Boston Public Radio

Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse criticized Biden’s reasoning for pardoning his son, while Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley defended Biden's right to pardon his son but urged the president to use his executive powers to address sentencing disparities.

Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung noted that Black Friday's excitement has changed, as fewer people lined up for early-morning sales. Instead, online shopping saw record sales.

The senator believes Trump will act in a revengeful way "towards individuals who he believes harmed him.”

Andrea Campbell said the attorney general's office can only get involved if the dispute between the auditor and Massachusetts Legislature goes to litigation.

RFK Jr's vaccine skepticism is concerning to doctors, but his calls for improving nutrition are appealing — if he can execute his plan.

The former Massachusetts governor says his party could learn from Donald Trump.

Floods, fires, humidity -- we asked listeners to call in to share how they're handling the summer weather. Margery and Jared talked with medical ethicist Art Caplan about a new Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, and a US task force recommending screening for all adults for anxiety disorders. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the rise in extreme weather, flooding in VT, heat in the southwest; and, the latest of Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. Nikki Stewart of the Old North Church and Jazzmin Bonner of Plays in Place discussed the church’s new original play “Revolution’s Edge”. Former public safety secretary Andrea Cabral discussed how the state collects federal benefits meant for children in its care; and the latest on undocumented immigrants getting drivers licenses. Jane Eaglen of the Wagner Society shared a rundown of their summer programming. We're living in a Barbie world. Sometimes fantastic, definitely plastic. We asked listeners whether they are leaning into "Barbie-core" ahead of the new movie next week? And why, after over 60 years, are we so obsessed with this toy?

Best Of BPR 7/12: Opera Singer Jane Eaglen & A Revolutionary Play At Boston's Old North Church

Best Of BPR 7/11: Mayor Wu Speaks To City Council Scandals & A New Tax Break For Developers

Today: The recently launched social media application called "Threads" has amassed an astonishing user base of over 100 million individuals. We asked listeners if they feel limited to selecting between two powerful billionaires who prioritize their financial interests over fostering democracy. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Casey examined preferential admissions at Harvard for recruited athletes, the New York Times ending its sports section and news of Megan Rapinoe retiring. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu answered questions from the audience with topics ranging from empty offices converting into residences, teacher union contracts, CNN’s John King joins via zoom for the latest politics. Is clutter meaningful? Or is minimalism the way to go? We asked listeners how they approach the objects they might find a use for years from now.

Best of BPR 7/10: Podcast In The Park