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."

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.