Boston Public Radio Podcast

Is the next big challenge in food production disappearing seed diversity? Joining *Boston Public Radio *to weigh in on this topic and more was Corby Kummer. Kummer is 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.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened up the lines and asked listeners about new rape allegations against the president. Then sports reporter Trenni Kusnierek updated us on the sex trafficking case against Bob Kraft. Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell discusses her plan to overhaul Boston Public Schools. Does the new Boston-centered TV series “City On A Hill” capture the city in the 90s? TV critic Bob Thompson weighed in. Taco Bell is ringing in a new vegetarian menu. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed. CNN’s John King, host of “Inside Politics,” got us up to speed on the national news.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We went over the latest political headlines with former state treasurers Shannon O’Brien and Joe Malone. Charles Sennott, founder of The GroundTruth Project, explained Trump’s 180 on Iran. We opened up the lines and asked listeners about the opening of the Encore Boston Harbor casino this weekend. Attorney General Maura Healey took our questions and yours. We continued our conversation about the casino and also previewed a brand new podcast from Reverend Irene Monroe and Reverend Emmet Price: “All Rev’d Up.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened up the lines and asked listeners about the opening of the Encore Boston Harbor casino this weekend. After years of planning, construction, and controversy, is the long nightmare finally over? Or has it just begun? Medical ethicist Arthur Caplan discusses New York’s latest move on vaccine exemptions and other health stories. Emily Rooney, host of “Beat the Press,” shared her famous list of observations and frustrations. Donald Trump refuses to apologize for his comments about the Central Park Five. Callie Crossley, host of “Under the Radar with Callie Crossley,” weighed in on that and more. The Boston Globe’s business columnist Shirley Leung called in live from the curved escalator of Encore Boston Harbor (well, close by, but you get the idea.) It’s a pledge master face-off on our Friday News Quiz. WGBH’s own Edgar B. Herwick III and Andy Hicks got quizzed on their knowledge of Jim and Margery trivia.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd, host of “Meet the Press,” brought us updates on the latest national news. We asked listeners about Joe Biden’s comments citing his past relationships with segregationist senators as evidence that he can reach across political divides. Is he totally out of touch? Former Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral discussed the mysterious details around the shooting of Red Sox legend David Ortiz. It’s the summer solstice! Are you celebrating the season? Or are you despondent because the days just get shorter from here? We asked you. Massachusetts Gaming Commission chair Cathy Judd-Stein discussed the opening of the Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett this weekend. Harvard Graduate School of Education professor Paul Reville looked at a study that suggests students who work while in college earn higher wages once they graduate.

Today on Boston Public Radio: MIT economist Jon Gruber discussed the social and economic impacts of when women have abortions. We opened up the lines and asked our listeners about the affordable housing crunch in Boston. Have you left the city because of sky-high rents? Are you thinking about it? Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam gave us an evolutionary explanation of how dogs won humans over. WGBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen shared his reviews of productions of “Miss Saigon,” “Yerma,” and other shows around town. Naturalist Sy Montgomery explored the latest news from the Animal Kingdom, including the work of a turtle sanctuary and rescue in central Massachusetts. It’s time for our summer concert roundtable! WCRB’s Brian McCreath, Berklee’s Rob Hochschild, and WGBH’s own Brian O’Donovan shared their picks.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened up the lines and asked listeners about the controversy over the U.S. Women's Soccer Team celebrating its high-scoring win against Thailand. Is criticism of the team sexism in action? Trenni Kusnierek, reporter and anchor at NBC Sports Boston, weighed in on that and other sports headlines. Kade Crockford, director of the Technology for Liberty Program at the ACLU of Massachusetts,** **talked about the launch of the ACLU’s campaign to regulate facial recognition technology. Lawyer Ruth Greenberg, the head of the compassionate release pop-up clinic at Boston University, discussed why the state's Department of Corrections is failing to grant more terminally-ill prisoners compassionate release. Legendary actor Ed Asner of "Up" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" shared his new play, "God Help Us." John King, CNN's Chief National Correspondent and host of "Inside Politics," updated us on the latest national news. It's the 80th anniversary of "The Wizard Of Oz." Joining us with his reflections was Ryan Landry: playwright, lyricist, actor and founder of the Gold Dust Orphans theatrical company.

If you shop at grocery stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania or New Jersey, then you may have met Marty the Robot taking care of a clean-up on Aisle 4. But food writer Corby Kummer told Boston Public Radio that he thinks this technology has alternative motives.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We went over the latest political headlines with analyst Charlie Chieppo and former NAACP of Massachusetts president Michael Curry. Charles Sennott, executive director of The GroundTruth Project, discussed rising tensions with Iran and the latest updates on the shooting of Red Sox legend David Ortiz. We opened up the lines and asked our listeners: With the Red Line yet to bounce back after a nasty derailment last week, what will it take to fix the beleaguered MBTA? Do our leaders have enough of a sense of urgency on this issue? Food writer Corby Kummer looked at the robots invading our grocery stories and the new marketing ploy Kraft is using to get kids to use salad dressing. On “All Revved Up,” Reverend Irene Monroe and Reverend Emmett Price discussed a police incident in Phoenix that is raising red flags. Daniela Lamas, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a staff writer for the medical TV drama “The Resident,” explains how she sometimes gets to write the endings for TV that she wish would happen in real life with her patients. Television expert Bob Thompson looks back on the 25th anniversary of OJ Simpson’s famous white Bronco chase.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened up the lines and asked you about a statue of Myrtle the Turtle that’s making waves in Boston. Residents complain the bronze statue gets too hot in the sun during the day and is dangerous for children to play on. Should it stay or should it go? We talked to comedian Hannah Gadsby, creator of the Netflix special Nanette, about her new show coming to Boston. Sue O’Connell, host of “The Take,” discussed the turtle statue and other happenings around town. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh took our questions and yours for a full hour on “Ask the Mayor.” Raphael Bob-Waksberg, creator of “Bojack Horseman,” shared his new collection of short stories, “Someone Who Will Love You In All Your Damaged Glory.” Callie Crossley, host of “Under the Radar with Callie Crossley,” looked at the cultural impact of Ava DuVernay’s new documentary about the Central Park Five. Our Friday News Quiz featured two architects, Eric Robinson and Kevin Deabler, who are partnering with affordable housing developer Community Builders and thePine Street Inn to build what will be Boston’s largest complex of permanent supportive housing forthe homeless.