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."

BPR Full Show 7/15: Fall River Mayor & The Fire

Today:In Fall River, we’re still learning about all that went wrong in the assisted living-factility fire that left nine dead over the weekend. Dozens were injured. We begin the show with Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan on the latest.And, Ed Kelly, President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, calls in – as firefighters in Fall River say they didn’t have the resources to adequately respond.

Today: Andrea Cabral and Shirley Leung fill in for Jim and Margery.MIT economist Jon Gruber discusses the impacts of Trump's spending bill: massive tax cuts for the wealthy, funded by kicking poor people off of health care.And, Michael Curry joins us remotely from the national NAACP Convention. Curry sits on the NAACP's national board of directors.

Michael Curry of the Mass League of Community Health Centers and NAACP zooms in from the NAACP convention in Charlotte, North Carolina to discuss this year's convention, themed "The Fierce Urgency of Now."Then, MIT economist Jon Gruber breaks down the healthcare impacts of Trump's spending bill.Food policy analyst Corby Kummer explains the impact of tariffs on coffee in Brazil, and how another caffeinated plant, the U.S.-native yaupon, may be getting a boost.The Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G Price III join for All Rev'd Up. They discuss a new IRS rule on political endorsements and Pope Leo's thoughts on AI.

GBH political reporter Adam Reilly and Wall Street Journal columnist Callum Borchers join for Press Play media analysis. They talk about blowback to a NYTimes report on Zohran Mamdani’s college application, CBS’ 60 Minutes settlement and more.Debo Ray is our guest for Live Music Friday. She’s a Grammy-nominated singer who released her debut self-titled album earlier this year. She joins alongside drummer, manager, and husband Jerry Velona ahead of a free show next week at Long Live Roxbury. PBS travel guru Rick Steves talks about summer travel to Europe and traveling abroad as an American under Trump 2.0.NBC10 Boston's Sue O’Connell discusses Trump openly criticizing Putin, 50 years of Live Aid and TSA lifting their rule about taking your shoes off during security checks.