VB in the Middle

Kerry Byrne, a globe-trotting food and drink writer, chats with VB about restaurants struggles right now during this pandemic. How are they faring? He gives some insight into what he's seeing happening and his feedback on the future of restaurants.

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A Boston Globe columnist, Jenee Osterheldt put out an article today on agreeing with State Representative Ayanna Pressley's stance that "opening the state could close more caskets". VB finds fault with the article and calls out her slamming of local restaurant owners who just want their livelihood back. Osterheldt at one point compared a once cherished sub, to now a "murder sub" in the wake of this pandemic. Hear more of VB's comments on this and how small business owners are trying to stay afloat and do the best they can, here.

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During a virtual reading of some graduating students, the Mississippi Governor was victim to a prank where he was reading off the names of graduating students when he read one of the names as: "Harry Azcrac". Most men laugh at this, most women roll their eyes. We have fun with this incident for a segment and ask you the texters what some other funny prank names are!

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Today's Topics: First off Lightning shares her not so pleasant morning with her car getting hit by debris. Then, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh delivers a press conference about the plan for Boston to reopen, in which we bring you the main takeaways. Also, we dive into the effects that COVID-19's shutdown has had on small businesses in the Commonwealth. We hear from a variety of small business owners about the impact they've taken over this. Hear all these topics on today's show where we hear directly from you, the WRKO listeners!

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Massachusetts only scratched the surface this week of beginning the reopening process with a 4 phased plan. The plan has not gone as quickly or fairly as some small businesses in the Commonwealth would have liked. We hear from some of these small business owners throughout the state on their struggles, concerns, and thoughts regarding the COVID-19 shutdown and the Governor's plan to reopen.

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Frank Mendoza, the owner of Monica's Trattoria in the North End neighborhood of Boston is very disappointed in this reopening plan of Governor Baker and Mayor Walsh's. He is a longtime business owner who had to lay off all his employees and does not know how long this shutdown will play out and keep hurting his business. He talks to VB about his economic concerns and overall thoughts on how this pandemic has played out in Boston.

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Mayor Marty Walsh held a press conference today to discuss what Boston's plan for reopening will look like. The takeaway is that they will not actually layout the plan until next week and share with residents what course of action businesses will be taking. We cover part of the press conference live and bring you the takeaways.

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Lightning did not have a great ride into work this morning...a piece of debris hit her car resulting in some damage! Hear more about the incident from her as VB gets a good laugh from it.

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Today's Topics: Today was the big day for Governor Baker to unveil his plan for reopening Massachusetts. VB rates the plan and gives it a higher than expected score and then hears from you the listeners of WRKO on your take away from the plan. Was it better or worse than you expected? Also, we talk to State Representative Shawn Dooley (R), who actually gave people a little insider tip on what he heard was going to be the reopening plan and in phase 1...he chats with VB after Gov. Baker's unveiling and shares if it was better or worse than expected and his takeaway. Additionally, Jon Hurst, the President of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts shares his thoughts with VB on what Gov. Baker's plan means for commerce in the state...is he satisfied or disappointed with the current reopening plan? We discuss the reopening stage here in Massachusetts and hear from you all during today's show!

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Today was the big day that Governor Baker unveiled his plan for reopening Massachusetts. Which businesses will open when? What is the timeline? Baker addresses it today and VB rates the plan. It is surprisingly better than VB was expecting but not as good as a lot of the listeners and callers wanted it to be! VB rates the plan and hears from you!

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