New Data On Chelsea's Guaranteed Basic Income Program

47:38

May 10, 2021

Here is Radio Boston rundown for May 10. Tiziana Dearing is our host.

The city of Chelsea has been hit especially hard by the pandemic. In an effort to provide some relief to individuals and families, the city began a program last November called Chelsea Eats. The program involves direct cash payments, up to $400 a month, to about two thousand households in need of economic assistance. Now, six months into the program, early data suggests that it's working. We talk with Chelsea City Manager Tom Ambrosino about what the data shows, and what the program's success could mean for the future.
Accountability for the opioid crisis remains elusive. Many state attorneys general — including Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey — have taken aim at Purdue Pharma, the company behind the powerful prescription opioid OxyContin. At the center of crisis, and founders and owners of multi-billion dollar Perdue Pharma, is the Sackler family. They're the focus of a new book from Dorchester-native Patrick Radden Keefe. He's a staff writer for the New Yorker, and the author of "Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty."
A little over two weeks ago, we heard the story of former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson and his birth mother, Rachel Twymon, and how they reunited after many years of not knowing each other. One voice missing from that conversation was Rosa Jackson, Tito's adoptive mother, who encouraged Tito to seek out his birth mother. Joining us to reflect on their experience are Rosa and Tito Jackson.

This program aired on May 10, 2021.