Boston Public Radio

As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history enters its fifth week, the future of federal food assistance remains uncertain.

Rev. Irene Monroe said the film, which is about the relationship between a black pianist and his white driver and bodyguard, is overly reliant on the trope of the "white hero."

Poet Richard Blanco highlighted his favorite works by poet Ada Limón, which are united by a common theme of searching for meaning in "seeming oblivion."

Healey said she is “actively reviewing” the existing policies and procedures that surround the reporting of cases of sexual misconduct.

After Barack Obama left Office, Pete Souza made sure he still remained a part of the national dialogue.

Richard Blanco, the nation's fifth inaugural poet, shared poems that seize on the changing of the seasons as an opportunity to reflect on death, rebirth, and the passage of time.

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.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about Massachusetts’ new distracted driving law. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed whether Bernie Sanders ought to release his full medical records, and the latest news on the coronavirus. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed Matell’s new “Self-Care Barbie,” and reporting from the Atlantic on the political history between Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders. Boston Lyric Opera director Esther Nelson, alongside soprano Elena Stikhina, discussed the B.L.O.’s upcoming production of “Norma,” as well as Boston's lack of an opera house. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed the potential impact of coronavirus on the tech industry, and his thoughts on the new Sony Walkman MP3 player. “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley discussed the quarantine on Mike Bloomberg coverage at Bloomberg News, and her thoughts on Massachusetts new distracted driving law. Kim Senior and Shayne Kenyon of “Sweat,” now playing at the Huntington Theater, joined us for our weekly news quiz.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to callers to discuss Wednesday night’s Democratic debate. WGBH News Analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed a possible peace deal between the U.S. and Taliban forces, and the 900,000 Syrians currently fleeing to Turkey amidst Bashar al-Assad’s recent military advancements. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the sentencing of Trump associate Roger Stone, and the question of whether Attorney General Bill Barr will resign. ESPN’s Howard Bryant discussed his new book, “Full Dissidence: Notes From an Uneven Playing Field.” Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’sAll Rev’d Up, discussed Wednesday night’s Democratic debate, and the possibility of the U.S. having its first Jewish president in Bernie Sanders or Mike Bloomberg. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed concierge medicine, rank choice voting, and remembered the life of Jesuit astrophysicist Rev. George Coyne. Rep. Ayanna Pressley discussed Elizabeth Warren’s performance at Wednesday night’s debate, and her view that Attorney General Barr ought to resign.