BUNS Podcast

Good morning, and welcome to your WTBU News Brunch.

We take a look at the New Hampshire Primaries. WTBU reporter Katherine Swindells is up in Manchester this morning to talk to voters and candidates alike.

Even before the snafu at the Iowa Caucus last week, many critics have argued that Iowa and New Hampshire are not the best places to open the presidential Election. Katherine has been looking into this, too.

Climate change has finally made it to the big leagues this election season, with polling showing it has now become a top issue for Democratic voters. WTBU reporter Sofie Isenberg looks at how big an effect it is likely to have on candidates’ campaigns.

The death toll for the coronavirus now outnumbers even SARS. As hospitals in China fill up, the disease is appearing worldwide. With up to 12 confirmed cases in the United States, including right here in Boston, fear is beginning to set in.  But WTBU reporter, Kendall Tamer, says that despite the World Health Organization declaring a global health emergency, the fear may not be warranted.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra is holding a series of free pop-up concerts this month throughout the Greater Boston region. WTBU reporter Frank Hernandez says it's all thanks to the coronavirus.

A bill allowing immigrants to get drivers licenses is moving forward in the Massachusetts legislature after making it past the first hurdles. WTBU's Hannah Harn says the new policy is also expected to improve public safety. 

The Trump administration is proposing a new rule that would eliminate the duration of status component for students and exchange visitors studying in the U.S., and replace it with a maximum period of stay. WTBU reporter Emily Wilson says it would make it harder for international students to come to the U.S. for extended periods of time.

Boston’s first retail marijuana dispensary will open next month, more than a year after the first shops opened elsewhere in Massachusetts. WTBU’s Hannah Harn says that this milestone also marks progress in encouraging some people to get into an industry that previously shut them out.

Boston’s first retail marijuana dispensary will open next month, more than a year after the first shops opened elsewhere in Massachusetts. WTBU’s Hannah Harn says that this milestone also marks progress in encouraging some people to get into an industry that previously shut them out.

Students at Boston University are honoring Black History Month in their new and improved Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground. WTBU reporter Ina Joseph takes us on a tour.

WTBU reporter Frank Hernandez took a look at Cambridge’s ban on tree cutting, which has been controversial among city residents.

WTBU reporter Kendall Tamer also takes a look at the Housatonic River. General Electric agreed to help clean up toxic sediments left by PCB dumping.

Lastly, WTBU reporter David Johnian updates us on the Beanpot, where the Boston University Terriers lost to the Northeastern University Huskies in a heartbreaking double-overtime finale.

This edition of WTBU News Brunch was produced by Kendall Tamer, Sofie Isenberg, Emily Wilson, Ina Joseph, David Johnian, Hannah Harn, Katherine Swindells, and Frank Hernandez.

Our Technical Producer is Danny Roa.

Good morning, and welcome to your Friday Five, a weekly newscast from the Boston University News Service. It’s Friday, March 26th. I’m Hannah Harn, Podcast and Production Editor.

And I’m Katharine Swindells, Arts and Opinion Editor. Today we’ll take a look at our top stories from this week, including young adults in Special Olympics sports, a look at a unique virtual reality experience, and the realities of remote work. Let’s get started so you can start your day.

“Friday Five” is a weekly podcast from the Boston University News Service hosted by the BUNS Editorial Board where we tackle the week’s top stories. Tune in to stay up to date on all things Boston.

FULL COVERAGE:

Special Olympics Basketball: http://bunewsservice.com/gallery-on-and-off-the-court-the-struggle-and-strength-of-a-young-adult-with-down-syndrome/

Adam Lambert Album: http://bunewsservice.com/review-adam-lamberts-latest-album-shows-he-can-certainly-stand-on-his-own/

COVID-19 Conference Calls: http://bunewsservice.com/comerford-hosts-phone-conferences-for-constituents/

SoundSelf Meditation: http://bunewsservice.com/listen-sound-self-brings-psychedelic-experiences-to-virtual-reality-at-pax-east/

Remote Work Data: http://bunewsservice.com/weekly-wonder-remote-work-had-many-benefits-long-before-it-was-meant-to-slow-a-pandemic/

The soft tones you’re hearing may not sound like much, but behind the goggles of a virtual reality headset, those long hums influence the development of a unique psychedelic experience. And as odd as it feels to have to trek to a separate location for a demo, there’s a reason to move the experience to a hotel room - it just wouldn’t be the same amid the hustle and bustle of the PAX East expo floor.

Sound Self is a meditation experience designed for PC and PC-VR that builds on users’ vocal tones to create harmonies and unique visual stimuli. The game takes long smooth tones, like the ones heard here, and turns them into vibrant colors, complex harmonies, and intricate shapes within the VR system.

This story was written, recorded, and produced by Hannah Harn for the Boston University News Service.

FULL STORY:

Good morning, and welcome to your Friday Five, a weekly newscast from the Boston University News Service. It’s Friday, March 6th. Today we’ll take a look at our top stories from this week, including a review of the Dixie Chicks’ new song, PAX East preparing for Coronavirus, and Bostonians getting educated on rising sea levels. Let’s get started so you can start your day.

“Friday Five” is a weekly podcast from the Boston University News Service hosted by the BUNS Editorial Board where we tackle the week’s top stories. Tune in to stay up to date on all things Boston.

FULL COVERAGE:

Wicked High Tide: http://bunewsservice.com/local-forum-helps-prepare-bostonians-for-rising-sea-levels/

"Gaslighter": http://bunewsservice.com/gaslighter-taps-into-modern-themes-without-losing-the-dixie-chicks-nostalgic-greatness/

PAX Coronavirus: http://bunewsservice.com/watch-pax-east-prepares-for-coronavirus/

Quincy Coronavirus: http://bunewsservice.com/quincy-lawmakers-address-impact-of-coronavirus-fears-on-community/

"I am Not Okay With This": http://bunewsservice.com/i-am-not-okay-with-this-is-well-only-okay/

Good morning, and welcome to your Friday Five, a weekly newscast from the Boston University News Service. Today we’ll take a look at our top stories from this week, including a trip to a drag queen’s story hour, a look at accessible internet culture, and a PAX East primer of what we’ve seen and what’s to come. Let’s get started so you can start your day.

“Friday Five” is a weekly podcast from the Boston University News Service hosted by the BUNS Editorial Board where we tackle the week’s top stories. Tune in to stay up to date on all things Boston.

FULL COVERAGE:

Drag Story Hour: http://bunewsservice.com/gallery-drag-queen-story-hour-brings-themes-of-acceptance-to-children

Varsity Blues: https://bunewsservice.com/varsity_blues_scandal/

Accessible Memes: http://bunewsservice.com/triumph-kid-for-all-meme-accessibility-for-the-blind/

Transit Data: http://bunewsservice.com/bostonians-unsure-if-employer-sponsored-public-transportation-would-encourage-more-workers-using-mbta/

PAX East: http://bunewsservice.com/?s=PAX+East

“Friday Five” is a weekly podcast from the Boston University News Service hosted by the BUNS Editorial Board where we tackle the week’s top stories. Tune in to stay up to date on all things Boston.

Today we’ll take a look at our top stories from this week, including a look at new sex-education legislation, a review of the upcoming film “Zulu Wedding,” and the future of the NBA All-Star Game. Let’s get started so you can start your day.

FULL COVERAGE:

Valentine's Day: http://bunewsservice.com/watch-bostonians-plans-for-valentines-day-as-spending-expected-to-hit-record-high/

Sex-Ed for Legislators: http://bunewsservice.com/sex-ed-class-briefs-lawmakers-on-curriculum-proposal/

McDonald's Data: http://bunewsservice.com/weekly-wonder-how-gross-is-your-mcdonalds/

Zulu Wedding: http://bunewsservice.com/_zulu_wedding/

NBA All-Star Game: http://bunewsservice.com/a-comback-year-for-the-nba-all-star-game/

“Between the Bylines” is a weekly podcast from the Boston University News Service hosted by Hannah Harn where we unpack must-read stories from the past week through the lens of student journalism. Hear how the story was made, from the writers and editors who made it.

This week's episode of Between the Bylines features reporters Jesse Dubin, Lauryn Allen, and Nick McCool, who traveled to New Hampshire to cover the primaries.

New Hampshire, BUNS: https://bunewsservice.com/new-hampshire-primary-2020/

Good morning, and welcome to your Friday Five, a weekly newscast from the Boston University News Service. Today we’ll take a look at our top stories from this week, including climate change’s impact on New England’s ski industry, a review of “Sweat” by the Huntington Theater Company, and some highlights from the New Hampshire primaries on Tuesday. Let’s get started so you can start your day.

“Friday Five” is a weekly podcast from the Boston University News Service hosted by the BUNS Editorial Board where we tackle the week’s top stories. Tune in to stay up to date on all things Boston.

FULL COVERAGE:

Yang Campaign: https://bunewsservice.com/yang-announces-suspension/

Snowmaking: http://bunewsservice.com/new-england-ski-areas-face-grim-forecast-as-climate-change-brings-warmer-winters/

Bill Weld: http://bunewsservice.com/watch-bill-weld-explains-why-hes-the-best-candidate-for-the-republican-party-in-2020/

REVIEW - Sweat: http://bunewsservice.com/sweat-at-the-huntington-theatre-company-resonates-through-the-ages/

Manchester Postcard: http://bunewsservice.com/listen-talking-cigars-primaries-and-socialism-in-castros-back-room/

MANCHESTER – It’s cold. It’s misty. It’s Primary Day in New Hampshire. But while the streets are quiet in the late afternoon, in Castro’s Back Room on Elm Street in Manchester, the self-proclaimed Brothers of the Leaf sit in leather chairs, smoking fine cigars and shooting the breeze.

The group of four seems to sit all over the map. Two from Massachusetts, two from eastern Europe, all passionate about democracy. They do not judge, they do not push. They make fun of each other, they wear everything from a sport coat to a flannel. Today’s primary is something to spectate for them, and they’re all watching from a different seat in the theater.

MANCHESTER – New Hampshire's primary is one of the most-watched voting events of the year, and in Manchester, those voters take it seriously. Follow BU News Service Contributor Jesse Dubin as they talk to the District Fire Chief, Alfred Poulin, Jr and his rationale for voting for Tom Steyer. We then move on to Gail Hotohkee who talks about why she voted for Cory Booker, even though he is no longer in the race. And finally, meet Rachelle and Daniel Otero and their son Antonio, who talk about why the primaries are a family affair.

Photo: A voter casts his vote in a voting booth at a polling station in Manchester, New Hampshire. Photo by Grace Ferguson / Boston University News Service.