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."

Andrea Cabral and Shirley Leung are in the host seats today. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discusses a number of Supreme Court-related topics: gerrymandering, religious vaccine mandates, and presidential power.Mauricio Rodriguez Pons and Almudena Toral are behind Frontline's latest film, in partnership with ProPublica: Status Venezuelan. They zoom in to discuss.Trenni Casey discusses early controversy in the World Cup draw, as Egypt and Iran protest being drawn to play in Seattle during the tournament's 'Pride Match.' Plus, the grandpa playing quarterback in the NFL.MIT economist Jon Gruber on Trump's plan to deliver direct cash to kids; and the latest on ACA subsidies.

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen discusses ABC signing Kimmel to a one-year contract a social media ban for kids in Australia and his interview with Patti Smith.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on cracks showing in the Trump Cabinet — namely, Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem.Franchie Viaud of JustBookish in Dorchester and Cathy and Bruce Jacobs of Turtle Books in Brookline join for an indie bookstore panel.Musician Will Dailey performs ahead a show at the Paradise Rock Club this weekend.Naturalist Sy Montgomery joins via zoom for the Afternoon Zoo to talk piano-playing octopuses and falcons protecting cherry crops in Michigan.

Today:Franchie Viaud, bookstore manager at Just Book-ish in Dorchester, and Cathy and Bruce Jacobs, co-owners of Turtle Books in Brookline, discuss the importance of independent bookstores.And, musician Will Dailey joins ahead of a show at the Paradise Rock Club.

Today: We get your thoughts on the nativity scene put up by St. Susanna Parish, featuring a sign reading "ICE was here" in the spot where Jesus, Mary and Joseph are usually centered in the manger.

CNN's John King zooms in for a politics roundupACLU of MA executive director Carol Rose discusses some of their high profile cases this year; the ACLU birthright citizenship case picked by SCOTUS to debate the merits, their work monitoring Flock's surveillance network, and moreAuthor Jeff Pearlman discusses his book "Only God Can Judge Me" about Tupac ShakurState Rep. David Muradian and David Nangle, Executive Director of SIGMA (Stop iGaming) discuss the state's new proposed gambling rules