NightSide With Dan Rea

Boston Mayor Wu floats the idea of congestion pricing to cut down on driving in Boston, a move that's part of the Wu Administration's climate action plan. In the city's five-year climate action plans released this week, it states, "The city will study financial mechanisms to discourage vehicle trips into Boston, including updates to parking freeze permit fees, parking pricing structures, tolls and congestion-related fees. By examining these tools, the city can identify the most effective strategies for reducing congestion and encouraging more sustainable travel choices.” Would you be in favor or opposed to Boston adopting congestion pricing? Why or why not?

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Boston Mayor Wu floats the idea of congestion pricing to cut down on driving in Boston, a move that's part of the Wu Administration's climate action plan. In the city's five-year climate action plans released this week, it states, "The city will study financial mechanisms to discourage vehicle trips into Boston, including updates to parking freeze permit fees, parking pricing structures, tolls and congestion-related fees. By examining these tools, the city can identify the most effective strategies for reducing congestion and encouraging more sustainable travel choices.” Would you be in favor or opposed to Boston adopting congestion pricing? Why or why not?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8:05PM: Who’s Really Running Boston? The Most Influential Bostonians of 2026

Guest: Chris Vogel - Boston Magazine editor 

8:15PM: His Majesty King Charles Ongoing Visit to the U.S.! What’s on the agenda for the first US visit by a British monarch in nearly 20 years? What does this mean for New England 250 years after independence? Where does the UK/US relationship stand?

Guest: Minister Stephen Doughty – Minister of State (Europe, North America and Overseas Territories)

8:30PM: Why Avoiding Workplace Anxiety Makes It Worse and What to Do Instead.

Guest: Jonathan Berent – Psychotherapist & author of the book: Work Makes Me Nervous: Overcome Anxiety and Build the Confidence to Succeed 

8:45PM: Bourne Bridge lane restrictions begin ahead of Cape Cod season.

Guest: Dan Mazella - Traffic Reporter & Operations Director for Boston’s Total Traffic & Weather Network Hub

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Over the weekend, a gunman charged towards the ballroom at the White House Correspondents' Dinner with the goal of targeting Trump Administration officials. The suspect charged a security checkpoint outside the ballroom where according to law enforcement; a total of at least five to eight gunshots were fired during the incident. President Trump nor anyone inside the ballroom were injured. A secret service officer was struck by a bullet but was protected by a bulletproof vest. The suspect was taken into custody and arraigned on Monday. It was discovered that the suspect sent a manifesto to family members where he addressed himself as "the “Friendly Federal Assassin". The whole incident raises security questions about how the suspect was able to check into the hotel with weapons, etc. We discussed the incident. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend, a gunman charged towards the ballroom at the White House Correspondents' Dinner with the goal of targeting Trump Administration officials. The suspect charged a security checkpoint outside the ballroom where according to law enforcement; a total of at least five to eight gunshots were fired during the incident. President Trump nor anyone inside the ballroom were injured. A secret service officer was struck by a bullet but was protected by a bulletproof vest. The suspect was taken into custody and arraigned on Monday. It was discovered that the suspect sent a manifesto to family members where he addressed himself as "the “Friendly Federal Assassin". The whole incident raises security questions about how the suspect was able to check into the hotel with weapons, etc. We discussed the incident. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Red Sox fire manager Alex Cora over the weekend amid a huge coaching shake-up! Chad Tracy, a former major leaguer, and manager of Boston's Triple-A affiliate in Worcester since 2022, was named interim manager. The Sox have had a disappointing start to the season with a current record of 12W-17L placing them 5th in the American League West. Was this a smart decision by the clubhouse to fire Cora? We discussed the Red Sox shake-up and heard your thoughts!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8:05PM: Excessive Napping May Be a Warning Sign of Underlying or Developing Health Conditions in Older Adults. What your napping habits could reveal…

Guest: Dr. Chenlu Gao (pronounced CH-EN-LOU – G-AH-OW) – lead author of the study & an investigator in the Department of Anesthesiology in the Mass General Brigham, who is also an affiliated research fellow in the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders in the Department of Medicine 

8:15PM: Project Bread's Walk for Hunger Returns to Boston Common Sunday, May 3rd. Now in its 58th year, the event draws participants for a family-friendly 3-mile loop as well as virtual walkers across the Commonwealth and country to raise $1 million annually to support Project Bread’s work connecting children and families across Massachusetts to reliable, nutritious food.

Guest: Erin McAleer – CEO of Project Bread 

8:30PM: The broader employment landscape in the veteran community. What types of options are available for our veterans when they finish their service?

Guest: Chris Newsome - SVP Government Services & US Army Veteran with RecruitMilitary 

8:45PM: Somerville rolls out tools and tips to tackle rodent activity head on! This week is “DeRATification” Week for taking on Somerville Rats!

Guest: Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson

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For NightSide’s last hour of the week we like to keep it light and have fun. Nightside's ever popular "What Grinds Your Gears?" topic is on the table this hour. What grinds your gears? 

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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has been caught up in a public scandal after intimate photos between him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini surfaced. Both Vrabel and Russini are married to separate people. Vrabel addressed the media saying his “actions don't meet the standard I hold myself to". Despite the very public surfacing of these photos, is this a private matter or not? Vrabel announced he will not be with the team for Saturday's portion of the NFL draft; to spend time with his family...Does this scandal change your opinion about Vrabel as a coach or leader of the Patriots? Should fans care about this scandal?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has been caught up in a public scandal after intimate photos between him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini surfaced. Both Vrabel and Russini are married to separate people. Vrabel addressed the media saying his “actions don't meet the standard I hold myself to". Despite the very public surfacing of these photos, is this a private matter or not? Vrabel announced he will not be with the team for Saturday's portion of the NFL draft; to spend time with his family...Does this scandal change your opinion about Vrabel as a coach or leader of the Patriots? Should fans care about this scandal?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.