to coronavirus conversation with listeners.