Boston Public Radio

Some conservative leaders in the Catholic church have called the president's faith into question over his stance on abortion rights.

Biden's plan includes $1,400 relief checks to most Americans and would be paid for entirely by borrowing.

The travel guru talks about the value of international travel and why he's not worried about people staying home after the pandemic.

Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins is on the short list to be the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts.

The former Department of Homeland Security official also said she's hoping to see Republicans embrace Biden's calls for unity.

The variant — B.1.1.7 — has reached the state this week, according to the state's Department of Public Health.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Charlie Chieppo and Jennifer Nassour joined us for a political roundtable. Chieppo is principal of Chieppo Strategies, senior fellow at the Pioneer Institute and adjunct professor at Suffolk University, and Nassour is a former Chairwoman of the Mass GOP and founder of Conservative Women For A Better Future. We opened our lines to ask callers your thoughts on Bernie Sanders being the 2020 Democratic frontrunner, and Monday's verdict in the trial of Harvey Weinstein. TV writer Bob Thompson reviewed Hulu’s “High Fidelity” and Netflix’s “Gentrefied.” Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, discussed the Catholic Church’s lax handling of sexual abuse, and the racial inequities at Boston’s exam schools. WGBH News Analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott provided an update on the Taliban’s reduction of violence deal in Afghanistan, and President Trump’s Monday visit to India. Poet Richard Blanco joined us for another edition of “The Village Voice,” where he discussed the persona poem.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about Massachusetts’ new distracted driving law. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed whether Bernie Sanders ought to release his full medical records, and the latest news on the coronavirus. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed Matell’s new “Self-Care Barbie,” and reporting from the Atlantic on the political history between Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders. Boston Lyric Opera director Esther Nelson, alongside soprano Elena Stikhina, discussed the B.L.O.’s upcoming production of “Norma,” as well as Boston's lack of an opera house. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed the potential impact of coronavirus on the tech industry, and his thoughts on the new Sony Walkman MP3 player. “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley discussed the quarantine on Mike Bloomberg coverage at Bloomberg News, and her thoughts on Massachusetts new distracted driving law. Kim Senior and Shayne Kenyon of “Sweat,” now playing at the Huntington Theater, joined us for our weekly news quiz.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to callers to discuss Wednesday night’s Democratic debate. WGBH News Analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed a possible peace deal between the U.S. and Taliban forces, and the 900,000 Syrians currently fleeing to Turkey amidst Bashar al-Assad’s recent military advancements. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the sentencing of Trump associate Roger Stone, and the question of whether Attorney General Bill Barr will resign. ESPN’s Howard Bryant discussed his new book, “Full Dissidence: Notes From an Uneven Playing Field.” Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’sAll Rev’d Up, discussed Wednesday night’s Democratic debate, and the possibility of the U.S. having its first Jewish president in Bernie Sanders or Mike Bloomberg. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed concierge medicine, rank choice voting, and remembered the life of Jesuit astrophysicist Rev. George Coyne. Rep. Ayanna Pressley discussed Elizabeth Warren’s performance at Wednesday night’s debate, and her view that Attorney General Barr ought to resign.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask caller: do debates influence how you vote? MIT economist Jon Gruber discussed housing affordability in Massachusetts, and whether rent control is the most effective solution. Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung discussed fraud charges against Mass. Rep. David Nangle, and former GE executive Ann Klee’s move to construction company Suffolk. Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn discussed Jeff Bezos’ pledge to commit $10 billion towards combating climate change. Journalist and naturalist Sy Montgomery discussed the role pangolins may have played in the spread of coronavirus, and news on the graciousness of crows. We re-opened our lines to talk with listeners about your experiences at dog parks, in light of a New York Times article arguing that they're bad for a dog’s health and development. WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen discussed 40 years of “Sheer Madness” at the Charles Playhouse, and a new exhibit at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, titled “Boston’s Apollo: Thomas McKeller and John Singer Sargent.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the rise of Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 campaign. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed Mookie Betts getting traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers, and new restrictions at the Tokyo Marathon over fears about the coronavirus. Former State Transportation Secretary James Aloisi and Transportation for Massachusetts Director Chris Dempsey discussed South Station construction, and long-term closures planned this summer for the green line. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the impact of coronavirus fears on Chinese restaurants across the U.S., and new research on the health benefits of coffee. TV writer Bob Thompson discussed the debut of the Black News Channel, reviewed Apple TV’s "Visible,” and the New Hampshire primary edition of “The Conners,” and "Better Call Saul." CNN’s John King discussed Wednesday night’s Democratic debate, and where the 2020 Democratic candidates stand ahead of Saturday’s Nevada caucuses. We re-opened our lines to talk with listeners about news on the health benefits of coffee, and how it might affect your relationship with the beverage.