Boston Public Radio Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Best Of BPR 10/22: Women's Sports Wins And Losses & Karen Read On Dateline Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

Today:

NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey discusses the botched rollout of Boston's new National Womens Soccer League team, the Bos Nation FC, with their "too many balls" ad campaign.

And, media maven Sue O'Connell -- who was at the Karen Read trial for NBC10 -- discusses the network's Dateline episode about John O'Keefe's death and the murder charges against Karen Read.

BPR Full Show 10/22: Are We Ready To Elect A Woman President? Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

We opened the lines to discuss how close the election is and if the country is ready to elect a woman

Trenni Casey, NBC Sports Boston anchor/reporter, discussed the NWSL Boston's botched new team name rollout and the Patriots gone soft

Sue O'Connell, political commentator NBC10, discussed the Karen Read Dateline episode

Ahead of Susan G Komen's annual More Than Pink fundraiser this weekend, we talked with two local doctors Julie Palmer and Ann Partridge about breast cancer awareness and research

CNN's John King discussed the latest national political headlines

We ended the show by talking about hugs

Best Of BPR 10/21: "10 Years Of Disruptions" For Allston/I-90 Project & Landscapers Who Lunch Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

Today:

W pull back the curtain on the legislature’s transportation committee with outgoing chair Rep. William Straus, and former assistant transportation secretary Chris Dempsey,

And, a robust debate over lunch – we open the lines to ask listeners if they’re among the nearly 20% of Boston workers who say they skip lunch.

BPR Full Show 10/21: A Modest Amount of Food Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

Brian McGrory, head of BU Journalism, discusses Trump's behavior at his latest string of rallies, and the lack of public information available on the death of the State Police recruit.

Then we open the phone and text lines to get your election thoughts two weeksuntil election day.

Charlie Sennott, founder of The GroundTruth Project, discusses the killing of Yahya Sinwar and what it means for conflict in the Middle East.

Chris Dempsey of Speck Dempsey urban planning & Rep. William Straus, outgoing chair of the legislature's Transportation Committee, discuss transit-oriented headlines on derailments, rail links, congestion studies, and e-bike injuries.

For our text question of the day: after decades of ruling the NFL, how have you adjusted to the Patriot’s fall from grace?

Khalil Gibran Muhammad, professor of History Race and Public Policy at Harvard, discusses the school's decision to ban more than 12 students from the library over a silent "study-in" anti-war protest in objection over Israel's military actions in the Middle East — and the professors who demonstrated in their defense.

Almost a fifth of workers in Boston skip their lunch breaks altogether. Are you someone who respects the sacred work lunch break, or are you shoveling food while on the job?

BPR Full Show 10/18: Audit The Legislature? Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

We had our Ballot Question 1 debate with Mary Connaughton from the Pioneer Institute arguing yes, and political science professor Jerold Duquette arguing no.

Adam Ezra for Live Music Friday performed and talked about his work raising hundreds for homeless veterans.

Gina McCarthy & Johanna Neumann discussed the stakes for this November’s election as it relates to climate action.

Comedian Jenny Slate talked about her new book called LIFEFORM.

Best Of BPR 10/18: Ballot Question 1 Debate - Auditing The Legislature Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

Today:

BPR hosts a debate on Ballot Question 1, which would grant the state auditor authority to audit the finances and workings of the legislature. Mary Connaughton, director of government transparency and COO at the Pioneer Institute, argues for YES on 1. Jerold Duquette, professor of political science at Central Connecticut State University and co-founder of MassPoliticsProfs.org, argues for NO on 1.

Best Of BPR 10/17: Ballot Question 3 - Rideshare Driver Unions Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

Today:

Roxana Rivera, co-chair of the Yes on 3 coalition and Assistant to the President at 32BJ SEIU, joins to discuss Ballot Question 3 - which would allow rideshare drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft to collectively bargain for better working conditions. Mass Fiscal Alliance wrote the opposition memo for this ballot question in the Secretary of State's voter guidebook, but no group formally launched an opposition to it. Mass Fiscal declined BPR's request to debate the issue.

BPR Full Show 10/17: Live on Zoom from YouTube Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

Roxanna Rivera joins as a representative for Yes on 3 and United Justice. She makes the case for ballot question 3, which would allow ride share workers the right to unionize. Representatives from the group Mass. Fiscal Alliance, who wrote the official language for the “no” side, say they are not a ballot question committee and declined our invitation to join.

Then we opened the phone lines to hear from listeners about how they plan to vote.

Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral reacts to Nebraska’s high court ruling in favor of allowing people with felony records to vote. She also discussed the latest death-row case out of Texas involving a man who advocates say was falsely accused.

Mass Education Sec. Patrick Tutwiler joins for his first-ever interview with Jim & Margery. He talks about why he's in favor of keeping MCAS graduation requirements, plans to divvy out $20 million for early literacy, and efforts to bolster student mental health support.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley joins with reflections on Harris’ interview Brett Baier on Fox and the state’s new liquor license law and violence in the Middle East.

Then it's Am I the A-hole day.

Best Of BPR 10/16: Ballot Question 2 Debate - MCAS & Astronaut Suni Williams Oct 16, 2024

Show notes

Today:

We bring you our debate on ballot question 2 - whether to eliminate the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement. Representing YES on 2 is Deb McCarthy, vice president of the Massachusetts Teachers Union. Representing NO on 2 is Keri Rodrigues, co-founder of the National Parents Union.

And, Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut and commander of expedition 72 zooms into us from the International Space Station. She’s part of the Starliner crew who’s original 8-day mission has been delayed to 8-months because of technical problems.

BPR Full Show 10/16: Eliminate MCAS? Oct 16, 2024

Show notes

Ballot question #2 debate: Deb McCarthy, VP of the Mass Teachers Association represents YES on 2; Keri Rodrigues, founder of the National Parents Union.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams joined over Zoom into the show from the International Space Station

We opened the lines to hear from listeners about their opinions on question 2

National security expert Juliette Kayyem on FEMA making "operational adjustments" amid threats to rescue and aid workers for hurricanes Helene and Milton

Governor Maura Healey answered listener questions for Ask The Gov.