Boston Public Radio

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.

A new report connects increased access to contraception with decreased abortion rates.

The Democratic party might not be thrilled about Kennedy's challenge to Markey, but Rooney thinks it's good for democracy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the rise of Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 campaign. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed Mookie Betts getting traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers, and new restrictions at the Tokyo Marathon over fears about the coronavirus. Former State Transportation Secretary James Aloisi and Transportation for Massachusetts Director Chris Dempsey discussed South Station construction, and long-term closures planned this summer for the green line. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the impact of coronavirus fears on Chinese restaurants across the U.S., and new research on the health benefits of coffee. TV writer Bob Thompson discussed the debut of the Black News Channel, reviewed Apple TV’s "Visible,” and the New Hampshire primary edition of “The Conners,” and "Better Call Saul." CNN’s John King discussed Wednesday night’s Democratic debate, and where the 2020 Democratic candidates stand ahead of Saturday’s Nevada caucuses. We re-opened our lines to talk with listeners about news on the health benefits of coffee, and how it might affect your relationship with the beverage.

Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio *on Tuesday to talk about Sweetgreen adding seaweed to the menu. "They are starting a new kelp seaweed bowl and they are buying from the Maine-based Atlantic Sea Farm, so it's a great New England story," he said. "It is taking kelp and seaweed years to actually become the fad, but it's a sustainable source of protein and has tons of vitamins and minerals." Many New Englanders are kelp advocates, Kummer said, since the plant is found in abundance on many eastern coasts. "Off of Maine, off Long Island, off many coasts in New England, there's this free abundant seaweed that’s now being farmed." *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: Former Managing Editor at "U.S. News and World Report" Laylah Alphonse and Michael Curry, deputy CEO and general counsel at the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, and chair of the Board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee, joined us for our politics round table. We opened the lines and asked our listeners if they are hesitant to take a vacation on a cruise due to concerns of the coronavirus.

Today on Boston Public Radio: “Beat the Press” host Emily Rooney discussed rising support for Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign, and read us her weekly list of fixations and fulminations. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed George Washington’s campaign to bring Spanish Mules to the U.S., and a debate over the architectural future of Washington, D.C. “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley discussed the candidacy of Michael Bloomberg, and her Valentine’s Day letter to Rep. John Lewis. Attorney General Maura Healey stopped by theWGBH library studio for our monthly “Ask the AG” series. Husband and wife duo Joanne Chang and Christopher Meyers, of the restaurant Meyers + Chang, joined us for our 7th annual Valentines Day news quiz.

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd weighed in on the Department of Justice’s recommendation of a lighter sentence for Trump associate Roger Stone, statements from former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly on the president’s view of immigrants, and the winning poodle at this week’s Westminster dog show. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed the president’s proposed cuts to health and science agencies, The WHO's inability to control media reporting on the coronavirus, and President Trump’s proposal to move tobacco regulation away from FDA control. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly’s statements on President Trump, and get your thoughts on why most Republicans are unwilling to criticize the president in a significant way. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker joined us for our monthly edition of “Ask the Governor,” where he spoke about the Transportation Climate Initiative, affordable housing, air monitoring in Weymouth, and more. Former Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville discussed controversy over testing for Boston Exam School applicants, a religious school choice case before the Supreme Court, and concerns over the use of facial recognition technology in Mass. schools. We re-opened our lines to talk with callers about the flashy look of this year’s Westminster Dog Show winner, a black standard poodle named Siba. WGBH Senior Arts Editor Jared Bowen discussed several plays in the Boston area, including “Plaza Suite,” "Detroit Red,” and “Sweat.”