Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the return to college amid rising COVID-19 cases. Trenni Kusnierek highlights Simone Biles’ bronze medal win on the balance beam, and American shot putter Raven Saunders’ podium “X” protest. She also explains why sprinter Kristina Timanovskaya refused to return to Belarus after criticizing her coaches. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. John Barros discusses his mayoral campaign, and shared his thoughts on whether Boston should bring back rent control. He also talks about his experiences with the Boston Police Department while growing up in Boston. Barros is running for mayor of Boston. Carol Rose speaks about the Massachusetts Republican Party’s campaign to put a voter ID law on the ballot for 2022, and the ACLU’s stance on Texas and Mississippi’s abortion laws. Rose is the Executive Director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. Rosemary Scapicchio talks about Natick couple Ina and David Steiner’s federal lawsuit against eBay after multiple employees targeted them in a harassment campaign. Scapicchio is representing Ina and David Steiner, the victims of the eBay stalking campaign, in a federal lawsuit. John King updates us on the latest political headlines, from the release of a report detailing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s alleged harassment of multiple women to the end of the federal eviction moratorium. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. We end the show by asking listeners about New York Attorney General Letitia James' investigation into Gov. Cuomo's alleged sexual harassment of multiple women.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Michael Curry talks about the rise in breakthrough COVID-19 cases among vaccinated Americans, and shares his thoughts on how to persuade more people to get vaccinated. Curry is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and a member of Governor Charlie Baker’s COVID Vaccine Advisory Group. He’s also a Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, and the Chair of the Board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee. Next, we open the phone lines, asking listeners whether their kids are using summer school to make up for a year of lost learning. Shirley Leung updates us on the return of conferences and conventions to Boston, and the increasing number of local businesses considering mandatory vaccines for employees. She also talks about the lack of entrepreneurs of color in the Seaport neighborhood. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse discusses the release of new information surrounding the FBI’s investigation into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after allegations of sexual assault. He also shares his thoughts on the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling that California’s nonprofit donor disclosure requirement is unconstitutional, explaining how it could impact “dark money” in politics. Senator Whitehouse is a Democrat from Rhode Island. We then play the season finale of the All Rev’d Up podcast, in which Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III talk about gratefulness during the pandemic. Richard Blanco shares his poems on Cuba amidst historic protests in the country. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His new book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various socio-political issues that shadow America. We wrap up the show by talking with listeners about the “Sunday scaries.”

The small outermost Cape Cod community of Provincetown has gained national attention in the past few weeks after tourists and year-rounders saw a spike in infections from the COVID-19 Delta variant. Upwards of 70 percent of reported cases are understood to be among those who were vaccinated. Town Manager Alex Morse has since pointed out that of the 900 cases related to the P-Town cluster, there have been only 7 hospitalizations, and most people are only experiencing mild symptoms. Considering the high number of breakthrough cases, the vaccines appear to be doing a good job of limiting the impact of COVID. Still, there are concerns, particularly for the huge percentage of folks on the Cape living with HIV and AIDS. In P-Town, they account for about 10 percent of the nearly 3,000 year-round residents. In light of the potential impact, we felt it’d be apt to check in with someone from the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod to see how they’ve been holding up. Christine Iversen is a daily case manager for the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod. More information on the organization can be found at their website, www.asgcc.org.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Saraya Wintersmith discusses Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s report on the investigation into former Boston Police officer Patrick Rose for alleged child sexual abuse. She also talks about the Boston Globe’s reporting on Boston City Councilor and mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George, and questions over whether she used her City Council position to benefit her husband’s housing development business. Wintersmith covers Boston City Hall for GBH. Next, we ask listeners what they thought was the best strategy to get more people vaccinated. Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses the COVID-19 Delta variant and the CDC’s updated guidelines on mask mandates, as COVID-19 cases rise. She also answers listeners’ questions. Gergen Barnett teaches in the Department of Family Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School. Callie Crossley shares her thoughts on Costa Rican gymnast Luciana Alvarado’s tribute to Black Lives Matter in her Olympics routine, and teenager Kieran Moïse raising $38,000 for kids with cancer by cutting his 19-inch afro. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Sue O’Connell highlights LGBTQ+ athletes at the Olympics. She also discusses the criminal charges against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick for allegedly assaulting a minor. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the South End News, as well as NECN's political commentator and explainer-in-chief. Kwame Alexander explains his writing process, and shares how to connect children with poetry. Alexander is a poet, educator and award-winning writer. He’s collaborating with GBH Kids on a multiplatform project, including an animated television series based on his first children’s book: “Acoustic Rooster and his Barnyard Band.” He’s an executive producer of the show, along with GBH’s Marcy Gunther.

Food policy writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to discuss the prevalence of genetically modified food in our society, and the shifting realization that engineered ingredients aren’t inherently evil. When genetically modified organisms first gained popularity in the 1990s, Kummer said “it was all about huge commercial gain.” Now, the development of a genetically modified tomato — with high nutrient value — not intended for large-scale sales may be changing perceptions of what genetically modified produce can offer. “It needs a rebranding, and that rebranding should be: here are more antioxidants in your tomato,” said Kummer. Corby Kummer is a senior editor at The Atlantic, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, from the Senate’s vote to move forward with the infrastructure bill to GOP lawmakers refusing to wear masks in Congress. Todd is the moderator of “Meet The Press” on NBC, host of “Meet The Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Then, we talk with listeners about the return of mask mandates. Andrea Cabral shares her thoughts on President Joe Biden’s nomination of District Attorney Rachael Rollins for U.S. attorney of Massachusetts. She also talks about the Rise of the Moors’ lawsuit against the Massachusetts State Police. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Corby Kummer explains why restaurant workers are leaving their jobs in droves, and how megadroughts are causing price fluctuations for wheat products. Kummer is the executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Andy Ihnatko discusses the investigation into hacking company NSO Group after their spyware product was allegedly used to target notable politicians, activists, and journalists. He also talks about DuckDuckGo’s new email protection program. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Jill Medvedow talks about what the past year has been like for the Institute of Contemporary Art, sharing how the museum pivoted during the pandemic. She also highlighted current and upcoming exhibits. Medvedow is the Ellen Matilda Poss Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art. We end the show by asking listeners whether they’d return to the office if they were offered free food at work.

NBC Sports reporter Trenni Kusnierek joins Margery Eagan and Jared Bowen — in for Jim Braude — for an update from the Tokyo Olympics. Athletes are performing without fans, without their usual support systems, in scorching weather conditions, and in a highly regulated COVID-19 environment. And everyone is watching. Kusnierek discusses the pressure elite athletes are facing in these Olympic games, as tennis star Naomi Osaka and gymnastics phenom Simone Biles have both opened up about the mental health toll.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Alex Morse talks about the rise in COVID-19 cases in Provincetown, updating us on the latest plans to stop the spread of the virus. He also discusses the return of the indoor mask mandate. Morse is the Town Manager of Provincetown. Next, we talk with listeners about Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from the individual all-around gymnastics competition in the Olympics due to concerns over her mental health. Juliette Kayyem discusses Tuesday’s congressional hearing on the Jan. 6 Capitol attacks, and shares her thoughts on the spread of misinformation surrounding the attacks from Fox News. She also talks about the security threats posed by climate change. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Jonathan Gruber explains the economics behind individuals who choose not to get vaccinated, following “signaling theory.” Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health-care reform and the Affordable Care Act, and his latest book is "Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth And The American Dream." Art Caplan shares his thoughts on the backlash against Simone Biles following her withdrawal from the individual all-around gymnastic competition due to her mental health, and President Joe Biden’s plans to require federal workers to be vaccinated or face weekly COVID-19 testing. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. Ali Noorani discusses the athletes of the Refugee Olympic Team, and the Biden administration’s decision to resume fast-track deportation. Noorani is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Immigration Forum. His latest book is "There Goes the Neighborhood: How Communities Overcome Prejudice and Meet the Challenge of American Immigration.” Christopher Wilkins highlights the Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s 20th anniversary season, sharing what audiences can expect from this season’s performances. Wilkins is the Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s music director.

Today on Boston Public Radio: EJ Dionne talked about the For the People Act, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) rejection of two Republican appointees to a select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capital attacks. He also remembers the life and legacy of civil rights activist Bob Moses. Dionne is a columnist for The Washington Post and a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. His latest book is "Code Red: How Progressives And Moderates Can Unite To Save Our Country.” Then, we open the phone lines, talking with listeners about rising COVID-19 cases across the nation. Charlie Sennott discusses his experiences in Kabul after the withdrawal of U.S. troops. He also shares his thoughts on Afghanistan’s future as the Taliban gains more ground. Sennott is a GBH News analyst and the founder and CEO of The GroundTruth Project. Adam Reilly and Saraya Wintersmith updates us on the latest news from the Boston mayoral race and Massachusetts gubernatorial race, focusing on Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ nomination for U.S. Attorney of Massachusetts and Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s handling of the Patrick Rose case. Reilly is co-host of GBH’s Politics podcast, “The Scrum.” Wintersmith covers Boston City Hall for GBH. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III weigh in on Naomi Osaka lighting the Olympic torch, and Facebook’s outreach to faith groups. They also share their memories of the late civil rights activist Bob Moses. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist, the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail, and a visiting researcher in the Religion and Conflict Transformation Program at the Boston University School of Theology. Price is the founding pastor of Community of Love Christian Fellowship in Allston. Together, they host GBH’s All Rev’d Up podcast. Sara Hendren explains how public spaces have been redefined during the pandemic, and shares how cities and institutions can design space to be more accessible and cost-effective. Hendren is an artist, a design researcher and a professor at Olin College of Engineering. She’s also the author of “What Can a Body Do?: How We Meet the Built World.” We end the show by asking listeners what changes they would like to see in their neighborhood, post-pandemic.

Today on Boston Public Radio: District Attorney Rachael Rollins discusses investigations into the attack of Rabbi Shlomo Noginski in Brighton, and the shooting in Winthrop that claimed the lives of Air Force veteran Ramona Cooper and retired state trooper David Green. She also talks about her plans to review drug cases that may have been compromised by mismanagement at the William A. Hinton State Laboratory Institute. Rollins is the district attorney for Suffolk County. Next, we open the phone lines, asking listeners how they feel about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Shirley Leung talks about the Massachusetts legislature’s push to legalize sports betting in the state, and explained how employers are relying on improved MBTA service to bring people back into the office. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Roger Bennett shares his experience growing up in Liverpool, and why he relates more to the U.S. than his home country of England. Bennett is the co-host of The Men In Blazers podcast and NBC show. His memoir is “(Re)Born in the USA: An Englishman's Love Letter to His Chosen Home.” Andris Nelsons talks about the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s return to Tanglewood, and the highlights of the orchestra’s summer season. Nelsons is Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Sue O’Connell shares her thoughts on Mississippi calling on the Supreme Court to formally overturn Roe v. Wade, and Ivanka Trump’s involvement in the Trump Organization. She also talks about the first trans model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, Leyna Bloom. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the South End News, as well as NECN's political commentator and explainer-in-chief. We end the show by talking with listeners about their favorite appetizers, following Thursday’s discussion of the potential return of happy hour to Massachusetts.