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Tufts Medical Center staff and patients capture the pandemic in phrases painted on rocks in January 2022. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

A look at where we are in the pandemic — and where we're headed

COVID-19 cases throughout the state have been on an upswing in the past few weeks. Morning Edition host Rupa Shenoy speaks with Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage for a look at...

Health

06:45May 20, 2022

An image of a glass-stained “Seal of the Commonwealth” located at the top of the grand staircase inside the State House. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Special commission votes to create a new Massachusetts state seal and motto

The special commission charged with reviewing and possibly revamping Massachusetts's official state seal and motto officially voted unanimously this week to recommend that both be replaced. Morning Edition host Rupa...

Local Coverage

04:33May 19, 2022

Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

After historic nurses' strike, a new dispute roils Saint Vincent Hospital

The union says the hospital is forcing nurses to work longer shifts, just months after signing a new labor contract. They worry longer work days could drive away experienced nurses.

Health

02:23May 19, 2022

Tyler Akabane, owner of the Mushroom Shop in Somerville, holds up a tray of wild morels. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

No need to forage: Somerville welcomes new specialty mushroom shop

Tyler Akabane, who for the past decade has hunted local mushrooms and supplied high-end Boston restaurants, is opening his own shop selling mushrooms.

Arts & Culture

05:45May 18, 2022

Between patient visits at AFC Urgent Care in Worcester, Dr. Frank Duggan sets up a telemedicine appointment through a platform that provides people in Ukraine with free medical assistance via a network of US and European physicians. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

How Mass. doctors and tech companies are helping Ukraine via telemedicine

From telesurgeries to teleclinics, the hope is that telehealth can relieve pressure on local health care systems and boost skills for caregivers on the ground.

Health

04:26May 16, 2022

New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan speaks to media outside a polling place in Portsmouth during a previous campaign. (Elise Amendola/AP)

After Roe leak, abortion becomes hot election issue in N.H. and elsewhere

The abortion debate has suddenly become front and center in congressional races across the country, including in New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan's re-election bid.

Local Coverage

05:55May 13, 2022

A visitor to the Venice Biennale photographs Simone Leigh's sculpture entitled "Jug." Leigh has been awarded a Golden Lion at the 59th International Art Exhibition. (Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)

At the Venice Biennale, artist Simone Leigh centers experience of Black women

Leigh is the first Black woman to be awarded the Biennale commission for the U.S. pavilion, and she made over the pavilion to reflect just that.

Arts & Culture

04:37May 13, 2022

Members of the DCR's Urban and Community Forestry Program plant a cherry tree on Maverick Street in Chelsea, part of the “Chelsea Cool Block” project to help mitigate urban heat in the city. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

In Chelsea, cooling an urban heat island one block at a time

An intensive effort is underway to lower temperatures on one of the hottest blocks in Massachusetts. The Cool Block pilot includes 47 new trees. Dark pavement will become gray or...

Health

04:14May 12, 2022

Close-up of an officer's badge with the police lights on the car flashing in the background. (Getty Images)

Mass. will soon post complaints against police officers online. But some will be missing

The online database, a first for Massachusetts, was a key requirement of the criminal justice law passed after protests against police brutality rocked the country two years ago.

Local Coverage

03:23May 11, 2022

Alex Steinberg, of JBS Home Inspections, examines the condition of a stone wall in front of a house during an inspection in Newton. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

In a frenzied home-buying market, rushed and unregulated inspections are rising

These “soft” inspections, or “walk-and-talks," are leaving buyers at risk.

Investigations

04:48May 10, 2022

The class of 2022 is looking forward to a strong job market (Chuck Savage/Getty Images)

In a market clamoring for workers, new grads have plenty of leverage

New college graduates are getting ready to enter a job market that's eager to have them.

Business

04:27May 9, 2022

Host Tiziana Dearing on Radio Boston's move to 11 a.m.

Radio Boston is moving on up.

Local Coverage

02:33May 6, 2022

A new play tackles the struggles of motherhood and identity, inspired by experiences of Boston moms

Brooklyn-based playwright Aya Ogawa joined Morning Edition host Rupa Shenoy to share some of what she heard from interviewing 9 Boston moms about motherhood for her upcoming play, tentatively titled...

Local Coverage

06:53May 6, 2022

Thousands of protesters march down Tremont Street during a pro-abortion rights rally near the Massachusetts State House Tuesday. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Abortion activists mobilize in Mass. after Supreme Court leak

In Massachusetts, a state where abortion will remain legal, activists on both sides of the debate are strategizing about where to focus their energy and efforts.

Health

04:14May 5, 2022

Visitors walk outside the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 21, 2022. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Mass. politicians pledge to protect abortion rights after Supreme Court draft opinion is leaked

Many prominent New England politicians issued statements expressing outrage. "If true, this is a disgrace," Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern tweeted late Monday. His remarks capture much of the sentiment...

Local Coverage

05:32May 3, 2022

Papers on desks by window in classroom. (Getty Images)

Schools have policies to stop child sexual abuse. Advocates say they have too many weak spots

Charges against a former Brookline teacher have reignited discussions about what is needed to prevent sexual abuse from happening in schools.

Education

06:37May 3, 2022

The weather tower at the Mount Washington Observatory. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Climate change is coming for New England's highest peak

A recent study finds temperatures at the summit of Mount Washington and at nearby Pinkham Notch are rising due to climate change. This has led to fewer frost days and...

Environment

04:29May 2, 2022

An MBTA Commuter Rail train on the Haverhill line travels through Andover. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Commuter rail gets back on track as workers return to the office

MBTA data shows weekday ridership continued to rise in April, to a little more than half of what it was before the pandemic.

Business

03:15May 2, 2022

Filmmaker Lucia Small's curiosity about why some young women start to speak up, just as others shut down, prompted her to start filming five girls on the Newton South High School debate team. (Courtesy Small Angst Films)

'Girl Talk' challenges perceptions of girls’ voices in Massachusetts high school debate

After making three insightful first-person documentaries, Lucia Small says that a long-held curiosity about why some young women start to speak up, just as others shut down, prompted her to...

Arts & Culture

04:13Apr 29, 2022

Saxophonist Harry Carney, who grew up in Boston's South End, performing on stage in England in 1963. (Photo by Express/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

From back door gigs to Duke Ellington's Orchestra, Boston's Harry Carney made the saxophone sing

Carney is revered by many, if not most, baritone saxophone players as the “godfather” of the instrument. He could blow and hold notes on his saxophone like few other players...

Arts & Culture

09:06Apr 29, 2022

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A look at where we are in the pandemic — and where we're headed

Special commission votes to create a new Massachusetts state seal and motto

After historic nurses' strike, a new dispute roils Saint Vincent Hospital

No need to forage: Somerville welcomes new specialty mushroom shop

How Mass. doctors and tech companies are helping Ukraine via telemedicine

After Roe leak, abortion becomes hot election issue in N.H. and elsewhere

At the Venice Biennale, artist Simone Leigh centers experience of Black women

In Chelsea, cooling an urban heat island one block at a time

Mass. will soon post complaints against police officers online. But some will be missing

In a frenzied home-buying market, rushed and unregulated inspections are rising

In a market clamoring for workers, new grads have plenty of leverage

Host Tiziana Dearing on Radio Boston's move to 11 a.m.

A new play tackles the struggles of motherhood and identity, inspired by experiences of Boston moms

Abortion activists mobilize in Mass. after Supreme Court leak

Mass. politicians pledge to protect abortion rights after Supreme Court draft opinion is leaked

Schools have policies to stop child sexual abuse. Advocates say they have too many weak spots

Climate change is coming for New England's highest peak

Commuter rail gets back on track as workers return to the office

'Girl Talk' challenges perceptions of girls’ voices in Massachusetts high school debate

From back door gigs to Duke Ellington's Orchestra, Boston's Harry Carney made the saxophone sing