
Description: The WBUR Morning News Podcast features morning news coverage and analysis, from Boston and the surrounding communities. Hosted by Bob Oakes.
Embattled MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas resigned late Thursday night, after the T board approved a severance package worth more than $327,000. The move caps mounting tensions with the Patrick administration, following the investigation of a fatal T crash last year.
Audio|Fri, 7 Aug 2009
|new england patriotsfound at18:08, 2:10
“…Pre season football starts next week the New England Patriots play the opener on Thursday in Philadelphia against the Eagles. Pats quarterback Tom Brady is slated to return to the field. But the big NFL news this week is the contract extension that makes Brady's nemesis Eli Manning on the New York Giants. The highest paid quarterback in pro football Manning's 97 million dollar deal. As WBUR. Sports commentator Bill …”
“…Governor Deval Patrick said in the statement that he understands the board's desire to seek new leadership but he strongly disagrees with the compensation agreement. …”
The life of a freelance musician has never been easy, but the recession is making things a lot harder. CD sales are down; orchestras are slashing budgets; and gigs at weddings, corporate events and rock clubs are drying up. WBUR's Andrea Shea spoke with local musicians about how the recession is affecting them.
Audio|Thu, 6 Aug 2009
|big digfound at11:38, 5:52
“…in the recount by three votes. But what I've found that Mitt Romney and and Kerry -- were taken money from Big Dig contractors people I was fighting each and every day as a member of the turnpike board. It was very difficult to look …”
“…fourth of Newton. Her fourth had a high flying career in a high tech. . She supported her husband and two kids and own two homes one in Newton and one in New York. Her fourth was …”
Take the MassPike west until it drops into the Connecticut River Valley around Hadley on down to Southwick, and you land at the home of one of Massachusetts' little-known historic crops. But this summer, the state's tobacco farms are reporting their worst season ever, with three-quarters of those crops a total loss. WBUR's Curt Nickisch reports.
Audio|Tue, 4 Aug 2009
|real estate marketfound at11:39, 0:47
“…running out of money she couldn't find an investment partner and the real estate market was starting to get shaky. -- typical time decide to crash site. Once it did. -- really did. So -- analysts now. Eventually rockets found a buyer one that would help fulfill her first stream to keep the land wild. The state of Massachusetts but eighty acres from her last fall she says the price was about a third of what she would've made it from the condoms. Rocket worked with Keith Ross of land vast real estate consulting company to make the deal with the state. Ross says in the past two years he -- six other clients who …”
“…Take the Mass Pike west until it drops into the Connecticut River valley around Hadley on and south wake. And you land at the home of …”
Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon is the first Asian-American to run for mayor in Boston. Some think the former community organizer may be the biggest threat to Mayor Menino's grip on City Hall. WBUR's Bianca Vazquez Toness profiled the mayoral hopeful.
Audio|Mon, 3 Aug 2009
|high schoolfound at11:03, 0:11
“…about a 120 -- under. And certainly need to participate in high school how women are more likely web -- from ninth grade I'm. To be in role -- and much more intellectually demanding an academically demanding classes which prepare them. To make that choice but entry in college when they do graduate. So we're gonna drop this we've got this substantially improve the ability of -- starting in the ninth grade. To be prepared for and gaining access to those courses in high school several put them on track to enable them to succeed in getting into that college need to graduate. …”
“…knees station I'm Bob it looks coming up today why more Boston high school girls go -- college than boys. Why WBUR's. Bill Littlefield is rooting for the underdogs and first today. Boston's mayoral race is …”
David Ortiz hit a key homer in the Red Sox victory over Oakland on Thursday, but the conversation afterward was about a report that he and former teammate Manny Ramirez appeared on a list of players who tested positive for steroids in 2003. Speaking to reporters after the game, the designated hitter promised to address the issue soon.
Audio|Fri, 31 Jul 2009
|major league baseball playersfound at0:23, 3:33
“…about business. First today. Red Sox organization says it's standing by slugger David Ortiz he and former teammate Manny Ramirez. . Are reportedly on a list of major league baseball players who used performance enhancing drugs in 2003. In a statement released last night Big Papi Ortiz said Major League Baseball has confirmed to him that he is on the list. But -- says he does not know what drugs he tested positive for. Ortiz and Red Sox Nation first learned of the allegations before yesterday afternoon's game at Fenway WBUR. Star and Tribune who went there. Report on reaction David Ortiz hit a key home -- in the Red Sox victory over Oakland yesterday. But the conversation afterwards was about mused that he and former teammate Manny Ramirez tested positive for steroids in 2003. Speaking to reporters after the game the designated hitter promised to address the issue soon. …”
“…arguing federal prosecutors did not have the right to seize the information. Manny Ramirez served a fifteen game suspension for steroid use this year. But he and Ortiz will not face penalties for their reported 2003 …”
The Boston TenPoint Coalition has named the Rev. Jeffrey Brown, who helped found the organization 17 years ago, as its new executive director. Brown spoke with Bob Oakes in WBUR's Studio 2 about his goal to change the "culture of violence." Brown said the organization has already made great strides by getting Boston-area religious leaders to leave the "four walls of their sanctuaries" and engage young people.
Audio|Thu, 30 Jul 2009
|big digfound at16:50, 6:08
“…brought it up well let me ask about the turnpike in the Big Dig because you know you're gonna face this as an issue during the campaign I mean you're already facing I have. In my hand are right now piece of paper that's basically a print out of a website set up by the state Democratic Party that's called a Big Dig baker dot com. And it talks about during the world's -- It administration there was a lot of overspending on the Big Dig and a lot of today's problems with trying to pay for it developed during. Those years did the administration back then make …”
“…look back in time and an incident of racial controversy within the Boston Police Department. . It's the 1995. Story of officer Michael Cox. And African American plainclothes officer who was brutally beaten by his fellow officers when …”
There are signs the Massachusetts economy may be on the rebound. Analysts point to a large drop in new unemployment claims, rising auto sales, a 10 percent jump in home sales in June and increasing consumer confidence. At the same time, though, analysts say the recovery is only in its early stages and that unemployment will yet rise. Former Boston Federal Reserve Chief Cathy Minehan sat down with WBUR's Bob Oakes to discuss.
Audio|Wed, 29 Jul 2009
|real estate marketsfound at5:00, 0:40
“…up weighed down and as a result. The variety of factors in real estate markets. . Mortgage rates -- bounce around that they've been basically -- so -- housing has become affordable. Particularly for people who still have jobs and …”
“…us now to talk about this is the former head of the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston Kathy -- Who now chairs the governor's Council of Economic Advisers good morning and thanks for speaking Willis. Good morning …”
For only the second time, a music downloading lawsuit is going to trial. Opening statements are scheduled in Boston federal court in the RIAA's lawsuit against Boston University graduate student Joel Tenenbaum, who is accused of downloading 30 songs without paying. To learn more about the case, WBUR's Bob Oakes spoke with Nate Anderson, senior editor of Ars Technica.
Audio|Tue, 28 Jul 2009
|henry louis gatesfound at0:15, 6:14
“…Carroll looks at the news coverage following the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis gates. . And first today. For the second time only a music downloading lawsuit is going to trial. Opening statements are scheduled for today …”
“…of the 911 call that led to the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis gates junior. Almost two weeks after the July 16 incident Cambridge police released the tape yesterday. The caller -- Whalen says she's not …”
Of the four candidates looking to be elected mayor of Boston, three have experience in city government. The fourth is basing his campaign on his detachment from government. South End businessman Kevin McCrea is relishing his role as the candidate most voters have never heard of. As part of WBUR's profiles of all the 2009 mayoral candidates, Meghna Chakrabarti followed the contractor as he canvassed neighborhoods looking for supporters.
Audio|Mon, 27 Jul 2009
|retirement savingfound at4:26, 0:37
“…consumer financial protection agency if that actually comes to pass. Retirement investing retirement saving and how we do it surely will be a major issue. There is a lemon law that protects car buyers against cars that turn out to be -- of their real lemon law for retirement plans I think so -- I'm a very strong advocate of having as a default option some sort of guarantee I would say …”
“…other immediate needs. A growing number of employers are cutting back on retirement plans. . According to a recent survey by CFO research services and the investment house Charles Schwab. About one quarter of companies have eliminated …”
From the State House to Harvard Square, the arrest by Cambridge Police last week of African-American Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates is having repercussions. Cambridge Police are defending the arrest even as they are forming a panel to look into the matter. WBUR's Fred Thys reports.
Audio|Fri, 24 Jul 2009
|high schoolsfound at2:06, 2:33
“…charge dropped when the arrest became public. Crowley attended Cambridge's only public high schools the very diverse range in Latin. The huge buildings it's just half a block from the house for gates lives and where Crowley arrested him. Yesterday one of -- next door neighbors criticized the president for injecting himself into the matter. Dennis whose brother served as a Cambridge police sergeant didn't wanna give his last name because he says he wants to keep his privacy. …”
“…it was still that might have been sent them inappropriate. But the Cambridge police department and stupid thing. I think they they were answering so they call about a break and so they were just doing their …”



