The Common

It's another show from our archives, today with WBUR reporter Martha Bebinger. You know that broken thing you have sitting in your closet that you just don't have the heart to throw away? It could be a broken lamp, a dead watch or a pair of scissors that's a little dull. Well, chances are there's a helpful neighbor nearby who would love to fix it up for you at one of the region's Repair Cafes. Martha joins The Common with more on the Repair Cafe movement and the folks behind it. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Team Common announced a few weeks back that the show will transition to a once-a-week podcast this summer as part of some larger changes happening at WBUR. We are hard at work on this transition now. So, for the next few weeks we will be featuring some episodes from The Common's archive, while we focus on bringing the newest iteration of the show into the world and your podcast feeds very soon. With allergy season's vengful return, we take a look back at our discussion with Dr. Gaurab Basu, a primary care physician and director of education and policy at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment.We talked with Dr. Basu about the connection between climate change and allergies, and what you can do to mitigate your symptoms as the season continues. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

The Instagram account Boston Urban Archive offers a look at the history of the city's communities of color. Ebony Gill created the page in December of 2023, while she was a student at University of Massachusetts Boston. Since then, the account has garnered more than 30,000 followers with images that take viewers down Boston's memory lane. WBUR Reporter Arielle Gray visited UMass Boston's Healey Library to document Ebony at work for our Field Guide to Boston. She joins The Common to talk to us about the experience, and what is gained when we shine a light on these parts of the city's history. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu traveled to Rome last week to present their plans for de-carbonization and climate resiliency at a multi-day summit hosted by the Vatican and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. The Wu administration aims to reduce the city’s carbon footprint via a suite of initiatives, including new rules on Boston buildings, which are responsible for over 70% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. Wu's goal is for city buildings, old and new, to be carbon-neutral by 2050. Meanwhile, Gov. Healey is pushing her own climate reforms in the state legislature. For more on their trip to Italy, Darryl C. Murphy speaks with Boston Globe politics reporter Samantha J. Gross, who traveled with Wu and Healey last week. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

As school years wind down at colleges and universities around the state, the last student encampments protesting the war in Gaza have been dismantled. At some schools, student protestors packed up the tents of their own free will. At others -- including Emerson, Northeastern and MIT -- they were forcibly disbanded by police. With summer fast approaching, questions remain about the tactics employed by universities to disperse student protesters. The Common's Darryl C. Murphy speaks with WBUR senior political reporter Anthony Brooks about what happened and what comes next. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

The state is hoping a new pilot program providing ESL classes to newly arrived immigrants staying in Massachusetts emergency shelters will help them achieve self sufficiency faster. The pilot is lead by the nonprofit English for New Bostonians, which has been teaching occupationally-focused language classes with the goal of providing students the skills and confidence to find employment, and continue improving their English in other settings. Claudia Green, English for New Bostonians executive director, and Thaís Lobo, who heads the English Works Program for English for New Bostonians, join The Common to discuss the importance of language instruction for newly arrived immigrants and the future of the pilot program.  Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Colleges and universities across the country are gearing up for graduation, including here in Boston. Commencement comes at a very tense time on many campuses though, as student protest encampments in support of Palestinian people and school divestment from Israel have been dismantled by police at numerous schools, notably MIT and Emerson College. Tufts and Harvard Universities also had encampments that were recently disbanded by student protestors themselves. WBUR Senior Education Reporter Carrie Jung joins The Common to discuss the mood among students as this tumultuous year comes to a close, and whether disruptions can be expected at graduation ceremonies over the next weeks. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Several weeks ago, WBUR published an investigation examining how police in Massachusetts handle reports of sexual assault and rape. The piece, which focused on alleged serial rapist Alvin Campbell (brother of Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell), has garnered the attention of state lawmakerswho wish to make changes to the Commonwealth's systems and protocols around such cases. WBUR Statehouse Reporter Walter Wuthmann joins The Common once more to discuss reactions to the piece, and several potential solutions to this pressing issue that lawmakers are considering. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, which could become the first psychedelic-assisted therapy as early as August. Today, The Common presents the final episode of our three-part series looking at the past, present and future of psychedelics in Massachusetts as a potential ballot question that could lead to the decriminalization of natural psychedelic substances in Massachusetts.

A proposed ballot measure to decriminalize certain plant-based psychedelics in Massachusetts is now in progress, with activists gathering another 12,429 signatures by July 3 to secure ballot placement in the November election. Today, The Common is continuing our three-part series looking at the past, present and future of psychedelics in Massachusetts and what decriminalization could mean for the state. In this episode, we’ll examine the current status with Sam Drysdale, a Statehouse News Service reporter closely following the ballot measure. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Advocates behind a proposed ballot question that could potentially decriminalize certain plant-based hallucinogens, a.k.a. psychedelics, are gathering signatures to put the question in front of voters on election day in November. If successful, people over 21 can use a limited amount of substances like magic mushrooms without worry of criminal penalties from the state. This week, The Common will present a three-part series that explores the past, present and future of psychedelics and what their decriminalization could mean for Massachusetts. Today, we’ll delve into the past with Andrew Green Hannon, an adjunct lecturer at Emerson College who holds a Ph.d from Yale University’s American Studies Program. His research focuses on the American counterculture and the New Left, and he is a local expert on psychedelics. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Black women and girls make up a disproportionate number of the nation’s missing people, almost one in five. Here in Massachusetts, there are few protocols on tracking these cases, and that number is harder to determine. Now, a new bill on Beacon Hill seeks to shine a light on how missing persons cases involving Black women and girls are handled, including instituting an "Ebony Alert" system, which would provide public alerts when Black women or girls are reported missing under suspicious circumstances. Tiana Woodard of The Boston Globe joins The Common to discuss. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Early last year, the Biden administration issued a policy to allow temporary entry for up to 30,000 people a month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela — countries facing extreme unrest and violence. People in the program, called humanitarian parole, are allowed to live and work in the United States for two years. The Common speaks with WBUR reporter Simón Rios about what humanitarian parole has meant for Boston's Haitian community. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

When the cityremoved a tent encampment in the area known as Mass. and Cass back in November, officials offered to help people find housing as part of a plan to help keep them off the streets. Now, two state run housing programs that were part of the effort are slated to close. WBUR reporterDeborah Becker joins The Common to talk about why these programs are closing, and how the closures will affect the people they serve. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston is a cultural hub for Caribbean communities, with people originally from Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad, and other Caribbean countries, comprising nearly 9% of the city's population. The new Boston Caribbean American Association in Dorchester aims to unite these communities and promote year-round political and civic engagement. Kwame Elias of the Boston Caribbean American Association joins The Common to discuss the coalition's goals and mission, and their strategies for engaging with local Caribbean communities. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Last week, the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association approved a new contract with the City of Boston after 18 months of negotiations. The new contract makes it harder for officers involved in certain crimes to keep their jobs, provides some reforms to overtime pay and increases the base salary for officers over a five year period, among other measures. WBUR State Politics Reporter Walter Wuthmann joins The Common with more on what's in the contract and what it means for policing in the city. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston is known for its host of historic landmarks, such as the Boston Tea Party and the USS Constitution, but there are also many historical stories and sites in the city that too often go unheard and unseen. Researcher and educator Joel Mackall seeks to change this through his Hidden History of Black Boston tours -- a series of driving and walking tours that highlight the city's often untold Black history. WBUR reporter Arielle Gray joins The Common to discuss Mackall's Hidden History of Black Boston tour in the North End, which took her from the Rose Kennedy Greenway to the Copp's Hill Burying Ground. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily 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 daily podcast where news and culture meet.

The Dorchester Reporter, founded in 1983 by husband and wife Ed and Mary Forry, celebrated 40 years of circulation this month. Bill Forry, current publisher of The Reporter (and Ed and Mary's son) was 10-years-old when his parents started the paper. Today, Bill Forry joins The Common with his wife and co-publisher Linda Dorcena Forry to reflect on four decades of The Dorchester Reporter and how it helped shaped the Boston we know today. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Enbridge, a Canadian energy company, wants to expand one of its pipelines in the Northeast in order to increase the supply of natural gas to states like Massachusetts. This comes as Massachusetts and surrounding states are actively trying to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in order to combat the impacts of climate change. However, pipeline expansion projects like this one fall under the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), rather than individual state governments. Miriam Wasser is a senior climate and environment reporter at WBUR. She joins The Common to explain what the pipeline expansion project entails and why there's debate over whether the extra gas is needed. She also breaks down the role state officials and climate advocates will play as the project advances Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (M.I.C.E) is a festival focusing on independent, small press and self-published comics and cartoons. This year's event is hosted by Boston University's School of Visual Arts, and takes place September 30-October 1st at BU's Fuller Building (808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Mass.) And best of all, it's free to attend. Dan Mazur is a professional cartoonist, comics historian and the co-director of M.I.C.E. He joins The Common to talk about what attendees can expect at this year's expo, as well what makes Boston such a great city for independent comics. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

After months of refusing to provide records on a police officer who was accused of sexual assault, the town of Natick has paid WBUR more than $22,000 in a lawsuit settlement. It's the latest example of a Massachusetts city paying out big, after being sued for ignoring or rejecting a request for public records. Ally Jarmanning is a senior reporter for WBUR. She joins The Common to talk about why municipalities continue to withhold public records despite knowing they may have to pay, and how this practice can make it difficult for private citizens to obtain important information about their public institutions. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Massachusetts is in the midst of a housing crisis. Just last month, Governor Maura Healey declared an emergency in the state's family shelter system, through which a record number of people are desperately trying to obtain housing. Producer's note: After this interview was recorded, state housing officials announced that they are launching a 90-day effort to reduce the number of vacancies in state public housing by the end of 2023 as a response to the impactful reporting described in this episode.  And yet, a new investigation from WBUR and ProPublica found that there are nearly 2300 units of state public housing sitting empty across the Commonwealth –– sometimes for years at a time. Todd Wallack is an investigative correspondent with WBUR. He joins The Common to discuss why valuable public housing units are allowed to remain unoccupied, and the challenges housing officials have filling them. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

The end of summer means a whole slue of fun things to do in Greater Boston. Like cinema? How about dance? There are more than half-a-dozen film festivals happening in the region this autumn, and over a dozen dance events. How about new music for a new season? Look no further than WBUR's Fall Arts Guides, featuring new albums from local artists, theatre events, art exhibitions, classical music performances and more. WBUR Arts Editor Lauren Williams joins The Common to discuss some of highlights from this fall's arts guides. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

The top regulator of the state's $5-billion legal weed industry has been suspended, even as the Control Commission is poised to make new rules governing cannabis production and commerce in Massachusetts. State lawmakers also sent a letter Monday to the Legislature’s committee on cannabis policy, asking for a hearing and an independent state auditing unit to review the board's actions. Today, Boston Globe staff reporter Matt Stout joins The Common to discuss State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg's decision to suspend Shannon O’Brien, who she appointed as the state's top regulator just one year ago -- and what it might mean for the state's burgeoning cannabis economy. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Green crabs are an incredibly successful — and harmful — invasive species. They thrive in ocean waters the world over, including in New England. Although traditionally only used as fish bait, some chefs are now serving green crab at Boston restaurants. Today, Radio Boston Producer & Director Amanda Beland joins The Common to explain how green crabs are harming our local environment, and what some people are doing to fight back. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

With traditional flu season bearing down fast, and Covid-19 on the rise, the upcoming fall and winter might be better characterized as a triple-viral threat: Covid, flu and RSV. This is also the first year we've ever had vaccines available for all three respiratory viruses. Public health experts say the threat to the public at large -- and the hospital system -- must be taken seriously, but with more anti-viral-tools in our toolbox than ever before, there may also be also be some room for cautious optimism. Today, WBUR Senior Health Reporter Priyanka Dayal McCluskey joins The Common to talk about what's ahead for public health in Massachusetts. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Starting this year, Salem High School is instructing students to put their phones into lockable pouches during the school day, outside of lunch, to reduce in-class distractions and encourage in-person interactions.  Today, WBUR Senior Education Reporter Carrie Jung joins The Common to talk about this new policy, how students are responding, and what's next for cell phone restriction policies in high schools across the region.  Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Amplify Latinx's ALX100 recognizes inspirational leaders from across Massachusetts' Latinx community's diverse professions, nationalities and identities. This year's inaugural list of 100 includes WBUR's own José Massó, host of ¡Con Salsa!, the station's bilingual salsa and Latin jazz music show that has been on the air for 48 years. José joins The Common to discuss the ALX100 honor and ¡Con Salsa's! impact on Greater Boston over the decades. Listen to ¡Con Salsa! on WBUR Saturday nights at 10pm. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston City Councilors Ricardo Arroyo (District 5) and Kendra Lara (District 6) lost their bids for reelection during Tuesday's preliminary vote. This follows a year of controversy for both the councilors and city council. It's also the first time in over 40 years that an incumbent city councilor has lost a preliminary election in the city of Boston. WBUR Reporter Walter Wuthmann was at the polls on Tuesday. He joins The Common to discuss the upset and what it means going into the November general election. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Today, we're heading to Mattapan, looking for food. This culinary quest is part of WBUR's Field Guide to Boston -- a station-wide effort to help you connect with the city's communities. WBUR arts reporter and Mattapan native Arielle Gray joins us as a local guide on this episode of The Common, and takes us to three of her can't-miss spots for top-tier food in the neighborhood. Ari recommends.... - Ali's Roti Restaurant: 118 Blue Hill Ave.  - Café Juice Up: 1290 Blue Hill Ave.  - Le Foyer Bakery: 132 Babson St. And check out the rest of WBUR's Field Guide here: http://wbur.org/fieldguide  Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Cousin Stizz is a Dorchester-raised (currently LA-based) MC who broke out in 2014 with his song "Shoutout." Since then, he's gone on to release five albums and has won Artist of the Year at the Boston Music Awards three times (2018, 2019 and 2022). Now, he's returning to Boston on September 16 to launch Commonwealth Fest, a hip hop festival featuring a stacked lineup of local artists as well as national acts.  Cousin Stizz joins The Common to preview Commonwealth Fest and discuss its, as well as his own, Boston origins.  Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

A month ago, Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency within Massachusetts' family shelter system, which is struggling to support record numbers of unhoused families across the state. WBUR Senior Health and Science Reporter Gabrielle Emanuel joins The Common today to discuss several of her latest stories from within the state's family shelter system, including challenges enrolling newly arrived children in school, as well as recent anti-immigrant protests targeting family shelter locations around the state. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Thursday marked the first day of school for Boston Public Schools, and WBUR Education Reporter Max Larkin was out as busses departed and facility doors opened, talking to students and parents to get an idea of what's top-of-mind heading into the 2023-2024 school year. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston-based content creator Keonte Henson, also known as @atstayathomedad, has built a following on TikTok and Instagram with his humorous, real-talk approach to local restaurant reviews. Often recording from the driver's seat of his parked car, Henson reviews Greater Boston food options with a focus on casual eateries, take-away spots and budget-friendly options. Keonte Henson joins The Common to talk about how creating food-related content has helped him connect with Boston since his 2022 move to the area. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Experts say that many cities and states, including Massachusetts, are vastly underestimating the number of people who die from heat every summer. And, as WBUR Senior Climate and Environment Reporter Miriam Wasser explains, this lack of data makes it hard to know if efforts to protect people from extreme heat are working. Miriam joins The Common to walk us through her reporting. Miriam's story: https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/08/31/heat-waves-mortality-excess-deaths-climate-change Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

The beginning of September is Boston's unofficial moving season, and settling into a new space isn't always a walk in the park. But one great way to make any house (or apartment, or studio... we know how it is) feel like home, is to add plants.  Today on The Common, we visit Emerald City Plant Shop, New England's first Black-owned specialty plant store, to learn how best to care for green life indoors, and to learn more about owner Quontay Turner's journey opening this Norwood-based business.  Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Happy Labor Day, everyone. Team Common is taking the day to relax. We hope you are, too.   Today, we bring you a story from our friends in the WBUR newsroom.  This story comes from Senior Health Reporter, Priyanka Dayal McCluskey.  For decades, gay men were banned from donating blood in the U.S. based on fears that these donations would spread HIV. But this year, federal officials updated the guidelines.  Dr. Robbie Goldstein,  who is the Massachusetts commissioner of public health,  pushed for the change, and was one of the first in the state to donate under these new guidelines. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

The end of summer is always bittersweet but it also ushers in one of our favorite times of year: Theater season. Assistant Director of CitySpace Candice Springer is back on The Common with three theatrical performances to enjoy during the month of September. Candice recommends: POTUS - Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: SpeakEasy Stage Company at the Calderwood Pavilion https://www.bostontheatrescene.com/shows-and-events/potus/ Assassins - Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 at the Lyric Stage Company of Boston Theater https://www.lyricstage.com/show-item/Assassins Fat Ham - Sept. 22 - Oct. 22 at The Huntington at the Calderwood Pavilion https://www.huntingtontheatre.org/whats-on/fat-ham/ Learn about more CitySpace events happening this month: https://www.wbur.org/events Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston's preliminary municipal elections are September 12. Among the seats up for grabs are District Five and District Six, which are currently held by Councilors Ricardo Arroyo and Kendra Lara, respectively. Both candidates have had their share of high profile drama this past year, and are heading into the election with multiple competitors. Boston Globe Politics Reporter Emma Platoff joins The Common to discuss the outlook for Lara and Arroyo's campaigns, as well as what this coming election season could mean for progressive politics in Boston. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Today on, The Common, a story about how social media can be used for good. Elizabeth Amador is an activist and community leader who uses Instagram to help Spanish speaking residents navigate local government bureaucracy to get the help they need. In her posts and livestreams, she answers questions about everything from obtaining rental and food assistance to getting a driver’s license for her audience of nearly 17,000 followers. And she does it all in her free time. In today's episode, Elizabeth sits down with host Darryl C. Murphy to talk about her experience running her Instagram account, and the persistent information gap that necessitates its existence. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Last week, the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, or POST, finally released its new database of complaints against police officers in Massachusetts – a year after its deadline. The release of the data is being called ​​“a major milestone” in the effort to increase transparency and accountability in our state’s law enforcement system. But, as WBUR Senior Reporter Ally Jarmanning explains on today's episode, there is still a lot of information missing from the record. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

It’s Monday, which means it’s time for us to bring you a story from one of our friends in the WBUR newsroom. When you think about pollution, you probably think of contamination in the air or water. But light pollution can impact the health of people and wildlife, too. Today's story comes to us from WBUR Environmental Reporter, Paula Moura. She talked to one resident on Nantucket who made it her full time job to protect the island’s night skies. Her efforts led to the town passing a light pollution bylaw earlier this year, and it could be a model for other legislation in the state.  Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.