Boston Public Radio

Harvard Alpaca Ranch boasts certified therapy alpacas like Sir Erik, who brings calm and smiles to nursing homes, libraries and even radio studios.

The state auditor is starting a ballot initiative to let voters decide whether the office has the power to audit the Legislature.

Actors are left without work opportunities, as they demand better pay and AI regulation.

The Massachusetts senator supports expanding the number of justices.

Comedian Jay Leno discussed his oddly fond memories of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts' first Black governor says it's necessary for Democrats to play "the long game."

Randi Weingarten, of the American Federation of Teachers, discusses Trump's efforts to dismantle the Education Department, and other education headlines.Philip Holsinger is a photojournalist who gained access to the El Salvador prison where Trump sent Venezuelan deportees from the US. He zooms in to discuss what he saw.Reporters Brendan McCarthy and Andrew Ryan of the Boston Globe join to discuss "Snitch City," the paper's new podcast and investigative series looking into local police's use of confidential informants.Michael Curry of the Mass League of Community Health Centers discusses the health equity lessons learned during COVID that we're unlearning under Trump. And, a growing gender gap at HBCUs.

Today:U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley calls into the show to discuss the detention of Tufts University grad student Rumeysa Ozturk.And, the Handel and Haydn Society join ahead of a show celebrating Boston’s LGBT community. We talk with violinist Carmen Levita Johnson-Pájaro and Alexandria Ebernhardt from the state’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley reacts to ICE officials detaining Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk. Pressley represents the district that contains Somerville, which is where Ozturk was arrested.Live Music Friday with the Handel and Haydn Society, ahead of a show to celebrate Boston’s LGBT community. We’ll talk with violinist Carmen Levita Johnson-Pájaro and Alexandria Ebernhardt from the LGBT Chamber of CommerceNBC Boston's Sue O’Connell on the latest fallout from the leaked Signal messages, the latest on Karen Read, and Ed Sheeran’s new pop-up pub in Ipswich. Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses federal cuts to health services and 10,000 federal health department workers. She also discusses a state order that makes prenatal vitamins & birth control free. NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik discusses Tuesday’s DOGE subcommittee hearing.

Today:Vulture podcast critic Nick Quah delves into the man-o-sphere.And, Andrew Natsios - former leader of the Massachusetts Republican party who went on to lead USAID under George W. Bush - comes to its defense.

Jared Bowen discusses whether art can survive the climate crisisJuliette Kayyem on "signalgate" and growing concerns about espionage with the firing of thousands of federal workers.Jim Aloisi and Christian MilNeil of Streets Blog Mass join for a transit panelSarah Betancourt joins with BU professor/immigrant rights lawyer Julio Henriques and International Institute of New England senior Vice President Xan Weber to discuss the affects of immigration raids in Boston.