The Common

Earlier this month Governor Maura Healey appointed four new members to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation board of directors. One appointee is researcher, writer and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School Dr. Lisa Iezzoni, who will represent the "consumer voice" for MassDOT. Dr. Iezzoni is the first member of the disability community to serve on the department's board, despite the fact that that about one in four of American adults have some kind of disability. Dr. Iezzoni joins The Common to discuss accessibility across the state's transit systems, a well as her goals for this new position. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

It’s time for another feature from our friends in the WBUR newsroom, while Team Common works on some longer term projects. Earlier this year, we spoke with Senior Climate and Environment Reporter Miriam Wasser about a series of stories she wrote on third party energy suppliers who promise consumers cleaner, cheaper electricity using deceptive marketing tactics. We revisit the second part of her series, which explains how those 100% renewable energy plans advertised by competitive suppliers are not all they’re cracked up to be. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston Medical Center has ended a policy that had allowed unhoused families, many of whom were recently-arrived migrants, to stay at the hospital overnight. This decision follows a record increase in the number of people seeking shelter at local medical centers without medical needs. On one night earlier this month, more than 130 people slept on the floor of one of BMC's lobbies. The hospital is now redirecting people to other facilities, including Logan airport, which is open around the clock, as families wait to find longer-term support. Advocates say the fallout from BMC's change in policy highlights gaps in the state's response to emergency shelter needs. WBUR Senior Health and Science Reporter, Gabrielle Emanuel, joins The Common with more. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Late last month, the United States Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration’s student debt forgiveness program – a huge disappointment for thousands of borrowers who were hoping for some financial relief. The blow was particularly discouraging for Black borrowers, who typically hold $25k more in debt than white borrowers. Tanisha Bhat, an intern with the Bay State Banner and a rising senior at Boston University, joins The Common to discuss how local Black borrowers are reacting to the decision. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Flooding in Vermont has lead to significant damage and left at least one person dead, as of Friday afternoon. Economy Reporter for VTDigger, Fred Thys, has been covering flood impact in the state capitol of Montpelier, and he joins The Common for a closer look at how flooding is impacting Vermonters, in Montpelier and beyond. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Looking to catch an up-and-coming documentary or the hottest box office flick? Look no further than Greater Boston's handful of independent movie theaters. Spots like the Somerville Theatre in Somerville's Davis Square, Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline and Brattle Theatre in Cambridge offer one-of-a-kind screening environments and a chance to expand the viewing horizons of any cinephile. WBUR Arts Contributor Erin Trahan joins The Common for a look at some of the area's top indie theaters, as well as a preview of two upcoming film festivals within a drive of the city. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The dreaded weeks-long Sumner Tunnel closure is finally upon us. The nearly 90-year-old connection between East Boston and Downtown closed to traffic on July 5th for $160 million worth of renovations – and it’s scheduled to stay that way until the end of August. In the meantime, officials expect serious delays for travelers in the area and are urging folks to find other ways to get around. The MBTA is offering free and reduced fares on several routes to help ease some of the pressure, including the East Boston ferries and the Blue Line train. So, The Common took advantage of the free fare for a trip out to East Boston to see how passengers are holding up. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

It's a hot day, and you're itching to cool off at the beach... but what if your local beach is closed? Last summer, there were more than 1,000 incidents of beach closures over 500 salt water beaches, despite Massachusetts having some of the cleanest urban beaches in the country. This year, more closures are appearing every week, especially following heavy rains. Today, WBUR Senior Reporter Ally Jarmanning joins The Common to walk us through the major factors contributing to public beach closures, and why limited beach access can raise concerns around equity. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The Boston City Council continues to be steeped in tension after incidents involving two councilors brought what Council President Ed Flynn described as "negative attention to the institution," in a recent release. Those incidents include Councilor Ricardo Arroyo admitting to an ethics violation after providing legal representation his brother, Felix Arroyo, in a sexual harassment case involving the city. The other incident includes Councilor Kendra Lara's recent involvement in a car crash in Jamaica Plain. Boston Globe City Hall Reporter Danny McDonald joins The Common with more. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

We’re back with another feature from our friends in the WBUR newsroom, as Team Common works on some longer term projects we think you’ll enjoy. Today’s story comes from reporter Arielle Gray. It’s about a nonprofit in Provincetown called Summer of Sass, which offers LGBTQ+ young adults from around the country a chance to spend the season in a safe, welcoming environment. Summer of Sass recently moved into a house that will allow them to quadruple the number of folks they serve, so Arielle headed to P-town to see the space and to learn more about the organization’s mission. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

It's that time of the month again! Assistant director for WBUR CitySpace, Candice Springer, is back with a list of things to get you out of the house this month. And, guess what? They're all free. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The median price for a single family home in Boston is now $900,000. The record-breaking figure is driven by a shortage of housing inventory, as well as a reduction in home turnover thanks to high interest rates. WBUR Senior Business Reporter Zeninjor Enwemeka joins The Common to discuss how we got here, and what is at stake for communities when home ownership strays farther and farther out of reach for the average family. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Whether you're jet-setting, hitting your local beach, or just lounging in your backyard, summer is the perfect time to pick up a book. WBUR Associate Producer for Newsletters, and coauthor of the "Beach Books" newsletter Hanna Ali joins The Common with some of her top summer reads. Hanna recommends... "The Acrobat" by Edward J. Delaney "My First Popsicle: An Anthology of Food and Feelings" edited by Zosia Mamet "Little Weirds" by Jenny Slate Looking for more summer reading recs? Subscribe to WBUR's Beach Books newsletter to get reading recommendations straight to your inbox, every week through Labor Day. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Hey listeners, Team Common is taking the holiday off to rest and recharge. But don’t worry – we’ll be back tomorrow with our regular show. In the meantime, we hope you're having a good one. Also, our listener survey closes this week July 7. So if you haven't had the chance, please consider taking a few minutes to fill it out. We want to know what you’re liking about the show so far and what you think could be better. This podcast is just as much yours as it is ours, so your feedback is an important part of making it the best it can be. Happy Fourth and be safe. Love, Your friends at The Common Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

We’re back with another piece from our friends in the WBUR newsroom while we at The Common work on some bigger projects we think you’ll enjoy. Today’s story comes from WBUR Education Reporter Carrie Jung. School is out for the summer but the 2022-2023 school year was much closer to normal than the last few during COVID. Carrie caught up with students and teachers from across the state to get their reflections on the past year. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Starting July 1, Massachusetts immigrants can apply for a driver's license regardless of immigration status under the The Work and Family Mobility Act. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center estimates that up to 85,000 people could receive a drivers license under the new law by 2026. WBUR Transportation Reporter Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez joins The Common to break down the The Work and Family Mobility Act and the impact it will have on the day-to-day lives of drivers across the state. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Insects are disappearing at a concerning rate -- from 1% to 2% in many places, and up to 10% in others. Some of those insects are pollinators, which are key players in supporting 35% of our food supply. Today, those pollinators, like bees and butterflies, need our help. WBUR Senior Climate and Environment Correspondent Barbara Moran joins The Common with more on the importance of pollinators, and a guide to what you can do to support pollinators in your own yard, garden, or even from your apartment fire escape. Can you take a few minutes and fill out our survey? It would go a long way in helping us make the kind of show you want to hear. Take the survey here. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

For the last several months The Common has been talking about the lack of accountability for harmful behavior from local chefs and restaurateurs, such as the allegations against Barbara Lynch, as well as comments made by Ming Tsai on WBUR's CitySpace stage. Last month, CitySpace continued that conversation with a panel discussion called “A Reckoning in Restaurants: Combating Toxic Restaurant Culture.” During the event, audience members submitted questions for the panel, which included Hassel Aviles, Co-founder and executive director of Not 9 to 5 (a non-profit in mental health advocacy for the foodservice sector); Irene Li, Co-founder of Mei Mei Dumplings and James Beard Leadership Award winner; Janelle Nanos, Business Enterprise Reporter at the Boston Globe; and Hannah Selinger, James Beard Award-nominated writer. There were so many questions, that there just wasn’t enough time to answer them all. So, we figured we’d continue the event here on the show with Irene and Hannah to answer some of the questions they couldn’t get to that night. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The Roxbury International Film Festival is celebrating its 25th year with a 10 day festival featuring over 80 films. The festival is designed around celebrating people of color, and creating an environment for filmmakers and film lovers to meet and experience one another's work. Today on The Common, we take you on a trip to the Museum of Fine Art in Boston for an evening of screenings. We also speak with Lisa Simmons, the artistic and executive director of the Roxbury International Film Festival, which runs in-person through June 28th, and online from June 27th through July 2nd. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

We’re back with another piece from our friends in the WBUR newsroom while we at The Common work on some bigger projects we think you’ll enjoy. Today’s story comes from Rupa Shenoy and Laney Ruckstuhl at Morning Edition. In honor of Pride Month (happy Pride) Rupa and Laney wanted to remember some of the queer people in Massachusetts history who have been overlooked. So, Rupa sat down with author Wendy Rouse, who wrote "Public Spaces, Secret Lives: A Queer History of the Suffrage Movement, which shares the stories of local queer suffragettes. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The Boston Art and Music Soul Festival is here, bringing music, art, food, and other celebrations of Black culture to Boston's Franklin Park this Friday and Saturday (June 23 and 24), for the fifth year. WBUR Reporter Arielle Gray joins The Common, to talk about the importance of creating dedicated spaces to celebrate Black music and art in Boston, the unique challenges faced by organizers of events such as BAMS Fest that highlight hip-hop and other forms of Black expression, and for a preview of some of the musicians hitting the stage this weekend. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

In 1999, Congress passed a law, known as the "Faircloth Amendment," which restricted the construction of federally subsidized public housing above a certain limit. Now, there's a new initiative that aims to increase the amount of public housing available by backfilling many units that have been demolished or fallen into disrepair. In Massachusetts, Cambridge is leading the charge, with active plans to develop more than 100 new public housing units. The local housing authority hopes to develop even more units in the future...both within the city limits, and beyond. Boston Globe Housing Reporter Andrew Brinker joins The Common with more. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston's food scene continues to change and grow, but one thing remains the same: the complete absence of prestigious Michelin Stars awarded to local restaurants. And it's not necessarily because our local spots don't deserve them. Erika Adams, Editor of Eater Boston joins The Common for a look at why Boston remains without a Michelin Guide. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Looking to expand your horizons this summer with a little art? Or perhaps escape the hot outdoors with a theatrical performance? Or maybe you're just looking for that perfect addition to your summer playlist. Whatever your situation may be, WBUR's Arts and Culture team has you covered with this year's summer arts guides. WBUR Arts Reporting Fellow Solon Kelleher joins The Common with the highlights. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Happy Juneteenth! We hope you’re taking some time to celebrate and reflect on this important day. The WBUR newsroom covers a lot of stories, and we aren't always able to get to them all on the show. So, today we're bringing you one of those pieces while Team Common works on some reporting we're really excited to share with you soon. Today’s story comes from reporter Walter Wuthmann. Boston’s City Hall building is pretty polarizing. Some love it, but not everyone is into 1960s Brutalist architecture. Still, it’s a 55-year-old landmark that needs a lot of repairs, and Walt spent a day looking into what it takes now, and what may be needed in the future, to keep this building running. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

It's almost Juneteenth, and you know that means it's time to get out on the town to learn, celebrate and reflect. WBUR Arts Editor Lauren Williams joins The Common to walk us through four events happening in Boston, and beyond, over this long weekend to celebrate this important day. Celebrate Juneteenth with Cornell Coley: Saturday, June 17 - the Honan-Allston branch of the Boston Public Library Juneteenth at Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters: Sunday, June 18 - Longfellow House in Cambridge Kevin Harris presents: Roots, Water, and Sunlight - A Contemporary Octet Expedition through the Expressions of James Baldwin: Sunday, June 18 - Groton Hill Music Center Free admission to celebrate Juneteenth at Boston museums: Monday, June 19th - museums including the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum offer free admission and special programming. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston's life sciences sector is growing rapidly, with more than 6,000 jobs expected to open up over the next decade, according to a report from the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation. But as the number of available jobs grow, so do concerns about developing and attaining enough talent to fill positions. WBUR Senior Business Reporter Zeninjor Enwemeka joins The Common to explain what's behind this disparity between open jobs and qualified workers in biotech, and for a look at a new initiative from the city, which aims to build alternative pathways into the industry. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The Supreme Court of the United States is expected to deliver decisions on two cases concerning affirmative action in college admissions, including one case involving Harvard, in the coming weeks. The conservative-leaning court is anticipated to rule against the race-conscious admission practices used by elite schools like Harvard to promote a diversified student body, which the plaintiffs in each case argue are racially discriminatory. MassLive Reporting Fellow Alvin Buyinza joins The Common to discuss how a ban on race-conscious admissions could impact diversity on many of the highly selective campuses in the Boston area. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston’s Pride Parade has been on hiatus since 2019, after being canceled due to the pandemic, and then again after calls for more diversity and inclusion led to the event’s organizers disbanding. The city’s re-imagined pride celebration, organized by Boston Pride for the People, took to the streets on Saturday, drawing tens of thousands of participants. WBUR’s Walter Wuthmann covered the event. He joins The Common to share thoughts and reactions from this years attendees and organizers. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The WBUR newsroom covers a lot of stories, and we aren't always able to get to them all on the show. So, today we're bringing you one of those pieces while Team Common works on some reporting we're really excited to share with you soon. Today's piece comes from reporter Lynn Jolicoeur. It’s about the shutdown of a hospital-run program that treats people with addiction in an area one person calls a treatment desert. This news comes as Massachusetts continues to experience an opioid epidemic. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Grace by Nia, which opened late last month, is a new restaurant and music club in Boston's predominantly white Seaport neighborhood. But unlike many of its neighbors, Grace by Nia, owned by Nia Grace of Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen, aims to cater specifically to the experiences of guests of color. Today on The Common, we take you to Grace by Nia and talk with owner Nia Grace about her vision for the businesses and the new energy it brings to the neighborhood. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

It's a hot dog summer, y'all. More than 20 businesses (and counting) are taking advantage of a new city initiative that allows qualifying restaurants, bars and beer gardens to welcome dogs to their outdoor dining and drinking spaces. Emily Schario, head of content for The B-Side joins The Common to walk us through the dos and don'ts of pup patio etiquette, and for the lowdown on some of the participating establishments. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

We’ve been making The Common every day since November, and it’s been a privilege to bring you stories from Greater Boston five days a week. Now, we want your story. Knowing our audience helps us serve our audience. And, it helps us get support for the show. So, it would mean the world to us if you would take a moment to fill out this quick survey: wbur.org/survey Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Massachusetts lawmakers and Governor Maura Healey have only passed 12 new laws in the past five months – the fewest by this point in the legislative session in decades. By comparison, Charlie Baker signed nearly 30 bills by June during his first year and Deval Patrick signed 44 bills into law in the same time period. Boston Globe Politics Reporter Matt Stout joins The Common to discuss what is behind the slow progress, as well as what it means for Maura Healey's goals as governor. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

As the housing crisis continues in Massachusetts, developers in states like Pennsylvania, California and neighboring New Hampshire are leaning on factory-made construction to make new housing, and make it fast. With this method, entire portions of buildings are made in a factory, off-site and shipped to the construction site to be pieced together into one cohesive building, like a giant game of Legos. The efficiency of factory-made construction means a building project can be completed in about half the time of a traditional project, saving developers money, and getting them onto the next project faster. So why hasn't Massachusetts embraced this approach? WBUR reporter Yasmin Amer joins The Common to tell us more about off-site, modular construction and how it could potentially be used as a tool to combat the state's housing shortage. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, also known as MCAS, has been the standard for state testing in MA for 25 years. Yet, some advocates and educators worry that this testing system is leaving some students behind, especially as the number of English language learners continues to grow in public schools. WBUR Education Reporter Max Larkin joins The Common to talk about a group of school districts that are trying out a more immersive, collaborative method for evaluation, and broader efforts to rethink standardized testing in the state. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

We finally made it to June and it is time to get outside and par-tay. WBUR Assistant Director of City Space Candice Springer joins The Common with a list of ways to have fun in the sun this month. Candice recommends... Boston Pride For The People, June 10 Donna Summer Disco Party, June 16 Boston Art and Soul Music Festival (BAMS Fest), June 23-24 Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Drug regulators are currently considering whether to make birth control pills available over the counter in the U.S.. If approved, this increase in accessibility would be a significant new chapter in the medication’s history, which can be traced back to Massachusetts, where it was first developed. WBUR Senior Health and Science Reporter Gabrielle Emmanuel joins The Common to discuss the origins of oral birth control in Massachusetts and how that history informs the current movement to expand birth control access. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

A new report from the Anti-Defamation League shows an increase in acts of hate including antisemitism and an increase in the distribution of white supremacist propaganda in Massachusetts. The data covers 2021 and 2022. Interim Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League of New England, Peggy Shukur, joins The Common to discuss the report's findings, and what they can tell us about political and social sentiments in the state and beyond. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The company in charge of decommissioning the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth has proposed treating and diluting more than one million gallons of radiation-contaminated wastewater, and releasing it into Cape Cod Bay. But recently released state data detailing the high levels of radiation in the untreated wastewater has some worried that the wastewater, even once treated, may still pose threats. WBUR Climate and Environment Correspondent Barbara Moran joins The Common to walk us through the new findings, which have locals, politicians and members of the fishing industry concerned. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

We hope you all are having a great Memorial Day Weekend! Team Common is taking the day off to rest and rejuvenate. So in place of our regular show, we bring you a feature from the WBUR newsroom. ___________________________________________________________________________ With summer vacation right around the corner, it's a busy time Massachusetts School Districts, who are working to fill all their open teacher positions for the coming year. And with the ongoing teacher shortage, the odds are not in their favor. But as WBUR Education Reporter Carrie Jung reports, one district is trying out a new option -- recruiting outside the country under a long-term work visa program. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston City Council has finally agreed on a new district map for the city after a month of heated negotiation, narrowly avoiding potential delays to this years’ election. This is the second time in the past year the council was faced with redrawing the city's nine districts, from which they are elected. This comes after a federal judge barred the city from using the previously approved map in early May. Boston Globe Politics Reporter Emma Platoff joins The Common to discuss the background behind Boston’s new district map and what it means for the political landscape of the city. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

How many times have you sneezed today? It's allergy season, and, like with so many things that suck, climate change is making it worse. Dr. Gaurab Basu, Health Equity Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment, joins The Common to explain the connection between climate change and allergies, and what you can do to mitigate your symptoms as the season continues. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

This week, the Massachusetts State Senate begins debate on their 2024 budget, with plans to finalize a proposal by the end of the week. And while it's easy to think of a budget as an overwhelming sheet of dollar signs, on Beacon Hill, a budget is a moral document that can tell you a lot about what your elected representatives are prioritizing, and what they're not. Boston Globe Political Reporter Samantha J. Gross joins The Common to walk us through how the Senate plans to spend your tax dollars, and how this plan lines up with the budgets already presented by the governor and House. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston Calling returns to the Harvard Athletic Complex this weekend with a packed lineup of national and local acts. This year's ticket includes over 50% female and non-binary performers, a first for the festival, however racial diversity still lag behind. WBUR Newsroom Fellow Jacob Garcia joins The Common to discuss diversity and inclusion at one of Boston's largest cultural events, and to preview some favorite hometown artists. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Late last week, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins submitted her resignation to President Joe Biden, just a year-and-a-half into her appointment. Her resignation follows the release of two investigations, detailing numerous allegations against Rollins, including that she used her federal position to influence a local election in Suffolk County. WBUR Senior Correspondent Deborah Becker joins The Common with more. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

If you're a regular listener of The Common, you might have noticed something different about our show this week. We have a new theme song! Our new music is "ME - Band Version" by singer-songwriter and producer HEESU, a Berklee College of Music alum and WBUR's local Tiny Desk favorite of 2021. HEESU joins The Common to talk about her music, influences and experiences studying music in Boston. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Since its state legalization in 2016, cannabis has become a multi-billion dollar industry that helps fuel the Massachusetts economy and tax revenue, while also providing opportunities to address racial equity. Still, despite its popularity, cannabis is heavily regulated and the negative stigma around the drug lingers. Today on The Common, we take you to Newton, where Devin Alexander is CEO and cofounder of Rolling Releaf, the first cannabis delivery business in the city. We talk to Devin, who went through the Cannabis Control Commission's Social Equity Program, about his experience staring the company, and what he hopes to see change to make the cannabis delivery business more sustainable and inclusive. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Since its state legalization in 2016, cannabis has become a multi-billion dollar industry that helps fuel the Massachusetts economy and tax revenue, while also providing opportunities to address racial equity. Still, despite its popularity, cannabis is heavily regulated and the negative stigma around the drug lingers. Today on The Common, the second part of our three-part discussion about cannabis in Massachusetts. Cannabis entrepreneur, attorney and Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Board member Laury Lucien talks to us about cannabis equity efforts in the state, and where they fall short. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Since its state legalization in 2016, cannabis has become a multi-billion dollar industry that helps fuel the Massachusetts economy and tax revenue, while also providing opportunities to address racial equity. Still, despite its popularity, cannabis is heavily regulated and the negative stigma around the drug lingers. Today on The Common, it's the first of a three-part discussion about the state of cannabis in Massachusetts. We speak with Freelance Cannabis and Drug Policy Reporter Dan Adams about the slow rate of cannabis policy reform in the state and the what's going on with the cannabis market. Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.