The Common

Procrastinators, beware! The holidays are around the corner but luckily, Boston has a wide selection of holiday markets to find unique and local-made gifts for everyone on your list. WBUR Associate Producer for Newsletters Hanna Ali joins The Common to recommend four Boston-area holiday markets to visit this season. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

It's the first night of Hanukkah. It is also the two month anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, and the beginning of Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza. Ahead of the holiday, WBUR's Simon Rios took the time to check in with local Rabbis about how they are navigating this time with their congregations. He joins The Common to share what they told him. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Israel's military action in Gaza in response to the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas has led to demonstrations across the country and the world, in support of a ceasefire and Palestinian liberation. That includes here in Boston, where protesters have demonstrated at the Boston Common Christmas tree lighting, the chambers of Boston City Council and outside of a fundraiser for President Joe Biden in Boston on Tuesday. Lelia Farsakh is a professor of political science at UMass Boston. She joins The Common to explain the context and history behind Boston's movement in support of Palestinians. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed a long-awaited supplemental budget bill containing $250 million in funding for the state's overburdened family shelter system. The bill had been stalled in the state's House and Senate over disagreements on allocating those funds, past the conclusion of the official legislative session, which ended on Nov. 15. WBUR State House Reporter Walter Wuthmann joins The Common to discuss the contents of the budget bill and the challenges it faced getting through the Massachusetts legislature. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Last week, city councilors and officials from Mayor Michelle Wu's administration held a public hearing to discuss the possibility of piloting a guaranteed basic income program for low-income Bostonians. The proposal is still in the early most stages of consideration, but based on results of similar programs in neighboring communities, it could be a game changer for the nearly one in five Boston residents who living below the poverty line. State House News Service reporter Sam Drysdale joins The Common to discuss how a guaranteed income program in Boston could work, and the likelihood of it becoming a reality for the city. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The holiday season is upon us, and whether you're looking to catch a pop diva or a risqué take on a classic seasonal favorite, assistant director for WBUR CitySpace Candice Springer has you covered with a slate of activities to get you out and about this December. Candice recommends... Mariah Carey in concert: The "Merry Christmas One and All" tour - Dec. 11, TD Garden A Christmas Carol: A benefit for Rosie's Place - Dec. 19, WBUR CitySpace The Slutcracker - Dec. 1 - Dec. 31, Somerville Theatre Yippee Ki Yay - Dec. 27 - Dec. 31, The Huntington Theatre Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Almost one-third of adults in the U.S. say they, or someone in their family, have been addicted to opioids. Often, families have been encouraged to use a "tough love" approach with their loved ones, but a growing number of health care professionals are starting to rethink this. Instead, they want to more intentionally include families and friends in the recovery process. WBUR's Deborah Becker joins The Common to share the story of Ken Feldstein, an addiction councilor who said he "landed on love" in supporting his own son, Brendan, through his addiction recovery. Also, a look at training programs run through Boston Medical Center, which teach clinicians and families how to support people struggling with addiction. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Massachusetts is one of only two states where it's illegal for landlords to charge an application fee to perspective renters. Even so, advocates say that these fees are on the rise as rental options in the region remain tight. WBUR Senior Reporter Simón Rios joins The Common to explain how landlord application fees differ from other legal fees you may face as a renter, and what these fees can tell us about the reality of being a landlord or renter in Massachusetts today. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

What does the criminal justice system do to love? This question is at the core of "We Found Love," is a new miniseries from the Boston Globe's Love Letters Podcast. It follows three couples, each at a different stage in their relationship, but all of whom met while one member was incarcerated in Massachusetts with a life sentence. Today, Boston Globe Criminal Justice Reporter Ivy Scott joins The Common with more on this project, and what these stories can tell us about our criminal justice system more broadly. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

De'Shawn Washington, a fourth-grade teacher at Maria Hastings Elementary School in Lexington, has been named the 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. De’Shawn’s dedication to teaching leadership and conflict resolution skills to his students helped set him apart from his peers, earning him the state's top award for educators. Today on The Common, we take you to Lexington to learn more about what brought De'Shawn to teaching, how he hopes to advocate for teachers and students alike during his tenure as Teacher of the Year, and what it means to him to be the first Black male recipient of the award in Massachusetts. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Team Common is taking the day to relax and recharge. So we’re bringing you a feature from our friends in the WBUR newsroom. Today’s story comes from climate and environment reporter, Paula Moura. According to state data, most people who have taken advantage of the electric vehicle rebates in Massachusetts live in wealthier communities. But the state is working on ways to make EV access more equitable, including by funding one project that is bringing electric vehicle chargers to Black communities. The project also aims to boost jobs and highlight local landmarks. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Darryl C. Murphy here, Team Common is off today, but we just wanted to pop in your feed real quick to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. We really hope you're eating good out there. We are so thankful for all of you who choose to spend your time with us. We love making this show for you. Thanks as always for listening to The Common. We’ll talk to you soon. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Which means this Wednesday is a Friday, and it's the second day of our two-part Thanksgiving cooking series with Dorchester’s Comfort Kitchen. Today’s recipe comes from Comfort Kitchen's principal bartender and bar manager, Danameche Teron, who came by the studio to share "Dream Street", one of their signature drinks. It should be a great fit alongside your Thanksgiving meal. Dream Street Combine in a shaker: Spirited Version: Two ounces of Sorel Half ounce of orange curaçao Half ounce of Clement Creole Shrubb Half ounce of coconut simple* 3/4 ounce of lime juice Free-Spirited Version: Two ounces of Sorel One ounce of coconut simple One ounce lime juice 1/4 ounce of orange juice Add ice, shake Strain into a coupe or your favorite glass Garnish with an edible pansy (or any other edible flower) *Coconut simple recipe: Using a 2:1 ratio, mix the coconut with cane sugar until well blended and sugar is fully dissolved. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Comfort Kitchen in Dorchester was one of Boston’s hottest restaurants to open this year. The New York Times even included it on their list of 50 best new restaurants across the country. As a special holiday treat, today and tomorrow we’re featuring two recipes, one side dish and one cocktail, from Comfort Kitchen's menu that you can make at home to help impress your Thanksgiving guests. For today's recipe, Comfort Kitchen Chef Partner Kwasi Kwaa joined us in the WBUR Kitchen to make a signature snack off their small plates menu. Comfort Kitchen's Okra INGREDIENTS: Okra Canola oil Salt Garam masala Butter** Greek yogurt Lemon juice Crumbled plantain chips STEPS: Preheat your oven to 350 Heat a nonstick pan over medium high heat (you want it to be hot enough as if you were searing a steak) Once the pan is mostly heated, add enough canola oil to coat the bottom of your pan Throw in your okra with a healthy pinch of salt Once your okra is nicely seared on all sides, add butter. The butter will foam, once the foam subsides, season with garam masala Pop the pan in the oven for another 3-5 minute until okra is cooked through Serve immediately with masala yogurt* and crumbled plantain chips *Masala yogurt recipe: Season plain greek yogurt with salt, lemon and garam masala to your liking **To make this meal vegan/dairy free, try substituting butter with olive or coconut oil and swapping out greek yogurt for your favorite vegan yogurt alternative. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Winter is coming, and with it, higher heating bills. Thankfully there is a range of options available to Massachusetts residents in need of heating assistance. WBUR Climate and Environment Reporter Miriam Wasser joins The Common, to give a rundown of all the ways you can save on heat this year. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

America was, and continues to be, forged by the gun industry. The Gun Machine, a new podcast from WBUR and The Trace looks at this intertwined history -- from the founding of the nation, to the gun industry's roots here in Massachusetts, to the country's very present gun violence crisis in an eight-part series. Producer for The Gun Machine Grace Tatter joins The Common with a preview of this new project. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The fifth National Climate Assessment was released this week. The report spans the nation, but the section focused on the Northeast paints a picture of a region hit hard by the effects of climate change, including extreme heat, heavy rains, flooding and the inequality concerns that come along with a changing climate. But there's good news, too. The report tips its hat to climate-specific policy efforts in the Northeast and regional support for green infrastructure, such as nature-based approaches to managing rising seas in coastal communities. Today, WBUR Senior Climate and Environment Correspondent Barbara Moran joins The Common with some regionally-specific takeaways from this national report. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Last month, Governor Maura Healey announced that the state would cap the number of families guaranteed shelter in the state-run shelter system at 7,500 families. Last week, that cap was reached, which means qualifying families must now sit on a waitlist, prioritized based on safety and health concerns, until a slot opens up within the system. WBUR Senior Health and Science Reporter Gabrielle Emanuel joins The Common with more on the waitlist process, and what options remain for families in need of shelter in Massachusetts. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Head Start centers offer early education and care to children under five from low-income families. But recent shortages in staffing have lead some Massachusetts centers, including here in Boston, to cut down on the number of children they're able to serve. Reducing the number of available slots means more families are finding themselves on wait lists, which are often already lengthy. WBUR Education Reporting Fellow Emily Piper-Vallillo joins The Common with more on this teaching shortage and how it is impacting these already strained centers. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

New Englanders are known for having a buttoned up rule or two, including around alcohol (we're look at you, no happy hour). And it's not uncommon to hear some of our region’s founding colonizers, the Puritans, getting blame for that. But how involved were the Puritans in shaping our current rules around liquor, really? WBUR reporter Simón Rios looked into this as part of WBUR's Field Guide to Boston series. He joins The Common with more on Massachusetts liquor laws, and how the traditions of the Puritans may or may not inform how they exist today. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

This week marked one whole year of The Common. It has been an absolute blast bringing you the best of Boston news and culture over the past year. So to celebrate our birthday, Team Common producers Katelyn Harrop and Frannie Monahan join Darry C. Murphy to reflect on some of their favorite episodes from the last year. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

This week's municipal elections brought home big wins for progressives on Boston City Council, and Mayor Wu, who saw all of her endorsements sail to victory. WBUR reporter Walter Wuthmann was at the polls on Tuesday. He joins The Common to review the night's results and discuss what lies ahead for City Council's returning — and brand-new — members. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

For the past month, Harvard University has been in the international media spotlight as the campus community contends with the Israel-Hamas conflict and concerns about antisemitism and anti-Palestinian sentiments at home. In recent weeks, some donors have signed an open letter to Harvard's administration, putting pressure on the university to ramp up its response to antisemitism on campus. WBUR Education Reporter Max Larkin joins The Common to discuss the relationship between Harvard and its donors, and the influence it yields over the university's academic freedom and responsibilities to students from all backgrounds. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Today is municipal election day in Boston, and voters have a number of decisions to make about who will represent them on City Council for the next two years. As we wait for votes to be counted, one thing is for certain: Councilor Frank Baker will not be returning to City Hall in January. Baker, who announced he would not be seeking reelection earlier this year, has held the District 3 seat for 12 years. He’s known for being one of the few moderate voices on a majority left council, and for his work with constituents across his district, which includes parts of Dorchester, the South End and South Boston. WBUR Reporter Simón Rios joins The Common to take a look back at Frank Baker's career, and what his departure means for Boston City Council. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Nine out of 13 members of Boston Public Schools’ English Learners task force have resigned over the district’s proposed plan to overhaul its treatment of students who are still learning English — a subset of learners equalling nearly a third of all students in the district. Deanna Pan is a reporter with The Boston Globe's Great Divide team, which reports on inequality in Boston area schools. She joins The Common to lay out the details of BPS's new inclusion plan and the ELL task forces' criticisms of it. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Don't let the chilly weather get you down! WBUR CitySpace Assistant Director Candice Springer is back on The Common with a piping hot list of events to get you out of your house and out on the town this November. Candice recommends... - Freakonomics Radio Live - Nov. 9, WBUR CitySpace - Atsuko Okatsuka: Full Grown Tour, Nov. 10, The Wilbur - Field Trip: Arts and Crafts - Nov. 13, WBUR CitySpace - Ziwe: The Black Friend Tour - Nov. 29, The Wilbur - We "R" All Pee-Wee: A Tribute to Pee-Wee Herman - Nov. 26, Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre - Dance with The Glitter Boys - Every Friday, The Sinclair Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

A train line connecting Boston, New Bedford, Taunton and Fall River has been in the works for three decades. Now, the project, South Coast Rail, is closer to completion -- after several false starts and pushed deadlines. WBUR Transportation Reporter Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez joins The Common with more on the expected timeline for this MBTA project, and how it's being received in the city of New Bedford. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

One pipe for the stuff you flush down the toilet, and another for stormwater runoff. That's how modern sewer systems do it. In this two-pipe system, the wastewater from our homes and businesses run into a treatment plant, and the stormwater – into nearby waterways. But Massachusetts is old, and in some parts of the state, wastewater and stormwater flow through the same pipe. On most days, these so-called combined sewer systems work fine, with all the water ending up at a treatment facility. But on rainy days, the volume of water entering the system can overwhelm the pipes and overflow -- sewage and all -- into rivers, streams and other water bodies. These so-called "combined sewer overflow" events, or CSOs, aren't new, but as climate change fuels more frequent and intense rain events in the Northeast, we're likely to see a whole lot more of them. Today, WBUR Senior Climate and Environment Reporter Miriam Wasser joins The Common with more on CSOs and some of the ways our cities can rethink sewage systems to decrease their impact on our waterways. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Last week, the Boston City Council passed an ordinance banning tent encampments in the city. The ordinance focuses on the area around Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard known as "Mass and Cass," which has become a center for homelessness and drug use in Boston. Under the ordinance, which was originally proposed by Mayor Michelle Wu and passed by the council with some changes, the city can not clear a tent until the people living there have been offered alternative shelter. The rule is set to go into effect this Wednesday, November 1. WBUR Reporter Deborah Becker joins The Common with more on what's expected to happen at "Mass and Cass" this week, and what's next for those who currently live in the area. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston Little Saigon is one of the city’s four official cultural districts as designated by the state. Located in Fields Corner in Dorchester, the district was officially designated in 2021, but to its residents, Little Saigon has been an anchor for Vietnamese culture in the region for decades. To learn more about the district's food and experiences, and its place in the New England Vietnamese community, The Common toured Little Saigon with Annie Le, board president of Boston Little Saigon. This episode is part of WBUR's Field Guide to Boston, a station-wide effort to help you connect with the city's communities. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Today we bring you the last of our Boston City Council candidate interviews. Today's candidates are running in District 3, which includes parts of Dorchester, the South End and South Boston. For more than a decade, the district has been represented by councilor Frank Baker. Councilor Baker announced early this year that he would not be seeking reelection this November. On the ballot to replace him are candidates John FitzGerald and Joel Richards. We met up with each of them in a location of their choosing and gave them six questions to answer in six minutes. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 7 election is this Saturday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. You can check your voter registration status or register to vote through the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website. https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

It’s day two of our election coverage, checking in with candidates competing for Boston City Council seats in districts 6, 5 and 3, all of which are facing a guaranteed change in leadership come January since no incumbent is running in them. Today, we’re heading to District 5, which is made up of Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale. Earlier this year, District 5 incumbent Ricardo Arroyo was eliminated during the preliminary. It was one of two historic upsets (District 6 incumbent City Councilor Kendra Lara was also defeated) in a city where incumbents often maintain power. Now, voters will choose between candidates Enrique Pepén and José Ruiz to represent them this election day. We met up with each of them in a location of their choosing and gave them six questions to answer in six minutes. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 7 election is this Saturday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. You can check your voter registration status or register to vote through the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website. https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Municipal elections take place on November 7 in Boston, and our city council is on the ballot. For the rest of this week, The Common is checking in with the candidates in three city council races -- District 5, District 6 and District 3, where a change in leadership is guaranteed. Today, we head to District 6, where earlier this year incumbent City Councilor Kendra Lara was defeated in a preliminary election. It was one of two historic upsets (District 5 incumbent City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo was also defeated) in a city where incumbents often maintain power. Now, candidates Ben Weber and William King face off to represent District 6, which includes Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and a small portion of Roslindale. We met the candidates at locations of their choosing and gave them six minutes to answer the same series of questions. The deadline to register to vote in the November 7 election is this Saturday, October 28 at 5:00 pm. You can check your voter registration status or register to vote through the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

A new report from The Boston Globe shows that MBTA officials were aware of issues with the Green Line Extension's construction long before the line opened to passengers earlier this year. Previously on The Common, Taylor Dolven, transportation reporter for The Globe, explained that slow zones were imposed on parts of the GLX after it was discovered that the rails on certain portions of the line were dangerously narrow. Today, Taylor tells us that not only are more than half of the rails along the GLX too narrow, they were built that way to begin with. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Beech trees are native to the Northeast and make up about 10% of forests in Massachusetts. The tree, which is identifiable by its smooth trunk and wide canopy, is a crucial habitat and food source for many animal species in the region. But in recent years, a microscopic worm-caused disease has been targeting beech leaves, causing many trees to starve to death over time. The disease is spreading, and fast. WBUR climate and environment reporter Paula Moura joins The Common to tell us more about this disease, how to identify it and the race to find a cure to save Massachusetts' beech trees. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Federal student loan payment requirements have resumed after a break that lasted more than three years, which means a big change in monthly financial planning for many Bay Staters. According to the Education Data Initiative, almost 13% of Massachusetts residents held federal student loan debt in 2022, and the average federal student loan debt total was more than $34,000 per individual. We at The Common wanted to get an idea of how that kind of debt impacts borrowers’ short and long-term financial goals, and more generally, what it's like to pay such a high cost for an education. We asked people in-person, across the region and online to share their experiences with student loan debt. Today, we bring you their stories. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The images and stories coming out of the Israel-Hamas war are devastating. As the death toll rises, Team Common has been thinking a lot about how, and where, we should add to the discourse going on worldwide and within our community as this crisis unfolds. We found ourselves going over just how hard it is to enter conversations that hold so much history and pain and complexity. So that's where we want to start today. Karen Ross is an associate professor with UMass Boston’s Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security, and Global Governance. She joins The Common for a discussion about where one may start when entering hard conversations in times of crisis. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

On Monday, Gov. Maura Healey announced that the state will soon stop guaranteeing shelter to families in need in Massachusetts. The governor said the system is overwhelmed, and announced a cap on guaranteed placements at 7,500 families. The state expects to hit this cap by the end of the month. The state said that once the cap is hit, qualified households, including those newly arrived from other countries, will be put on a waiting list. WBUR Senior Health and Science Reporter Gabrielle Emanuel joins The Common with more on this decision, and what it means for families seeking shelter in Massachusetts. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

As the climate crisis becomes increasingly dire, a group of scientists are considering a striking technique for carbon sequestration: An iron supplement for the ocean. The idea's called "iron enrichment," and it involves artificially introducing iron to parts of the ocean that are low on it. The goal is to help plants, especially algae, grow so that they can capture and sequester more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It's a bold approach, that many scientists wouldn't have considered years ago, and some still question today. WBUR Climate and Environment Correspondent Barbara Moran joins The Common with more on the merits and concerns around ocean engineering in a rapidly changing climate. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

WBUR's Arts and Culture desk spent months pouring over almost 300 public submissions for its annual series celebrating creatives of color in Greater Boston. Now, the 2023 Makers have been announced. WBUR Reporter Arielle Gray joins The Common to discuss the project and the artists who will be featured online, on the radio and in-person all week long. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

There are few things the Northeast does as well as autumn. But the season can be tough for certain people, as shorter days and colder temperatures may bring on feelings of depression and isolation, and exasperate existing mental health concerns for some. Dr. Michelle DiBlasi is Chief of Inpatient Psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center. She joins The Common to share some tips on how to shore up your mental health as we head into the colder months. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Ruth E. Carter is a two-time Oscar-winning costume designer who has dressed characters in hit movies and TV series for more than three decades. Her designs can be seen in works such as Do The Right Thing, The Five Heartbeats, both Marvel Black Panther movies, Yellowstone and Seinfeld. She's also a native of Springfield, Mass. And on Sunday, October 15, she is being honored with the Coolidge Award at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, an honor that celebrates one outstanding film artist whose body of work is recognized as consistently original and challenging. On today's episode, Ruth E. Carter joins The Common to talk about how her upbringing in Springfield continues to inspire her work today. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Reina Carolina Morales Rojas, a recent immigrant from El Salvador, was living in East Boston when she went missing on November 26, 2022. It took Boston Police over 6 weeks to announce her disappearance on January 12, 2023 –– a huge delay for a missing persons case. Almost a year later, she has yet to be found. Marcela Garcia is a columnist at The Boston Globe and one of few members of the media following her story closely. While the search for answers drags on, Marcela visited Reina Carolina’s hometown in El Salvador to learn more about her and what her life was like before she made the move to Boston. Marcela joins The Common to share what she found. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Depending on what you read, it can be hard to get a sense of where the offshore wind energy industry is at in Massachusetts. On the one hand, the long awaited Vineyard Wind project is anticipated to start generating electricity for the grid by the end of the year. But on the other, the futures of other potential offshore wind projects are currently up in the air due to economic challenges, such as inflation and supply chain issues. Miriam Wasser is a senior environment and climate reporter at WBUR. She joins The Common to help us make head(winds) or tails of the Massachusetts offshore wind industry. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Team Common is observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day (check out our recent episode on the movement to make it an official holiday statewide). So today, we’re bringing you a story from our friends in the WBUR Newsroom. Joseph Grigely: In What Way Wham? is a new exhibition at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art that centers on the deaf experience. WBUR Arts Fellow Solon Kelleher recently took a trip to MASS MoCA to see how the exhibit helps expand accessibility at the museum by using visual descriptions as well as tours in American Sign Language. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The weather is getting chillier and the days are getting shorter, which makes it a great time to catch a show. WBUR CitySpace Assistant Director Candice Springer joins The Common with three great live and film productions you can take in this month, all of which celebrate great movies, and the music that goes with them. Candice recommends... - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert - Oct. 7, Emerson Colonial Theatre - Taylor Swift: The Era’s Tour (movie) - Oct. 13 - Oct. 22, Coolidge Corner Theater and other cinemas across the region - Disney's Frozen (Broadway in Boston) - Oct. 25 - Nov. 12, Citizen Bank Opera House - The Crossword Show with Zach Sherwin - Oct. 20, WBUR CitySpace Field Trip: Speed Friending - Oct. 23, WBUR CitySpace Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

On Monday, October 9th, the City of Boston will recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day. But at the Massachusetts Statehouse, the second Monday in October continues to be recognized as Columbus Day. On Tuesday, a joint committee on Beacon Hill heard testimony on legislation that aims to change that. Jean-Luc Pierite, President of the Board of Directors of the North American Indian Center of Boston was there, sharing his perspective on why he stands for the effort to change the holiday. He joins The Common with more on this movement, and how he and other advocates plan to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day this weekend. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

On portions of tracks adding up to more than a mile, Green Line Extension trains are moving at only three miles-per-hour. The MBTA says these slow zones are a response to recent tests showing that portions of the tracks are narrowing. A concept that many transit experts say is unheard of. Boston Globe Transportation Reporter Taylor Dolven broke this story last week. She joins' The Common with more on what we know, and don't know, about the condition of the GLX, and how it's impacting the communities that rely on it. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Last week, state lawmakers voted in favor of a $1 billion tax relief package that officials say could save taxpayers in Massachusetts a collective $561 million this fiscal year. The legislation now awaits Gov. Maura Healey's signature. Today, Boston Globe Politics Reporter Samantha J. Gross joins The Common to discuss what this wide-ranging package could mean for parents, caretakers, renters and low-income taxpayers in the state. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Flash flooding events are expected to increase in Massachusetts under the impacts of climate change. Reading, a town about 20 minutes north of Boston, is trying to mitigate flood impacts with a nature-based approach that involves digging seven ponds in a conservation area near the river. The goal is for the ponds to collect water that might otherwise cause flooding, while offering additional benefits such as an environment rich in native plants for birds and other animals, and a welcoming green space for the community. WBUR Climate and Environment Reporter, Paula Moura, joins The Common with more details on this project, and how it could set an example for other communities in the region. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.