BPR Full Show 1/23/19 : Warren Campaign, Italian Food, Oscar Nominations

With new road safety legislation, Gov. Charlie Baker is cracking down on distracted driving. This is the first time he’s put forward a hands-free driving bill since 2017. We opened the lines to ask what our listeners think — do you ever text and drive? Do you see other drivers doing it? If you object to this ban, why?

Medical ethicist Art Caplan joined us to discuss the implications of the government shutdown (now in its fifth week) on employees with special health needs and concerns.

WGBH Radio political reporter and Scrum Podcast host Adam Reilly is in Puerto Rico following Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s nascent presidential campaign — he called in to give an update on her speeches there and his predictions for 2020.

The team at America’s Test Kitchen, in collaboration with National Geographic, have brought Italy’s culture, landscapes and authentic cuisine together by way of 100 regional recipes in a new cookbook, "Tasting Italy: A Culinary Journey." Chef, food author and Chief Creative Officer of America’s Test Kitchen Jack Bishop joined us for that.

President Donald Trump declared, via Twitter, a ban on transgender people serving in the military, and on Tuesday, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 in favor of this ban. Security expert Juliette Kayyem broke down the legal battle over the policy.

Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery joined us for this month’s Afternoon Zoo.

WGBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen went over the latest arts and culture events in and around town, and the biggest snubs and surprises of this year’s Oscar nominations.