Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by opening the phone lines, talking with listeners about whether they’re reassessing their relationships as we emerge from the pandemic. Sue O’Connell explains how LGBTQ activists are challenging Boston Pride to diversify its board, and the nationwide debate over involving police in pride. She also talks about George P. Bush announcing his run for attorney general in Texas. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the South End News, as well as NECN's political commentator and explainer-in-chief. Emily Rooney shares her thoughts on a government report which found that there was no conclusive evidence that unidentified aerial phenomena were alien spacecraft, but could not identify what the UFOs were. She also previews tonight’s Beat the Press. Rooney is the host of Beat the Press, which you can watch Friday nights at 7 p.m. Next, we ask listeners if they would swim in London’s Sky Pool. Yamiche Alcindor discusses her experiences covering former President Donald Trump and his administration, and her friendship with the late journalist Gwen Ifill. She also talks about her new role as the moderator of Washington Week. Alcindor is the moderator of Washington Week. She is also the White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour, and a political contributor for NBC News and MSNBC. Callie Crossley talks about Facebook's decision to suspend former President Trump for two years, and shares her thoughts on a veteran’s mic getting cut off during a Memorial Day speech in which he acknowledged Black people’s role in the creation of the holiday. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, from former President Donald Trump shutting down his blog to his claims that he’ll be reinstated as president in August. Todd is the moderator of “Meet The Press” on NBC, host of “Meet The Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Then, we ask listeners what pandemic hobbies and behaviors they’re giving up. Andrea Cabral walks us through Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White’s termination hearing, and discusses Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema’s (D-AZ) defense of the filibuster. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Corby Kummer discusses calls for the Massachusetts legislature to extend pandemic-era cocktails to-go and caps on delivery service commissions. He also talks about the ransomware attack against meat packer JBS. Kummer is the executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Andy Ihnatko talks about the new Apple iPad, and Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s lawsuit against Google on claims that they deceptively and unfairly tracked users. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. We end the show by talking with listeners about multiple airlines barring in-flight alcohol due to unruly passengers.

Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio on Thursday about the cyberattack against JBS, the world’s largest meat processing company. “Plants were closed down because they were unable to schedule workers and it interrupted the entire supply chain,” he said. “The idea that you’ve got cattle and need a slaughterhouse to be open to continue the supply chain, that’s being broken and it can impact farmers as well as raise meat prices.” The result of this cyberattack could cause waste, Kummer noted. “Probably these slaughtered animals are not going to meat, just euthanized, and buried the way the supply chain disruptions of the early pandemic did last year,” he said. “It’s dangerous to be subject and this vulnerable to a cyberattack.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about searching for childcare services as they return to the workplace. Art Caplan talks about Moderna’s application to the FDA for approval of its vaccines. He also shares his thoughts on the Supreme Court hearing of a Mississippi case that could overturn Roe v. Wade, and the International Olympic Committee requiring athletes to sign COVID-19 waivers for the 2021 Tokyo Games. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. Juliette Kayyem discusses the increase in ransomware attacks in the wake of hacks on the Colonial Pipeline, JBS, and the Steamship Authority. She also talks about ocean safety for the summer. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Shirley Leung speaks about the lack of child care accommodations offered to returning City Hall employees, and a survey that found that one in four Massachusetts companies plan on requiring employees to get vaccinated. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Chuck Wexler shares his thoughts on how the Boston Police Department could be reformed, arguing that the department should look at how it handled its corruption in the 1970s. Wexler is the executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and a former member of the Boston Police Department. Jared Bowen highlights the latest in arts and culture, including Shelter Music Boston’s “Voices from the Land,” “Go Pixel Yourself” at the CambridgeSide Galleria, and “chekhovOS” at Arlekin Players Theatre. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. We wrap up the show by talking with listeners about selfie culture.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Acting Mayor Kim Janey discusses the investigation into Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White, and Northeastern University’s plans to build a 25-story dorm and classroom space in Roxbury. She also answers listeners’ questions during “Ask the Acting Mayor.” David Leonard speaks about the reopening of the Boston Public Library, and explained how their operations changed throughout the pandemic. He also shares which genres library patrons gravitated to during quarantine. Leonard is president of the Boston Public Library. Trenni Kusnierek discusses Naomi Osaka’s decision to withdraw from the French Open following her comments on post-match press conferences, and the arrest of a Boston Celtics fan for allegedly throwing a water bottle at Kyrie Irving. She also shares her thoughts on calls to cancel the Tokyo Olympics. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Ken Gloss talks about how The Brattle Book Shop adapted during the pandemic, from offering curatorial services to continuing house calls for rare and antiquarian books. Gloss is the proprietor of The Brattle Book Shop, one of America's oldest book stores. He also appraises books. John King discusses Texas Democrats’ responses to GOP legislation that would restrict voting rights in the state. He also updates us on the status of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. We end the show by talking with listeners about Massachusetts dropping COVID restrictions over Memorial Day weekend.

We're on tape today, replaying some of our favorite conversations, which includes: Ron Chernow joins Jim and Margery to talk about his biography, GRANT Harvard Business School's Michael Norton discusses his latest research, which looks at what is more valuable to people, saving money of saving time Author Karl Ove Knaussgard discusses his book, Autumn Patti Smith discusses why she considers herself a writer above all of the other talents. It’s the subject of her memoir, Devotion (Why I Write) Salman Rushdie discusses his novel, The Golden House Sy Montgomery and Elizabeth Marshall Thomas discuss their book, Tamed and Untamed: Close Encounters of the Animal Kind

We’re on tape today, replaying some of our favorite conversations, which include: James Beard award winning pastry chef Joanne Chang discussing her book, Pastry Love: A Baker’s Journal of Favorite Recipes. Former commercial fisherman Bren Smith discussing his book, Eat Like a Fish: My Adventures Farming the Ocean to Fight Climate Change. Jacques Pepin and his granddaughter Shorey Wesen discussing their latest collaboration, the cookbook A Grandfather’s Lessons: In the Kitchen with Shorey. Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association, discussing why her work remains as relevant today as it did in the 1960s. Chris Kimball, founder of Milk Street, discussing his latest cookbook Tuesday Nights Mediterranean: 125 Simple Weeknight Recipes from the World's Healthiest Cuisine. Andrew Li and Irene Li discuss their latest cookbook, which they wrote with their sister Margaret Li, Double Awesome Chinese Food: Irresistible and Totally Achievable Recipes from Our Chinese-American Kitchen.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd speaks about the San Jose Valley Transit Authority (VTA) rail yard shooting, and weighs in on what it would take for Congress to pass meaningful gun reform legislation. Todd is the moderator of “Meet The Press” on NBC, host of “Meet The Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Next, we talk with listeners about Massachusetts reopening for Memorial Day weekend. Andrea Cabral discusses New York prosecutors convening a grand jury to decide whether to indict former President Donald Trump and Trump Organization executives under a criminal investigation into the business. She also updates us on Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White’s ongoing legal battle. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Paul Reville talks about Boston Public Schools ending a partnership with a nonprofit due to alleged “cult-like” counseling sessions with students, and shared his thoughts on the future of hybrid learning. He also discusses research into whether children benefit from repeating a grade. Reville is the former Massachusetts secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also heads the Education Redesign Lab. His latest book, co-authored with Lynne Sacks, is “Collaborative Action for Equity and Opportunity: A Practical Guide for School and Community Leaders.” Then, we open the phone lines, asking listeners if they want their kids to repeat this school year in order to be more prepared for the next grade. Shirley Leung talks about corporate America’s pledge to racial equity after the murder of George Floyd, and shares her thoughts on whether corporations have made good on their promises a year later. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Rick Steves speaks about his travels in Israel and Palestine, and shares his thoughts on Europe reopening for travel. Steves is an author, television and radio host and the owner of the Rick Steves' Europe tour group. You can catch his television show, "Rick Steves’ Europe," weeknights at 7:30 p.m. on GBH 2 and his radio show, “Travel With Rick Steves,” Sundays at 4 p.m. on GBH.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by asking listeners whether schools should have police officers on campus. Art Caplan shares his thoughts on the CDC’s decision to not investigate breakthrough COVID-19 cases among vaccinated people, and the rollback of mask mandates across the country. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. Juliette Kayyem discusses scientists’ increasing interest in the lab-leak origin theory of COVID-19. She also explains how Republicans who sought to overturn the 2020 election are now seeking roles as election officials. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Chris Dempsey and Jim Aloisi talks about the MBTA’s return to pre-pandemic service levels, and safety issues with new Orange Line cars. They also share their thoughts on how Boston’s next mayor could improve public transit and urban design. Dempsey is the director of the nonprofit Transportation for Massachusetts, and the former assistant secretary of transportation of Massachusetts. Aloisi is the former Massachusetts transportation secretary, a member of the Transit Matters board, and contributor to Commonwealth Magazine. Brian McGrory discusses the Spotlight team’s investigation into the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. He also talks about corporate buyouts of local newspapers, and the Boston Globe’s Fresh Start Initiative. McGrory is the editor-in-chief of The Boston Globe. Sy Montgomery updates us on a fungal pathogen infecting this year’s cicada Brood X, and speaks about a 600 mile cross-country drive to save a pigeon. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is "The Hummingbirds’ Gift: Wonder, Beauty, and Renewal on Wings." We wrap up the show by asking listeners if they would travel hundreds of miles to save the life of an animal.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Attorney General Maura Healey discusses the investigation into Hopkinton teen Mikayla Miller’s death, the use of no-knock warrants in the Commonwealth, and allegations of domestic violence against Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White. She also answers listeners’ questions during “Ask the AG.” Dr. Renee Crichlow talks about vaccine hesitancy among parents, and laws allowing minors to get vaccinated without their parents’ permission. Dr. Crichlow is the chief medical officer at Codman Square Health Center and the incoming vice chair of health equity at the Boston University Department of Family Medicine. Michael Curry discusses how the murder of George Floyd reverberated in Boston, from police reform to the city’s mayoral race. Curry is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and a member of Governor Charlie Baker’s COVID Vaccine Advisory Group. He’s also a Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, and the Chair of the Board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee. Next, we open the phone lines, talking with listeners about what has and hasn’t changed in the year since the murder of George Floyd. John King updates us on the latest political headlines, including GOP opposition to the formation of a Jan. 6 Capitol riots commission and President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. We end the show by asking listeners what they would do if they found a million dollars.