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."

Former public safety secretary Andrea Cabral joins Margery at the library. Jason Koebler and Emanuel Maiberg are co-founders of 404 Media. They join for Press Play media analysis to talk about their reporting on Flock, an automatic license plate reader company used by police departments and federal immigration agencies.Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung recaps her latest columns on Mayor Wu and Boston's economy, liquor stores near Boston College and Boston's worsening traffic. Black Hole Symphony returns for Live Music Friday. They perform at the New England Philharmonic on Dec. 14. We talk with founder David Ibbett and Shep Doeleman.Edgar B. Herwick III joins to answer a few recent questions submitted to the Curiosity Desk. NBC Boston's Sue O’Connell discusses her coverage of the Brian Walshe trial, rats in Camberville, and that Dedham church putting up an "ICE was here" sign in their nativity scene.

Today:Adam Gardner of Guster and David Schneider of The Zambonis are also members of The LeeVees – a band that exclusively performs songs about Hanukkah. They grace us with some live music in Studio 3.And, Massachusetts Congressman Bill Keating discusses the latest news related to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth – Signalgate and Venezuelan boat strikes.

Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner is among dozens of former judges calling out the targeted and intentional deterioration of the rule of law in the U.S. court systemAndrea Cabral, former public safety secretary, discusses Trump's targeting of Somali migrants including Rep. Ilhan OmarDr. Megan Ranney, dean of Yale School of Public Health, discusses myriad public health issues: a vaccine advisory panel meeting today, the latest on mass shootings/gun violence, and restoring trust in public health/scientific institutionsCongressman Bill Keating discusses Admiral Bradley's appearance before the Senate to answer questions about the Sept. 2 boat strikesAdam Gardner & David Schnieder reunite in Studio 3 as The LeeVees, their Hanukkah themed band

Today:Evan Horowitz, executive director of the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University’s Tisch College, discusses the state's economy, the certified ballot questions for 2026's election, and more.

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen discusses Wicked: For Good, the latest AI-generated pop song, plus, his art-filled tour of Berlin.National security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses the war crimes allegations against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. And her thoughts on the attack on national guardsmen in D.C.Imari Paris Jeffries of Embrace Boston and Rev. Jay Williams of Union Combined Parish discuss their big plans for the upcoming MLK weekend and for the nation's 250th anniversary.Evan Horowitz of Tufts' Center for State Policy Analysis joins for a year-end roundup of state policy challenges: Medicaid work requirements, fiscal pressure on municipalities, and his new class at Tufts, "AI and the Future of American Politics."