As the devastating war in Gaza continues, dozens of cities across the U.S. have passed resolutions in support of a ceasefire. Those cities include Chicago, Seattle, and our very own Somerville, Cambridge and, as of this week, Medford. 

Leila Farsakh, professor of political science at UMass Boston, joins The Common to discuss what can be drawn from the successes of these resolutions, and what they may tell us about changing public opinion regarding the ongoing war in Gaza.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

After two full weeks of canceled school, the Newton Teachers Association and Newton School Committee reached a deal on a new four-year teacher contract late last week. The final contract includes increased pay for paraprofessionals, a promise to staff additional social workers in the district and longer parental leave, among other measures.

WBUR Senior Education Reporter Carrie Jung joins The Common for a look at the longest teacher strike in recent memory, and for a breakdown of what made it, and didn't make it, into the final contract.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Have you ever dreamed of putting on your swimsuit, zipping up your winter coat, and heading downtown for a free sauna experience with friends and previously-unknown neighbors? If so, we've got the story for you.

Through March 3, Winter City Sauna, a free pop-up sauna, is posting up on Boston's City Hall Plaza and offering visitors the opportunity to warm up in community (up to six people at a time!) just steps away from City Hall. When we saw this headline, we knew we had to check it out - so Common Producer Katelyn Harrop hopped on the T, towel in hand, to learn more about this place-making effort lead by Somerville-based community organization CultureHouse in partnership with the city of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

For those opening full-service restaurants, a liquor license can be a key part of creating a sustainable business. But in the city of Boston, getting your hands on such a license can cost anywhere from $400,000 to $600,000 on a private market. One that exists due to a shortage of licenses available through the city.

Today, Boston Globe Magazine contributor Erick Trickey joins The Common for a deeper look at why it can be so financially challenging to get a liquor license in the city, and how this system disproportionately impacts small businesses and Black entrepreneurs.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

We can all take a collective sigh of relief that we survived January. Next up: Valentine's Day.

Whether you and your boo are looking for a cozy day at the movies, or you're looking to impress a new date with a wild night of Saltburn-inspired hijinks, or just for an opportunity to sing your heart out to Broadway tunes and revel in your own self-love, WBUR Assistant Director of City Space, Candice Springer, has you covered.

Candice recommends...

https://coolidge.org/programs/destination-romance

Field Trip: Monogamous Speed Dating (25-35) – Monday, Feb. 12 at WBUR CitySpace

https://www.wbur.org/events/901979/field-trip-monogamous-speed-dating

An Evening at Saltburn – Wednesday, Feb. 14 at Rebel Rebel Wine Bar

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-at-saltburn-tickets-809497267117

Happily Ever After: A celebration of romance novels and the authors behind them – Thursday, Feb. 15 at WBUR CitySpace

https://www.wbur.org/events/902332/happily-ever-after-a-celebration-of-romance-novels-and-the-authors-behind-them

Broadway Rave – Friday, Feb. 16 at Brighton Music Hall

https://broadwayrave.com/

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

If you pay attention to the news, you've probably heard a lot about Steward Health Care System in the past couple weeks. It recently came to light that the for-profit company, which operates nine hospitals in Massachusetts, is in deep financial distress.

Long story short, it's a situation that could further exasperate health care access issues for the primarily low-income communities the company's hospitals serve, as well as jeopardize the jobs of thousands of hospital employees.

WBUR senior health reporter Priyanka Dayal McCluskey joins The Common to explain what's going on with Steward Health Care System, as well as what its financial struggles could mean for our already strained health care industry in the region.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The pilot program that allowed rides to be free on MBTA buses 23, 28 and 29 for the past two years ends on March 1. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has pledged to find more money to keep those routes free. Meanwhile, the MBTA and the state are marching forward with a plan to create a subsidized fare system for low-income riders.

The effort to continue the pilot program is a flashpoint in the debate in Massachusetts over whether it makes sense to charge transit riders, particularly those who are financially struggling. Boston Globe transportation reporter Taylor Dolven joins The Common to discuss the future of transit fares in the city.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The Massachusetts Department of Correction announced last week that it will close the MCI-Concord, a medium-security facility that opened in 1878. The planned closure of MCI-Concord is expected to save $16 million every year and avoid spending $190 million on improving the facility. This decision aligns with the ongoing decline in state incarceration rates, marking MCI-Concord as the second prison closure following MCI-Cedar Junction in June 2023.

Today on The Common, WBUR senior correspondent Deborah Becker joins us to discuss the impact of closing MCI-Concord. 

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Vouchers intended for homeless youth are underutilized in Mass.

In 2019, the federal government launched a housing program to help young people, aged 18 to 24 who have lived in foster care or other residential placement, pay for housing through the use of vouchers. But while Massachusetts likely has more than 1,000 young people currently living in homelessness who would be eligible for the vouchers, only 88 have been issued since the program started – and not even all of those have been put to use.

Today on The Common, Jason Laughlin of The Boston Globe joins us to explain why this program has gone so under utilized.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Nearly 70 different books were challenged in Massachusetts public schools by parents, residents and others over the last five years, according to reporting from Boston Globe. Frequently challenged books mostly involved gender, sexuality and race. Restrictions included removing books from the classroom curriculum, re-shelving books to sections of the library toward uppergraders and requiring parental permission.

Today, Boston Globe Reporter Chris Huffaker joins The Common for a look at the factors driving some of these book-banning movements and how Massachusetts school districts and legislature respond to these book challenges.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.