Erika Kirk, the widow of the late Charlie Kirk who was murdered earlier this month, received widespread admiration across the political aisle when she forgave her husband’s killer during Charlie’s memorial service. Boston Globe opinion columnist Jeff Jacoby wrote a recent piece addressing the limits of personal forgiveness. Jeff joined us to explain and discuss.

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We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!

2025 Jimmy Fund Walk - Sunday, October 5th
Guest: Jessica Abbott - Assistant Vice President of the Jimmy Fund Walk


Big Apple Circus Returns to Boston at Suffolk Downs October 9th-November 2nd, 2025 - The Long Awaited Homecoming
Guest: Joe Gold - Big Apple Circus producer


The 41st All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off at the Topsfield Fair!  It will be held on Friday, October 3rd.
Guest: George Hoomis - co-chair of the All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off


What Late-Night Eating Does to Your Gut and Sleep… New research suggests dairy can trigger unsettling or vivid dreams by disturbing digestion and disrupting sleep. How to Rest Easier with Dr. Julie’s Tips…
Guest: Dr. Julie Gatza - Co-founder of the Florida Wellness Institute, Health educator

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The latest MCAS test results were released, and it shows that Massachusetts students’ test scores are still below pre-pandemic levels. The results showed that high schoolers fared worse on the MCAS than grades 3-8. This was the first year that high schoolers took the test knowing that a passing MCAS score is no longer a graduation requirement…which may be playing a role in the results. What can be done to reverse course and get those tests scores back up? Should we be worried?


*We invited Pedro Martinez, the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to join us. We are still awaiting an answer at the time of this publication*

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The latest MCAS test results were released, and it shows that Massachusetts students’ test scores are still below pre-pandemic levels. The results showed that high schoolers fared worse on the MCAS than grades 3-8. This was the first year that high schoolers took the test knowing that a passing MCAS score is no longer a graduation requirement…which may be playing a role in the results. What can be done to reverse course and get those tests scores back up? Should we be worried?


*We invited Pedro Martinez, the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to join us. We are still awaiting an answer at the time of this publication*

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sagamore Bridge replacement project is something that many Massachusetts drivers are looking forward to, hoping to have an easier drive to the Cape. However, not everyone is excited as part of the project includes taking 13 local properties by eminent domain. Property owners Marc and Joan Hendel spent decades of savings and two years waiting for their Cape Cod home to be built, only to be given a notice one month after moving in that their home was going to be taken away. Marc and Joanjoined us to share their story as we discuss the Sagamore Bridge replacement project.

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We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!

LinkedIn survey, only 30% of individual contributors want to be promoted into management anytime soon.
Guest: Jon Bowerman - Cofounder, Stealth Consulting


The Paul Mahoney Memorial Golf Tournament Coming up at the Norwood Country Club Oct. 11th
Guest: Richard Laham


Why do movie theaters just keep rereleasing movies we’ve already seen? Hollywood’s new formula for success is apparently rereleasing old movies…
Guest: Dr. Andy Draper – co-hosts the podcast, Off Script Film Review & a Web content manager at Meadows School of the Arts


Healey-Driscoll Administration Issues Evidence-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance to Ensure Access for Residents Guest: Dr. Shira Doron - Chief Infection Control Officer for Tufts Medicine and Hospital Epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center

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For NightSide’s last hour of the week we like to keep it light and have fun. This week, we bring back Brushes with Celebrity, a listener favorite.

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we will discuss the real-life story of the biggest FBI corruption scandal in history! The late Roger Wheeler, businessman and former owner of the World of Jai Alai, was murdered by the mob after uncovering an embezzlement scheme at the World of Jai Alai. How? By speaking with his head of security, Paul Rico, who unbeknownst to Wheeler was a former corrupt FBI agent with ties to the mob, about his embezzlement discovery. Dan was joined by the retired Tulsa police detective Mike Huff, who investigated Wheeler’s murder and took down Rico for his involvement, as well as David Wheeler, the son of Roger, who spent years fighting for justice.

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Earlier this week on Monday evening we interviewed Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch in which he made spontaneous comments about the Catholic Church child sexual abuse scandal of several years ago in which he said, “That was mostly homosexual issues, not pedophilia.” Koch went on to say that “the level in which it happens with teachers and coaches is higher than it was percentage wise than the church.” The comments received lots of backlash from the public, Quincy school board and abuse survivors with some even calling for the mayor’s resignation. Tonight, Dan will address the comments made as we are joined by a sexual abuse survivor who was abused as a child by a Catholic priest, Father Porter, who was convicted. We invite other abuse survivors to share their story and let their voices be heard on NightSide

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Earlier this week, President Trump and his Administration made claims about the correlation between autism and Tylenol or acetaminophen use during pregnancy, warning pregnant women not to use the drug. A mounting backlash has followed with medical and autism experts alike disagreeing with Trump’s claims. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics continue to recommend acetaminophen in pregnancy and childhood when used at the lowest dose for the shortest duration.

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