Boston Public Radio

Emily Bazelon is the author of "Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration," a new book that examines prosecutorial power, and how that has affected the justice system for decades.

Another hate crime rattled a synagogue this weekend, leaving one woman dead and others injured. Reverend Irene Monroe and Reverend Emmett Price say this shooting fits into a pattern of white nationalist violence.

The secretary of state touted his success in keeping the state safe in 2016, and is confident he'll be able to do it again in the next election.

In response to the release of the redacted Mueller report, Rep. Ayanna Pressley has renewed her call to impeach President Donald Trump.

Following the release of the redacted Mueller report Thursday, Rep. Jim McGovern told WGBH News he “doesn’t trust” U.S. Attorney General William Barr’s assessment that there was “no collusion” between Russia and the Trump campaign in the lead up to the 2016 election.

A teacher at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School is under investigation after a controversial panel involving the use of a racial slur.

Today on Boston Public Radio: - NBC's Chuck Todd shared his thoughts on Joe Biden, presumptive Democratic nominee for president, choosing Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. - Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell spoke about her call for Boston schools to start the year fully remote. - Andrea Cabral, former secretary of public safety and sheriff of Suffolk County, explained why the Massachusetts Bail Fund is facing criticism. - Brown University Economics Professor Emily Oster talked about how to safely reopen schools this fall. - American playwright Paula Vogel spoke about how the performing arts are adapting to life online. - Boston Globe Business Columnist Shirley Leung discussed diversifying the boards of some of the commonwealth's largest companies.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Former Mass. Treasurer and state gubernatorial candidate Shannon O’Brien discussed presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as his running mate. Michael Curry talked about Biden’s pick and how Harris on the ticket might influence voters. Curry is the deputy CEO and general council for the Mass. League of Community Health Centers and a member of the NAACP board of directors, where he also chairs the board’s advocacy and policy committee. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about Harris joining Biden’s presidential ticket. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed evolving attitudes around faster, less effective coronavirus testing, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ethically dubious claims about Russia's supposed COVID-19 vaccine. Colby College sociologist and former police officer Neil Gross talked about why he believes progressives looking to effect change in police forces should consider joining them. MIT economist Jon Gruber talked about President Trump’s proposals for coronavirus relief, and offered his take on benefits of the $600 per week unemployment benefits that recently ran out. We returned to listeners to hear more of your thoughts on Harris as Biden's running mate. Richard Pickering and Kate Sheehan from Plimouth Plantation discussed the return of the newly-restored Mayflower II, and the museum's ongoing effort to raise awareness about the impact of the English settlers on the local Wampanoag population.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: as Congress quarrels about further coronavirus relief, how are you coping with the economic stress of the pandemic? NBC Sports Boston reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek talked about the status of college football, and how Boston’s sports teams are faring with their respective returns. Journalist Oscar Guerra discussed his new documentary for FRONTLINE, “Love, Life & the Virus.” Ali Noorani, Executive Director for the National Immigration Forum, talked about unique economic burdens for immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent polling of American attitudes around immigration. Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther talked about what he thinks it’s going to take for Americans to feel comfortable flying again, and his recent experience navigating COVID requirements to vacation with his parents in Maine. CNN’s John King discussed the dysfunction in Washington over more coronavirus relief, and President Trump’s call to bring back college football. We opened lines to talk with listeners about your experiences traveling during the summer of COVID.

Today on Boston Public Radio: CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed the U.S.’ passing of 5 million coronavirus cases, and a new report from American intelligence about Russian meddling in the 2020 election. We opened lines to talk with listeners about the Trump administration’s escalating attacks on the U.S. Postal Service. Politico’s Stephanie Murray broke the latest news around the Mass. Senate race., and a recent scandal for congressional challenger Alex Morse. TV expert Bob Thompson reviewed the miniseries “Upright”, Disney Plus' “Howard,” and the TV remake of “The Fugitive.” Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, talked about words with racist origins that we still use, and a disconnect within the Catholic Church around the Black Lives Matter movement. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko recapped cybersecurity news from last week's Black Hat security conference, and discussed President Trump’s attempt to ban U.S. companies from working with Tik Tok and WeChat. Poet Richard Blanco called in for our monthly edition of “The Village Voice,” where he talked about the poet Dorianne Laux, and read some of her work.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with listeners about your thoughts on the return to colleges and universities in the fall. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the restaurant industry’s reckoning around toxic workplace culture, and a commemorative feast at a Michigan prison to celebrate the life of George Floyd. Beat the Press host Emily Rooney discussed a Georgia High School suspending students for sharing photos of crowded hallways, and read her list of fixations and fulminations. Nia Grace, owner of Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen and co-founder of the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition, discussed Boston's Black Restaurant Month, and talked about how Darryl’s is holding up through the pandemic. Media maven Sue O’Connell talked about President Trump’s claim that Joe Biden is “anti-god,” and reflected on worries about the efficiency of the USPS ahead of the November election. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed major conflicts of interest for the president of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and her recent endorsement of Jesse Mermell to fill Rep. Joe Kennedy’s vacant congressional seat. We opened lines to talk with listeners about how you're supporting local businesses through the pandemic.