
Deborah Becker is a senior correspondent and host at WBUR. Her reporting focuses on mental health, criminal justice and education.
Deb is also a substitute host on several WBUR programs and helps produce and report for various WBUR special projects. Deb also worked on the launch of WRNI, Rhode Island's NPR News Station, where she served as Morning Edition host and host of the weekly show "Focus Rhode Island."
Before coming to WBUR, Deb worked at Monitor Radio, the broadcast arm of The Christian Science Monitor newspaper. She also worked at several Boston area radio stations. Deb has received numerous awards for her hosting, newscasts, reporting and investigative reporting from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTNDA), Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, National Education Writers Association, Associated Press, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Parent/Professional Advocacy League and United Press International. She has also completed several fellowships on addiction, mental health, juvenile justice and journalism and the law.
Deb studied journalism at St. Bonaventure University. She lives with her family in central Massachusetts.
Recently published

The public defender crisis isn't just a Massachusetts problem
From Oregon to Massachusetts, states are struggling to maintain a roster of attorneys to take on public defense cases. The number of cases is rising while more attorneys are balking...

Lawmakers outline plan to raise bar advocate wages, hire more public defenders
So-called "bar advocates" — private attorneys who take on the criminal cases of indigent defendants — have stopped accepting new cases for more than two months as they seek higher...

How music therapy can help mental and physical health
Music therapy can benefit patients with stress, anxiety and Alzheimer’s disease.

Charges dismissed against dozens of defendants due to public defender work stoppage
About 100 criminal cases being dismissed in Boston Municipal Court Tuesday because the defendants did not have legal representation. The dismissals come as public defenders continue to refuse cases until...

What we know about the secrets to aging well, according to a longevity researcher
How do you life a long life while staying healthy and vital? Here are three takeaways from On Point's interview with cardiologist and author Eric Topol about his research on...
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Attorneys ask to drop charges against juveniles while public defenders refuse cases
Hearings are scheduled Tuesday for adult offenders who've had no legal representation for 45 days and therefore could have their charges dismissed. More than 120 such cases are scheduled in...
Legendary Boston musician and performer Jorge Arce to kick off annual Latino festival this weekend
Boston musician and performer Jorge Arce visited WBUR's Morning Edition to talk about his music and mission ahead of Saturday's Festival Betances.

Mass. health centers, Head Start worry federal change will imperil services to immigrants
Massachusetts community health centers are among the groups worried about a federal policy change that says they can no longer provide services to unauthorized immigrants.

Summer movie night picks that skip the blockbuster spectaculars
Looking to see a film but not in the mood for "Superman" or another big-budget spectacular?

Cambridge City Councilor charged in high-end brothel case will not seek re-election
In March, Paul Toner was among more than two dozen men charged with buying sex from a brothel that operated out of apartments in Cambridge and Watertown.