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.

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?

Today on Boston Public Radio: Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung discussed Gov. Baker’s reopening plan, and how businesses and health experts are responding to the news. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed the slow return of recreational sports to Massachusetts, and the slim likelihood that the Boston Marathon will take place in September. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about eating and shopping out in the open, and whether steps like these would make you feel better about the state reopening its economy. Filmmaker Sasha Joelle Achilli talked about her new FRONTLINE documentary, "Inside Italy’s COVID War.” CNN’s John King went over the latest political news out of D.C., from the debate in Congress over aid spending, to the recent firing of the State Department's inspector general.