We’ve just passed the half year mark  into the second Donald Trump presidency. This month, President Trump called for the end of mail-in ballots. What could that mean for future elections?
States are pushing back against White House policies, and California Governor Gavin Newsom is taking a very public – and very snarky – approach. And early voting in Boston starts on August 30! We examine the latest news from the Boston mayoral race, as lead candidates Mayor Michelle Wu and challenger Josh Kraft battle over campaign finances. It’s an hour of political analysis with the Mass Politics Profs!

Massachusetts is a leader in the nationwide effort to reduce food waste, setting statewide standards on food scraps, supporting community-led efforts for food recovery, and ramping up assistance to schools and businesses. With fresh new insights and creative solutions, the fight against food waste is drawing new enthusiasts to an old environmental issue. How effective are the policies to reduce, donate and divert food waste?

Don’t throw out your leftovers; they might be the best part of your next meal! Repurposing leftovers and using food scraps in recipes is part of the movement to reduce food waste. Cookbook authors Tamar Adler and Anne-Marie Bonneau join Callie Crossley to make the case for low and zero-waste tasty recipes that’ll save home chefs time and money while being environmentally friendly.

In the past few years, Asian directors, actors, cast and crew have dominated award seasons – from “Parasite” to “Shogun” to “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” And culturally relevant Asian stories in film, on TV, and on streaming platforms continue to resonate with audiences – and bring in big bucks – around the world. So what Asian-led movies and shows should we be adding to our watchlists this summer?

A novel about a fictional school shooting, which captures the perspectives of all involved. A memoir which begins with a young person’s complicated journey questioning their sexual identity. And a novella detailing a year in the life of a young Latina living in Chicago as she approaches adolescence. In many cities and states, these storylines are at the heart of best-selling, critically acclaimed books that are no longer available in local schools or public libraries, because they’ve been banned. In this special edition of “Bookmarked: The Under the Radar Book Club,” we’re showcasing three authors who have written about subject matter targeted by organized book-banning campaigns. This episode is also part of Unbound Pages, our year-long series examining the anti-book-banning movement in America.

Artificial intelligence data centers rely on electricity – and lots of it – which is leading to the draining of vital resources for local communities. President Donald Trump’s administration has shut down the EPA's research arm and now plans to repeal the agency’s climate change rule aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. And with the future of offshore wind up in the air,  is it solar power’s time to shine? It’s our environmental news roundtable!

Restaurants are still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Some of them didn’t make it, while the survivors adapted to the moment and have continued to evolve. The recent changes in dining out have reshaped the dining experience for customers who are more discerning than ever, as their entertainment budgets become tighter. Is it working?

It’s time for the Emmys! HBO Max lands the most nods it’s ever received, and RuPaul becomes the most nominated host in Emmys history. Plus, there’s been plenty of critical acclaim for the new “Superman” movie, which drew big crowds – and big money – at the box office. So what’s with the controversy among right-wing circles? And how an AI-generated band got 1 million streams on Spotify in just a few weeks – it’s our pop culture news roundtable!

What happens when a 12-year-old African boy connects with a Black American girl after settling down in New York City’s Little Senegal? Emmy-nominated playwright Mfoniso Udofia explores that ensuing friendship in her latest project, the fifth production of nine in the Ufot Family Cycle: “Kufre N’ Quay.”

Summer in Boston just got a new soundtrack: the third edition of its citywide mixtape. The City of Boston’s “Dear Summer Vol. 3” features a variety of genres representing neighborhoods across the city, including up-and-comers from the Berklee College of Music, local legends and artists with Boston roots who’ve received national attention. We speak to two of its co-producers.