NightSide With Dan Rea

Boston is facing a growing public safety challenge as crime rises while an already understaffed police department struggles to keep up. With officers stretched thin and communities demanding more protection, questions remain about where the help will come from. Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, says the department is 600 officers short, and the officers...

For this 20th hour, Dan wanted to know about your favorite ice cream place. Not your favorite flavor, but where you go to get a tasty treat! Listen in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about how Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court to two stalking charges tied to the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, admitting that he shot Thompson in Manhattan. Mangione faces up to life in prison, but he still faces a separate murder case in New York state court. His attorneys are now asking the state court to dismiss those charges, arguing th...

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court to two stalking charges tied to the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, admitting that he shot Thompson in Manhattan. Mangione faces up to life in prison, but he still faces a separate murder case in New York state court. His attorneys are now asking the state court to dismiss those charges, arguing that prosecuting him twice for the...

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña is facing federal charges after prosecutors allege he fraudulently obtained more than $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief loans and used the money for personal expenses, including taxes and mortgages. The allegations raise serious questions about how pandemic aid was distributed and whether enough safeguards were in place to prevent fraud. Dan took a closer look at t...

Every now and then, we here at NightSide like to ask listeners to call in with topic suggestions. This was one such night. What subjects or guests would you like us to cover? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every now and then, we here at Nightside like to ask listeners to call in with topic suggestions. This was one such night. What subjects or guests would you like us to cover? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surrogacy can be an incredible way to help people become parents, but what happens when a surrogate and the intended parents fundamentally disagree over a pregnancy or the baby’s medical care? A new Texas case highlights just how complicated these arrangements can become when questions of medical decisions, parental rights, contracts, and state laws collide. Dan talked with Kelli David, Clie...

A man was fatally stabbed during a fight at Boston’s South Station yesterday, and today, two people were taken to the hospital after a stabbing on Lancaster Street in Boston’s West End. These incidents come as Boston’s homicide rate has seemingly tripled from January through May to June through August. Babak Bina, who owns nearly 10 restaurants and bars in Downtown Crossing, woul...

There is currently no national policy governing AI use in schools, so states and school districts are largely on their own when it comes to how AI should be taught in America. The Kennedy Institute brought together two students from every state to develop a plan for teaching young people how to use AI responsibly, thoughtfully, and effectively. Dan welcomed Jeff Riley, former Massachusetts Commiss...

We often think we need better time management, but the real problem may be how we manage ourselves, especially when it comes to stress and self-doubt. Emotional reactions and internal friction can drain more time than a busy schedule ever could. Dan welcomed Neal Schore, founder and CEO of 25th Hour Group and author of The 25th Hour: How to Thrive (And Gain Ridiculous Amounts of Time) by Getting O...

Robocalls are making a comeback, and some area codes are being hit harder than others, according to data from YouMail. The surge is a reminder that scammers and telemarketers are constantly changing tactics to get people to answer their calls, making it harder to know which calls are legitimate and which ones aren’t. Dan talked with Ethan Garr, Vice President of Consumer Growth at YouMail, a...

Continued the conversation about Lowell native and former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman, who was released after spending more than four years in Russian custody, bringing an emotional end to a long ordeal for his family. The discussion also turned to travel safety, with listeners sharing stories about some of their less-than-favorable travel experiences. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

Robert Gilman, a Lowell native and former U.S. Marine who spent more than four years in Russian custody, has been released, bringing an emotional end to a long ordeal for his family. Global Reach, an organization that advocates for Americans detained overseas, played a role in pushing for Gilman’s release as concerns about his health intensified. Dan spoke with Kieran Ramsey, Chief Investiga...

Continued conversation about how President Trump secretly switched planes after last month’s NATO summit in Turkey because of what U.S. officials described as a credible Iranian threat to his safety. Trump publicly boarded the old Air Force One, but was secretly transferred to a smaller military jet using an airport catering truck, leaving reporters and even some White House staff believing...

President Trump secretly switched planes after last month’s NATO summit in Turkey because of what U.S. officials described as a credible Iranian threat to his safety. Trump publicly boarded the old Air Force One, but was secretly transferred to a smaller military jet using an airport catering truck, leaving reporters and even some White House staff believing he was still on the original plan...

Massachusetts already has some of the highest electricity costs in the country, and now a new report from Synapse Energy Economics says consumers have paid billions more than necessary for power over the past decade. The report found that Massachusetts customers on basic service paid an average premium of 43%, or about $22 extra per month. Dan explored the report with Massachusetts energy expert R...

President Trump’s new executive order changes the standard childhood vaccine schedule, giving parents more choice in how their children are vaccinated. There are strong opinions on both sides, with supporters saying it puts families in control, while some in the medical field warn it could undermine public health. Dan talked with former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams about the potenti...

Continued conversation about how President Trump has repeatedly said a deal with Iran is imminent, raising hopes that the conflict could soon come to an end and the Strait of Hormuz could reopen. But Iran is demanding major concessions, including compensation for the devastation caused by five months of U.S. and Israeli bombardment. Have you lost faith in Trump’s ability to close the deal? S...

President Trump has repeatedly said a deal with Iran is imminent, raising hopes that the conflict could soon come to an end and the Strait of Hormuz could reopen. But Iran is demanding major concessions, including compensation for the devastation caused by five months of U.S. and Israeli bombardment. Have you lost faith in Trump’s ability to close the deal? See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Imagine going to a concert and walking away with a free cruise! That’s exactly what happened at a recent Zac Brown concert when Brown surprised more than 37,000 fans with a cruise vacation...but let’s not forget about those taxes, fees, and other costs, which add up quickly. Would you jump at a “free” cruise, or does it stop being a deal once you see the final bill? Dan has...

Anne Brensley isn’t giving up after failing to make the lieutenant governor ballot. She’s now shifting her focus to a write-in campaign for secretary of state, challenging longtime Democratic incumbent William Galvin. With no other Republican currently running for the office, could Brensley pull off an unlikely statewide challenge? Brensley joined Dan to discuss her campaign.  See...

Bradley Jay Fills In On NightSide with Dan Rea: Bradley opened the phone lines and invited callers to call in and express their thoughts! Discussion included living in the here and now, music, how new "stuff" doesn't make you happy, how disparities in wealth causes revolutions, and how concert ticket prices are out of control.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bradley Jay Fills In On NightSide with Dan Rea: The burger wars are heating up, and Burger King is fighting back with a revamped Whopper designed to win back customers and take on rivals like McDonald’s. The chain has updated everything from the bun and toppings to the packaging, hoping the changes will give the iconic burger a fresh edge. So, when it comes to the ultimate fast-food showdown...

Bradley Jay Fills In On NightSide with Dan Rea: Schools across the country are trying to crack down on cell phone use, but some students are finding ways around the rules by putting fake phones in lockers while keeping their real ones with them. If the goal is safety and staying connected, should parents consider giving younger kids basic flip phones instead of smartphones loaded with apps, games,...