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WBUR People: Bob Oakes

Host, WBUR's Morning Edition

Bob Oakes has been WBUR's Morning Edition anchor since 1992. He is one of the most well-known and respected news people in New England, with a 20-year career in radio broadcasting, including ten years with Boston's all-news commercial radio station WEEI and coverage of national issues for the CBS Radio Network.


Recent Stories By Bob Oakes

Payne: Capuano Has To Explain His Health Care, Abortion Position

Published November 11, 2009
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BOSTON — WBUR Democratic political analyst Dan Payne said Capuano’s shift in his position on abortion coverage and the health care bill may not end the race for him, but he will have a lot of explaining to do.

65 Years Later, WWII Fighter Pilot Lives To Tell Harrowing Tale

Published November 11, 2009
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NORWOOD, Mass. — Eighty-six-year-old George Sutcliffe is one of those who made it out of World War II alive. Barely. In June 1944, the Army fighter pilot found himself outnumbered by menacing Messerschmitt 109’s. And he flew straight into the dogfight.

Coakley, The Front-Runner: ‘We’re Not Ducking Regular People’

Published November 10, 2009

WORCESTER, Mass. — Even as she starts drawing criticism from opponents on issues from health care to debate appearances, Attorney General Martha Coakley said her focus now and throughout her career is working for the under-represented.

Capuano Embraces ‘Washington Insider’ Label

Published November 6, 2009
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In his quest to succeed Edward Kennedy in the U.S. Senate, Rep. Michael Capuano is stressing his stature as a Washington insider. During an interview on the campaign trail this week, Capuano compared himself to Kennedy, while defending the value of Washington connections.

Menino: I Have The Mandate To Do Things Differently

Published November 5, 2009
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After winning a record fifth term in office this week, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino says he is ready to take some risks. He spoke to WBUR for the first time since winning re-election.

DiCara: Now Is Menino’s Chance To Establish His Legacy

Published November 4, 2009

Boston will keep a familiar face in power for another four years. Mayor Thomas Menino beat Michael Flaherty at the polls Tuesday and made history by entering his unprecedented fifth term in office. The victory was not a surprise to many, including to political analyst Larry DiCara.

Carroll: Lukewarm Senate Race Will Heat Up At End Of Month

Published November 3, 2009
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The sprint to the special election to succeed the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is only a little over a month away, which means candidates are trying to get their messages out to voters on the airwaves before the Dec. 8 primaries.

City Council Race To Narrow To Final Four

Published November 2, 2009

The contest for Boston City Council’s at-large seats has come down to a race for a place in the final four. It started with a diverse field of 15, then the preliminary election narrowed it down to eight candidates who are on Tuesday’s ballot.

Menino: I Continue To Reinvent Myself

Published October 30, 2009
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BOSTON — In our final conversations with the candidates, we speak with the incumbent Mayor Thomas Menino who’s seeking a fifth term in office.

Flaherty: Menino Has Lowered Boston’s Expectations

Published October 29, 2009
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BOSTON — The most competitive mayoral election that Boston has seen in two decades is decided Tuesday, Nov. 3. In the remaining days, incumbent Thomas Menino and his challenger, City Councilor Michael Flaherty, are reaching out to any voters in the city who are undecided. In the first of two final interviews with the candidates, Flaherty sat down with us this week in WBUR’s Studio 2.

Celts Open Season Down, But Not Out

Published October 27, 2009

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics tip off the regular season Tuesday night in Cleveland against the Cavaliers. The Cavs have a major addition this year — Shaquille O’Neal — and the Celtics will be down a key player — forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis could miss a month or two after breaking his thumb reportedly in a fight with a former college teammate.

Mass. Minds Brainstorm Long-Term Economic Recovery

Published October 27, 2009

BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick convenes a summit Tuesday at the Boston Fed, with a focus on long-term economic development and job creation. One of Patrick’s economic advisers says the state has a more robust economy than most — but many challenges ahead.

Payne & Domke: Lackluster Debate Leaves A Default Winner

Published October 27, 2009
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BOSTON — From health care to increasing troops in Afghanistan, the Democratic hopefuls to win the nomination for the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s Senate seat had a mostly calm debate at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Monday night.

Boston Launches Its First Book Festival

Published October 23, 2009

BOSTON — Dozens of internationally recognized writers such as Richard Russo and Cornel West are visiting Boston this weekend to take part in the workshops, panel discussions, performances, and readings at the inaugural Boston Book Festival, which opens Saturday in Copley Square.

In Wake Of N.H. Murder, A Closer Look At Online Social Networking

Published October 21, 2009

BOSTON — In the recent brutal murder case that rocked a small New Hampshire town, four teenage suspects were identified from online social networking sites hours before authorities even announced arrests had been made. Dr. Tristan Gorrindo, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, offers some safe social networking advice for parents and teenagers.

Analysis: Mayoral Debate Had No Clear Winner, ‘Wow’ Moment

Published October 20, 2009
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BOSTON — Monday night’s Boston mayoral debate between incumbent Thomas Menino and City Councilor Michael Flaherty failed to significantly change the political landscape with just two weeks remaining before the Nov. 3 vote, said former mayoral candidate and one-time city councilor Larry DiCara.

The Globe Is Not For Sale, But Its Future Is Still ‘Fragile’

Published October 15, 2009

BOSTON — The New York Times Co. has decided not to sell the Boston Globe, saying the Globe’s finances had turned around. While some employees are relieved that ownership will not change, the future of the Boston Globe is still fragile.

Report: More Brazilian, Dominican Immigrants Than Previously Thought

Published October 15, 2009

BOSTON — A new study of Brazilian and Dominican immigrants living in Boston finds much larger populations than previously thought.

Analysis: Sox Were Exposed At Fenway

Published October 12, 2009
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BOSTON — The Red Sox are out of the running for the World Series title after the Angels ran a strong running game that left many of the Sox players

From Death Penalty Debate To Split Kennedy Endorsements, U.S. Senate Race Heats Up

Published October 9, 2009

BOSTON — BOSTON — There’s been quite a flurry of activity in recent days among the Democrats vying to replace the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.
The week started with a dispute over the death penalty. It continued with a race to lock up union support. And it closes with signs of a split in the Kennedy family over [...]

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