Boston Public Radio

Former State Senator Ben Downing criticized Democrats and Republicans alike and called for a more thorough investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home.

Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III weighed in on the emergence of the Boston-based parent action group Parents United.

Cabral agrees with cynics but also speaks to challenge of sustaining prison reforms across governors’ tenures.

"Families have been asked to wait too many times by Beacon Hill," she said on Greater Boston.

The group has ties to organizations that date back to the early 1900s.

Peterson also spoke to the critical need for funding to support small and local arts spaces.

Today: We opened the lines to get listener reactions on the unsealed indictment of former president Donald Trump. Michael Curry discussed the gene-based therapies transforming treatments for sickle cell disease. Curry is CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. Imari Paris Jeffries, executive director of Embrace Boston, discussed this weekend’s Embrace Ideas Festival along with chef Krayla Brice, who’s participating in a chef’s panel during the festival. ProPublica reporter A.C. Thompson discussed his latest film investigating big truck crashes for Frontline, titled “America’s Dangerous Trucks,” which airs Tuesday night. Reverends Irene Monroe & Emmett Price discussed the impacts of AI in religion — Is your priest using ChatGPT to build their sermons? Comedian John Early joined ahead of a show at the Wilbur Theatre this week.

Former President Trump has been indicted for a second time. The seven counts against him include conspiracy to obstruct and willful retention of documents and false statements. Listeners called and texted in to share their reactions. We have Adrianna Boulin from the newly-formed Boston Pride For The People & Chastity Bowick former executive director of the Transgender Emergency Fund. Rick Steves is in town for his show with the Pops, he'll make an appearance. Sue O’Connell is part of the Speak Now original series where staff members of NBC Boston Stations and Telemundo share stories of LGBTQ+ pride. She'll also touch on The Ultimatum's new queer season. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner will take a deep dive into news of Trump's indictment. Mary Gauthier joins for Live Music Friday ahead of a show at Club Passim.

E.J. Dionne from the Washington Post joined to discuss last night’s townhall with Mike Pence and other D.C. headlines. Then we opened the phone lines to check in on the Canadian wildfire smoke blanketing the North East. How are people coping with the air quality hazards? Andrea Cabral explained George Santos’ mystery bail guarantors, the arraignment of Charlestown resident Matthew Nilo on serial rape charges, the possibility of new charges for President Trump and other legal headlines. Steve Curwood hosts PRX’s Living on Earth. He joined us in advance of his conversation with David Leonard at the BPL to talk about climate change. Carolyn Beeler from The World is currently stationed in Ukraine. She joined us from Kyiv via Zoom to talk about her work, what she’s seeing, and the environmental devastation that’s playing out as a byproduct of the war. Economist Jon Gruber is back from sabbatical, a few weeks before he officially becomes chair of M.I.T’s department of economics. He offered his thoughts on the debt ceiling and why he thinks we need to do away with it. Plus, his shared a story of a monkey encounter from his time abroad. We ended the show to hear from listeners about U.F.O.s. Do you believe in UFOs? And if you don’t, does the latest account from a former intelligence official have you thinking?

PGA Golf has merged with LIV Golf. We asked listeners about their reactions and if the saying “money is the root of evil” is true. French Ambassador to the US Laurent Bili joined ahead of a meeting with Mayor Wu. He also attended the BIO International Convention this week. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed Merck suing the US government to stop the Medicare drug price negotiation program in the Inflation Reduction Act and more. Thais Rocha is co-owner of Dani’s Queer Bar, and co-founder of LGBTQ Nightlife Events in Boston. She discussed the efforts to get Dani’s, a space for sapphic, trans, and non-binary people, launched. Globe’s Shirley Leung discussed her column on bus-only lanes in Seaport & more globe coverage on Boston suburbs working to meet the MBTA/housing law requirements. How has your name shaped you or others around you? We heard from listeners including a Bob and someone named Leaf to hear what they had to say. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discussed the James Beard Award winners, including Chef Sherry Pocknett, and BPS putting “seaweed-ish meatballs” on the menu.

NBC Sports Boston anchor/reporter Trenni Casey discussed the French Open and updates on Harvard’s investigation into their former women’s hockey coach. We opened the phones to hear about new bike lanes in West Roxbury and Boston’s jaywalking reputation. Who are the streets for? And what do listeners think about adding more bike lanes and other traffic slowing measures? Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther discussed his recent columns that highlight safe places for queer travelers in 2023, and a profile of Kennebunk, Maine (not to be confused with Kennebunkport). National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed All State and State Farm insurance companies announcing they will not sell new coverage to homeowners in California, citing worsening climate conditions. Kayyem also discussed a meeting between Trump’s lawyers meeting and the DOJ regarding the classified documents case. How much PDA (public displays of affection) is too much? We took calls and texts from listeners. Then, CNN chief national correspondent John King joined via zoom for the latest political headlines. Guster performed for Live Music Tuesday, ahead of a Wednesday show with the Boston Pops.