Radio Boston

New Bedford guitarist Quinn Sullivan brings the blues

Guitarist extraordinaire and New Bedford native Quinn Sullivan brings a taste of the blues to Radio Boston.

Making arancini from scratch with chef Joe Gatto

Radio Boston makes arancini, fried rice balls originating from Siciliy, with chef Joe Gatto.

Mayor Wu is optimistic about the future of Boston Public Schools

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu says she's approaching the new calendar year feeling hope about the future of Boston Public Schools. During an interview on Radio Boston Monday, she credited BPS superintendent Mary Skipper for much of her optimism.

On the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, who gets called a 'patriot'?

Wellesley College's Kellie Carter Jackson explores the legacy of the Boston Tea Party through the idea of who gets called a rebel and who gets called a revolutionary.

How a doll named Polly Sumner witnessed the Boston Tea Party

Polly Sumner is a doll that's been on display at Boston's Old State House since 1919. Before that, the lore goes, Polly was on one of the ships that held the tea party tea.

A look at the history and legacy of the Boston Tea Party

On Friday, Massachusetts launched official events marking the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. We talk about this watershed moment of Boston, and American, history and its legacy.

Rep. Seth Moulton on the latest in the Middle East, Ukraine

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton join Radio Boston from Capitol Hill, where military aid for Ukraine is tied up in negotiations over next steps at America's southern border.

Massachusetts' electric vehicle push is stuck in the mud. Charging stations are part of the reason

Boston Globe reporter Aaron Pressman joins the show to discuss how a lack of charging stations is contributing to the slow electric vehicle transition.

Boston's 'Black Nativity' celebrates 53 years of Christmas joy

Boston's production of the Langton Hughes' classic "Black Nativity" closes this weekend. Barry Gaither, director of the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, and Adult Choral Director Milton Wright join Radio Boston to reflect on the show, which is celebrating its 53rd year.

How one expert believes we can do philanthropy right this season

Makeeba McCreary, president of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund and co-author of a WBUR Cognoscenti piece about equitable and sustainable giving, joins Radio Boston to talk about how to give better this holiday season.

How 2 local textiles artists teach peace and community through mending workshops

Rev. Laura Everett and Vernee Wilkinson teach classes on sewing and the history of textiles in New England under the name of "Mending Church." Radio Boston speaks to the pair to learn why they feel the act of mending teaches participants in visible and invisible ways.

A conversation with Massachusetts Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler

WBUR sits down with Massachusetts Education Secretary Patrick Tutweiler to discuss pandemic recovery, chronic absenteeism, and other pressing education issues.

How one mother is fighting against opioid deaths by allowing people to use drugs at her home

WBUR's Martha Bebinger joins us to talk about a mother who allows people she knows and trusts to use drugs at her home. It’s an informal version of the controversial overdose prevention centers, also known as supervised consumption sites, where trained staff supervise people using drugs.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu endorses Haley for 2024 GOP nominee

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu appeared alongside former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley at a campaign stop Tuesday night to announce his support for Haley's bid for the Republican Presidential nomination. WBUR political correspondent Anthony Brooks joins Radio Boston to discuss.

As NoHo Hank in 'Barry,' Winchester native Anthony Carrigan has carved out space for himself in Hollywood

Actor Anthony Carrigan plays the tender, lethal, fashionable Chechen mobster NoHo Hank in the HBO hit series "Barry." He joins Radio Boston to reflect on his roots and career.

How to keep COVID, flu and RSV at bay during the holidays

Dr. Sabrina Assoumou of Boston Medical Center and Dr. Shira Doron of Tufts Medical Center join the show to give us the latest on our least favorite holiday tradition: respiratory viruses.

Harvard says it's sticking with Claudine Gay. What's next for the university?

WBUR education reporter Max Larkin joins the show discuss to the news that Harvard will keep Claudine Gay as its president.

Headaches and hope for T riders as system repairs forge ahead

Radio Boston breaks down the ongoing T system repair with the Boston Globe's Taylor Dolven, and Brian Kane of the MBTA Advisory Board.

Comedian Gary Gulman on his childhood in Peabody, upcoming special

Radio Boston talks with stand-up comic Gary Gulman. Gulman's new comedy special, "Born on 3rd Base," is available to stream on Max Dec. 21.

‘Murder in Boston’ documentary sheds light on the Charles Stuart case that set city aflame

Adrian Walker of the Boston Globe and Boston historian and journalist Dart Adams joined Radio Boston to reflect on the 1989 Charles Stuart case.

Harvard President Claudine Gay receives anger and support after congressional hearing

Harvard President Claudine Gay enters this week in a midst of a firestorm, after testimony on Capitol Hill last week about antisemitism and free speech riled some members of the University's community. 

For the first time, the gender wage gap in Greater Boston shrank. But the racial wage gap continued to grow

According to a report released this week from the Boston Women's Workforce Council, the gender wage gap in Greater Boston shrank, while the racial wage gap grew. We talk about why, and what to do next.

A conversation with Toni Lynn Washington, Boston's 'Queen of Soul and Blues'

Radio Boston talks with singer Toni Lynn Washington and WBUR arts contributor Noah Schaffer ahead of a celebration of Washington's career at Regent Theatre in Arlington.

How to shop locally and sustainably for the holidays

Radio Boston talks with Boston Globe senior opinion writer and fashion designer Kimberly Atkins Stohr, who authored a new series arguing that that the textile industry is broken — but we can do our part to make fashion more sustainable and equitable.

Gov. Healey talks about what her new economic development plan means for the state

"I've said for a long time now, the greatest challenge facing our state really is housing and a lack of housing that people can afford," said Healey on WBUR's Radio Boston Thursday.

Why misinformation expert Joan Donovan filed a whistleblower complaint against Harvard

Radio Boston talks with Joan Donovan, the misinformation scholar who claims Harvard University stopped supporting her work at the same time the school received a donation from Facebook's founder.

Why we keep sending out holiday letters — no matter how stressful it is

Laura McTaggart, contributor for WBUR's Cognoscenti, and local comedian Bethany Van Delft joined Radio Boston to talk about their traditions of sending holiday cards and letters.

After weeks of uncertainty, Beacon Hill green-lights extra money for shelter system

After weeks of back-and-forth, state lawmakers passed a supplemental budget on Monday. Gov. Maura Healey signed it as soon as it landed on her desk.

Banners in Roxbury's Grove Hall honor Black women leaders, past and present

More than 200 banners are now hung around Roxbury honoring Black women leaders in the city. Radio Boston is joined by Ed Gaskin is the executive director of Grove Hall Main Streets, which is hosting the project, and Priscilla Douglas, who is on a banner as the was the state's first Black woman cabinet secretary.

Checking in on Mass. and Cass a month after the tent sweep

WBUR senior correspondent Deborah Becker joins Radio Boston to discuss what happens to people who come to "Mass. and Cass" for addiction services after the city cleared tent encampments.

Rep. Lori Trahan takes place in key Democratic Caucus position ahead of 2024 election

Radio Boston talks with Massachusetts Rep. Lori Trahan, who will co-chair the Democratic Policy and Communications Commission at a critical time ahead of the 2024 election.

Your favorite classic Christmas music might have New England ties

Radio Boston revisits its 2021 conversation with Joe Bennett, a professor and musicologist at Berklee School of Music, about some local Christmas classics that we've come to love over the years.

How 'Boston Ball' changed the way basketball is played

Clayton Trutor, author of the book "Boston Ball," joined Radio Boston to talk about how a revival of fast, scrappy basketball in 1980s Boston helped change the way basketball is played today.

What state lawmakers are debating as they try to pass a supplemental budget

Chris Van Buskirk of the Boston Herald joins us from the State House to talk about what's at stake as lawmakers try to come to a consensus on a nearly $3 billion supplemental budget. Raises for 100,000 state employees and critical funding for the state's family shelter system hang in the balance.

Members of this prison debate league are scoring wins on and off the stage

Radio Boston talks with Daniel Throop and George Vicente of the National Prison Debate League. The two men were part of a team of formerly incarcerated people who recently debated against university students at a competition in Maryland and won.

Wu on the latest at 'Mass. and Cass,' her transportation goals and Boston's winter plans

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins Radio Boston to discuss the latest at the area known as "Mass. and Cass," her transportation goals for 2024 and the city's winter plans.

When will you be able to visit a cannabis café in Massachusetts?

Radio Boston talks with Cannabis Control Commission Bruce Stebbins about where cannabis cafés stand today.

Sen. Warren calls for two-state solution for Israel and Gaza

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is calling for peace between Israel and Hamas, but stopped short of calling for a permanent ceasefire. Instead, Warren said peace means a political solution, a so-called two-state solution.

Kendall Square was almost a central hub for NASA — until the plan fell apart

Boston Globe reporter Scott Kirsner joins Radio Boton to talk about the unrealized promise of Kendall Square as a key NASA hub and what it could've meant for the region.

Conductor Keith Lockhart reflects on 50 years of Holiday Pops and previews what's to come

Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart joins Radio Boston to preview this year's Holiday Pops. The annual holiday tradition turns 50 this year and we look back on what five decades of the Holiday Pops means for the city and the region.

What happened to the New England Patriots?

After this Sunday's loss, the Patriots, once one of football's greatest dynasties, is now the third-worst team in the league. And it looks like Bill Belichick's  time could soon be up in Foxborough.

How to take care of your mental health during the holiday season

For many, the holidays are a time of fun and hope. But for others, the holiday season is a low point. Being in a region where the sun sets by 5 p.m. until late January doesn't help.

In Newton, a bitter battle over multifamily houses

In Newton, where median home value surpasses $1.5 million, city leaders are in the midst of a contentious fight over how to comply with a state law that requires zoning for more dense housing near MBTA stops.

Greater Boston communities debate multifamily zoning around MBTA as end-of-year deadline approaches

State Rep. Andy Vargas talks about the MBTA Communities Act, the landmark housing law he championed, and how the debate around the law is playing out in communities.

What this Juneteenth means for Black Bostonians

In this special hour, we take stock of this moment in Black Boston. Is the city is on the brink of real change?

Sola Mahfouz's 'Defiant Dreams' take her from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan to Tufts University

'Brewed in Mass' highlights Hyde Park's own Latino-owned brewery

A new documentary details how a Massachusetts man survived being swallowed by a whale

The movie is set to premiere at the Provincetown Film Festival.

Who controls the internet in Massachusetts?

Also, a conversation about Apple Vision Pro and the future of virtual reality.

The new president of Boston's Museum of African American History wants to keep history lessons accurate, accessible

Noelle Trent has just started her role as the president and chief executive of the Museum of African American History in Boston and Nantucket.