Boston Public Radio

QAnon's participatory nature, and its ability to tap into base fears, has contributed to its spread from fringe online spaces to the Oval Office.

The 'American Consequences' editor and frequent 'Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!' guest lamented the tribalization of the American political landscape.

Pope Francis appoints first Black Cardinal and expresses support for gay rights — but is it just "lip service"?

The former Suffolk County said U.S. democracy as we know it will "cease to exist" if President Trump wins a second term.

Larry Calderone, president of Boston’s Police Patrolmen’s Association, weighed in on a range of reform proposals.

Barrett's vague response to what she's done to educate herself on racism was embarrassing and harmful, the Revs say.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask callers: why do you think Americans aren’t taking to the streets over the 140,000 coronavirus deaths in the U.S.? Litigator Kevin O’Connor talked politics, and his campaign for Sen. Ed Markey's Senate seat on the Republican ticket. Dr. Katherine Dallow, Vice President of Clinical Programs and Strategy at Blue Cross Blue Shield, spoke about the state of COVID-19 in Mass., and responded to questions from callers. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, reflected on the legacy of Rep. John Lewis, and C.T. Vivian, who both died last week. TV expert Bob Thompson reviewed the season six premiere of W. Kamau Bell’s “United Shades of America,” and explained why NBC affiliate stations opted out of airing the “30 Rock" reunion special. With the launch of NBC’s Peacock streaming service, we opened our lines to ask listeners: do you feel overwhelmed with the number of options for watching TV?

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: are you hesitant about the return to physical classrooms in the fall? Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed the influence of Gov. Charlie Baker on the Mass. Supreme Judicial Court, and the dire need for housing assistance ahead of the August 18 eviction moratorium lift. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley talked about hurdles with the current mail-in voting system, and renewed efforts to bring justice to family of DJ Henry, an Easton teenager who was killed by police in New York in 2010. We opened the lines to talk with listeners about your thoughts on mail-in voting ahead of the November election. Christopher Wilkins, Music Director of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, talked about their online Summer concert series, and why the orchestra is highlighting works by Black American composers. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called in for our monthly edition of “Ask the Mayor.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd broke down the latest headlines around the coronavirus pandemic and the November election. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the Supreme Court’s Monday ruling on federal executions, and a Michigan teenager sent to juvenile detention for falling behind on her homework. Ahead of the governor’s press conference, we opened lines to ask listeners: should Mass. schools with Native American mascots follow the example of Washington's football team and adapt to the times? We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Thursday press conference. Travel guru Rick Steves talked about the E.U.’s ban on travelers from the U.S., and offered some of his cures for travel withdrawal. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko talked about a wide-scale Twitter hack that took place Wednesday night, and news that certain MacBook camera covers are cracking screens. We reopened our lines to continue the conversation with listeners about racist school mascots, and whether Mass. should reconsider its state flag. Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu talked about staggering racial disparities in Boston’s COVID contracts, and discussed the importance of maintaining public pressure in order to manifest systemic change in the city.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan talked about news of a promising COVID-19 vaccine from Cambridge-based Moderna Therapeutics, and his prescient writing in 2016 on "The End of Civilization and the Real Donald Trump.” MIT economist Jon Gruber talked about President Trump’s attempts to limit immigration during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighted all the ways that immigrants fuel the U.S. economy. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem talked about the surge of COVID-19 across the U.S., and the ongoing question of how to safely reopen schools. Mass. Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz broke down a new police reform bill, which passed in the state Senate early Tuesday morning. In light of tax day, we opened lines to ask listeners: has the COVID-19 pandemic made you more or less likely to skirt the rules when filing? Journalist and naturalist Sy Montgomery called in to talk about the reopening of the New England Aquarium, and how to tell if your dog is suffering from heat stroke.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask listeners: should society be more forgiving to people with criminal records? NBC Sports Boston reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek talked about challenges for fitness studios trying to reopen, and how Boston’s sports teams are faring as they work to sort out their upcoming seasons. Sen. Ed Markey called in to discuss the possibility of more federal aid for struggling families and businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and offer his take on who bears responsibility for deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Former Secretary of Transportation Jim Aloisi talked about the likelihood that Mass. legislators will enact the gas tax, and challenges with getting commuters to return to the T. Food writer Corby Kummer talked about public blowback to Goya president Robert Unanue's remarks in praise of Donald Trump, and new economic pressures on independent restaurants sorting out how to reopen safely. CNN’s John King discussed the latest political headlines, from updates on the President’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, to news that the GOP convention in Jacksonville, Fla., will be held outside. We open lines to ask listeners: are you excited to use your reusable tote bags in grocery stores again?