NightSide With Dan Rea

Continued conversation about how a Massachusetts man convicted of killing his 2-year-old son with a Wiffle ball bat in 1983 has been granted parole after spending more than 40 years behind bars. The state's Parole Board unanimously approved the release of 78-year-old Richard Mayes, whose previous five parole requests had been denied. The decision has reignited debate over whether people convicted of violent crimes should be eligible for release after serving decades in prison.

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The New York House primaries delivered major wins for candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, signaling that his progressive movement is gaining significant influence in New York politics. The results were widely viewed as evidence of the growing strength of progressive and democratic socialist politics in New York City and among the Democratic Party's left wing. Dan reviewed the results with Jeff Robbins, former U.S. Delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

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Boston was the center of many of the protests, clashes, and battles that ignited the American Revolution and ultimately led to American independence. From the Boston Tea Party to the Battles of Lexington and Concord and finally Evacuation Day on March 17, 1776, the city played a pivotal role in the nation's founding. The Revolution in Boston helped shape the United States, and Dan talked with Dr. Nat Sheidley, President and CEO of Revolutionary Spaces, about a unique experience at the Old South Meeting House that drops visitors into the heart of Revolutionary Boston!

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A Massachusetts man convicted of killing his 2-year-old son with a Wiffle ball bat in 1983 has been granted parole after spending more than 40 years behind bars. The state's Parole Board unanimously approved the release of 78-year-old Richard Mayes, whose previous five parole requests had been denied. The decision has reignited debate over whether people convicted of violent crimes should be eligible for release after serving decades in prison.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about how Boston has historically low rates of homicide and violent crime compared with many other major U.S. cities, leading researchers to rank it among the safer large cities in the country. Still, recent shootings and other crimes have raised concerns among residents and public officials. Experts say a city's overall safety should be measured by long-term trends, not isolated incidents. Do you think Boston is a safe city?

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Boston has historically low rates of homicide and violent crime compared with many other major U.S. cities, leading researchers to rank it among the safer large cities in the country. Still, recent shootings and other crimes have raised concerns among residents and public officials. Experts say a city's overall safety should be measured by long-term trends, not isolated incidents. Do you think Boston is a safe city?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tick season is in full swing across New England, with emergency room visits for tick bites on the rise and tick-borne illnesses becoming more common in Massachusetts. You should still get outside and enjoy the outdoors, but be sure to take steps to protect yourself. Dan welcomed back Dan the “Tick Man,” who has everything you need to know about keeping those pesky little buggers away!

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Massachusetts' highest court disqualified a proposed rent-control ballot question over an exemption for religious housing. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled the proposal could not appear on the ballot because its exemption for religious organizations violated the Massachusetts Constitution. Although voters will not decide the issue this November, supporters are pursuing other proposals that would let cities and towns adopt limited rent controls. Dan talked with Conor Yunits, Chair of the Housing for Massachusetts coalition.

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Many of the nation's top political leaders are well into their later years, from former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, both in their 80s, to Senator Mitch McConnell, 84, and Representative Maxine Waters, 87. Some argue the U.S. faces a broader gerontocracy problem, warning that even as younger leaders emerge, deeper demographic and economic imbalances will remain. Is the age of America's leaders becoming a problem, or does experience matter more than age?

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Continued conversation about how the MA Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that a proposed ballot question creating a "top-two primary," or "jungle primary," system can appear on the November ballot. Under the proposal, candidates of all parties would compete on a single primary ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election regardless of party affiliation. 

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