Boston Public Radio

Our weekly news quiz featured Shakespearean shenanigans.

When Botham Jean’s brother Brandt took the stand at the sentencing of his brother’s killer Amber Guyger, he had an unusual request for the judge. On the stand, Brandt forgave Guyger for killing his brother, and asked the judge if he could hug her. The judge allowed it.

Harvard's admissions process passes muster in federal court, but isn't perfect, Reville said.

Roosevelt introduced sweeping progressive policies with his New Deal. Can today's progressives do the same around climate change?

MGH employees do more than take care of patients — they also sing!

The civil rights organization wants more information about potential civil rights violations.

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.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Charlie Chieppo and Jennifer Nassour joined us for a political roundtable. Chieppo is principal of Chieppo Strategies, senior fellow at the Pioneer Institute and adjunct professor at Suffolk University, and Nassour is a former Chairwoman of the Mass GOP and founder of Conservative Women For A Better Future. We opened our lines to ask callers your thoughts on Bernie Sanders being the 2020 Democratic frontrunner, and Monday's verdict in the trial of Harvey Weinstein. TV writer Bob Thompson reviewed Hulu’s “High Fidelity” and Netflix’s “Gentrefied.” Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, discussed the Catholic Church’s lax handling of sexual abuse, and the racial inequities at Boston’s exam schools. WGBH News Analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott provided an update on the Taliban’s reduction of violence deal in Afghanistan, and President Trump’s Monday visit to India. Poet Richard Blanco joined us for another edition of “The Village Voice,” where he discussed the persona poem.