NightSide With Dan Rea

Most of us probably imagined we'd end up in a different career than the one we actually have. Maybe you dreamed of being a firefighter, a teacher, a doctor, or even a radio talk host…but life had other plans. Dan wanted to know what career you thought you'd have and why it didn't pan out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a move to improve voter turnout, Swampscott is considering allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections. The proposal is part of a broader effort that also includes moving town elections from the spring to November and providing childcare during annual town meetings. If residents support the measure, town officials would still need approval from the Massachusetts Legislature before...

Grocery prices continue to be a major concern for many Americans, as families feel the pinch every time they shop. President Trump has been touting falling prices, especially pointing to the cost of eggs, saying they have dropped significantly since he took office. The debate continues over whether prices are truly coming down, and Dan wanted to know which products you have stopped buying because...

Boston is taking on a problem that many cities know all too well…rats. The city is hosting a national summit this September, bringing together experts and officials to discuss new ways to combat rodent infestations, from smarter trash management to innovative control methods. The goal is to find solutions that can help Boston and other cities keep rat populations under control. Joining Dan...

Continued conversation about the war with Iran as it intensifies with President Trump ordering another round of U.S. airstrikes after Iran attempted a ballistic missile attack on American forces in Jordan. The strikes hit what U.S. officials say were Iranian military targets, and Saudi Arabia has now joined U.S. operations against Iran-backed militias. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Dan was joined by retired Vice Adm. John Miller, whose nearly four-decade Navy career included flying F-14 Tomcats, commanding aircraft carriers and strike groups, and leading U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 5th Fleet. A Naval Academy graduate with more than 3,500 flight hours and 1,000 carrier landings, Miller also served in key leadership roles at the Pentagon, NASA, and U.S. Central C...

The Trump administration rolled out a new initiative designed to help military veterans get behind the wheel of commercial trucks while also stepping up enforcement against truck drivers who aren't legally authorized to work in the U.S. or who fail to meet federal commercial driver's license requirements. The plan aims to recognize veterans' military driving experience and help address ongoing dri...

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a proposal that would let cities and towns use automated cameras to ticket speeding drivers. Supporters say the cameras would make roads safer by slowing drivers in school zones, designated safety zones, and construction zones, while critics warn about privacy and government overreach. Dan spoke with State Sen. William Brownsberger, the primary sponsor of th...

Continued conversation about how Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment several times during the recent Senate hearing on the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, choosing not to answer questions from lawmakers. The hearing, led by Sen. Rand Paul, focused on long-running disputes over COVID's origins and allegations that NIH-funded research in China contributed to the pandemic. D...

Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment several times during a recent Senate hearing on the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, choosing not to answer questions from lawmakers. The hearing, led by Sen. Rand Paul, focused on long-running disputes over COVID's origins and allegations that NIH-funded research in China contributed to the pandemic. Dan reviewed what happened at the he...

Flock Safety cameras are popping up in communities across the country, but their use has sparked controversy over privacy and public safety. A new bill from Rep. Thomas Massie would block federal funding for cities and police departments that use the controversial license-plate reader technology, arguing it goes too far. Supporters say the cameras help solve crimes and keep communities safer, whil...

Dave Wedge, a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, podcast host, and award-winning former Boston Herald reporter, has released his latest book,  Blizzard of Lies: Karen Read, John O'Keefe, and the Shocking Unsolved Murder in Cop Town, USA . The book examines the high-profile Karen Read trial, exploring the competing narratives, claims, and controversy surrounding the death of Boston...

We continued to discuss the trial of Lindsay Clancy where prosecutors allege the former Duxbury labor and delivery nurse deliberately killed her three young children in January 2023 before attempting to take her own life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halftime returns with Paul Wahlberg. Jill Suzanne Kornetsky has spent more than a decade working on the ground in Afghanistan, helping local communities and building organizations focused on economic opportunity, food security, and women's empowerment. Even after the Taliban returned to power, she remained committed to the Afghan people and continues to work on practical, long-term solutions to he...

Continued conversation about postpartum psychosis which is a rare but serious mental health emergency that can occur after childbirth, causing symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and severe mood changes. Unlike postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis can involve a loss of touch with reality and requires immediate medical attention. The condition is at the center of the Lindsay C...

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental health emergency that can occur after childbirth, causing symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and severe mood changes. Unlike postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis can involve a loss of touch with reality and requires immediate medical attention. The condition is at the center of the Lindsay Clancy trial, which is now underway....

Dan introduced the Nightside listeners to the Democratic Socialists of America, and their desire to get rid of America's government. Listen in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The family of 87-year-old Maude Hinds says they were blindsided after learning the Massachusetts Parole Board voted to release the man convicted of strangling her during a 1991 robbery in Boston. Relatives say they believed his life sentence meant he would never be released and are now questioning how the board reached its decision. Dan spoke with George "Chip" Greenidge Jr., the great-nephew of H...

Massachusetts may seem primed for a political shake-up, with frustrated voters, competitive primaries, and a record nine ballot questions this fall. But political analyst Jon Keller says the state's political establishment has a long history of surviving challenges, noting that incumbents like Gov. Maura Healey and Sen. Ed Markey continue to poll well. Keller joined Dan for discussion.  See o...

The highly anticipated murder trial of Lindsay Clancy is underway in Plymouth Superior Court, where prosecutors allege the former Duxbury labor and delivery nurse deliberately killed her three young children in January 2023 before attempting to take her own life. The jury first heard opening statements from Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham and defense attorney Kevin Reddington. Patric...

For the final hour of the week, Dan shared a story about a couple he recently had dinner with. Each had created their own bucket list without knowing what was on the other's list. When they finally compared them, they were amazed to discover they had both chosen the very same destination! Curious where it was? Listen to the podcast to find out. Dan also awarded a NightSide mug to the first listene...

The war with Iran is now approaching its fifth month, with no clear end in sight as U.S. and Iranian forces continue exchanging strikes and tensions remain high across the Middle East. The fighting has extended beyond Iran’s borders, affecting U.S. bases, regional allies, and key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about global energy supplies and the risk of a...

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has unveiled a street safety plan following the death of city transportation planner and cyclist Louisa Gag, pledging more permanent protected bike lanes, stronger truck safety measures, and an outside review of the city's Streets Cabinet. The plan also calls for evaluating the Mission Hill intersection where Gag was killed, expanding durable bike lane barriers, improving...

Massachusetts voters will get the chance this November to weigh in on whether the state’s recreational marijuana law should be repealed. Supporters of the ballot question say legalization has led to public health and safety concerns, while opponents argue the industry has created jobs, brought in tax revenue, and provides a regulated way for adults to buy cannabis. The vote will determine wh...

Dan opened up the phone lines for callers to continue discussions from earlier in the night, or bring up new topics they'd like to hear us cover! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.