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:Ken Casey, co-founder of the Dropkick Murphys, zooms into the show to discuss their new album "For the People" and the band's decades-long history of showing up and speaking out.And, NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik joins for a quick update on the efforts to claw back millions from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

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.