Boston Public Radio

A fungus that affects 10 percent of the cicada brood causes the insects to lose their genitals and become hypersexual.

The attorney general also said embattled Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White "should not have been put into this position."

The Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III speak about Floyd's legacy and whether the country has changed.

Rep. Jim McGovern said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has a "spine of jellyfish" for voting against the commission to investigate the Jan. 6 riots.

Jill Shah has been instrumental in the launch of Chelsea's universal basic income pilot program, which shows early signs of success.

The Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III doubt white America is ready to grapple with the horrors of slavery.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Jesse Mermell and Charlie Chieppo join for a politics panel discussing the debt ceiling deal, President Biden’s fall, and more. Then we opened the lines to hear from listeners about Biden’s age and whether it matters to voters. Michael Curry discusses Compass Medical’s abrupt closure, struggling independent pediatric practices, and Mass hospitals piloting ChatGPT. Curry is CEO and President of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. Boston Globe columnist Marcela Garcia discusses some of her latest pieces: ‘How to protect undocumented workers from exploitation’ and ‘Barking up the right tree: Regulate doggy day cares in Massachusetts.’ Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price discuss the hateful rhetoric of Ron DeSantis’ pastor, and a new study that finds more Americans choose in-person religious services over virtual worship. Scott Kirsner is co-designer of the Boston Innovation Trail, a walking tour of the city’s STEM sites through history. He joins with Namrata Sengupta, associate director of scientific public engagement at the Broad Institute, one of the 21 locations on the tour. We closed the show with a listener call-in segment about this year’s garden season.

The 2023 Scripps spelling bee crowned it’s winner, Dev Shah, last night. So we held our own spelling bee and challenged the brave callers. Comedian and podcaster Jamie Loftus has written her first book called Raw Dog, a comprehensive exploration of the beloved hot dog. She joined to discuss. Sue O’Connell talked Pride Month in Boston, as well 83-year-old Al Pacino becoming a father. Buster the Bear might’ve made an appearance in her segment as well. Corby Kummer discussed food stamp adjustments in the debt ceiling deal, recent controversies surrounding a dairy ad featuring Aubrey Plaza and an exciting offer from a New Zealand pizza company for its customers. Nancy Gertner joined the conversation to discuss the latest news from the nation's highest court. The Kendall Square Orchestra's annual Symphony for Science, taking place this weekend, performed for Live Music Friday. We ended the show by talking about all things hot dogs.

Chuck Todd talked about the debt ceiling agreement and other D.C. headlines. We opened the phone lines to talk Pride Month: what do people think of corporations co-opting Pride, and those on the right lashing out on Pride-themed products and events? Andrea Cabral returned for her law & order roundup. This week it was legal paranoia in the Trump circle, the story of a Boston police lieutenant with a history of DUIs getting another DUI, a South Boston dog trainer pleading not guilty to animal cruelty and more. Paul Reville weighed in on the sex-ed in Massachusetts schools debate we started on yesterday’s show. He also discussed big spending by BPS, the ongoing debate around cell phone bans and in-state college tuition aid for undocumented immigrants. Director Sammi Cannold & actor Caesar Samayoa from A.R.T’s “Evita” zoomed in to talk about the revival production. James Bennett II talked about some great (and cheap) things to do in an around Boston for June, plus why trashy books make for the best summer reading. We were inspired by a NYT’s piece on the meaning of mustaches. So, we opened the phone lines to get people’s thoughts: what does your mustache say about you?

Should Massachusetts mandate sex education in schools? At the top of the hour we opened lines to hear what listeners had to say. State Senator Jason Lewis made an appearance. Medical ethicist Art Caplan explores the implications of a genetic test aimed at assessing the risk of heart disease and heart attacks in younger individuals. Additionally, he delves into the reasons why many people consider a "natural death" more favorable than the potential trauma associated with CPR. National security expert Juliette Kayyem analyzes the repercussions of Stewart Rhodes' 18-year sentencing and shedding light on the risks posed by artificial intelligence. She argues that people should not fear AI. Poet Richard Blanco shares a collection of his poems, which celebrate the beauty and serenity of open spaces and natural parks. Summer is right around the corner. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung explores Boston's vibrant Peking duck scene, as well as examines the Greater Boston Y's pursuit of alternative offerings beyond the traditional health and fitness services. Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery discusses the reappearance of a Russian spy beluga in Sweden, and exploring whether octopuses experience nightmares. Do you tell your guests to take their shoes off when they enter your home? We held the hot debate at the end of our show by taking calls and texts from listeners.

The Celtics ended their playoff run with a loss to the Heat last night. So, we opened the phone lines to ask listeners about the pain of losing. And, what was harder to watch … the Celtics, or the end of Succession? NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Casey discussed the Celtics' loss last night. Plus, how wartime politics are making its way into the French Open. GBH News analyst and editor-in-chief at the GroundTruth Project Charlie Sennott discussed the latest in Ukraine, back from a recent trip to Bucha. Jim Aloisi, former transportation secretary, and Stacy Thompson, executive director of Livable Streets, joined for a transit panel. GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen joined fresh off a Broadway binge to discuss the shows he saw over the weekend. CNN’s John King joined via zoom for the latest on the debt ceiling deal and more in politics. New Zealand will make all passengers on their national airline weigh themselves before boarding. They say it’s part of a survey to gather data about load distribution on their planes...We asked listeners: would they do anything that requires them to step on a scale?