Talk of the Commonwealth

Grant Welker of the Worcester Business Journal joined us to talk about women in leadership roles in Central Mass and how things have been improving.

Read the article here: http://www.wbjournal.com/article/20190218/PRINTEDITION/302159995

Naleigha Evans, VP of the Abby Kelley Student Council, talks to us about the removal of a Colin Kaepernick poster by the school administration during a Black History Month celebration

Read this Worcester Magazine story for context and all the background: https://www.worcestermag.com/news/20190218/abby-kelley-administration-facing-backlash-after-removal-of-colin-kaepernick-black-history-month-poster

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Rich Rubino's new book 'American Politics on the Rocks: The Bizarre Side of American Politics' talks about the lighter side of politics with funny anecdotes, weird quotes, hot mics, and more. We chat about everything American politics along with some of the Presidents on this Presidents Day.

Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692156003/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Maia Hibbett, a writer for the popular publication 'The Nation', joined us to talk about her in-depth piece on gentrification in Worcester and how the WooSox and other factors have, and will, accelerate the process.

Read her article here: https://www.thenation.com/article/gentrification-worcester-urban-development-homelessness/

Dr. Castiel, Worcester's Health and Human Services Commissioner, talks to Gary and Tony about everything from Sex Ed to The Flue to Flavored Tobacco and beyond.

Trey Dimsdale is the Director of Program Outreach for The Acton Institute based out of Michigan. The Acton Institute is a conservative think-tank whose mission is to promote a free and virtuous society through liberty and religious principles.

We had him on to talk about Trump's endorsement of Bible Literacy teachings in schools. Many states have already laid the framework for these programs. Trey argues the merits, morality, & legality of teaching the about the Bible in public schools.

Maggie Garrett, Vice President of Public Policy for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, joined us by phone from DC to tell us why they think President Trump's endorsement of Bible classes in public schools would be a violation of the separation of church and state, and why this would be a slippery slope.

Multiple states already have the framework to implement "Bible Literacy" courses in public schools. Maggie goes into detail about the motivation behind these movements.

Dr. Cara Berg Powers joined us in studio to talk about her run for School Committee and her reason for it. We also delve into some of her policy stances and the vision she sees for Worcester Public Schools.

Learn More at www.powersforworcester.com

Holy Cross seniors & student sit-in organizers Sarah Behrens & Mithra Salmassi joined us from campus to talk about the reason for their sit-in protest and the demands they want the administration to meet.

There has been an outcry at Holy Cross calling for accountability & transparency on behalf of the administration after it was revealed that former Dean, Prof Christopher Dustin, was credibly accused of sexual assault, & while under investigation for 20 mos, he continued to teach & interact w/ students.

Grant Welker of Worcester Business Journal talks about his piece on economic development through sports and stadiums. He talked to economics and business professors about how deals like the WooSox one normally pan out.

Read his piece here:http://www.wbjournal.com/article/20190204/PRINTEDITION/302019995/1002