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."

In 2020, a handful of Massachusetts homeowners sued BlueHub Capital -- the only lender in the state who provides shared appreciation mortgages -- alleging predatory lending practices.Today: We hear from two sides of the lawsuit, on the heels of a Superior Court judge ruling that found BlueHub did violate consumer protection and predatory lending laws.First, Bruce Marks from Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, a housing group which supports the lawsuit, joins Jim and Margery in Studio 3 with two of the defendants, to discuss their claims of predatory lending and deception by the nonprofit.Then, Elyse Cherry, BlueHub's CEO, tells us the judge's ruling is wrong. She joins with Rose Webster-Smith, director of Springfield No One Leaves -- a housing advocate herself who says she saved her own home from foreclosure with a BlueHub mortgage.

NAACP's Michael Curry discusses Governor Healey's vaccine prescription for Massachusetts residents, and the hardest hit among Trump's federal workforce cuts: Black women.Mark Leibovich of the Atlantic on the failure of the Democratic party to respond to Trump.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses the newest longevity craze: micro-dosing GLP-1s.Elyse Cherry, CEO of BlueHub Capital, joins with housing advocate Rose Webster-Smith to discuss the recent court ruling on BlueHub's shared appreciation mortgage practices.

Boston Pop's Conductor Keith Lockhart co-hosts with Jim and Margery. Brian Stelter joins for Friday morning media analysis. We talk about 250 media outlets signing an appeal to have better protections for journalists in Gaza. Plus Trump calling for the FCC to revoke licenses for ABC and NBC.Jacyn Tremblay is a vocalist, former Universal/Motown artist, and current one-third of the band Three Second Chances. She joins for Live Music Friday. Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez, from In the Heights and Hamilton, who plays Norma Desmond in the revival of Sunset Boulevard, joins ahead of a collaboration with The Pops on September 20th. Author and actor Marianne Leone discusses her new novel “Christina the Astonishing."

BPR Full Show 9/4: Jim Loves Revenge (Margery Does Not)

Today:Massachusetts education secretary Patrick Tutwiler joins Jim and Margery at the BPL on the start of the new school year.Plus, Love Your Labels – a Worcester-based nonprofit offering LGBT teens community and fashion finesse - is hosting their annual “Queer AF” runway show fundraiser this Friday. We’ll talk with founder and president Joshua Croke, and 19 year-old designer-in-residence Caelum Lam.