Boston Public Radio

The FDA’s new blood donation guidelines favor specificity over broad bans.

From Broadway adaptations to original plays, there's lots happening around town.

A new initiative from NACA will help residents own their own pre-fab homes.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell addressed excessive force in policing during “Ask the AG” on Boston Public Radio.

“Nuclear Now” uncovers the nuclear industry in France, Russia and the United States.

15,000 children under the age of 5 are left without access to early childhood education and care because of a lack of available seats.

Today:Roxana Rivera, co-chair of the Yes on 3 coalition and Assistant to the President at 32BJ SEIU, joins to discuss Ballot Question 3 - which would allow rideshare drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft to collectively bargain for better working conditions. Mass Fiscal Alliance wrote the opposition memo for this ballot question in the Secretary of State's voter guidebook, but no group formally launched an opposition to it. Mass Fiscal declined BPR's request to debate the issue.

Roxanna Rivera joins as a representative for Yes on 3 and United Justice. She makes the case for ballot question 3, which would allow ride share workers the right to unionize. Representatives from the group Mass. Fiscal Alliance, who wrote the official language for the “no” side, say they are not a ballot question committee and declined our invitation to join. Then we opened the phone lines to hear from listeners about how they plan to vote.Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral reacts to Nebraska’s high court ruling in favor of allowing people with felony records to vote. She also discussed the latest death-row case out of Texas involving a man who advocates say was falsely accused.Mass Education Sec. Patrick Tutwiler joins for his first-ever interview with Jim & Margery. He talks about why he's in favor of keeping MCAS graduation requirements, plans to divvy out $20 million for early literacy, and efforts to bolster student mental health support. Rep. Ayanna Pressley joins with reflections on Harris’ interview Brett Baier on Fox and the state’s new liquor license law and violence in the Middle East.Then it's Am I the A-hole day.

Today:We bring you our debate on ballot question 2 - whether to eliminate the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement. Representing YES on 2 is Deb McCarthy, vice president of the Massachusetts Teachers Union. Representing NO on 2 is Keri Rodrigues, co-founder of the National Parents Union.And, Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut and commander of expedition 72 zooms into us from the International Space Station. She’s part of the Starliner crew who’s original 8-day mission has been delayed to 8-months because of technical problems.

Ballot question #2 debate: Deb McCarthy, VP of the Mass Teachers Association represents YES on 2; Keri Rodrigues, founder of the National Parents Union.NASA astronaut Sunita Williams joined over Zoom into the show from the International Space StationWe opened the lines to hear from listeners about their opinions on question 2National security expert Juliette Kayyem on FEMA making "operational adjustments" amid threats to rescue and aid workers for hurricanes Helene and MiltonGovernor Maura Healey answered listener questions for Ask The Gov.

Today:We host a debate on Ballot Question 4 - whether to legalize certain psychedelic drugs. Representing Yes on 4: Emily Oneschuck from Massachusetts for Mental Health Options. Representing No on 4: Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, a psychiatrist and researcher specializing in depression and bipolar illness.