Boston Public Radio

President Donald Trump has declined meeting with Iran this week at the UN General Assembly, which Sennott says is a mistake.

In the wake of allegations that President Donald Trump coordinated with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to gain political dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden, it’s still unclear how Congressional Democrats will respond.

TV guru Bob Thompson breaks down the latest popular culture headlines.

WGBH's science correspondent gave live updates from Climate Week New York City.

Inaugural poet Richard Blanco highlights an anthology of poems that embody or express empathy or outrage in the age of President Donald Trump.

Two local chefs joined us for our news quiz.

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.

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.

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.

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd discussed President Trump’s failures in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and the latest headlines out of Congress regarding future aid funding. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed her concerns around the Missouri execution of Walter Barton, and the impact of Trump’s string of inspector general firings on the health of U.S. democracy. Gov. Charlie Baker called in to talk about coronavirus testing, the deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, and everything his administration is doing to help Massachusetts recover from the pandemic. WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen discussed the emergence of Zoom theater, with the Arleen Players Theatre’s “State Vs. Natasha Banina,” and the “Pandemic Play” series from the Liars and Believers theater group. WGBH News Analyst Charlie Sennott discussed the harmful impact of President Trump’s nativist policies on the global health crisis, and what the current pandemic is revealing about the world's dependence on energy from fossil fuels.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan talked about the President’s use of hydroxychloroquine, and ethical dilemmas raised by an expedited coronavirus vaccine. We opened lines to ask listeners: should people be deliberately exposed to COVID-19 if it means getting a vaccine faster? CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem explained why she thinks Americans shouldn’t rush to return to the office, and talked about how the U.S. ought to go about reopening. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Wednesday press conference. Massachusetts Director of Transportation Chris Dempsey discussed what the next few months are going to look like for Mass Transit under Gov. Baker’s reopening plan, and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s proposal to open up more streets to pedestrians and businesses. We reopened our lines to ask listeners: are you ready to return to the office, or are you happy working from home?