Politics

Patrons visit the sports betting area of Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island. (Steven Senne/AP)

Everything you need to know about Massachusetts' new sports betting law

Massachusetts officially became the 36th state in the U.S. to legalize sports betting on Wednesday. Here's what's allowed, where you'll be able to bet and what's next before wagers can...

No outsiders need apply: Why Revere settled for a police chief accused of harassment

Restrictions on hiring police chiefs from outside their departments are common in Massachusetts. In Revere, the mayor wanted the option to look for a top cop externally to clean up...

Boston's incoming superintendent will earn $300,000, per proposed contract

The Boston School Committee presented the deal as competitive, fair and designed to keep Mary Skipper in place as the district leader for the foreseeable future.

Hayden says grand jury will investigate incident involving off-duty MBTA officer

Facing calls for resignation over his handling of the case, Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden said a grand jury will investigate whether an off-duty Transit police officer pointed his gun...

Baker signs sports betting and mental health care bills

The sports betting bill signing comes four years after the U.S. Supreme Court said that states could individually legalize sports wagering. But, despite past attempts, Massachusetts failed to make sports...

Local Coverage

Aug 10, 2022

Gaza ceasefire takes effect after weekend of violence

The announcement came following three days of fighting that marked the worst violence in Gaza since a devastating 11 day war in May 2021.

Here & Now

04:28Aug 10, 2022

Two lawmakers aim to tackle airline chaos

Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and David Cicilline (D-R.I.) are proposing to make it illegal for airlines to offer flights when they know they don't have enough staff and stop airlines...

Here & Now

03:45Aug 10, 2022

Trump-endorsed candidates see another good primary night

Trump-endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels won his primary Tuesday night.

Here & Now

09:36Aug 10, 2022

Candidates for State Auditor Chris Dempsey, Anthony Amore, and Diana DiZoglio. (Robin Lubbock, Jesse Costa/WBUR)

State auditor candidates vie for voters' attention in often overlooked race

Two Democrats and a Republican are competing to become Massachusetts' next state auditor, one of the state's top watchdogs. But the candidates face a major challenge: Few voters are familiar...

Local Coverage

05:55Aug 10, 2022

Mayor Michelle Wu at an event in November 2021 about the fare-free bus program. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Boston City Council to debate pay hikes

The proposal, submitted to the council this week, would raise councilors' maximum salary by about 11% to $115,000. It would increase the mayor's pay to $230,000.

Local Coverage

Aug 10, 2022

The Democratic candidates for Massachusetts attorney general — Andrea Campbell, Shannon Liss-Riordan and Quentin Palfrey — debate at WBUR's City Space at 11 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2022.

WATCH: Democrats in attorney general primary race debate

The three Democratic candidates for Massachusetts attorney general met to debate Wednesday at 11 a.m. at WBUR's CitySpace in the hopes of winning voters' support for the wide-open seat.

Radio Boston

60:00Aug 10, 2022

Older MBTA Orange Line cars sit at the Wellington train yard in Medford after announcing the shutdown of the MBTA Orange Line. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

We know the T is broken. Why can't we make repairs easier for riders?

The MBTA leadership needs to take responsibility for recent failures, but the blame ultimately lands on Gov. Charlie Baker, writes Staci Rubin.

Cognoscenti

Aug 10, 2022

This undated photo taken in April 2018 shows J15 fighter jets on China's sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, during a drill at sea. (Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)

Understanding China's military might, and whether Beijing will use it

1996. The last Taiwan Straights crisis. China's was badly outmatched by the U.S. So what's the Chinese military capable of now?

On Point

47:09Aug 10, 2022

Overturning 2020 election is an issue in Wisconsin primaries

Whoever wins the governor primary will run in November against first-term Democrat Tony Evers.

Here & Now

05:40Aug 9, 2022

What you need to know about Tuesday's presidential election in Kenya

Elections have in the past turned violent as politicians exploited the country’s ethnic divisions. Experts worry that may happen again.

Here & Now

05:50Aug 9, 2022

Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks to a crowd gathered at the Massachusetts State House to protest the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren on abortion and student debt. And, unraveling the mystery of long COVID

Plus, a state task force explores baby bonds as a way to build generational wealth.

Radio Boston

47:49Aug 9, 2022

A red line train pulls into South Station bound for Alewife Station. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

25 drivers who still work for the MBTA were suspended at least twice for safety violations

The citations are numerous, including infractions related to speeding, attention to duty, preventable accidents and the safety of customers or MBTA property.

Investigations

02:39Aug 9, 2022

InfoWars website coordinator Alex Jones gives a speech to Trump supporters before the Electoral College votes are counted in Washington D.C., on Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Alex Jones is a kook, but some people listened. Media literacy can help

Social and emotional learning seeks to prevent the next Sandy Hook, while media literacy aims to inoculate youth from Jones’ brand of poison, writes Rich Barlow. We could use more...