Radio Boston

Newton teachers strike stretches into fourth day

Teachers in Newton are on strike for the fourth day. Their fight with the city over the terms of a new contract are a microcosm of tensions playing out between unions and municipalities across the commonwealth.

The key to perfect pancakes? Make them with family, says Chef Joe Gatto

Volunteer hosts help Massachusetts battle migrant shelter shortage one home at a time

Radio Boston speaks with the Immigrant Support Alliance about its efforts to house migrants as the state's emergency shelter remains at-capacity.

What's at stake in New Hampshire?

WBUR political correspondent Anthony Brooks joins Radio Boston from New Hampshire, where voters are casting ballots in the first-in-the-nation presidential primary

Boston Police Commissioner talks change in the department, and what it means for the city

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox joins us to discuss changes and reform in the Boston Police Department. Then, we get analysis from WBUR's Deborah Becker and Yawu Miller, formerly of the Bay State Banner.

Local teacher, filmmaker to spotlight inner cities school systems in latest documentary

Local teacher and filmmaker Noube Rateau hopes to spotlight local struggles and triumphs in urban schools for his latest documentary.

New study finds benefits to METCO. But the program faces an uncertain future

Kids who participate in the METCO busing program, designed in the 1960s to desegregate Boston Public Schools, score better on state tests and are more likely to attend college than peers not in the program, according to a new study. But could funding uncertainty threaten the popular program's future?

Annual cookbook features recipes and stories from immigrant students at Lowell High School

For the past six years, teacher Jessica Lander of Lowell High School has worked with immigrant students in her U.S. History 2 seminar to write a cookbook. Each student brings a recipe from home. We hear from Lander, along with two students, about this year's book and what their dishes mean to them.

Boston Palestine Film Festival offers glimpse into Palestinian life before war

The Boston Palestine Film Festival is marking its 17th run this weekend. We're joined by Michael Maria, director of programming for the Palestine Film Festival, and Erin Trahan, arts reporter, critic, and educator specializing in independent film.

Privacy and public interest collide in legal battle over names in sex ring case

The names of alleged clients of a high-end sex ring remain anonymous, more than two months after authorities uncovered the ring's operations in Watertown and Cambridge. And now, a delay in court proceedings is casting doubt on when—and if— we may ever find out who the alleged buyers are.

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern on finding compromise to avoid a government shutdown

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, of Massachusetts, joins Radio Boston to discuss efforts this week to avoid a government shutdown and how he hopes to find compromise with lawmakers across the aisle.

Boston's The Theater Offensive names new executive director

This month, The Theater Offensive named Giselle Byrd as their executive director, claiming her as the first Black trans woman to lead a regional theater in the country. Radio Boston speaks with Byrd about the role and her vision for the theater company.

Bristol County Sheriff talks providing addiction medication to those who are incarcerated

Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux is pushing for reform in prison. Heroux joins Radio Boston to talk about latest effort is expanding a program providing addiction medication. Then, WBUR's Deb Becker joins us for analysis.

Mass. program aims to rehabilitate, not incarcerate, youth offenders

Radio Boston delves into a youth diversion program that gives young people support instead of putting them into the juvenile detention system.

Previewing Healey's first State of the Commonwealth address

Ed Lyons, Massachusetts Republican activist and political writer, and Gary Daffin, Executive Director, Multicultural AIDS Coalition and Co-Chair Massachusetts LGBTQ Political Caucus, join us to preview Governor Maura Healey's first State of the Commonwealth address.

What canceled boosts to cash assistance programs means for low-income recipients

A planned 10% hike to cash assistance programs for low-income parents, as well as elderly and disabled people, is on the chopping block as part of mid-fiscal year state budget cuts.

Inside the T's Tuesday morning collapse

A smoking electrical cable at Downtown Crossing station snarled service on the MBTA's Red and Orange Lines Tuesday. That, with much of the Green Line already shut down for repairs, left commuters twisting in the wind.

Boston’s Dray Drinks wants to help you go dry for January

Radio Boston tried out some drinks with Pat Dooling, owner of the non-alcoholic bottle shop Dray Drinks.

Digging into Mayor Wu's plan to make it easier to build in Boston

Could Mayor Michelle Wu's new Squares and Streets plan help ease the city's housing shortage?

It's owl season in Massachusetts. Here's how to spot them

WBUR's Hanna Ali joins us to talk all things owls, including how people can see and hear them this month through Mass Audubon's 'Owl Prowls.'

Reflecting on what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would think of the world in 2024

In a special hour of Radio Boston, we mark Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day by looking ahead to 2024: what's on our minds, what needs to happen, and what should happen in the coming year.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: 'Very concerned about expanding war' in the Middle East

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren joins Radio Boston to discuss U.S. strikes in Yemen, her conditions for providing aid in Israel, avoiding a government shutdown on Capitol Hill and efforts to bring more federal funding to the commonwealth.

Can Bostonians learn to love the T?

The MBTA is undergoing major repairs this year, with a stated goal of eliminating subway slow zones by the end of 2024. But is it too late to convince Bostonians that public transit is the way of the future?

Mass. Senate President outlines her priorities for 2024

Massachusetts Senate President Karen lays out an ambitious agenda for 2024. Then, WBUR's Walter Wuthmann provides analysis on what he's expecting from Beacon Hill this year.

New England's Bill Belichick era ends as the coach parts ways with Patriots

We talk about what's next for Bill Belichick and the Patriots after the two sides mutually parted ways Thursday.

Spot a 9-year-old Brockton actress in 'Good Burger 2'

Alexis Turner and her mother, Antoinette Toney, join Radio Boston to talk about Alexis' role in the new movie "Good Burger 2."

Why Massachusetts Buick dealers are backing away from electric vehicles

Boston Globe reporter Hiawatha Bray breaks down the hesitance among some Massachusetts car dealers to go all-in on EVs.

Affordable housing development in Boston faces a key obstacle: cost

WBUR reporter Simón Rios' latest story explores a planned affordable housing development above a library in the West End that's expected to cost more than $800,000 per unit to build.

Massachusetts tightens its belt

Gov. Maura Healey is cutting spending to help make up for six straight months of lower-than-expected tax collections.

Previewing Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's second State of the City address

WBUR's Walter Wuthmann and former Boston Mayor Kim Janey join Radio Boston to preview Tuesday night's State of the City address. We dive into what they're expecting to hear and what's at stake.

'American Born Chinese' turns 18 this year. We look at how the graphic novel still resonates today

"American Born Chinese" came out nearly 20 years ago, but it's messages still resonate with many readers, including in Massachusetts. We speak with a 10th grader who won a local contest for a letter he wrote to author Gene Luen Yang about the story. Then, we hear from Gene and Boston University's Joel Christian Gill.

Boston's newly re-opened archaeology lab connects the past with the present

The city of Boston has collected more than 1 million artifacts through its Archaeology Program over the past 40 years. Here's a look at some of those artifacts, including the oldest artifact ever found to date in Boston.

Reflecting back on what Jan. 6 could mean for this year's presidential election

The move to strike Trump's name from the Massachusetts primary ballot

A challenge brought by former attorney general candidate Shannon Liss-Riordan, along with law firm Free Speech for the People, cites the 14th Amendment and seeks to remove Donald Trump from ballots in Massachusetts.

Could Sunday be Bill Belichick's last ride with the New England Patriots?

Radio Boston previews what could be Bill Belichick's last game as coach of the New England Patriots.

New institute could revolutionize Kendall Square, Boston's place in AI industry

Radio Boston digs into how the Boston Dynamics AI Institute hopes to use a $400 million investment to turn Kendall Square into a global hub where robotics and AI meet.

Dozens to read 'Moby Dick' for 25 hours straight in annual New Bedford tradition

This weekend, book enthusiasts will take part in the 28th annual Moby Dick Marathon. Over 25 hours, they'll take turns reading the celebrated Herman Melville novel either virtually and in person.

Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston City Council's first Haitian-American president, outlines priorities

The second-term Boston City councilor was sworn in as council president this week and pledges to run a more civil council.

State's fiscal outlook murky as tax cuts take effect

Expenses are piling up on Beacon Hill amid a string of disappointing tax revenue reports.

What Harvard President Claudine Gay's resignation means for higher education

Radio Boston discusses Harvard President Claudine Gay’s resignation. The university’s first Black president was accused of plagiarism and an inadequate response to allegations of antisemitism on campus. After a pressure campaign from activists, donors and Republican lawmakers, Gay resigned.

What to expect in business and labor in Massachusetts in 2024

Radio Boston reflects back on Massachusetts' business and labor in 2023 and looks ahead at important trends in 2024.

What history tells us about what to expect in Mass. and beyond in 2024

A panel of local historians join Radio Boston to look back on 2023 and tell us what lessons they want taken into 2024.

Unpacking Claudine Gay's brief, embattled time as Harvard's president

WBUR education reporter Max Larkin and Claire Yuan, associate managing editor of the Harvard Crimson, the school's student-run newspaper, join Radio Boston to discuss the recent swirl of controversies that prompted Claudine Gay to resign from her post as Harvard University president.

Is this Boston movie a new Christmas classic?

Radio Boston discusses the Oscar-buzzy new film "The Holdovers" with film critic Ty Burr.

Unique holiday traditions can create community across religions and cultures

Radio Boston hosted a multicultural holiday celebration with three special guests to learn about how unique holiday traditions can bridge divides between people from different backgrounds.

Uncertainty for Mass. shelter system heading into the holidays

Radio Boston tracks two stories from Massachusetts' struggling emergency shelter system.

Holiday treats and essential baking tips from two local chefs

Just in time for the holidays, two chefs open up their recipe books to Radio Boston to share must-bake cookie recipes.

MBTA chief Eng tells Radio Boston the transit system's culture is improving

It's been a little over a month since MBTA General Manager and CEO Phil Eng launched an elaborate repair blitz for Boston's crumbling subway system. Eng joins Radio Boston for a progress report.

What is higher education's place in today's political climate?

Helen Drinan, former president of Simmons University in Boston and current president of Cabrini University in Pennsylvania, and Harleen Singh, Director of the Women's Studies Research Center and Senior Associate Provost for Faculty and Global Affairs at Brandeis University, join the show to talk about the present and future of higher learning.

New book 'Within Reason' asks us to take a more thoughtful approach to public health

Dr. Sandro Galea, an epidemiologist, professor and dean of Boston University's School of Public Health, asks what we've learned from COVID-19 in his new book "Within Reason: A Liberal Public Health for an Illiberal Time." Galea joins Radio Boston to discuss.