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89.7 WGBH

The Takeaway



"The Takeaway" is morning news for engaged listeners. Each day hear a fresh morning drive-time program. John Hockenberry and Celeste Headlee convene critical conversations, take live reports from the field, provide a platform for commentary and analysis, and invite listeners to join the discussion.

Listen on 89.7FM
Weekdays at 6AM and 9AM

89.7 WGBH

PRI's The World


PRI's "The World" brings one-of-a-kind international stories home to America. Each weekday, host Lisa Mullins guides listeners through major issues and stories, linking global events directly to the American agenda.

Listen on 89.7FM
Weekdays at 6PM
89.7 WGBH

This American Life


This American Life explores a theme each week — fiascos, conventions, the job that takes over your life — through a playful mix of radio monologues, mini-documentaries, "found tape," short fiction and unusual music.

Listen on 89.7FM
Saturdays at 11AM
Music

Esperanza Spalding: The Future of Music


See Spaulding's Interview on BASIC BLACK
Jazz On WGBH With Eric Jackson
Last night, Esperanza Spalding appeared on Letterman to celebrate the release of her new album. Watch the clip and listen to her talk with Eric Jackson about her many musical influences.
Live Performances

New Venues And A WGBH Broadcast At First Night


By WGBH News
New college partnerships mean more stages for the 1 million visitors to Boston's First Night. WGBH is airing the Julian Lage Trio's performance as part of NPR's annual "Toast of the Nation" broadcast.
Jazz

Welcome 2012 With Toast Of The Nation


WGBH and NPR kick off 2012 with the annual Toast of the Nation broadcast — this year featuring jazz guitarist Julian Lage.
Jazz on WGBH With Steve Schwartz

Steve Schwartz 11/11/2011


LISTEN
Join Steve Schwartz in his 11/11/2011 show celebrating vocalist Ernestine Anderson (b. 11/11/1928) and alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano (b. 11/12/1923).
89.7 WGBH

Best Of NPR 2011


LISTEN NOW
Thanks to listener support, public radio sounded really good this year. Hear complete stories, interviews and reports from NPR’s Best of 2011 collection.
Local Politics

Elizabeth Warren Enters 2012 Senate Race


By The Associated Press
Consumer advocate and Democrat Elizabeth Warren will enter the Massachusetts Senate primary Wednesday for a shot at challenging incumbent Republican Scott Brown for his seat.
WGBH Local News

See Something, Say Something: Safe, Or Unfair?


By Phillip Martin
In the days after the ten-year anniversary of Sept. 11, millions are traveling as usual and security issues remain as they have since 2001. That means individuals are still being singled out for special scrutiny, which continues to raise questions about fairness and safety.
WGBH Local News

See Something, Say Something: Safe, Or Unfair?


By Phillip Martin
In the days after the ten-year anniversary of Sept. 11, millions are traveling as usual and security issues remain as they have since 2001. That means individuals are still being singled out for special scrutiny, which continues to raise questions about fairness and safety.
89.7 WGBH

State Treasurer Considers Legalizing Online Poker


By Sarah Birnbaum
Momentum may be growing behind efforts to legalize online poker in Massachusetts. State Treasurer Steve Grossman’s Office is considering plans to legalize online poker for state residents.
Boston

At Logan, Silence And Normalcy On Sept. 11


By Phillip Martin
The scene at Logan Airport Sunday was anything but sedate. On the anniversary of September 11th, thousands of passengers passed through the nation’s eighth-busiest airport, but memories of ten years to the day bore heavily on the minds of many travelers.
89.7 WGBH

Sept. 11, From The Rooftops



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Phillip Martin
Millions of Americans vividly recall where they were ten years ago on September. Some that day were standing on rooftops, terraces, staring from the windows of tall buildings and looking out from balconies.
Boston

An Entrepreneur, A Soldier, A Refugee: Millennials And Sept. 11



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Jess Bidgood
It may be too early to say how Sept. 11 affected the millennial generation, who came of age in its aftermath. But it did bring change, one person at a time. Here are three stories of youths whose lives were altered because of that day.
WGBH Special Reports

Sept. 11: A Day Of Reflection, A Decade Of Stories



By WGBH News
WGBH News joined our community and world to mark the somber anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. On the last day of 2011, we look back at that milestone.
A DECADE OF STORIES

Without Answers, A Brand-New Governor Tried To Lead



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Sarah Birnbaum
On Sept. 11, Acting Gov. Jane Swift's first task was to send voters to the polls for a special election. Her next: To navigate crisis in a state she had just come to lead.
A DECADE OF STORIES

After Sept. 11, Waltham Musician Plays On



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Cristina Quinn
On Sept. 11, Amy Fairchild was getting on the subway, off to work with a producer on an album she hoped would help her realize her dream of becoming a professional musician. And then the world came to a standstill.

A DECADE OF STORIES

'The Biggest Danger Is Overreacting'



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Gary Mott
On Sept. 11, Prof. Joe Nye was the dean of the Kennedy School. Nye reflects on how he led his students that day — and the implications of the attack for the country.
A DECADE OF STORIES

Sept. 11 Narrative Emerges In The Arts


SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES

By Jared Bowen
At first, it wasn't clear how the art world could or should respond to the Sept. 11 attacks. Today works of visual art, theater and dance explore the attacks and its aftermath — and audience members are engaging with it.
Boston

DiMasi Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison


By Jess Bidgood
Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi has been sentenced to serve eight years in prison.
89.7 WGBH

'I Want Him To Feel The World Is Still A Good Place'



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Gary Mott
Sunanda Narayanan is a business manager at WGBH. Her son was born on Sept. 10, 2001. She reflects on raising a child in the aftermath of the attacks.
89.7 WGBH

Plane Spotters Lend Extra Eyes To The Skies



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Phillip Martin
Like so many who sit along railroad tracks to watch trains go by, plane spotters look to the air. With advances in digital photography, the ranks of aviation enthusiasts have grown, and many are unofficial watchdogs of the sky. But since Sept. 11, the plane spotters themselves are now being more carefully watched.
The Emily Rooney Show

The Emerging Literature of Sept. 11


SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Steve Almond
After Sept. 11, a clear story began to emerge -- but some authors interpreted it in different ways. Author and WGBH contributor Steve Almond looks at the body of literature that explores the narrative of Sept. 11, 2001. 
Boston

Boston Readies For Sept. 11 'Day Of Service'



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Jordan Weinstein
Residents from across Massachusetts are responding in large numbers to a national call for service on September 11. This year's date may result in the largest outpouring of volunteerism the state has ever seen.
Boston

After Controversy, Boston Muslims Find Community, Inclusion



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Adam Reilly
At a barbecue at Roxbury's Islamic Cultural Center, WGBH's Adam Reilly speaks with Boston-area Muslims about how they feel they're perceived here, 10 years after Sept. 11.
A DECADE OF STORIES

'It's Still As Important As It Was Yesterday'



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Gary Mott
Mike Leone has been the port director for the Massachusetts Port Authority  for 13 years. He says Sept. 11, 2001 fundamentally changed his job.
89.7 WGBH

9/11 Brought 'Complete' Change To Cape Air


READ MORE
By Bob Seay
Dan Wolf is a state Senator and the owner of Cape Air, the small airline that flies in and out of Cape Cod to several cities around the United States. He spoke with WGBH's Bob Seay about the dramatic, immediate effect the attacks had on his business.
The Emily Rooney Show

On 9/11 Anniversary, Sen. Brown 'Yearns' For Unity



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Frannie Carr
Senator Scott Brown says he wishes Washington lawmakers would embrace the same kind of bipartisan unity that followed the 9/11 terror attacks.
Local Politics

Poll: Voters Draw Line Between Public And Private Civil Liberties


By Frannie Carr
Ten years after the 9/11 attacks, a new poll suggests that the line between pursuing terrorism and preserving civil liberties is not a straight one. Sen. Scott Brown says lawmakers are trying to work out the balance between the two.
A DECADE OF STORIES

'Somebody Started Singing God Bless America'



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Gary Mott
All this week, we're featuring reflections of local people on Sept. 11. Ilene Fischer is a playwright, comedian and television director who lives in Arlington. On Sept. 11, she was working in Los Angeles. She remembers watching the events unfold from a sports network on the other side of the country.
A DECADE OF STORIES

After The Call, Cape Cod Fighter Pilots Patrolled The Skies


FULL STORY
SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Sean Corcoran
Colonel Timothy Duffy was a first-responder on Sept. 11, arriving at the Twin Towers in one of Otis's F-15 Eagles, along with his wingman, Major Daniel Nash. People often ask Duffy if he'd arrived in New York sooner, would he have shot down a hijacked airliner?
A DECADE OF STORIES

'We Had To Find Ways To Harden The Airport'


SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Gary Mott
On Sept. 11, Ed Freni was Director of Aviation Operations for Logan Airport. Today, he is Director of Aviation for three airports owned by Massport: Logan, Hanscom Airfield and Worcester Regional Airport. He reflects on that day.
Boston

Boston Temp. Workers Protest Discrimination, Unsafe Conditions


By Phillip Martin
During rallies across the city on Friday, fish-cutters, janitors and housekeepers decried conditions they said were unsafe.
Boston

Sept. 11: A Day Of Reflection, A Decade Of Stories

By WGBH
WGBH joins our community and the world marking the somber anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. It's a day to remember both the attacks and the changes they brought to the country; the pain of that day and the healing that continues to this day.
89.7 WGBH

Multi-Agency Terrorism Task Force Established At Logan


By Phillip Martin
Boston's Logan Airport will be home to the nation's first airport-based office dedicated to fighting terrorism, 10 years after two planes left the airport with the al-Qaeda hijakers who would steer the planes into the towers of the World Trade Center.
Local Politics

Judge: No New Trial For Speaker DiMasi


EARLIER: PROSECUTION ASKS FOR 12-YEAR DIMASI SENTENCE
By The Associated Press
A federal judge has denied a bid by former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi for a new trial. He'll be sentenced for his conviction on corruption charges on Sept. 8.
Hurricane Irene

Over 200 K Remain Without Power After Irene


IRENE LEAVES HISTORIC FLOODS IN VERMONT
By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts officials and residents are still working to confront and assess the damage left behind by this weekend's Tropical Storm Irene. Over 250,000 remained without power on Tuesday morning.
Hurricane Irene

After Irene, 'Historic' Flooding In Vermont


By The Associated Press
In Vermont and upstate New York, normally placid streams turned into raging torrents tumbling with tree limbs, cars and parts of bridges. Hundreds of Vermonters were told to leave their homes after Irene dumped several inches of rain on the landlocked state. Gov. Peter Shumlin called it the worst flooding in a century, and the state was declared a federal disaster area.
Boston

After Irene, One Dead, 400K Without Power


IRENE: DEADLY, EXPENSIVE, BUT NO MONSTER
By The Associated Press
More than 400,000 Massachusetts households were without power Monday morning as 15 state-dispatched teams around the state worked to assess the damage of Tropical Storm Irene's hit on Massachusetts on Sunday.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Mid-Year Surplus May Go To Disaster Relief


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts politics this week will likely be dominated by the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene. Meanwhile, legislators will consider a midyear spending plan.
Business

Gambling Bill Looks Good For Mashpee Wampanoags


By Sarah Birnbaum
The casino gambling bill unveiled by Massachusetts legislative leaders earlier this week could give a boost to the Mashpee Wampanoag Native American tribe, but there are caveats.
Boston

Prosecution Asks For 12-Year Prison Term For DiMasi

By Jess Bidgood
Government prosecutors say former House Speaker Sal DiMasi should face more than twelve years in prison after his conviction on corruption charges earlier this year. EARLIER: EX-SPEAKER DIMASI CONVICTED OF CORRUPTION
WEATHER

Now A Tropical Storm, Irene Bears Down On Mass.


By WGBH Staff & Wires
Rain and winds bore down on Massachusetts on Sunday morning as Irene, now downgraded to a tropical storm, barreled its way up the East Coast. 
Economy

Innovation Economy Growth Leaves Parts Of State Behind


MORE FROM 'THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW'
By Frannie Carr
The local innovation economy is credited with driving up Greater Boston’s median income by 54 percent over the past three decades. But a new study by UMass economists and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston found that, in some western parts of the state, incomes have fallen 24 percent over the same period.
Local Politics

State Leaders Unveil Casino Bill Compromise

By Sarah Birnbaum
After months of closed door negotiations with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, legislative leaders released a new casino gambling bill Tuesday. Many lawmakers predict this time, it will pass, unlike when last summer legislators failed to compromise on a bill. WGBH SPECIAL REPORT: THE LAST RESORT
World News

From Hiding, Gadhafi Tells Libyans To Free Tripoli


By The Associated Press
A defiant Moammar Gadhafi vowed Wednesday to fight on "until victory or martyrdom" and called on residents of the Libyan capital and loyal tribesmen across his North African nation to free Tripoli from the "devils and traitors" who have overrun it.
Boston

Mass. May Apply To Waive NCLB Requirements


EARLIER: OBAMA ADMIN. TO OVERRIDE KEY PARTS OF NCLB
By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts may ask the federal government for a waiver of some of the requirements of the No Child Left Behind education law. Without the waiver, officials say a large number of Bay State schools would face sanctions.
Boston

Springfield Approves Tough Anti-Foreclosure Laws

By The Associated Press
The Springfield City Council has passed what advocates are calling the toughest municipal anti-foreclosure legislation in the country.
Boston

New App Lets You Complain About The T... Productively


BOSTON: THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT
By Jess Bidgood
A new iPhone app may help people complain more productively. The Talk To The T app, now available for free in the iTunes store, allows users to send the T a message detailing a problem they encountered on the system and attach an optional photo.
Economy

Mass.'s Unchanged Unemployment Rate Could Belie August Market Turmoil


By Sarah Birnbaum
Despite anxiety about the national economy during the debt-ceiling talks last month, employers in Massachusetts added jobs, according to state labor data released Thursday.
Local Politics

Elizabeth Warren Forms Exploratory Committee


By Jess Bidgood
Consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren is moving closer to a potential run for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts. The Democrat, who helped form the nascent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before being passed over to run it amongst fierce Republican opposition, on Thursday launched a website and exploratory committee.
Boston

Bulger Companion Won't Cooperate With Authorities


By The Associated Press
The longtime girlfriend of reputed Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger has pleaded not guilty to helping him elude authorities during his 16 years as a fugitive.
PRI'S THE WORLD

Worcester World Cup Celebrates City's Immigrants


MORE PRI'S THE WORLD
By Hope Reese (The World)
Starting Friday, Worcester will host an event that’s a hallmark of many American cities with burgeoning immigrant populations: a World Cup soccer tournament.
Environment

Nature In Balance: The National Seashore Looks Forward


MORE FROM WCAI
By Sean Corcoran
As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Cape Cod National Seashore bears the legacy of the agreements that founded it -- which supporters say will help it navigate its future.
Boston

Warren Takes Steps Toward Possible Senate Bid


SOME DEMS CALL FOR WARREN SENATE CANDIDACY
By The Associated Press
Consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren is taking the first steps toward launching a possible challenge against Republican Scott Brown, the U.S. senator from Massachusetts and a top Democratic target in 2012.
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL ARTS

Surrealism And 'American Vision' At The Peabody Essex


By Jared Bowen
The dog days of summer are upon us, and what better way to duck out of the heat than by taking in some art? Right now, the Peabody Essex museum in Salem hosts two must-see shows: One exploring the artistic and personal relationship between Surrealist photographer Man Ray and his lover, and the other a rare look at the Hudson River School.
GREATER BOSTON VIDEO

Frank: To Cut Deficit, Cut Military Spending


MORE GREATER BOSTON
With the stock market still feeling the aftershocks of last week’s S&P downgrade, Congressman Barney Frank says it’s time to, quote “stop being the world’s policeman” if it wants to stabilize the economy.
Technology

Mass. Companies Get $27 M To Develop Clean Cars


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts companies will receive about $27 million dollars from the federal government to help improve fuel efficiency technologies for next generation cars.
VIDEO

Henry Family Grateful For Jay-Z, Kanye Tribute


By Toni Waterman
The family of Danroy "DJ" Henry Jr., the young Easton native shot by a New York police office last fall, says they're glad rappers Kanye West and Jay-Z have commemorated their son with a song on their new album.
Boston

Boston Somalis Help Famine At Home, Hoping For More Support


By Phillip Martin
Some Somalis in Boston say they have been trying for a long time to turn public attention to the famine in their homeland, to no avail. Some have concluded that they'll simply have to go it alone, although donations and attention from non-governmental organizations are increasing.
Economy

Gauntlets Thrown, Mass. Plans To Keep Young Talent


By Jess Bidgood
Recently-released census data shows 35 percent of Boston's population is made up of 20 to 34 year olds. The city now faces some competitive heat from its neighbors regarding its young residents.
89.7 WGBH

Mass. Homeowners May Get Loan Modifications In Settlement

By Sarah Birnbaum
Thousands of homeowners in Massachusetts who got mortgages through Option One, a subsidiary of H&R Block, may benefit from a multi-million dollar settlement negotiated by Attorney General Martha Coakley.
Economy

Brown: Debt, Not Partisanship, Brought U.S. Credit Down


By Sarah Birnbaum
Republican United States Senator Scott Brown is downplaying the role partisan fights played in weakening U.S. creditworthiness.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Treasurer Holds Micro-Beer Summits; Brown Back In Mass.


By Sarah Birnbaum
This week on Beacon Hill, Massachusetts Treasurer Steve Grossman meets with microbrewers who are upset over potential regulations and U.S. Senator Scott Brown is back in the Bay State.
CAPE COD

Nature In Balance: Creating The National Seashore


CAPE COD TIMES SLIDESHOW: NAT'L SEASHORE, THEN AND NOW
By Sean Corcoran
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Cape Cod National Seashore. But its formation was not without controversy. 
Economy

World Markets Sink Despite European Bond Action


By The Associated Press
A European Central Bank pledge to buy up Italian and Spanish bonds slashed the two countries' borrowing costs but most global stock markets sank again Monday following the downgrade of U.S. debt by Standard & Poor's.
GREATER BOSTON

How To BBQ, Four-Seasons Style


By Toni Waterman
We listened in on a five-star chef's barbeque class. Read his tips and watch the video.
World News

Area Somalis Disheartened By Low U.S. Interest In Famine


CONFLICT ZONE SLOWS AID FOR SOMALIA'S FAMINE VICTIMS
By Phillip Martin
The five to ten thousand Somalis living in Boston are trying to respond from afar to news of a devastating famine in their homeland.
VIDEO

New Rules Brew Trouble For Mass. Microbrewers


WATCH VIDEO
By Cristina Quinn
A new rule forcing local beer makers to grow their own hops and grains could be trouble for Massachusetts breweries. 
Transportation & Infrastructure

MBTA GM Davey To Be New Transportation Secretary


By The Associated Press
Gov. Deval Patrick has named MBTA General Manager Richard Davey to be the state's new Secretary of Transportation.
Local Politics

Advocates Put Forth 31 Possible Ballot Questions


By Sarah Birnbaum
Advocates in Massachusetts are pushing for 31 different questions for the 2012 ballot, ranging from medical marijuana to new rules governing the dismissal of teachers.
Religion

Report Finds Muslims Loyal To U.S., Optimistic


By Frannie Carr
Local Muslims are responding to the findings of a new Gallup poll comparing the attitudes of Muslim Americans to Americans of other faiths. The report found that ten years after the 9/11 terror attacks, the vast majority of Muslim Americans are loyal to the United States and are more optimistic than other major faith group about their future.
89.7 WGBH

How Can We Fix Mass. Transit System?

By Bob Seay

Yesterday Richard Dimino President and CEO of A Better City outlined the scope of the fiscal problems facing the MBTA and other Massachusetts transit infrastructure. Today he talks about his ideas on how to fix them.

Boston

Union Oyster House Turns 185


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Adam Reilly
After nearly two centuries of existence, Union Oyster House has its own unique body of lore: From JFK’s favorite booth to a plaque honoring Boston’s first female waitress. And as the restaurant prepares to celebrates its 185th anniversary Wednesday, business is still brisk.
Boston

Top Big Dig Engineer Fired After Light Collapses

By Sarah Birnbaum
One of the top highway engineers at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation was fired on Tuesday following remarks he made about safety concerns.
Boston

Mass. Tea Party Members Pleased With Debt Deal


HOUSE APPROVES DEBT CEILING BILL
By Sarah Birnbaum
As the Senate prepares to vote on= a final debt deal, the head of a local Tea Party group is calling this a moment of triumph.
Boston

Conference Cues Reflection On Boston Race Relations


THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW: NAT'L URBAN LEAGUE IN BOSTON
By Phillip Martin
The National Urban League's visit to Boston last week for their annual conference afforded an opportunity for both outsiders and Bostonians to reflect on race relations in a city African-Americans were once told to avoid. The consensus? Things have changed for the better.
Boston

Mass. Transit System 'On Life Support'


WGBH RADIO: PASSENGERS: TRANSIT IN MASSACHUSETTS
By Bob Seay
Massachusetts transportation system is majorly in debt, and may need to resort to fare hikes and service cuts to get things under control. WGBH's Bob Seay spoke with an area transportation expert to get at the roots and extent of the problem.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Sales-Tax Holiday, Probation Reform Await Patrick's Signature


By Sarah Birnbaum
Lawmakers away on their August recess, but there are a number of bills on Governor Deval Patrick’s desk awaiting his signature, including a sales-tax holiday measure and legislation aimed at overhauling the state probation department.
89.7 WGBH

Roxbury Bank Under Fire For Ignoring Surrounding Community


By Phillip Martin
Minority-owned banks have traditionally played important roles in propping up the black middle class, lending when others would not. But one such institution in Roxbury has come under fire for its alleged hands-off approach to the community surrounding it.
Boston

And They're Off! Boston Bike Share Launches


GREATER BOSTON: HUBWAY LAUNCH MAKES BOSTON 'SPIN CITY'
By Jess Bidgood
Boston's landmark bike-sharing program, Hubway, is live. On Friday, it's first full day of operation, over 600 bikes were ready in kiosks around Boston, waiting to be borrowed, ridden and left at another kiosk in the city.
Boston

State Rep. To Promote Fundraiser With Groupon

Boston

Gov. Patrick Set To Negotiate On Mass. Casino Plans

Local Politics

Ambiguity Of Possible Debt Crisis Stymies State Lawmakers


By Sarah Birnbaum
Beacon Hill is trying to prepare for the worst in case Capitol Hill fails to find a solution to the debt-limit crisis. Governor Deval Patrick’s budget chief, Jay Gonzalez, says a failure to reach a compromise could be devastating for Massachusetts.
Boston

Boston Leaders Reflect On Diversity


By Phillip Martin
With over 1,000 people gathered in Hynes Auditorium for the State Of Black Boston conference, a prelude to the National Urban League conference there later this week, Gov. Deval Patrick on Monday said Boston's attitude towards diversity had changed for the better.
Local Politics

Sales-Tax Holiday Moves Foward


By Sarah Birnbaum
Bay State shoppers could be getting a break next month. Massachusetts lawmakers held a public hearing Monday on a bill to establish a sales tax holiday in August.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Lawmakers Consider Sales Tax Holiday, Alimony Reform


By Sarah Birnbaum
This week on Beacon Hill, lawmakers take up a range of issues including a sales tax holiday, changes to alimony laws and post-conviction DNA testing.
Boston

Boston Temperature Tops 100 F


By Phillip Martin
An "excessive heat warning" is in effect for Central and Eastern Massachusetts until Friday evening, with the temperature in Boston hitting 102 degrees F by midday.
Boston

Senate Bill Would Establish 'Supportive Housing' For Homeless

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a new kind of housing bill: The plan calls for new units of "supportive housing," which would feature on-site social services and counseling, as part of an effort to curb and prevent homelessness. WGBH HOMELESSNESS REPORT: RECOGNIZING BRUCE
THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW

RI's Voter ID Law: Disenfranchisement, Or Good Security?


MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW
By Abbie Ruzicka
Earlier this month, Rhode Island became the latest state among a handful that has signed a so-called voter ID law that requires all Rhode Island voters to show valid identification at the polls. Some say the laws disenfranchise the poor, while others say they're simply good protection against voter fraud.
Boston

Westport Officials Work To Cleanup Toxins Found In Middle School

By Jordan Weinstein
Officials in Westport, Mass., are working to deal with unsafe levels of toxins discovered in a middle school there this week.
Local Politics

Patrick Pushes In-State Tuition For Undocumented Immigrants

By Sarah Birnbaum
Gov. Deval Patrick is emphasizing his support for legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants living in Massachusetts to pay in-state tuition attend the state's public colleges and universities.
REMEMBRANCES

Philanthropist Myra Kraft, Wife of Patriots Owner, Dies


THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW: REMEMBERING MYRA KRAFT
By WGBH Staff & Wires
Myra Kraft, the wife of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and a hard-working philanthropist dedicated to numerous causes, died Wednesday. She was 68.
Boston

Warnings Issued As Temps., Humidity Climb In Mass.


By Jess Bidgood
Local weather and government officials are advising people to take precautions against temperatures that could make parts of Massachusetts feel as hot as 105 degrees Fahrenheit later this week.
Local Politics

RFK Jr.: Patrick Holding NSTAR Merger Hostage To Cape Wind

By Sarah Birnbaum
The administration of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is trying to delay a merger between utility giants NSTAR and Northeast Utilities. And Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the governor is doing it to help the Cape Wind project.
Boston

Former Harvard Fellow Charged With Hacking At MIT


By Jess Bidgood
A Cambridge man is facing federal charges of hacking into a computer storage system at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and stealing four million academic journal articles.
Boston

Parishioners At Churches Slated For Sale Fight On


By WGBH News
Members of six churches slated for sale by the Archdiocese of Boston are hoping the Vatican can help them keep their parishes open.
Boston

Treasurer Pushes For Review Of State's Alcohol Commission

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts treasurer Steve Grossman is asking the State Inspector General to conduct a review of the state's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
Local Politics

Some Dems Call For Warren Senate Candidacy


By Phillip Martin
Now that Harvard University professor Elizabeth Warren has been passed over by the Obama Administration to lead the agency that she created, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, some Democrats are hoping that she will challenge U.S. Sen. Scott Brown in 2012.
Local Politics

With One Eye On D.C., Lawmakers Take Up Alimony Reform, DNA Testing


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts officials are keeping an eye on Washington, D.C. this week as President Obama and Congressional leaders race the clock to avoid defaulting on the U.S. debt. State lawmakers will also take up bills on alimony reform, post-conviction DNA testing and illegal immigration.
Boston

Once A Sewer, The Charles Is Cleaner — No, Really


WHITHER 'THAT DIRTY WATER?'
By Phillip Martin
The Charles River is a finalist for the International Riverprize, awarded for visionary river-management policies. But the International Riverprize nomination may not be enough to convince those who use the river that it’s safe to go in.
Boston

Senate Passes Bill Reforming Truancy Discipline

By WGBH News
The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a bill to reform how the state addresses truant and runaway children. The reforms are designed to aid the children's families and to deal with the issue outside of the courts.
Religion

Boston Archdiocese Moves To Sell 6 Closed Churches

By Jordan Weinstein
The Archdiocese of Boston is moving to sell six of its shuttered churches. At three of them, parishioners who have been keeping vigil and holding lay services are now contemplating how to proceed from here.
Boston

That 'Dirty Water' Isn't So Dirty Anymore


By Phillip Martin
The Charles River is a finalist for a prestigious international honor. The International Riverprize is a $350,000 award for development and implementation of sustainable river management policies.
Classical

Supreme Court Takes Up Small Orchestras' Dilemma


LISTEN TO THE DISCUSSION
MORE FROM THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW
By WGBH News
A 1994 U.S. copyright law shifted many foreign artworks out of the public domain, and many musical staples became too expensive for small orchestras to perform. But now their case is before the Supreme Court.
A Celtic Sojourn

Brian O'Donovan Hosts The Lowell Folk Festival


DETAILS
By Brian McCreath
Among the stellar lineup of world musicians coming up at the Lowell Folk Festival on July 30 is the Irish band Dervish. Brian O'Donovan will be hosting Dervish on the main stage at the festival and will be broadcasting live from Lowell all afternoon on July 30. If you are there, come by and say hello.
Boston

No Decision Yet On Bail For Bulger Girlfriend


MORE: DAY ONE OF GREIG'S BAIL HEARING
By WGBH News
A judge has delayed ruling whether to grant bail for the longtime girlfriend of former Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bugler. A tweet-by-tweet recap of the hearing.
Education

New Rules Ban Fried Snacks, Sugary Drinks In Mass. Schools


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts school children will no longer be able to buy soda or chips from the vending machine. The state's Public Health Council passed new regulations banning fried food, sugary drinks and artifical sweeteners from public schools.
Boston

Bulger Companion Bail Hearing Wraps Up


By WGBH News
A hearing to determine whether the woman who spent 16 years on the run with former Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger should be granted bail is scheduled to go into a second day after prosecutors used the first to claim that Catherine Greig knowingly helped Bulger hide his identity.
Boston

Bulger Companion Will Seek Bail In Court


By The Associated Press
Catherine Greig, the longtime girlfriend of former Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger, is due in court for a hearing on her request to be released on bail while awaiting trial on a charge of harboring a fugitive.
89.7 WGBH

Brandeis Art Museum Will Keep Famed Collection Intact

By Phillip Martin
Brandeis University's Rose Art Museum threatened in 2009 to begin auctioning its prized 20th century artworks. But as part of a lawsuit settlement, the administration has now pledged to keep the collection in place and open to the public.
Boston

Boston Has Nation's Highest Ratio Of 20-34 Year-Olds


By Jess Bidgood
Boston is home to a bigger proportion of adults ages 20-34 than any other city in America, with 35 percent of its population falling into the age group. Both Mayor Menino and an independent economist agree that's good for the city.
Local Politics

Mayor Lang Will Decide On Senate Run Next Year


By WGBH News
New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang says he hasn’t ruled out a run for Scott Brown’s U.S. Senate seat next year, but that he won’t make a decision until January 2012.
Health Care

Blue Cross Will Refund Ex-CEO's Payout

By Jess Bidgood
Massachusetts largest health insurer is refunding its customers for the $4.2 million severance payout it gave departing CEO Cleve Killingsworth.
WHERE WE LIVE: SPRINGFIELD

One Month Later, Tornado Victims Rebuild


TORNADO RECOVERY: HOW YOU CAN HELP
By Adam Reilly
Just over a month after tornadoes ravaged Springfield, Monson and other nearby communitites in Western Massachusetts, the story here isn’t ruin. It's recovery.
Boston

James 'Whitey' Bulger Pleads Not Guilty


'WHITEY' BULGER CAPTURED: FULL WGBH COVERAGE
By Sarah Birnbaum
Reputed Boston mob leader James 'Whitey' Bulger pled not guilty to charges including 19 murders during a short hearing on Wednesday.
89.7 WGBH

Summer Reading Recs From Boston's Best


MORE FROM 'THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW'
By WGBH News
The Emily Rooney Show asked some of area’s best writers — like "House of Sand and Fog" author Andre Dubus III — and notable personalities — like Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton — to share book recommendations.
Boston

Thousands Celebrate Fourth In Boston


By WGBH Staff & Wires
Hundreds of thousands of revelers with American flags and picnic coolers descended on the Esplanade in Boston on Monday for the annual fireworks show and Boston Pops concert.
This Weekend In Boston

Fourth of July Guide: Where Else To Watch The Fireworks?

Local Politics

Last-Minute Budget Deal Limits Muni-Health Union Power


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts lawmakers finally have a budget deal. Filed at the last minute, just before the new fiscal year began Friday, it contains a major policy change that would let cities and towns set co-payments and deductibles for their employees without approval from unions.
Human Trafficking

Anti-Human-Trafficking Bill Passes Mass. Senate

By Phillip Martin
The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed an historic human trafficking bill that will expand protections for victims and give law enforcement new statutory powers to go after pimps and other predators. WGBH INVESTIGATES: HUMAN TRAFFICKING
This Weekend In Boston

Fourth Of July Guide: Fireworks, Redcoats And Celebration


WEEKEND FIREWORKS GUIDE
By Luke Boelitz
If you’re in the city this weekend, take advantage of the many events happening to mark the Fourth of July. We present a comprehensive guide to bring you the best of the fireworks, the history and the fun.
Boston

Bulger Due In Court For Two Hearings


'WHITEY' BULGER CAPTURED: FULL WGBH COVERAGE
By The Associated Press
Reputed mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger is expected in court as he seeks a taxpayer-funded attorney and fights a move by prosecutors to dismiss an old racketeering indictment in favor of a later case charging him with participating in 19 murders.
Local Politics

Lawmaker: Time To End Mass. Ban On Selling Fireworks


By Sarah Birnbaum
As the Fourth of July approaches, one Massachusetts lawmaker wants to end the state's long-held ban on the sale of fireworks. Massachusetts is currently one of four states nationwide with a complete ban on the sale of fireworks.
CLIMATIDE

Could Global Warming Keep Red Tides Lower?



MORE CLIMATIDE
By Heather Goldstone
Earlier this spring, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers forecast a “moderate” bloom of red tide, the algal toxin that poisons seafood, in New England. Some researchers think that might be because heavy snow and rainfalls actually freshen seawater.
Boston

DJ Henry Shooter Sues Liquor Store


By Phillip Martin
A New York police officer who last year shot and killed a 20-year-old Easton native Danroy “DJ” Henry, Jr. is suing a liquor store for allegedly selling alcohol to the victim. But Henry’s mother, Angella, says the lawsuit is intended to distract from the real facts of the case.
Education

Among Teachers, Qualified Support For Use Of MCAS In Evaluations


NEW TEACHER EVALUATIONS INCLUDE MCAS SCORES
By Andrea Smardon
The state's Education Board has approved new regulations that use students' MCAS scores as one of criteria to evaluate teachers. It's a change many teachers welcome — but they want to make sure it's implemented alongside a series of other changes.
Education

Among Teachers, Qualified Support For Use Of MCAS In Evaluations

By Andrea Smardon
The state's Education Board has approved new regulations that use students' MCAS scores as one of criteria to evaluate teachers. It's a change many teachers welcome — but they want to make sure it's implemented alongside a series of other changes. NEW TEACHER EVALUATIONS INCLUDE MCAS SCORES
Summer

Music You Should Hear This Summer


MORE FROM 'THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW'
By WGBH News
Steve Almond and NPR Music’s Stephen Thompson set out to give your iPod a seasonal jolt with their picks of new and classic songs to suite everything that comes with summer.
Boston

MCAS Scores To Count In New Teacher Evaluations

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts Board of Education has voted to make student test scores play a bigger role in teacher evalution. TEACHERS' UNION ENDORSES NEW EVALUATION PROPOSAL
Boston

June 2011 Report: Youth Way on the MBTA

Youth Way on the MBTA's June 2011 report: Opportuni(T): Youth Riders, the Affordability Crisis, and the Youth Pass Solution
89.7 WGBH

Falmouth Soldier Killed In Iraq


By Sean Corcoran
A Falmouth soldier, Sgt. Matthew Gallagher, was killed in Iraq on Sunday, according to the U.S. Army and his family. He was 22 years old.
Boston

Prosecutors: Bulger Says He Visited Boston While In Hiding


'WHITEY' BULGER CAPTURED: FULL WGBH COVERAGE
By Jess Bidgood
Longtime fugitive James "Whitey" Bulger came home to Boston last week after 16 years on the run. But the alleged mobster told authorities last Friday was not the first time he visited his hometown since he disappeared in December, 1994.
Boston

Bulger Capture Brings Some Closure To Southie


By Phillip Martin

The hunt for Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger is over.  On Friday he arrived in Boston and appeared before a crowded federal court in South Boston, the neighborhood he fled from 16 years ago.

Boston

'Whitey' Bulger Appears In Boston Court


WHITEY BULGER CAPTURED: FULL WGBH COVERAGE
By WGBH Staff & Wires
The return to Boston of fugitive gangster James "Whitey" Bulger after 16 years on the run was met Friday with high security at a courthouse not even built when he fled the city and curious spectators who don't remember the heyday of his alleged criminal enterprise.
Boston

Time Running Short For Budget Deal On Beacon Hill

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts legislature has until July 1st to hammer out a budget deal. For now, some collective bargaining rights for municipal employees and big cuts to state aid for communities are still up in the air.
Boston

Bulger Lived In Calif. Apartment For 15 Years


FULL COVERAGE: WHITEY CAPTURED
By The Associated Press
Boston mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger spent almost all of his 16 years on the lam in the same Santa Monica apartment complex, paying his rent in cash every month while he and his girlfriend hid from one of the biggest manhunts in U.S. history, the property managers said Thursday.
Boston

Timeline: Whitey Bulger's Life In Boston


FULL COVERAGE: WHITEY CAPTURED
By WGBH News
The mobster 'Whitey' Bulger was captured far away from home, but his connection to Boston is fundamental. Here's an expanded timeline of how Bulger's notorious life unfolded, and how it meshed with the life of his hometown — from drugs and gambling to the desegregation busing controversy — over the better part of a century.
Boston

CAPTURED: 'Whitey' Bulger


By WGBH News
WGBH's coverage of the arrest of infamous mobster James "Whitey" Bulger.
Boston

Arrest Of Bulger, Former Folk Hero, (Mostly) Welcome News


FULL COVERAGE: WHITEY CAPTURED
GREATER BOSTON: THE OUTLAW AND THE LAWMAN
By Jess Bidgood
In South Boston's Ottavio's Barbershop — and, for the most part, the rest of the city — there was only one thing to talk about on Thursday.
89.7 WGBH

Advocates: Trafficking Bill Should Be Stronger


WGBH INVESTIGATES: HUMAN TRAFFICKING
By Phillip Martin
After several years of slow progress, the Massachusetts legislature is close to passing a bill to outlaw and disrupt human-trafficking. But advocates are using the bill's final weeks on the table to try and make it even stronger.
Boston

Mobster Whitey Bulger Arrested In Calif.


BOSTON CHEERS ARREST OF FORMER FOLK HERO
THE FBI'S CAMPAIGN TO FIND WHITEY'S GIRLFRIEND
By The Associated Press
Authorities say fugitive Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger has been arrested by the FBI near Los Angeles after 16 years on the run.
WGBH SERIES

Facing Alzheimer's: The Caregivers' Challenge


By Sean Corcoran
The Alzheimer's caregivers’ story is often one of sustained stress, exhaustion and isolation. Rates of depression, poor nutrition and chronic disease among caregivers of Alzheimer's patients are higher than for non-caregivers.This week, WGBH's Sean Corcoran explores the challenges of caring for Massachusetts' more than 120,000 Alzheimers' patients.
89.7 WGBH

Harvard Econ. Professor Advises Greek PM


GREEK LEADER MAKES TAKE-IT-OR-LEAVE-IT PROPOSAL
By Frannie Carr
The world is looking at Greece this week as the country works to avoid a default by securing extra bailout money from the EU. And Greek PM George Papandreou is getting advice from Harvard Professor Richard Parker.
THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW

The Callie Crossley Show's Summer Reading Picks


MORE FROM THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW
By WGBH News
Need something good to read this summer, whether on the beach or just lazing around the house? Arts and culture contributors Yu Jin Ko and Alicia Anstead stopped by "The Callie Crossley Show" to discuss the sanctuary that is summer reading and to offer their own picks for this year.
Local Politics

Sen. Brown, Rep. Tierney Chastise Federal Fishing Authority


By Sarah Birnbaum
A group of Massachusetts’ lawmakers is coming down hard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the agency at the center of a contentious debate over regional fishing rights — and the subject of a damning Commerce Department investigation last year.
Boston

The FBI Wants You... To Find Whitey's Girlfriend


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Jared Bowen
The FBI is hitting the airwaves to target James "Whitey" Bulger's longtime girlfriend, Catherine Greig. Two Boston FBI agents joined Emily Rooney on "Greater Boston" to discuss the latest strategy to end a 16-year search.
Boston

Many Bruins Revelers Not Your Stereotypical Hockey Fan


By Phillip Martin
The crowd that greeted the Bruins' Stanley Cup parade on Monday represented a mixture of races, ethnicities and gender. Some hope that this show of diversity will redefine what has long been the stereotype of a Boston Bruins fan.
Education

Three Views On English Immersion


WEIGH IN: YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ENGLISH IMMERSION
By WGBH
An education expert, a guidance counselor and a former student offer their views on English immersion. What's yours?
The Caregivers' Challenge

Facing Alzheimer's: Supporting The Caregivers


FACING ALZHEIMER'S: THE CAREGIVERS' CHALLENGE
By Sean Corcoran
Tracking devices, certain medications and group therapy programs are among the tools available in Massachusetts to support Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.
The Caregivers' Challenge

Facing Alzheimer's: Art Therapy for Alzheimer's


FACING ALZHEIMER'S: THE CAREGIVERS' CHALLENGE
By Sean Corcoran
Looking at paintings in a museum or singing songs around a piano is not going to stop Alzheimer's as it steals away memories and personality. But around the country, art and music therapy programs are becoming more common for people with memory impairment.
The Caregivers' Challenge

Facing Alzheimer's: Caring Places


FACING ALZHEIMER'S: THE CAREGIVERS' CHALLENGE
By Sean Corcoran
The goal of many people with Alzheimer's disease and their families is to find a way for the person to spend their final days in their home. Oftentimes the burdens associated with the disease makes that impossible, but a new kind of assisted-living home for the memory-impaired offers an alternative to the traditional nursing home.
The Caregivers' Challenge

Facing Alzheimer's: Planning For Loss


FACING ALZHEIMERS: THE CAREGIVERS' CHALLENGE
By Sean Corcoran
The Noonan family knows too well what it's like to watch a loved one die of Alzheimer's: Their mother had it, and passed it on to at least four of her ten children. They say advanced planning, although painful, has been key to helping the family handle the disease.
The Caregivers' Challenge

Facing Alzheimer's: Plight Of The Caregivers


FACING ALZHEIMER'S: THE CAREGIVERS' CHALLENGE
By Sean Corcoran
There are more than 120,000 people with Alzheimer's Disease in Massachusetts. Their caregivers each have stories of sustained stress, isolation and exhaustion -- with higher-than-normal rates of depression and chronic disease. This week, WGBH's Sean Corcoran takes a deep look at the challenges of caregiving.

Boston

In Southie, A Bruins Celebration Decades In The Making


BRUINS WIN STANLEY CUP
By Jess Bidgood
As the Bruins’ final face-off against the Vancouver Canucks came to a decisive, victorious end, the whole city of Boston erupted with joy. At The Connection, longtime Southie residents came together to enjoy a moment 39 years in the making, launching into a group rendition of “We are the Champions.”
Boston

Bruins Win Stanley Cup


By The Associated Press
When the Bruins and their brilliant goalie barged into a hostile Canadian rink surrounded by another 100,000 screaming fans outside for Game 7, they emerged with the championship they wanted.
Sports

Drawing On Longtime Connections, Halifax Officials Root For Bruins

By Marco Werman
The city of Boston is decked out in black and gold ahead of Game 7 of The Stanley Cup, when the Bruins will face off for the last time against the Vancouver Canucks. Bruins fans are hoping they’ll see their team take home their first Stanley Cup since the 1970s. BRUINS FANS EAGER TO FIGHT FOR STANLEY CUP
89.7 WGBH

Bruins Fans Ready For Stanley Cup Showdown


CANADIAN OFFICIAL ROOTS FOR BRUINS
By Phillip Martin
Just hours before the Boston Bruins square off against the Vancouver Canucks, Bruins Mania is in the air. It seemed to be on the minds of just about everyone in downtown Boston.
The Emily Rooney Show

The DiMasi Verdict: Higher Burden Of Proof On 'Honest Services' Fraud Charge

By Frannie Carr
Ex. House Speaker Sal DiMasi was on Wednesday  found guilty on seven counts related to his corruption trial -- one of which was "theft honest services by fraud." That's a confusing charge -- so much so that the jury had to ask the judge for him to repeat his instructions on it. We explain what it means. DIMASI CONVICTED IN CORRUPTION TRIAL
Education

Total Immersion: Teaching English With English


WEIGH IN: YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ENGLISH IMMERSION
By Andrea Smardon
Massachusetts voters decided in 2002 that public school teachers should speak mostly English in their classrooms. WGBH's Andrea Smardon visits Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Framingham, where the entire school is focused on the needs of English Language Learners.
The Emily Rooney Show

'Miss Conduct' Addresses All Sides Of Wedding Gift Anxiety


LISTEN TO THE DISCUSSION
By Robin Abrahams
The phone lines were open as WGBH's social etiquette guru Robin Abrahams stopped by The Emily Rooney Show to discuss everything you ever wanted to know about wedding gifts -- but were afraid to ask.
The World

Mass. Refugees Reckon With Tornado Damage


HEAR THE STORY
MORE FROM THE WORLD
By Jill Kaufman
In West Springfield, many of the people displaced by this month's tornadoes have been displaced before. They’re refugees from places like Somalia, Iraq and Nepal.
Boston

Bill Aims To Seal Natural Gas Leaks


By Sarah Birnbaum
A Massachusetts lawmaker is raising concerns about potential natural gas explosions. She's calling for new laws regulating the thousands of known gas leaks around the state.
Education

Total Immersion: Students Team Up For Dual Immersion


PT. 1: TOTAL IMMERSION
WEIGH IN: YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ENGLISH IMMERSION
By Andrea Smardon
Massachusetts’ voters decided in 2002 that public school teachers should speak only English in their classrooms. But at the Dever-McCormack K-8 School in Dorchester, teachers are bringing Spanish back into the classroom.
Education

Weigh In: You Grade English Immersion

By WGBH News
Massachusetts voters decided in 2002 that public school teachers should speak only English in their classrooms. This week, WGBH’s Andrea Smardon is investigating the impact of the ballot measure known as Question 2. Now, we want to hear from parents and students who have experienced English-only education in Massachusetts. Fill out the form below to share your thoughts on English immersion. We'll publish excerpts during and after the series. 
Education

Total Immersion: Assessing English-Only Education In Massachusetts


WEIGH IN: YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ENGLISH IMMERSION
By Andrea Smardon
Massachusetts voters decided in 2002 that public school teachers should speak only English in their classrooms. This week, WGBH’s Andrea Smardon investigates the impact of the ballot measure known as Question 2. I
WHERE WE LIVE: CHELSEA

Chelsea Art Walk Celebrates A Rebounding City

By Bob Seay
WGBH's Bob Seay goes on a preview tour of Chelsea's third annual Art Walk, which brings artists and citizens together to celebrate their rebounding city. WGBH'S WHERE WE LIVE
Boston

In Boston, Surgeons Perform Full Face Transplant

By The Associated Press
Doctors at a Boston hospital have performed a full face transplant on the Connecticut woman who was mauled two years ago by her friend’s pet chimpanzee.
Local Politics

Murray Hopes To Overhaul State Budgeting

By Sarah Birnbaum
Does Senate President Therese Murray have the political capital to dramatically overhaul the state budgeting process?
Sports

Could Candlepin Bowling Flicker Out?


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Kathryn Farrelly
Whatever happened to bowling night? Once a staple of a fun night out, shrinking ranks of candlepin bowling lovers could force some bowling alleys to close down for good.
89.7 WGBH

Where We Live: April 2011 Coverage


By WGBH News
Here we compile the complete coverage from the April 2011 installment of our Where We Live series: our features on towns and cities across the state, selected responses from listeners and readers, and some related stories that touch on community and economic life.
Music

Boston Pops Tap Own History For American Songbook Celebration


BOSTON POPS BROADCAST SCHEDULE
By Jared Bowen and Bob Seay
The Boston Pops' 126th season is now underway, with a special focus on the American Songbook. That's a phrase we've all heard -- but what does it actually mean? WGBH's Jared Bowen asked the experts.
Boston

Mass. Won't Participate In Immigration Check Program


ILLINOIS OPTS OUT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION PROGRAM
By Jess Bidgood
Gov. Deval Patrick has decided not to have Massachussetts sign on to a controversial federal program that allows local police to share information with federal immigration officials.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Officials Seek Tornado Damage Assistance


By Sarah Birnbaum
This week, Bay State officials continue to help steer recovery efforts in the tornado-ravaged areas of Western Massachusetts. The defense begins its case in the public corruption trial of former House Speaker Sal DiMasi and the state Senate takes up a bill aimed at cutting down on government waste.
89.7 WGBH

In Monson, 'Trying To Save Whatever We Can'


IN SPRINGFIELD, TORNADO CLEANUP BEGINS
By Sarah Birnbaum
Three tornadoes swept Massachusetts on Wednesday. Some of the gravest destruction was in Monson, Mass., where on Thursday residents were still trying just to process the damage.
Weather & National Disasters

In Springfield, Tornado Cleanup Begins


TORNADO RECOVERY: HOW YOU CAN HELP
By Jess Bidgood
By Thursday afternoon, shock and fear from a tornado that struck Springfield on Wednesday had given way to a city-wide effort of soldiers, safety officials and residents beginning to put their city back together.
POLITICS

Romney Kicks Off 2012 Campaign In N.H.


By Adam Reilly
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney made it official yesterday: He's running for president. He made the announcment in New Hampshire, a state where he's considered the frontrunner for the GOP primary — but does he have it on lock?
Economy

May Unemployment Up To 9.1 Percent


NPR: TRACKING MONTHLY UNEMPLOYMENT
By The Associated Press
Employers hired only 54,000 new workers in May, the fewest in eight months, and the unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent.
WHERE WE LIVE: SPRINGFIELD

Soldiers, Onlookers And Safety Officials Process Damage In Springfield


'JAW-DROPPING' DESTRUCTION AFTER MASS. TORNADO
By Phillip Martin
Massachusetts officials are still assessing the damage from multiple tornadoes that swept through Springfield and a number of other communities Wednesday. At least 200 buildings were destroyed and four people died during the storms.
WEATHER

After Deadly Mass. Tornado, 'Jaw-Dropping' Destruction


By Jess Bidgood
At least four people are dead after violent storms swept through Massachusetts on Wednesday, spawning at least two tornados. A photographer who walked through Springfield just after a tornado touched down in the city described collapsed buildings, uprooted trees, damaged cars and widespread shock.
The Emily Rooney Show

J Squared: As Summer Ends, The Fun Begins


By Jared Bowen, Jan Saragoni

89.7 WGBH

Human Trafficking Bill Passes The House


WGBH SPECIAL REPORT: HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN BOSTON
By Phillip Martin
Massachusetts has the distinction of being one of just four states without its own trafficking law. But Attorney General Martha Coakley is trying to change that, pushing a human-trafficking bill that’s up for debate in the Massachusetts House on Wednesday.
GREATER BOSTON

Origins Of Carson Beach Fight Disputed


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Adam Reilly
Carson Beach was the scene of a tense standoff between hundreds of youth and law enforcement officials after a fight drew a large crowd. But it's unclear exactly what happened, and whether gangs are involved.
Health

WHO: Cellphones May Be Carcinogenic


By The Associated Press
An international panel of experts says cellphones are possibly carcinogenic to humans after reviewing details from dozens of published studies.
GREATER BOSTON

Have You Heard? Study Says Gossip Protects You


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Sanjay Salomon
It’s no secret that dishing the dirt on the latest scandal is fun. But a Northeastern Study says gossip literally changes how we see others — and it’s meant to protect us.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Budget Compromise, Trafficking Bill On The Docket


By Sarah Birnbaum
This week on Beacon Hill, the budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year head to conference committee, lawmakers take up a human-trafficking bill and University of Massachusetts trustees discuss potential fee hikes.
Local Politics

Gov. Testimony At DiMasi Trial Appears To Bolster Prosecution


PATRICK ON THE STAND: WHAT ARE THE STAKES?
By Adam Reilly
Gov. Deval Patrick told prosecutors ex-House Speaker Sal DiMasi repeatedly reminded him about the importance of a software contract that would eventually go to Cognos, the company DiMasi is accused of steering government contracts toward in exchange for kickbacks.
Health Care

At Some Hospitals, Widely Different Costs For Same Services

By Sarah Birnbaum
A new report from the Patrick Administration says big cost variations for the same services at different hospitals are common in Massachusetts. Those costs differences are becoming a central issue as the legislature takes up Gov. Deval Patrick's proposals to control health care costs MIXED REACTIONS TO PATRICK'S HC REFORM BILL
Where We Live: Somerville

Pop! Goes The Gourmand


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Toni Waterman
An invitation-only restaurant is popping up for one night at a time around Somerville, Cambridge and Boston. We joined temporal gourmand JJ Gonson for one of her signature one-off banquets — and listened in on the lesson on cooking local she serves alongside the 10-course feast.
Local Politics

Senate Budget Cuts: The Question Isn't If, But How Much

By Sarah Birnbaum
The state Senate is well into its second day of debate on its budget for the next fiscal year, which begins in July. Budget cuts and municipal health costs are emerging as the bigger sticking points in debate. EARLIER: SENATE BUDGET GIVES UNIONS 'VOICE, NO VETO'
Race & Ethnicity

Study: Whites Say Anti-White Bias On Rise


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Adam Reilly
A new study conducted by professors at Tufts University and Harvard Business School says whites think anti-white bias is on the rise. But an unscientific trip to downtown Boston doesn't yield the same results.
Media

Junger: Front-Line War Coverage 'Of No Use To Anyone'


THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Jess Bidgood
For a long time, the name Sebastian Junger has been almost synonymous with the word “war.” He explains to WGBH's why he's leaving front-line coverage — and why he's beginning to doubt its overall efficacy. 
POLITICS

Patrick At The DiMasi Trial: What Are The Stakes?


AIDE THOUGHT DIMASI WAS TAKING MONEY
By Sarah Birnbaum
Governor Deval Patrick will be called to testify later this week or early next week in the corruption trial of former House Speaker Sal Dimasi. He'll be the first sitting governor in 15 years to testify at a criminal trial.
Government

Witness Thought Kickbacks Were Going To DiMasi

By Adam Reilly
The corruption trial of former House Speaker Sal DiMasi continued Tuesday with testimony from Bruce Major, the former business partner of Joseph Lally, the overeager software salesman turned government cooperating witness. YOUR DIMASI TRIAL GUIDE
WGBH ARCHIVES

Somerville Organist Looks Back On Work With Bob Dylan


By Bob Seay
Tuesday is Bob Dylan's 70th birthday. We delve into WGBH's archives to learn from a Somerville native what it's like to work with the legendary musician.
Environment

After 30 Years And $1 B, Mass. Superfund Sites Still Toxic


ASHLAND: POISONED TOWN STILL NOT CLEAN
TOWN BY TOWN: TOXINS IN MASS
By Beverly Ford (NECIR)
There are 31 contaminated sites have attained Superfund status due to contamination. According to EPA records, at least one-third of those sites may pose a health risk to people living and working nearby. 
Environment

Toxics In Massachusetts: A Town-By-Town Profile

By Toxics Action Center
An investigation by the New England Center for Investigative reporting found more than 30 toxic sites in Massachusetts. Scroll through this town-by-town report, compiled by the Toxics Action Center, to learn more.
The Emily Rooney Show

Crosby, Nash: 'We Love Singing Together'


HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEW
By Frannie Carr
David Crosby and Graham Nash, of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, joined WGBH's Emily Rooney to talk about their music — and what it's like to continue playing together after all these years.
Business

Former State Environmental Chief Gets Into Business


EARLIER: BOWLES STEPS DOWN
By Andrea Smardon
Former Massachusetts Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles is heading into the private sector. He left his post as the state's top environmental official at the beginning of this year, and is now starting a new consulting firm with three other colleagues from the state.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Senate May Slash Budget; DiMasi Trial Continues


By Sarah Birnbaum
This week on Beacon Hill, lawmakers will take up the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s budget plan for the fiscal year that begins in July. Meanwhile, the corruption trial of former House Speaker Sal DiMasi enters its third week of testimony.
Boston

In Boston, Freedom Riders Continue Activism



WGBH PRESENTS FREEDOM RIDERS
By Jess Bidgood
The story of the Freedom Ride is not just a story about the South. Freedom Riders came from and now live all over the country, enriching their communities with the convictions that led them to the Ride and the memories of what they experienced on it. Meet two Freedom Riders who are longtime Boston residents.
Local Politics

State Senate Budget Give Unions 'Voice But No Veto'


By Sarah Birnbaum
Last month, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a measure that would strip public employees of collective bargaining rights over health care benefits. The move infuriated unions. On Wednesday, Senate leaders unveiled a similar measure, though it gives unions some more room to negotiate.
Human Trafficking

Coakley Human Trafficking Bill Garners Lawmaker, Victim Support


WGBH INVESTIGATES: HUMAN TRAFFICKING
By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is pressing lawmakers on an initiative to crack down on human trafficking in the Bay State. At a press conference on Tuesday, Coakley said young women forced into prostitution are treated as criminals when they should be treated as victims.
Boston

Dorchester Student Brings Freedom Ride Lessons Home



WGBH PRESENTS FREEDOM RIDERS
By Jess Bidgood
Tariq Meyers says growing up in Dorchester made him who he is. He participated in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride — and he hopes to use lessons from the experience to bring a new activism, steeped in history, to his home neighborhood.
Local Politics

Key Witness Describes Funneling Money To DiMasi


ADAM REILLY: A GUIDE TO THE DIMASI TRIAL
By Sarah Birnbaum
Testimony is over for the week in the federal corruption trial of former Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi, who is accused of taking thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for steering a multi-million dollar state contract to a software firm, Cognos. The man who allegedly funneled the kickbacks to the former speaker was back on the stand Thursday.
Economy

Bankruptcies At Record High In Mass.


By Bob Seay
Bankruptcy filings in Massachusetts are up -- way up. There were 23,000 filings last year, up 16 percent from 2009. The national rate, meanwhile, rose just 9 percent. In an interview with WGBH's Bob Seay, bankruptcy trustee Carolyn Bankowski cited the sluggish economy and slow housing market as factors in the rise.
WHERE WE LIVE: NEWTON

In Newton, A Chilly Reception For Mayor Warren's Senate Bid


GREATER BOSTON: WARREN DEFENDS HIS BID
By Adam Reilly

Newton Mayor Setti Warren declared his 2012 Senate candidacy on Tuesday -- but his bid is getting a chilly receptiion in his hometown.

FREEDOM RIDERS

Notes From The Freedom Ride: New Orleans, La.



WGBH PRESENTS FREEDOM RIDERS
VIEW UPCOMING AIRINGS
By Phillip Martin
WGBH's Phillip Martin follows a group of 40 students from around the country as they retrace the path of the original Freedom Riders. 
Local Politics

Newton Mayor Announces U.S. Senate Run


By Jess Bidgood
Setti Warren, the Mayor of Newton, announced Monday that he'll run for Senate in 2012, hoping to face U.S. Sen. Scott Brown in the general election. Warren faces an uphill battle for name recognition.
FREEDOM RIDERS

Students Follow In Freedom Riders' Footsteps



WGBH PRESENTS FREEDOM RIDERS
By Phillip Martin
WGBH's Phillip Martin is following 40 students retrace the path of the Freedom Rides, the 1961 student demonstrations against segregation in the South. We meet student rider Peter Davis, and learn how he has been inspired by original rider Genevieve Houghton.
Business

Fisherman: Catch-Share Sectors 'Eliminate' Some Business


ONE YEAR OLD, CATCH SECTORS 'EFFECTIVE FOR BUSINESS'
By Bob Seay
Fisherman are wrapping up their first full year of compliance with a new set of federal regulations intended to prevent overfishing, called "sectors." Some fisherman say it's helped their businesses, but WGBH's Bob Seay speaks to a Plymouth fisherman who says he's lost 60 percent of his income because of the rules.
Politics

Analysis: One Day In, DiMasi Trial Promises Drama


GOV. PATRICK TO TESTIFY AT DIMASI TRIAL
By Adam Reilly
The long-awaited trial of former House Speaker Sal DiMasi on federal corruption charges started Thursday. Based on the opening statements, it won't disappoint in terms of drama or political intrigue.
Local Politics

Gov. Patrick Will Testify At Ex.-Speaker's Trial

By The Associated Press
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is being called to testify in the federal public corruption trial of former state House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.
The Emily Rooney Show

J Squared's Happy and Hip Mother's Day


LISTEN TO THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Jared Bowen
If you are looking to go beyond the standard greeting card and flowers, The Emily Rooney Show's resident insiders J Squared—Jared Bowen and Jan Saragoni—have you covered.
Boston

Boston Chemist Applies Lessons Of Freedom Ride To Local Activism



WGBH PRESENTS FREEDOM RIDERS
By Jess Bidgood
T he same convictions that Harvard chemist Mike Wolfson on the Freedom Ride in 1961 have led him to engage in activism in Boston for the past 40 years.
CRIME AND JUSTICE

2 Teens Sentenced In Bullying Death Case

By The Associated Press
Two of the six teenagers charged in connection with the bullying related suicide of a Massachusetts high school sophomore have been sentenced to a year of probation. SUICIDE AFTERMATH STILL DIVIDES SOUTH HADLEY
Boston

Activists Call For New Boston Precinct Map


By Andrea Smardon
Voting rights advocates are asking the City of Boston to draw a new precinct map for the city. Boston is the only city in Massachusetts not required to redraw precincts once every 10 years. 
Boston

Amid Rising Gas Prices, T Ridership Increases

By Jess Bidgood
The MBTA is reporting its largest month-to-month ridership jump in two-and-a-half years. PASSENGERS: RISING GAS PRICES AND PUBLIC TRANSIT
A Celtic Sojourn

April 30: Len Graham


LISTEN
Len Graham, who hails from Northern Ireland, is recognized as one of Ulster's finest singers. On this program, Brian O'Donovan explores his many recordings.
U.S. NEWS

Obama Confirms: Bin Laden Killed


By The Associated Press
Osama bin Laden is dead and U.S. has body, says person familiar with developments.
Local Politics

House Budget Rundown: Some New Funding, HC Loss For Unions

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts House of Representatives are sending a $30.5 billion spending bill to the Senate. So what's in it?
Local Politics

Lenk Faces Tough Questions From Social Conservatives


By Sarah Birnbaum
Social conservatives in Massachusetts put up a fight during the confirmation hearing for Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court nominee Barbara Lenk, who is gay.
World News

Harvard Scholar Elected Tibetan Exiles Leader


By The Associated Press
A Harvard legal scholar who has been elected the next prime minister of Tibet's government-in-exile is vowing to continue Tibet's struggle for autonomy.
Local Politics

Patrick: Tone Down Muni-Health Rhetoric


EARLIER: UNIONS MOVE AGAINST HOUSE PLAN TO CURB COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS
By WGBH News
The Massachusetts House has voted to strip police officers, teachers and other local government workers of most of their collective bargaining rights over health care.
Local Politics

Unions Mobilize As House Considers Collective Bargaining Rights

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts House is one day into its deliberations on a controversial budget would give cities and towns the ability to change employee health plans without union approval, and unions are mobilizing to keep it from passing. EARLIER: WIS. UNION SUPPORTERS RALLY AT STATE HOUSE
Education

At Dorchester School, Inclusion Through Art


By Andrea Smardon
An international education conference is highlighting the work of Dorchester's William Henderson Inclusion Elementary School for its pioneering work incorporating the arts into its classrooms. WGBH's Andrea Smardon visits the school.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Collective Bargaining Fight Could Come Home This Week


By Sarah Birnbaum
This week could see a fight between unions and lawmakers, a high profile bribery trial and tough questioning for a groundbreaking state Supreme Judicial Court nominee. 
WGBH Special Reports

Human Trafficking Ringleader Jailed In Providence


MORE: SEX AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NEW ENGLAND
By Phillip Martin
A New York man is beginning 10 years behind bars in Rhode Island after pleading no contest to three counts of human trafficking earlier this month. His conviction marks the first successful prosecution of a human trafficking case in Rhode Island in two years.
GREATER BOSTON

Stoughton Man's Big Idea Is A Tiny House


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Toni Waterman
Calling himself a bizarre-chitect, Derek Diedricksen is a master of cobbling together bizarrely-shaped, teeny-tiny houses that make downtown bathrooms look roomy.
FREEDOM RIDERS

Boston-Area Freedom Riders Look Back



WGBH PRESENTS FREEDOM RIDERS
By Jess Bidgood
Check back this month for personal interviews with New Englanders who joined the original Freedom Ride.
Boston

Henry Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit


EARLIER: HENRYS ANGERED BY POLICE AWARD
By Phillip Martin
On Wednesday, the parents of a college student from Massachusetts who was killed by police in a New York suburb plan to file a multi-million dollar civil lawsuit against two police departments.
Burlington

Umbrella Prompts Evacuation Of Burlington Mall

By WGBH News
A mall near Boston was evacuated Tuesday morning after witnesses reported seeing a man with a rifle inside. But by midday, state police confirmed there was no rifle at the Burlington Mall — just a man with an umbrella.
PATRIOTS DAY

How - And Why - We Piece Together Patriots Day Reenactements


By Bob Seay
Monday is Patriots Day, and one of the events that will mark the day is the reenactment of the battles of Lexington and Concord. One Redcoat reenactor told Morning Edition how — and why — thousands of volunteers piece together battles centuries old.
BOSTON MARATHON

Mutai Wins Boston Marathon In Record Time


By The Associated Press
Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai has won the Boston Marathon in an unofficial 2 hours, 3 minutes, 2 seconds — the fastest marathon ever run. Caroline Kilel won the women's race.
HUMANKIND

Can Public Transport Reduce Our Carbon Footprint?


LISTEN TO PASSENGERS APR. 17 AT 6 P.M. ON WGBH
PASSENGERS: MORE INFORMATION
By David Freudberg
The human activity with one of the highest carbon footprints is transportation, which specifically affects air quality and carbon emissions. But just how much of those things travel produces depends in part on how much you travel and by what mode.
Health Care

Coakley: Nonprofit Board-Member Pay Unjustified

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is filing legislation that would allow her to prohibit nonprofits from paying their board members. The move follows the public uproar over generous salaries and severance packages at the state's largest health insurer.  
U.S.

Obama: Reduce Deficit With Cuts, Taxes On Rich


By The Associated Press
Forcefully rejecting Republican budget cutting plans, President Obama on Wednesday proposed lowering the nation’s future deficits by $4 trillion over a dozen years with a package that includes reducing spending on politically sensitive health care programs and raising taxes on high-earning Americans.  
Boston

MBTA: Without New Funding, Expect More Frozen Delays


By Sarah Birnbaum
On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the company that runs its commuter rail service were grilled on  the hundreds of other delays that plagued the system during the winter months. 
Health Care

Mass. Health Care Law Turns Five


ROMNEY TAKES FIRST OFFICIAL STEP TOWARD 2012 CANDIDACY
By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts' landmark universal health care law turns five Tuesday. State leaders are celebrating the occasion — and some are using it to point out that it was passed by then-Gov. Mitt Romney, who is now an opponent of national health reform and a possible GOP candidate for president.
HUMANKIND

Rising Gas Prices Could Send More Americans Back To Public Transit


LISTEN TO PASSENGERS APR. 10 AT 6 P.M. ON WGBH
By David Freudberg
Rising gas prices could send more Americans back to public transit, but are the country’s transit systems, already worn down by slashed budgets and growing demand, well-equipped to handle increased demand?
HUMANKIND

Rising Cost Of Petroleum Could Send More Americans Back To Public Transit


LISTEN TO PASSENGERSAPR. 10 AT 6 P.M. ON WGBH
By David Freudberg
Rising gas prices could send more Americans back to public transit, but are the country’s transit systems, already worn down by slashed budgets and growing demand, well-equipped to handle increased demand?
89.7 WGBH

Where You Live: Jamaica Plain, Boston


WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
By Rebeca Plank
The Emily Rooney Show

J Squared Spring You Into Spring

Education

Lawrence Teacher Firings Ignite Debate


MORE EDUCATION: 16 NEW CHARTER SCHOOLS APPROVED FOR MASS.
By Andrea Smardon
Lawrence teachers are responding to the news that one third of their corps will not be returning to their jobs in the fall, one year after the school was termed underperforming by the state.
Health Care

At Forum, Patrick Stumps For Global Payments

By Sarah Birnbaum
The governor opened a Tuesday forum on health-care costs by calling on lawmakers and health care interest groups to rein in the spiraling costs of health care — and to do so quickly. EARLIER: MIXED REACTION TO PATRICK HEALTH CARE BILL
The Emily Rooney Show

Pressley Defends Sexual-Assault Awareness Efforts


By Jess Bidgood
Ayanna Pressley told her own story of on-campus sexual assault in order to raise awareness about the issue. Although she's facing some hostility for doing so, the Boston City Councilor is going forward with plans to hold a hearing about what colleges and universities can do to prevent on-campus sexual assault -- and encourage victims to come forward.
NEWS

Patrick Nominates First Openly Gay SJC Justice


DUFFLY'S SJC NOMINATION BREAKS RACIAL BARRIER
By The Associated Press
Gov. Deval Patrick has tapped Barbara Lenk, who would be the first openly gay Supreme Judicial Court justice, to fill an open slot on Massachusetts' highest court.
CLIMATIDE

Fighting A Losing Battle With The Sea



THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW: RISING SEA LEVELS THREATEN MASS. COAST
By Heather Goldstone
The conservative consensus among experts calls for 2-3 feet of sea level rise by 2100,and as much as foot by 2050. That could affect life on Cape Cod.
Beverly

Where You Live: Beverly


WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
By Mickey Coburn
A resident of Beverly reflects on the changes he observed after living in the town during two different periods over several decades: " The city has history. Something sorely missing. Not sure what that is."
CRIME

Brockton Man Will Face Charges After Police Standoff

By Phillip Martin
The standoff began when David Luke, the father of a self-proclaimed white supremacist, telephoned police On Sunday to say he was heavily armed, and demanded to speak with Boston television reporters.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Eyes On Nuclear Safety, Pension Reform This Week


By Sarah Birnbaum
This week on Beacon Hill, Massachusetts lawmakers take testimony on major issues including pension reform and nuclear safety, while a judge on the state's highest court has plans to step down.
WHERE WE LIVE

Devens Makes Plans Far Beyond Evergreen Solar


WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
By Andrea Smardon
The former army base Devens has been thrust into the spotlight as the place where alternative energy company Evergreen Solar built a manufacturing plant, then abruptly closed it, moving its operations to China. But Evergreen is only part of a larger story of rapid economic change in Devens.
WHERE WE LIVE

For Saugus, A Push Beyond Route 1


WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
By Jess Bidgood
Saugus's Route 1 location is considered a gold mine for retailers and restaurants. The town has never needed a planner to encourage that kind of development -- but some residents think its time to build a vision for the other parts of town.
89.7 WGBH

State Leaders Butt Heads On Probation

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's top public safety official butted heads with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court Wednesday over Patrick's proposal to overhaul the state's troubled probation department. The disagreement came at a State House hearing before the Joint Judiciary Committee.
WHERE WE LIVE

As New Bedford Tourism Develops, Schools Still Struggle


WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
By Ralph Ranalli
With thriving museums and new businesses opening downtown, it has the feel of a city on rise once again. But when you move away from the trendy cafes and art galleries, it’s clear the former whaling capital’s problems with jobs and education still run deep.
WHERE WE LIVE

Private Developer Wants To Remake Downtown Quincy


WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
By Toni Waterman
Quincy's downtown used to be Shopper's Town USA -- but today, many of those stores are gone as shoppers have moved to more suburban mall. The city is now looking to a $1.3 billion deal with a private developer to revitalize its downtown.
WHERE WE LIVE

Fishing Sustains Chatham Economy


WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
By Sean Corcoran
Chatham owes just about everything it has to the fact it's located on the ocean. From its architecture — which, in many cases was based on buildings sea captains would find in other areas of the world — to its culture and tourism, the sea has helped keep the community fiscally strong, including during this recent financial trouble.
WHERE WE LIVE

Where YOU Live: Your Stories


SUBMIT YOUR STORY
By WGBH News
The WGBH News Where We Live series wants to hear from YOU — the viewers, listeners and web visitors. Is the American Dream still possible in your town?
WHERE WE LIVE

Small Business Prevails In 'City Of Champions'


WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
CORE SKILLS TURN BROCKTON HIGH AROUND
By Phillip Martin
Long known as the city of Rocky Marciano, Brockton has been transformed from a small city anchored by mid-sized enterprises to a community dotted with numerous small businesses.
WHERE WE LIVE

Lynn Pursues Blue-Collar Cosmopolitanism


THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW: LYNN
WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
By Adam Reilly
The people who live and work in Lynn say the city doesn’t get the respect it deserves. And despite the recession, they’ve got ambitious plans for the future.
WHERE WE LIVE

Foxboro: On The Heels Of The Patriots


WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
By Bob Seay
Gillette Stadium, the home of the Patriots, is Foxboro's economic engine. But hosting the NFL's most successful franchise also means cleaning up after it -- and living with the instability currently dominating NFL contract negotiations.
Education

Program Aims To Get Comm. College Students To UMass


By Sarah Birnbaum
UMass Amherst is making it easier for graduates of the state’s two-year community colleges to attend and afford the four-year school. A new program unveiled Wednesday offers admission and free tuition to students with certain GPA's -- but critics say the program doesn't do enough to reduce academic fees.
CENSUS 2010

Census: Greater Diversity Changes Face Of Massachusetts


CENSUS: BIG GAINS FOR BOSTON, WORCESTER
By Sarah Birnbaum
The U.S. Census Bureau released population data for Massachusetts on Tuesday, revealing a distinct trend: The state’s communities of color are growing, while the white population is declining.
The Emily Rooney Show

AG Coakley Warns Federal Government of Nuclear Storage Risks


RENEWED FOCUS ON NUCLEAR REACTOR AT MIT
By Ben Taylor
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is calling on the federal government to help find alternative storage for spent fuel rods at the state's Pilgrim nuclear plant and Vermont's Yankee plant.
89.7 WGBH

Ferry Company Reverses Course On Cape Wind


By Sean Corcoran
A prominent Cape Cod ferry company has reversed course and says it no longer opposes the plan to install 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound, and instead will look to conduct "eco tours" of the Cape Wind turbine site.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Census Data Comes To Mass. This Week


By Sarah Birnbaum
Change in state politics — from term limits to redistricting to remaking the Parole Board — seems to be a theme this week on Beacon Hill.
Boston

Fukushima Crisis Puts New Eyes On MIT Nuclear Reactor


By Phillip Martin
Japan’s frantic effort to cool down a damaged nuclear facility has thrust nuclear power reactors back into the public’s imagination here in the United States. That’s bringing attention to New England's Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee plants — but also to a little-noticed reactor in Massachusetts.
Business

Mass. Lawmakers Demand Answers As Fidelity Departs


EARLIER: LAWMAKER WANTS TO 'CLAW BACK' STATE AID
By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts lawmakers are demanding answers after Fidelity Investments announced this week that it's closing its Marlboro plant and moving its jobs out of state.
BOSTON

Hibernian Hall, Reinvented


By Toni Waterman
Dudley Square’s Hibernian Hall isn’t your grandma’s Irish Dance Hall anymore. These days, it boasts an eclectic fusion of poetry, contemporary dance and music and is helping draw  new patrons and businesses to Roxbury’s historic square.
Economy

Mass. Unemployment Rate Drops To 8.2 Percent

By The Associated Press
State officials say the Massachusetts unemployment rate dropped by a percentage point to 8.2 percent in February as the state added more than 15,000 jobs. The rate, which fell from 8.3 percent in January, remains below the national average of 8.9 percent.
Government

Lawmakers Take Up Parole Reform At Emotional Hearing

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts lawmakers are taking up potential reforms to the state’s parole system. An at-times emotional hearing followed the December shooting death of Woburn police officer John Maguire, allegedly at the hands of a career criminal who was out on parole.
GREATER BOSTON

Strangely Quiet, N.H. Waits For Primary Season


By Adam Reilly
With the New Hampshire presidential primary less than a year away, Manchester should be bustling. But right now, it’s relatively quiet. Would-be nominees have been reluctant to dive in — and the Granite State is getting restless.
Boston

Replacing Turner, Tito Jackson Wins City Council Spot


By Phillip Martin
Tito Jackson will replace Chuck Turner as the city councilor for Boston’s District 7. Jackson takes the helm of a district that's hurting, hit by high levels of violence last year and still wounded from the loss of two prominent lawmakers, Turner and Dianne Wilkerson, both convicted in federal corruption trials.
WGBH SPECIAL REPORT

The Falmouth Experience: Complete Series


By Sean Corcoran
Some residents of Falmouth, Mass. say they're suffering headaches, insomnia and depression because of a 400-foot tall town-owned wind turbine that began operating there last year. Most scientists say wind turbines don't cause health problems, but the experience of residents has strengthened anti-wind sentiment in the region.
Local Politics

DeLeo Lays Out Probation Overhaul Plan

By Jess Bidgood
Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo is proposing that the state's troubled Probation Department overhaul its hiring practices in an effort to put an end to the patronage practices found rampant there.
Health Care

Report Offers New Recommendations For End-Of-Life Care


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts doctors and policy-makers are calling for new guidelines on end-of-life care, specifically calling for doctors to discuss palliative and hospice treatments with their patients.
Boston

Two Candidates, Two Legacies In District 7 Election


LISTEN: JACKSON, MILLS ON THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW
By Phillip Martin
On Tuesday, District 7 residents will vote in a special election to fill the seat of former city councilman Chuck Turner. The two candidates, Tito Jackson and Cornel Mills, are making their final cases before the vote.
This Week On Beacon Hill

State Considers Parole Hires, Reforms


By Sarah Birnbaum
Action on Beacon Hill this week will focus on changes in the Bay State's troubled parole oversight system, with confirmation hearings on the governor's nominees for the embattled body followed by hearings on bills for its reform.
Local Politics

African-American Union Leaders Rally At State House

By Sarah Birnbaum
A coalition of African-American union leaders from around the state rallied at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday in support of workers' rights. MASS. DEMONSTRATORS WEIGH IN ON WIS. STANDOFF
CLIMATIDE

The Falmouth Experience


READ CLIMATIDE
By Sean Corcoran
Complaints about a turbine in Falmouth are raising the possibility that one bad experience could jeopardize Patrick’s state-wide push for wind energy.
Framingham

DA Rules Framingham Police Death Accidental

By Phillip Martin
The family of a 68-year-old Framingham man shot and killed by police while unarmed in his home is considering asking the federal government to investigate the incident, after a District Attorney's report released Wednesday ruled the shooting an accident. THE STAMPS CASE: 'TRAGEDY BEYOND MEASURE'
WGBH SPECIAL REPORT

The Falmouth Experience: The Green Debate


LAWMAKERS RENEW PUSH FOR SIMPLER TURBINE PERMITTING
By Sean Corcoran
The effort to install land-based wind turbines on Cape Cod has slowed, largely because of opposition to a 400-foot tall turbine that was installed last spring in Falmouth.
The Emily Rooney Show

Roundtable: NPR CEO Steps Down


VIVIAN SCHILLER, NPR CEO, OUSTED
By Jess Bidgood
The media world is reeling after news of NPR CEO Vivian Schiller's hasty exit from her post. Jay Rosen, Al Tompkins and James Poniewozik joined The Emily Rooney Show to offer their analysis of a chain of events that began with Juan Williams' firing and continues through Schiller's resignation.
The Emily Rooney Show

J Squared Takes On Restaurant Week


MORE OF THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Jared Bowen
Jared Bowen and Jan Saragoni break down the best deals to be had during Boston Restaurant Week.
Energy

The Falmouth Experience: Flickering Light


PART 2: SICK FROM THE NOISE
By Sean Corcoran
Residents in the town of Falmouth say that a nearly 400-foot wind turbine has severely impacted their quality of life. They talk about noise issues, but sound isn’t the only thing generating discontent. There also are complaints about a phenomenon called ‘shadow flicker’.
Local Politics

DiMasi Co-Defendant Pleads Guilty


EARLIER: DIMASI WILL FACE FULL LITANY OF CHARGES
By Adam Reilly
A key co-defendant in the federal corruption case against former Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi is pleading guilty — and joining forces with the government. That could make things harder for DiMasi's defense.
Boston

Obama: Boston School Is National Reform Model


VIDEO: WATCH OBAMA'S SPEECH
By Jess Bidgood
President Obama gave an upbeat speech in Boston today, lauding TechBoston Academy for its achievements in education — and emphasizing his commitment to education investment as Congress scales up efforts to cut the nation's budget deficit.
Local Politics

Mass. Unions Say Plan Balances Health Costs, Bargaining Rights


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts public employee unions outlined a proposal on Monday they say will save cities and towns tens of millions of dollars in health care costs — all while preserving collective bargaining rights.
WGBH SPECIAL REPORT

The Falmouth Experience: Sick From The Noise



By Sean Corcoran
Some residents of Falmouth say they’re feeling sick from the sounds coming from a large, town-owned wind turbine. While turbines are not silent, those claims are often controversial.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Patrick's Trade Mission Begins


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick arrives in Tel Aviv on Monday for the start of a trip that the administration says will highlight the state's innovation-based industries abroad. While he's away, President Obama swings by the Bay State to stump for his education agenda.
Framingham

DA Will Release Details On Framingham Death

By Phillip Martin
The Middlesex County District Attorney's office this week reveals the findings of a two-month long investigation into the fatal shooting of an unarmed man his Framingham home. The case has raised questions about racial profiling and the use of force.
WGBH SPECIAL REPORT

The Falmouth Experience: Life Under The Blades



READ THE STORY ON CLIMATIDE
By Sean Corcoran
Some residents of Falmouth say a wind turbine installed last year has changed their lives — and not for the better. This week, WGBH’s Sean Corcoran explores all sides of the issue in a special series, The Falmouth Experience: The Trouble with One Town’s Turbine.
Business

No Merger For Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Health Plan


By Jess Bidgood
Two of the state's biggest health insurers have called off talks of a merger.  In an email to staff obtained by WGBH, Tufts Health Plan CEO Jim Roosevelt said a review found it would be "ultimately too complex" to merge with Harvard Pilgrim.
Local Politics

Mass. Tea Party: Tone It Down!


By Sarah Birnbaum
The Tea Party has come in for its share of criticism for inflammatory talk. But now, calls to tone down the political rhetoric are coming from the Tea Party -- which liberal activists call "ironic."
Local Politics

State Dems Vote Down Independent Redistricting Commission

By Sarah Birnbaum
Democrats in the Massachusetts House Wednesday defeated a Republican-led effort to set up an independent commission to redraw the state’s political map.
Music

BSO's Volpe Hopes There's Still A Role For Levine


MARK VOLPE ON LEVINE'S RESIGNATION
THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW: CLASSICAL COMMUNITY REACTS
By Jess Bidgood
Maestro James Levine is stepping down as the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in order to better deal with the health issues that have kept the storied conductor off the podium for much of the past year.
Local Politics

Patrick Announces Plan To Streamline Children's Services

By Sarah Birnbaum
Gov. Deval Patrick wants to reorganize the state agencies that provide social and health services to children. He says it will make their work more efficient and less confusing for those who use their services — but advocates have reservations about the plan.
REMEMBRANCES

'We Need People Like Him Every Day'


By Jess Bidgood
The Harvard community — and people the world over — is mourning the death of Reverend Peter Gomes, the man who ran the university's Memorial Church for over forty years. He died Monday night at 68 years of age.
The Emily Rooney Show

Bryant: Race Was Factor In Weekend Abuse Arrest


By WGBH News
Sportswriter Howard Bryant is defending himself against allegations of domestic abuse this weekend. He tells WGBH's Emily Rooney that witnesses and police overreacted to an argument he had with his wife over the weekend -- and that race may be a factor in his subsequent arrest.
Boston

BPS School Closures Spark Civil Rights Complaint


EARLIER: BPS VOTES TO CLOSE 9 SCHOOLS
By Andrea Smardon
A coalition of lawyers and educators have filed a federal civil rights complaint against the Boston Public Schools, alleging a recent school closure plan discriminates against the city’s Black and Latino students and parents.
Education

16 New Charter Schools Approved For Mass.


INSIDE A LYNN CHARTER SCHOOL
By Andrea Smardon
State education officials approved plans for 16 new charter schools Monday, significantly expanding the number of charter schools in some of the state’s lowest-performing districts.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Charter Schools, Redistricting On The Docket This Week


By Sarah Birnbaum
While the governor continues his trip to Washington, DC this week, the state's board of education will announce its picks for new charter schools. Legislative redistricting and spending bill analysis are on the docket on Beacon Hill.
Local Politics

Union Supporters Rally At State House


UNION BATTLES: A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST LABOR?
By Phillip Martin
A nationwide demonstration of unity with Wisconsin's public sector employees -- currenty in a standoff with the state's governor over their collective bargaining rights -- took place over the weekend, drawing a crowd of workers and supporters to the State House in Boston.
Education

High Scores, Participation Draw Attention To Lynn Charter School


By Andrea Smardon
On Monday, the Massachusetts Board of Education will announce its picks for the state's newest charter schools. One of them could be a KIPP school -- part of a national network of charter schools that says its already seeing results at its existing school in Lynn.
Local Politics

SJC Orders Increased Transparency In Probation Dept.

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is ordering changes to the state's patronage-ridden probation department. The department will be required to keep records of who it hires and promotes, to conduct annual performance reviews and to keep job recommendations out of the interview process until its final stages. EARLIER: SJC DISMISSED PROBATION COMISSIONER
Government

Mass. Terror Suspect Awaits Bail Decision

By Sarah Birnbaum
A Massachusetts man accused of taking part in a terror plot to kill Americans went to court is seeking bail. At a court hearing on Wednesday, supporters described him as a peaceful man with a right to free speech, but prosecutors said he is dangerous.
RHODE ISLAND

Ousted Central Falls Mayor Defends Job


LISTEN: MOREAU ON THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Phillip Martin
The former mayor of Central Falls, R.I. says he was illegally removed from his job last summer by a state-appointed receiver looking into the financial crisis that has gripped the city.
89.7 WGBH

Civil Legal Aid In Danger, Advocates Say

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts attorneys are rallying lawmakers to preserve funding for civil legal aid to poor residents. On Tuesday, over 300 lawyers rallied at the State House, worried lawmakers might try to cut legal services for the poor in order to help close a $1.5 billion budget shortfall.
Local Politics

Mass. Demonstrators Weigh In On Wis. Standoff


NPR BLOG: STATE BUDGET FIGHTS SPREAD
By Phillip Martin
The standoff between the governor of Wisconsin and some of its unions over bargaining rights is continuing. In Massachusetts, Gov. Patrick joined 1,000 union members on Beacon Hill Tuesday at a solidarity rally that turned into something of a political tug-of-war with a small Tea-Party organized counter-demonstration.
CRITICAL MASS: ADAM REILLY ON POLITICS

Brown Supporters React To Revelation In Memoir


By Adam Reilly
The buzz around Sen. Scott Brown's new memoir began when he announced during a 60 Minutes interview that he'd been sexually abused as a child. About 70 people lined up to get copies of the book signed by Brown in Boston that day -- and some were still trying to work out what to make of that news.
REMEMBRANCES

Remembering Aloyce Beth DuVal Deare


LISTEN: WGBH'S CALLIE CROSSLEY REMEMBERS BETH DEARE
By WGBH
Friends and colleagues are mourning the death of A. Beth DuVal Deare, the award-winning former producer  of WGBH's "Say Brother." Deare died in a fire in Newton on Monday. Share your memories of Deare.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Lobbying, Protesting Takes Spotlight On Beacon Hill


By Sarah Birnbaum
Schoolchildren aren’t the only ones off this week. There are no formal sessions planned in the House or Senate. For the most part, Massachusetts lawmakers are staying in their districts and tending the home fires, although there are some hearings around the state on Governor Deval Patrick’s budget blueprint.
Health Care

Mixed Reaction To Patrick's Health Care Reform Bill


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is filing a bill Thursday that aims to reduce health care spending by changing the way doctors and hospitals get paid.  Most insurers and health care providers reacting to the bill are positive, but cautious.  
Health Care

Gov. Lays Out Health Care Reform Plan

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is filing long-awaited legislation that aims to rein in the spiraling costs of health insurance by encouraging health care providers to move to the global payment system, in which doctors would get paid a set amount of money every year for each patient they care for.
89.7 WGBH

Despite Skepticism, Patrick Admin. Says Budget Could Save $1 B

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Patrick administration is defending the governor's budget proposal. Gov. Deval Patrick's budget chief, Jay Gonzalez, was in the hot seat on Wednesday during a hearing before the House's and Senate's Ways and Means Comittees. 
Boston

Jackson, Mills Will Vie To Replace Turner


By Phillip Martin
Tito Jackson and Cornell Mills emerged as the winners of the primary in the special election to fill the City Council seat left open by Chuck Turner. 
89.7 WGBH

In Bay State, $20 B In Unfunded Retiree Health Costs

By Sarah Birnbaum
A new study says the 50 largest cities in the Bay State owe $20 billion in existing and future retiree health care costs — and they have no plan to pay it down. READ THE STUDY
Technology

At MIT, The Jeopardy Machine Is Personal


NOVA: THE SMARTEST MACHINE ON EARTH
By Andrea Smardon
Wednesday night is the much-anticipated final round of the quiz show Jeopardy, in which Watson, a computer, competes against the two greatest champions in the show's history.  The contest has generated a special kind of excitement at MIT.
89.7 WGBH

Obama's Budget Is Mixed Bag For Massachusetts


OBAMA UNVEILS 2012 BUDGET
By Sarah Birnbaum
The president's $3.7 billion budget cuts much-needed heating aid for the cold Northeast, but it includes continued spending that could help the state's academic and tech sectors. 
89.7 WGBH

DOJ Will Review DJ Henry's Death


LISTEN: HENRY'S PARENTS ON THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
HENRY'S FAMILY PUSHES FOR INVESTIGATION
By Phillip Martin
A New York grand jury has declined to indict police officers in the shooting death of 20-year-old Danroy Henry. The Pace University football player from Easton, Massachusetts, was shot by a police officer in Westchester County on October 17, as he drove away from a restaurant in a New York City suburb.   
Food

Farmer's Markets Aren't Just For Summer Anymore


By Nancy Cohen
Winter farmer's markets are multiplying across New England -- with new markets popping up in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. They give customers a chance to eat fresh, local produce year-round -- and provide much-needed winter income for farmers.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Lawmakers Look At Budget; National Grid Under Scrutiny


By Sarah Birnbaum
Action in Massachusetts politics this week will focus on the state budget and a tussle over unemployment insurance rates.
Boston

In Boston, Egyptians Celebrate Mubarak's Departure

By Jess Bidgood
Egyptians in Boston are celebrating resignation of Hosni Mubarak. Amira Hussein grew up in Cairo, but has lived in Boston for four years while she works on a Ph. D. at Boston University. Walking through the city, she was positively jubilant. 
CRITICAL MASS: ADAM REILLY ON POLITICS

The Gov.'s Council: An Existential Drama?


WATCH GREATER BOSTON
By Adam Reilly
Calls are mounting for the Governor's Council to be eliminated, because many think it's an antequated, do-nothing body. So it may not be a coincidence that the Council has been making life more difficult for Gov. Deval Patrick.
Local Politics

Senate Moves To Freeze Unemployment Tax For Third Year Running

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts Senate wants to freeze the state's unemployment insurance rate — the tax paid by employers to cover the cost of jobless benefits — for the third year in a row.
Sports

Shaq: Next Stunt Is Levitation


HEAR HOOPZ AND SHAQ ON THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Jess Bidgood
The Big Shamrock tells WGBH's Emily Rooney he's going to be levitated over the TD Garden by Criss Angel for his next Boston stunt. It will be the latest in a string of public appearances that have endeared him to Celtics fans.
Energy

In Lexington, Solar Is Coming


By Andrea Smardon
One of the state’s largest alternative energy companies, Evergreen Solar, is in the process of closing its manufacturing plant in Devens. But the landscape for solar manufacturing in Massachusetts isn’t all bleak. A solar startup in Lexington, 1366 Technologies, is looking to open a new plant in Massachusetts.
Local Politics

Gov. Patrick Will Lead Trade Mission To Britain, Israel


By Sarah Birnbaum
Gov. Deval Patrick is off to to Israel and England next month, leading a trade mission he says will focus on growing businesses and jobs in the state’s innovation sector. 
Local Politics

Gov. Patrick Considered Resigning


By Sarah Birnbaum
Governor Deval Patrick's tenure — now beginning its second term — might have been only weeks long. That's because the governor considered resigning shortly after he took office, according to his soon-to-be-released memoir.
Local Politics

Budget Cuts Could Endanger Services For High-Risk Youth

By Sarah Birnbaum
With state budget cuts looming, advocates are trying to prevent proposed cuts to the state's child welfare system. ADVOCATES PUSH FOR ALZHEIMER'S GROUP
Local Politics

Candidates Vie For Empty Council Seat In Turner's Shadow


CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW: 7TH DISTRICT CANDIDATES' ROUNDTABLE
By Phillip Martin
The candidates vying to fill the City Council seat previously held by Chuck Turner met for a spirited forum on Tuesday night.
Health Care

Advocates Push For Alzheimer's Group On Beacon Hill


EARLIER: VENTURE CAPITAL FUELS ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH
By Sarah Birnbaum
Advocates for Alzheimer's patients and their families are pushing for new legislation that would create a specialized group within the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to coordinate the state’s approach to the disease.  
Boston

Election For Turner's Seat Will Continue


CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW: 7TH DISTRICT CANDIDATES' ROUNDTABLE
By Jess Bidgood
A federal judge has ruled that Chuck Turner will not be able to stop the special election to fill his now-empty seat on the City Council, clearing the way for next week's primary election for the District 7 City Council Seat.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Parole, Pension, Anti-Bullying On Docket This Week


By Sarah Birnbaum
We take look at what's coming up this week in state politics. This week, MBTA board members wil take key votes. A slew of bills, ranging from health care cost control measures to probation overhaul, are on the docket in the Legislature.
89.7 WGBH

DeLeo Rejects Fees In Patrick's Budget

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts House Speaker Robert Deleo says he will keep new fees and taxes out of the House budget -- which means he's rejecting the new fees in Gov. Patrick's budget proposal.
WEATHER

Latest Storm Further Buries State Snow Removal Budget


STORM LEAVES FROZEN FOOTPRINT ACROSS U.S.
By Sarah Birnbaum
With more than two months of winter left to go, Massachusetts has already blown through its $58 billion snow removal budget for the entire season. The latest bout of winter weather has the commonwealth scrambling to come up with new cleanup funds. 
Boston

What To Do With The Snow?

By Sarah Birnbaum
Parts of New England will have gotten almost 20 inches of new snow by the end of this week -- and that's on top of about 60 inches that had already fallen. What to do with all the white stuff? State Sen. Jack Hart says it's time to dump it into the harbor. STORM COULD BRING 'FLASH-FREEZING'
Local Politics

Court Won't Dismiss Any Charges Against DiMasi

By Sarah Birnbaum
When former Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi goes to court next April, he's facing the full list of charges brought against him. That's the decision a U.S. district court judge handed down last Friday, deflating DiMasi's hopes that some parts of the corruption case against him would be dismissed.
The Emily Rooney Show

Back From Egypt, Mass. Man Waits To See Sons


NPR: EGYPT PROTESTS CONTINUE
By Jess Bidgood
Manchester's Colin Bower is trying to get his sons back from Egypt after his ex-wife allegedly kidnapped them in 2009. Bower watched millions of people take to the streets of Cairo this weekend, protesting the 30-year-rein of their president, as he waited fruitlessly to visit his sons.
Local Politics

New State House Leadership Gets Started

By Sarah Birnbaum
A new team of leaders in the Massachusetts House gets to work Monday after House Speaker Robert DeLeo brought a major shakeup to his inner circle during a closed-door meeting at the State House on Friday.
Weather & National Disasters

Towns In The Red After Too Much White


AFTER STORM, SNOWPLOWS VS. SHOVELS
By Sarah Birnbaum
It’s not even midway into the winter season, but communities around the region are already maxing out their snow budgets.
WEATHER

After Another Storm, It's Shovel Vs. Snowplow


By Jess Bidgood
Although snow from Thursday morning’s storm has long stopped falling, the foot of white stuff that dropped from the sky overnight is still clogging up roads and sidewalks – and leading to a bit of a contest between shovelers and snowplows.
WEATHER

Snow Leaves Transit Delays, Closings


By WGBH News
A winter storm that dumped heavy snow across the East Coast overnight left travel delays, scattered power outages and school closings and delays Thursday morning.
Local Politics

$30.5 Budget Plan Includes Deep Cuts

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick unveiled a lean budget Wednesday. The $30.5 billion spending plan includes deep cuts in human services and other state programs.  
Local Politics

Harvard Government Students Grade SOTU Address


OBAMA: 'OUR DESTINY REMAINS OUR CHOICE'
By Phillip Martin
As President Obama addressed the nation Tuesday night during his second State Of The Union speech, about 75 students gathered at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government Wednesday night to watch.
Local Politics

Senate Bill Outlines Proposed Parole Reforms

By Sarah Birnbaum
A bipartisan group of Massachusetts senators is calling for reform of the state's parole system following the fatal shooting of a Woburn police officer, allegedly by a violent career criminal out on parole.
Local Politics

Despite Scrutiny, Jeff Perry Gets Top Police Job


LISTEN: MORE FROM THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Sean Corcoran
Jeffrey Perry has a new job. The former state representative ran unsuccessfully on the GOP ticket for the 10th Congressional District -- and now he'll be the Special Sheriff for Barnstable county, months after his law enforcement record was scrutinized during the campaign.
WEATHER

Record Cold Freezes Northeast

By WGBH News
Most of Massachusetts is under wind-chill warnings or advisories Monday, as an Arctic high-pressure system brings temperatures well below zero across the Northeast.
RECOGNIZING BRUCE

Update: Cambridge Gallery Shows Work Of Bruce Stuart


WGBH SPECIAL REPORT: RECOGNIZING BRUCE
By Phillip Martin
Drawings by the Vietnam veteran Bruce Stuart, who lived on the streets of Harvard Square for 10 years, are being exhibited at an art gallery in Harvard Square. 
Human Trafficking

AG Calls For Human Trafficking Law


WGBH SPECIAL REPORT: HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN BOSTON
By Phillip Martin
Attorney General Martha Coakley is calling for passage of legislation that would outlaw human trafficking for sex and other forced labor. Massachusetts is currently one of only five states without comprehensive human trafficking legislation.
RECOGNIZING BRUCE

A Home For Bruce And His Art


PHOTOS: BRUCE'S HOME
SERIES PAGE: RECOGNIZING BRUCE
By Phillip Martin
After ten years of homelessness, Bruce Stuart has a show in a Cambridge art gallery, but he's not sure he wants to be recognized. His subsequent disappearance worried friends and locals who were used to seeing him around -- until they found him in a home of his own.
Boston

WGBH Special Report: Recognizing Bruce


By Phillip Martin
WGBH's Phillip Martin profiles a veteran who lived on the streets of Cambridge for 10 years -- but it's not just a story of homelessness. It is also about a man who has lived a life of both privilege and deprivation.  It is a story about unheralded artistry. And it is about the acknowledgement of individuals who have grown accustomed to being invisible and unknown. 
Government

Council Digs Into Duffly At SJC Confirmation Hearing

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Nominee Fernande Duffly got a bumpy reception at her confirmation hearing on Wednesday.   DUFFLY'S SJC NOMINATION BREAKS RACIAL BARRIER
RECOGNIZING BRUCE

Street Life's Challenges Endured Through Art


RECOGNIZING BRUCE: PART ONE
By Phillip Martin
Bruce Stuart lived without a home in Harvard Square for about 10 years. He said his art -- and an unexpected friendship -- got him through those days as the dangers of street life threatened his wellbeing.
Local Politics

State Revenue Estimates Still Leave Budget Gap

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts budget-builders agree they will have $20.5 billion to work with for the coming fiscal year. That's $740 million more than their estimate for this year — but it still leaves the state with a budget gap of at least $1.5 billion.
WGBH SPECIAL REPORT

Recognizing Bruce: A Man Without A Home


By Phillip Martin
Bruce Stuart has lived on the streets of Harvard Square for about 10 years. But his story is not about homelessness. It is about unheralded artistry and the acknowledgement of individuals who have grown accustomed to being invisible and unknown. Part one of a three-part series.
Economy

Lawmaker Wants To "Claw Back" State Aid


By Jess Bidgood
Evergreen Solar is closing its Massachusetts manufacturing plant, terminating 800 jobs it was given $68 million in state aid to create. One lawmaker is filing legislation that would help the state get its money back when companies fail to deliver on state aid.
WEATHER

Snow, Sleet Make For Slippery Mass. Roads


By Jess Bidgood
A winter storm -- the second in a week -- is blanketing Massachusetts with snow, sleet and freezing rain, creating dangerous road conditions around the state as Tuesday evening's commute looms.
America's Test Kitchen Radio

An Insiders View Of The Restaurant Business


LISTEN
LISTEN TO ATK RADIO'S SERIES PREMIERE
Ever wonder why your favorite restaurant struggles while so many second-grade establishment have lines out the door? America's Test Kitchen Radio presents an insiders view of the restaurant business.
TRANSPORTATION

Commuters Quietly Pleased With MBTA Experiment


By B. John Campbell
But the MBTA is piloting a program to give commuters a little solace from all this noise. They're marking off certain cars on the commuter rail as quiet cars. And as the program wraps up its second week, it's getting rave reviews from riders.
PHOEBE PRINCE

Suicide Aftermath Still Divides South Hadley


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Adam Reilly
The town of South Hadley is still struggling to come to terms with the death of Phoebe Prince, who took her own life one year ago Friday.
Local Politics

Bob Pozen: I'd 'Seriously Consider' Senate Run


HEAR THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Frannie Carr
Bob Pozen, the chairman-emeritus of Boston-based MFS Investment Management, told WGBH’s Emily Rooney on Thursday that he would “seriously consider” a Senate run if the state’s Democratic Party asked him to.
Local Politics

Bob Pozen: I'd 'Seriously Consider' Senate Run


HEAR THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Frannie Carr
Bob Pozen, the chairman-emeritus of Boston-based MFS Investment Management, told WGBH’s Emily Rooney on Thursday that he would “seriously consider” a Senate run if the state’s Democratic Party asked him to.
Education

UMass Officials Hope To Pick New President Thursday


By Andrea Smardon
Officials at the University of Massachusetts are optimistic that they'll select a new president by the end of the day Thursday. They say they're looking at several serious candidates with academic backgrounds -- but they want to make sure their pick can think creatively about the budget crisis facing the university.
WEATHER

Outages, Cancelations Linger In Wake Of Snowstorm


By Sarah Birnbaum
Emergency crews and homeowners around Massachusetts are working to shake-off the aftereffects of a snowstorm that knocked out power to 100,000 residents, kept all flights from going in and out of Logan Airport, pushed down branches and trees and caused thousands of school and workplaces to be closed.
Boston

50 Years Later, 'City On A Hill' Speech Resounds


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts met a new Kennedy on Tuesday, when they gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's "City On A Hill" speech.
Local Politics

At The State House, Lawmakers Reflect On Security

By Sarah Birnbaum
Flags are flying at half-staff outside the State House in observation of the attempted assassination of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords as lawmakers reflect on their own security concerns. LAWMAKERS WEIGH SECURITY, ACCESSIBILITY
Government

Tsongas: Shooting Puts Democracy At Risk


MASS. CONGRESSMEN REACT TO SHOOTING
By Jess Bidgood
When Rep. Niki Tsongas learned Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had been shot while meeting with constituents in Tuscon, she was holding a similar meeting of her own. Now she's worried about what happens when people don't feel safe meeting with their representatives.
Energy

With Two Final Permits, Cape Wind Cleared For Development

By Sean Corcoran
Cape Wind is good to go: After a final pair of permits last week, project developers are cleared to begin installing the 130 turbines that will generate electricity off the shore of Cape Cod.
Local Politics

Mass. Congressmen Hope For Giffords' Recovery


By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts colleagues of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords are expressing shock and sadness after she and nineteen others were shot in Tuscon this weekend.
WGBH Local News

MBTA GM: No Fare Hikes This Year


By Andrea Smardon
MBTA officials have started the process of trying to close a more than $120 million budget deficit they’re facing in the next fiscal year. General Manager Richard Davey is assuring riders that there are no immediate plans to raise fares -- but the T is considering other proposals.
Local Politics

State House, Senate Kick Off Session


WATCH LIVE: GOV. PATRICK'S INAUGURATION
By Sarah Birnbaum
The governor is awaiting the formal start of his second term with his inauguration Thursday afternoon — but for Massachusetts' legislators, the year has already begun.
Local Politics

Gov. Patrick Opens His Second Term


HEAR THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS
By Jess Bidgood
It's official: With the completion of his inauguration ceremony, Gov. Deval Patrick's second term has begun. Patrick's inaugural speech touted the successes of his first administration and called on the state to approach its economic challenges with a mixture of optimism and a willingness to make difficult choices.
Economy

Shaws Will Shutter Five Stores

By Jess Bidgood

The Shaws grocery store chain is closing five New England Stores. It's the latest in a string of major retail closures across the state.

Education

Murphy: Streamline BPS Transport Costs


By WGBH News
Boston's new City Council president is calling on the Boston Public Schools to cut transportation costs.
BEACON HILL

Mass. GOP Says They'll Make A Mark On New Session


By Sarah Birnbaum
Wednesday begins a new legislative session on Beacon Hill.  As Gov. Patrick swears in the members of the 187th Massachusetts Legislature, the chamber will look a little less blue than in recent years.
89.7 WGBH

Boston Website Helps Users Find Government Docs — Legally


By B. John Campbell
Wikileaks has dominated news headlines by releasing thousands of confidential government documents online. In Massachusetts, a new website is going about government transparency in an entirely different way. 
Local Voices

The Moon Is A Bad Place


MORE LOCAL VOICES
By Carlo Rotella
We can walk on the moon and we're talking about colonizing it. But maybe it's best to let the moon remain a mystery.
Local Voices

Signs And Wonders


MORE LOCAL VOICES
By Carlo Rotella
WGBH commentator Carlo Rotella reflects on what led him to a life of writing.
Local Voices

The Good, The Bad And The Funny Of 2010

By Jimmy Tingle
The last week of the year brings countless "Year in Review" lists -- but this one is a little different. We asked local comedian and stand-up comic Jimmy Tingle to give us his own roundup of 2010's highlights. Here's what he chose. MORE LOCAL VOICES
Local Politics

Gov. Will Cut Legislative Salaries

By Phillip Martin
There is little opposition to Gov. Deval Patrick's plan to shrink the paychecks of the state's legislators -- except for some lawmakers and watchdogs who say the cuts aren't big enough.
Religion

Study: When Preachers No Longer Believe


A Boston-area philosopher and cognitive scientist knows some preachers, rabbis and ministers no longer believe the creeds they teach, forcing them into moral, social and professional isolation. Now he wants to figure out how common that is.
Art & Design

Somerville Artist Paints Spacey First Night Button


By Anna White-Nockleby
Local painter Scott Listfield’s artwork is featured on this year’s First Night button, the admissions ticket for the New Years Eve festivities.
Weather & National Disasters

Blizzard Piles Snow, Delays On New England


AFTER STORM, TRAVEL SLOWLY REBOUNDS
By Phillip Martin
This week's blizzard may be over, but the storm's impact is lingering as people throughout New England deal with snowdrifts, flight delays and power outages left by the blizzard that dumped almost 20 inches of snowfall in some areas of the state.
Local Politics

Judge Hears Extra Testimony Against Wilkerson


By Sarah Birnbaum
During what was meant to be sentencing day for former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, a U.S. district judge heard testimony from a developer who said she solicited bribes from him. The prosecution hoped this would increase Wilkerson's sentence -- but the judge didn't seem convinced.
Local Politics

SJC Nomination Breaks Another Racial Barrier


By Sarah Birnbaum
Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday nominated appeals court judge Nan Duffly to be the next associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Duffly is Asian-American. 
Local Politics

Representatives Line Up For Redistricting Battle


MASS. WILL LOSE 1 CONGRESSIONAL SEAT
By Phillip Martin
Members of Massachusetts'  10-person congressional delegation are staking claims to their seats after the news that the state will only have nine seats when this term is over. 
Education

Teachers' Union Would Link Evaluations With MCAS Scores

By Andrea Smardon
The Massachusetts Teachers' Union, the largest such union in the state, is endorsing the use of student test scores to assess teachers' performance. They unveiled their plan for the new evaluation system at a state Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. READ THE PROPOSAL
Local Politics

Mass. Loses Congressional Seat


AFTER CENSUS, A RESHAPED U.S. POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
By Jess Bidgood
The state of Massachusetts will lose one congressional seat as the seats in the 435-member House are reapportioned to reflect population changes shown by the 2010 Census. 


City Council Roundup

Big Changes For City Council As Year Ends


By Jess Bidgood
The race for Chuck Turner's empty seat on the Boston City Council begins as the body's president ends his term and a new member settles in. 
Boston

Back On His Feet, Menino Defends School Closures

By Adam Reilly
Parents are reeling from the Boston Public School Committee's controversial vote Wednesday night that will close nine schools and merge several others. Mayor Thomas M. Menino, now back on his feet after two hospital stays, is defending the move. MAP: SCHOOLS SLATED FOR CLOSURE
Local Politics

Outgoing Rep. Delahunt Supports Tax Compromise


By WGBH News
Outgoing Rep. Bill Delahunt is ending is 14 years in Congress with a vote for the Obama-GOP tax compromise. He told WGBH's Emily Rooney why.
89.7 WGBH

Students Face Charges After DJ Henry Shooting


FALLEN STUDENT'S FAMILY PUSHES FOR INVESTIGATION
By Phillip Martin
Four Pace University students are due in court Thursday to faces charges they incurred during the same incident that led to the shooting death of Danroy "DJ" Henry earlier this fall.
Education

BPS Votes To Close 9 Schools


MAP: AFFECTED SCHOOLS
By Andrea Smardon
Amid jeering and booing from angry parents, teachers and students, the Boston School Committee voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve superintendent Carol Johnson’s proposal to consolidate school resources through closures and mergers.
Government

Mass. Tax Revenue Will Grow -- But Not Enough

By Sarah Birnbaum
Economists are predicting Massachusetts revenue will grow by as much as $700 million next year, a 5 percent gain over 2010.
CUTS PREDICTED AS MASS. FACES $2B GAP
Boston

School Closures Up For Vote; Parents Wait


MAP: HOW THE PROPOSAL WOULD AFFECT BOSTON
By Andrea Smardon
The Boston Public School Committee votes Wednesday proposal to shutter nine of Boston's schools could save up to $10 million -- but some parents and teachers say the disruption to the students wouldn't be worth the savings.
Local Voices

The Afghanistan War: The Status Quo?


By Kelly Bates
We can’t imagine America without the Afghanistan War even though we have done almost everything possible to eliminate terrorism -- except for declare peace. We are numb to this war and it's time to snap out of it.
Local Politics

DeLeo: Casinos Will Be On The Docket

By Sarah Birnbaum
House Speaker Robert Deleo says casinos are on the agenda in the upcoming legislative session after a bill failed at the last minute this past summer.
WGBH SPECIAL REPORT: THE LAST RESORT
The State House

$2 B Budget Gap Looms; Major Cuts Anticipated


By Sarah Birnbaum
The state Legislature may be out of session – but a looming $2 billion budget gap  for the next fiscal year is worrying lawmakers and interest groups across Beacon Hill, who will be talking dollars during State House hearings on Tuesday.
Religion

The Mosque Next Door

By Phillip Martin
On the eve of the ninth anniversary of Sept. 11, WGBH reporter Phillip Martin reports on a controversy over the building of a mosque in Boston.
Local Politics

Intriguing, Intense Race Gives Patrick Second Term


By Phillip Martin
WGBH's senior reporter Phillip Martin took a look at some of the highlights of the 2010 gubernatorial contest that produced last night’s results.
Education

Report: Health Care Costs Squeezing Education

By Sarah Birnbaum
A new report says hundreds of millions of dollars the state pegged for improvements to classroom education have gone instead  to health-care costs for school employees.
Government

Ireland Confirmed As State's Chief Justice


SJC CHIEF CONFIRMATION HEARING FOCUSES ON PROBATION
By Jess Bidgood
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has a new chief justice. Rodrick L. Ireland, previously the court's senior associate justice, was unanimously confirmed for the position early Wednesday afternoon
Local Politics

Capuano: 'Where Is The Compromise?'

Rep. Michael Capuano is criticizing President Obama for what he says was the failure to play hardball with Congressional Republicans on a tax deal announced Tuesday.
HEAR THE INTERVIEW
Government

State Leaders Push Plans For Probation Dept. Reform

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Governor and top lawmakers say they will reform the state's troubled probation department in the new year -- with parallel plans coming from both the Legislature and the Judiciary.
SJC ORDERS DISMISSAL OF PROBATION COMMISSIONER
LAWMAKERS ON THE HOT SEAT AFTER PROBATION REPORT
THE WORLD

At Upper Crust, A Good Relationship Goes Sour

By Lisa Mullins
Undocumented workers from Brazil helped buil a high-end pizza chain -- but what was initially a mutually beneficial relationship ended up souring amid allegations of denied pay and exploitation. PRI'S THE WORLD
Economy

Defense Spending In Mass. Rockets Upward


By Sarah Birnbaum
Defense spending in Massachusetts has tripled since 2001, bringing 115,000 jobs to the Bay State.
Environment

Scientists: Climate Change Not Sweet For Sugar Maples


By Andrea Smardon
Scientists at UNH say some of New England's maple leaves are less brilliant in color, and the sap is less sweet. They think these things are related -- and that climate change is the cause.
Human Trafficking

Mass. Sex Trafficking Bill Remains Stuck In Committee

By Phillip Martin
Activists are calling for tougher state legislation to combat human and sex trafficking in Massachusetts. FROM WGBH: THE TRAFFICKING CRISIS IN BOSTON
MOVIOLA: SEX TRAFFICKING FILM FORUM OPENS
89.7 WGBH

Study: Boston's Minority Youth Ill-Prepared For Job Market


By Phillip Martin
A new study says poor young minorities in Boston are ill-prepared for the future job market — and that could lead to a large labor pool of unemployed youth.
Boston

Boston Nightclub Under Scrutiny After Students Allege Racism

By Anna White-Nockleby
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is investigating allegations of racism at a Boston nightclub after a group of black Harvard and Yale students were kicked out of a pre-scheduled event there last month.
Local Politics

Brown Supports Repeal Of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'


By Jess Bidgood
Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown -- the lone Republican in the state's Congressional delegation -- supports the repeal of military's so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
Boston

Twenty Charged In Dorchester Cocaine Ring


PHOTOS: EVIDENCE OF A DRUG RING
By Sarah Birnbaum
Boston police officials say they’ve penetrated a long-running Dorchester-based drug operation, charging 20 people Thursday with conspiracy and distribution of cocaine and crack.
Government

Probation Center Stage At SJC Chief's Confirmation Hearing


By Sarah Birnbaum
The Governor's Council is making its final considerations on State Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee Roderick Ireland after Ireland fielded questions during a confirmation hearing Wednesday.
UPDATED

After Expulsion, Turner Vows To Fight Back


AFTER TURNER CONVICTION, CITY COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD
By Adam Reilly
The Boston City Council voted 11-1 to expel Chuck Turner, ending his 10-year career there. Last month, Turner was convicted of federal bribery charges.

ENVIRONMENT

State's Top Environmental Official Will Step Down


By Sean Corcoran
Ian Bowles, the state's top environmental official and a key player in Gov. Deval Patrick's first term in office, is stepping down from his position as secretary of energy and environmental affairs.
Local Politics

Patrick: Probation Dept. Is Isolated Problem


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By Adam Reilly
Patrick is defending the right of elected officials to recommend people for jobs in state government -- even though that practice is at the center of the Probation Department controversy.
The Emily Rooney Show

Rushdie Explores Video Games In New Novel


THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Jess Bidgood
World-famous author Salman Rushdie discussed parenthood, Harry Potter and his new novel, Luka and the Fire of Life with WGBH's Emily Rooney.
Education

One Third Of Urban Students At-Risk For Dropping Out


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By Sarah Birnbaum
More than one-third of Massachusetts eighth-graders who attended urban schools last academic year are at risk of not earning their high school diplomas, according to state education officials.
ENVIRONMENT

Scientists Track Cottontails To Save Them


By Sean Corcoran
Efforts are underway to save the rare New England Cottontail rabbit by creating new habitat for the species. But first, trackers have to find them.
Children’s Health

Keeping Dangerous Toys Out Of The Stocking


By Sarah Birnbaum
A consumer watchdog group has put together a list of toys to avoid just in time for holiday shopping. The list includes a plastic tiara sold at K-Mart and a Dora the Explorer backpack from Claire's.
LOCAL NEWS

Lawmakers On The Hot Seat After Probation Report

By Sarah Birnbaum
A scathing report released Thursday about the probation department is renewing concerns about corruption on Beacon Hill.
PROBATION COMMISSIONER DISMISSED
The Emily Rooney Show

Tracking Our #maheritage

If you're on Twitter, you might have noticed a new trending topic for Boston on Thursday -- #maheritage. That's the tag folks around the state are using to label their tweeted reminiscences about growing up in Massachusetts.
ECONOMY

Mass. May Return To Pre-Recession Job Levels By 2013

By Sarah Birnbaum
The economic outlook is precarious – but New England is weathering the tepid economy better than the rest of the country.
Health

Mass. Is Most Violent Northeastern State

By Sarah Birnbaum
A new report from the non-profit Massachusetts Health Council, released Tuesday morning at the State House, concludes that Massachusetts is the most violent state in the Northeast.
Local Politics

Brown Pushes For Pro-Business Policies Over Breakfast


By Sarah Birnbaum
Sen. Scott Brown, Massachusetts' lone Republican Congressional delegate, advocated for pro-business policies and job creation at a Boston Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Monday.
The Emily Rooney Show

BPD: Homicide Increase Due To Drug Activity


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MORE: WGBH ON BLUE HILL AVENUE
By Jess Bidgood
Boston's murder rate is up almost 50 percent over this time last year -- and Police Commissioner Ed Davis says it's because of an up-tick in drug-related gang activity.
Health Care

Health Care Reform Will Soon Affect Mass. Businesses

By Sarah Birnbaum
New nursing laws and copayment-free health care services were on the agenda as businesses came together for an information session on how health care reform will impact employers in Massachusetts.
Local Voices

Leaving Afghan Women In The Lurch

By Kerry Healey
The lives of Afghan women and girls—and their very right to be treated as humans—is in danger of becoming a bargaining chip to achieve a so-called “political solution” with the Taliban in order to expedite withdrawal.
LEGAL AFFAIRS

After Mass. Ruling, Lawsuit Challenges DOMA


By Sarah Birnbaum
A new lawsuit is challenging the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which bans gay marriage at the federal level.  The case comes on the heels of the Massachusetts court ruling that found DOMA unconstitutional.
A Celtic Sojourn

Nov. 6: De Danann


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There is a controversy in Ireland and elsewhere about who the "real" De Dannan is. The original band broke up a number of years ago, but in 2009, two separate "reformations" claim the name and the musical legacy. On this edition of ACS, Brian O'Donovan explores the origins of the band, and this dispute.
Jazz On WGBH With Eric Jackson

Spotlight on Kurt Elling


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Host Eric Jackson features the music of jazz vocalist Kurt Elling.
89.7 WGBH

You Tell Us: Thumbs Up Or Thumbs Down?


THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
Every week, The Emily Rooney Show's week-in-review panel gives the week's most noted events a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down." Now, you can join the conversation. Vote below, and tell us your thoughts on the week's news in the comments section.
Eric Jackson

Spotlight on Andy Bey


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Host Eric Jackson features vocalist Andy Bey, born October 28, 1939. We'll hear Andy Bey leading his own band and working with others, including Horace Silver.
Steve Schwartz

Dizzy Gillespie


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Host Steve Schwartz celebrates the music of John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, born October 21, 1917, who changed the face of jazz in the 1940s as one of the inventors of Be-Bop.
A Celtic Sojourn

Oct. 23: Martin Simpson Plays Holywell


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On this edition of A Celtic Sojourn, Brian O'Donovan brings you a concert guitarist Martin Simpson recorded at the beautiful Holywell Music Room at Oxford University in England.
Steve Schwartz

Bill Charlap


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Host Steve Schwartz commemorates the birthday of jazz pianist Bill Charlap
A Celtic Sojourn

The Tin Whistle


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The Tin Whistle: Often called the "penny whistle" because of its cheapness, in the right hands, this instrument soars.
Steve Schwartz

Pepper Adams


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Host Steve Schwartz celebrates the 70th birthday of baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams.
Eric Jackson

Spotlight on Kenny Garrett


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Host Eric Jackson celebrates the 50th birthday of alto saxophonist, Kenny Garrett.
A Celtic Sojourn

Harvest Home


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An important and usually celebratory time in all agrarian societies, Harvest songs and tunes are common throughout Celtic culture. This edition of A Celtic Sojourn explores that theme.
The Emily Rooney Show

As Red Sox End, Patriots Begin

By Monday Morning QB
Our Monday Morning QB Bob Lobel talks about the end of a disappointing Red Sox season and whether a Super Bowl apearance is in the cards for the Pats in 2010. LISTEN
Economy

Rough Waters: Port Clyde


By Rachel Gotbaum

Rachel Gotbaum profiles the historic fishing village of Port Clyde Maine--one of only three commercial groundfishing ports left in the state and where a group of fishermen are determined to save their fishery by trying some unorthodox ways of doing business.

Economy

Rough Waters: Declining Fish Populations


By Phillip Martin

Phillip Martin looks at the alarming decline in local fish populations.

Economy

Rough Waters: From "Days at Sea" to "Sectors"


By Rachel Gotbaum

To comply with federal regulations meants to restore US fish stocks to sustainable levels, new quotas were set in New England for the first time on all species of groundfish. Rachel Gotbaum examines if these rules will lead to the end or the survival of New England's fishing industry.

Economy

Rough Waters: History of Fishing Regulation


By Phillip Martin

In part one of 89.7 WGBH's series on the ongoing struggles of the fishing industry in Massachusetts, Phillip Martin explores the history of Federal regulation of fishing.

89.7 WGBH

Jazz with Bob Parlocha


Bob Parlocha is a nationally known jazz expert. His show airs on 89.7 weekdays from 12am to 5am and weekends from 12am to 6am.

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