Boston Public Radio

As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history enters its fifth week, the future of federal food assistance remains uncertain.

Rev. Irene Monroe said the film, which is about the relationship between a black pianist and his white driver and bodyguard, is overly reliant on the trope of the "white hero."

Poet Richard Blanco highlighted his favorite works by poet Ada Limón, which are united by a common theme of searching for meaning in "seeming oblivion."

Healey said she is “actively reviewing” the existing policies and procedures that surround the reporting of cases of sexual misconduct.

After Barack Obama left Office, Pete Souza made sure he still remained a part of the national dialogue.

Richard Blanco, the nation's fifth inaugural poet, shared poems that seize on the changing of the seasons as an opportunity to reflect on death, rebirth, and the passage of time.

Today: National security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses the normalization of political violence; and calls for the Trump administration to show proof of life for the man wrongly deported to an El Salvador mega-prison.Michael Curry, CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, discusses the health and medical impacts of the federal administration's decision to pause more than $2 billion in contracts and grants to Harvard.

Michael Curry joins via zoom to discuss the federal funding freeze impacts on medical research and healthcare in Mass, and Healey's budget request for cuts to mental health.Juliette Kayyem discusses the attack on PA Gov Josh Shapiro, and normalized violence; Harvard's defiance; plus, DHS staffers given lie detector tests over alleged leaks.Christopher Kimball discusses Milk Street's latest Italian cookbook "Backroads Italy"Boston Globe's Shirley Leung discusses the threats to Boston's biotech industry under Trump 2.0; and the families on child-care vouchers waiting more than a year for care.

Today:We check back in with local Black entrepreneurs Rose Staram and Ricardo Pierre Louis on today's environment for BIPOC-owned businesses -- both had secured major contracts two years ago when Boston hosted the NAACP’s national convention. And, legendary filmmakers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein discuss their six-part, 12 hour docu-series coming this fall: “The American Revolution"

Filmmakers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein join to discuss their American Revolution series, premiering later this year.We check back in with Rose Staram (RoseMark Production) and Ricardo Pierre Louis (Prive Parking) two local business owners we've spoken with since the NAACP convention in Boston around the city's contracting policies as it relates to people of color.Sports authority Trenni Casey zooms in to discuss Rory McIlroy winning the Masters, the Boston Marathon field, NBA playoffs.CNN's John King zooms in for the latest national political headlines.

Today:Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discusses the Trump administration’s defiance of a court order to return the wrongfully deported Abrego Garcia – still locked up in a mega prison in El Salvador. Meanwhile, in the Oval Office, Trump welcomed El Salvadoran president Bukele with open arms.And, Princeton’s Khalil Gribran Muhammad discusses which schools are standing up and which schools are rolling over for Trump, while news breaks of Harvard's intention to defy Trump's demands.