Boston Public Radio

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It doesn't take a close reading of Emily Post's Etiquette handbook to know that there are three topics that should never be discussed in polite company:…

If there's one thing that can bring together Americans of all ages and stripes, it's the promise of consuming obscene amounts of cheese and hot sauce…

Three months into the coronavirus pandemic, it’s time to face the hard truth: now is not the best time for America’s buffets. With cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise across the country, the buffet’s communal eating factor has made it unlikely that people will want to return any time soon. Food writer Corby Kummer, however, says that might not be the worst thing in the world. The award-winning writer and senior editor at The Atlantic returned to Boston Public Radio on Thursday, where he reflected on why it’s probably for the best that Americans aren’t being tempted by the allure of the hot bar. The first upside Kummer gave (aside from the obvious) was cost. “Paying by the pound,” he said, is "always more expensive than just buying and making the food yourself.” Also on the table is the over-eating factor. “It’s this whole idea that you’re pulling a fast one at a buffet,” he said. "You’re getting a lot of food for nothing. Somehow, when nobody’s looking, you’re going and you’re getting another portion– and nobody ever offers you another portion.” "It’s gonna result in better portion control. Life is actually going to be better without buffets,” he said. But while Americans taking the pandemic seriously are unlikely to return to buffet lines any time soon, Kummer said it’s probably inevitable that they’ll return, in some form or another. "They’re more economical for the hotels and restaurants. If you think you’re pulling a fast one and getting a bargain whereas they are making more money, they’ll come back,” he said.

Today on Boston Public Radio: WGBH News reporter Adam Reilly discussed new polling from WGBH, in partnership with the Boston Globe, MassLive, State House News Service, and Suffolk University, about the attitudes of Mass. residents towards police reform and the state’s reopening. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the findings from the newly released polling. Rep. Joe Kennedy called in to discuss his issues with the president’s handling of COVID-19, and how he believes the federal government needs to address racism and police brutality. Jim and Margery made their pitch for donations to WGBH, as part of Wednesday’s single-day pledge drive. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Wednesday press conference, where he discussed the conclusions of the official report on malpractice at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Medical ethicist Art Caplan explained why he doesn’t expect a readily available COVID-19 vaccine in 2020, and discussed whether the MLB will be able to mitigate coronavirus transmissions in their 2020 season. We reopened our lines to continue the conversation about Black Lives Matter and police reform in Massachusetts.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Tuesday press conference. We opened lines to talk with listeners about your experiences with racism in the classroom. Mass. AG Maura Healey called in for our monthly edition of “Ask the AG." FRONTLINE producer and director Tom Jennings discussed his latest documentary, “Opioids, Inc.” CNN’s John King talked about Tuesday’s primary elections, and broke down the latest Washington headlines. We opened lines to ask listeners: with Summer nearly in full swing, are you pining for baseball’s return?

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: are you ready for Massachusetts to enter the next phase of reopening? TV expert Bob Thompson talked about the Juneteenth special of “Sherman’s Showcase,” and broke down the best and the worst of what’s on TV. WGBH News analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed the recent UN resolution on systemic racism, and American exceptionalism in the age of COVID-19. Boston Public Library President David Leonard spoke about the library system’s “BPL to Go” program, which launches this week. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, talked about the controversy surrounding a Milton middle school’s response to classroom discussions about police brutality, and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross’ meeting last week with AG William Barr. Poet Richard Blanco read and discussed “Let There Be Pride,” a poem he wrote for Sam Adams as part of their “Love Conquers All” campaign for Pride Month. We opened our lines to ask listeners: has lockdown has brought you closer to your neighbors?

Today on Boston Public Radio: CNN analyst and national security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the Supreme Court’s ruling on DACA, and why she thinks Trump’s Tulsa rally could get cancelled. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed the Supreme Court’s ruling on LGBT discrimination in the workplace, and commemorated the passing of Jean Kennedy Smith. Beat the Press host Emily Rooney discussed Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s public withdrawal from Joe Biden’s VP pool, and defended her disdain for monuments and memorials. We aired live audio from Gov. Baker’s Friday press conference. We opened lines to hear your thoughts on Gov. Baker’s announcement that Massachusetts will move into the next phase of reopening on Monday. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley talked about the legacy of Juneteenth, and discussed new accusations that the Atlanta police officer who killed Rayshard Brooks of covering up the 2015 killing of Jackie Harris.