NightSide With Dan Rea

The New York House primaries delivered major wins for candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, signaling that his progressive movement is gaining significant influence in New York politics. The results were widely viewed as evidence of the growing strength of progressive and democratic socialist politics in New York City and among the Democratic Party's left wing. Dan reviewed the results with J...

Boston was the center of many of the protests, clashes, and battles that ignited the American Revolution and ultimately led to American independence. From the Boston Tea Party to the Battles of Lexington and Concord and finally Evacuation Day on March 17, 1776, the city played a pivotal role in the nation's founding. The Revolution in Boston helped shape the United States, and Dan talked with Dr....

A Massachusetts man convicted of killing his 2-year-old son with a Wiffle ball bat in 1983 has been granted parole after spending more than 40 years behind bars. The state's Parole Board unanimously approved the release of 78-year-old Richard Mayes, whose previous five parole requests had been denied. The decision has reignited debate over whether people convicted of violent crimes should be eligi...

Continued conversation about how Boston has historically low rates of homicide and violent crime compared with many other major U.S. cities, leading researchers to rank it among the safer large cities in the country. Still, recent shootings and other crimes have raised concerns among residents and public officials. Experts say a city's overall safety should be measured by long-term trends, not iso...

Boston has historically low rates of homicide and violent crime compared with many other major U.S. cities, leading researchers to rank it among the safer large cities in the country. Still, recent shootings and other crimes have raised concerns among residents and public officials. Experts say a city's overall safety should be measured by long-term trends, not isolated incidents. Do you think Bos...

Tick season is in full swing across New England, with emergency room visits for tick bites on the rise and tick-borne illnesses becoming more common in Massachusetts. You should still get outside and enjoy the outdoors, but be sure to take steps to protect yourself. Dan welcomed back Dan the “Tick Man,” who has everything you need to know about keeping those pesky little buggers away!...

Massachusetts' highest court disqualified a proposed rent-control ballot question over an exemption for religious housing. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled the proposal could not appear on the ballot because its exemption for religious organizations violated the Massachusetts Constitution. Although voters will not decide the issue this November, supporters are pursuing other proposals that would l...

Many of the nation's top political leaders are well into their later years, from former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, both in their 80s, to Senator Mitch McConnell, 84, and Representative Maxine Waters, 87. Some argue the U.S. faces a broader gerontocracy problem, warning that even as younger leaders emerge, deeper demographic and economic imbalances will remain. Is the age of Am...

Continued conversation about how the MA Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that a proposed ballot question creating a "top-two primary," or "jungle primary," system can appear on the November ballot. Under the proposal, candidates of all parties would compete on a single primary ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election regardless of party affiliation.  See omnystu...

The MA Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that a proposed ballot question creating a "top-two primary," or "jungle primary," system can appear on the November ballot. Under the proposal, candidates of all parties would compete on a single primary ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election regardless of party affiliation. Dan discussed this initiative with Danielle Allen,...

Former Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins is seeking to return to the office she once held. Rollins says she was encouraged to run by members of the community, who helped gather the signatures needed to secure her place on the ballot for the September Democratic primary. She says her campaign will focus on continuing the policies and priorities she championed during her previous tenu...

Bradley opened the phone lines for discussion of music and whatever else was on the minds of the listeners! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent road rage fight on I-70 in Colorado highlights how police are using new technology to quickly identify suspects. After two drivers stopped in the middle of the highway and fought, authorities used a drone and automated license plate reader technology to track down the vehicles involved. Police say these tools help solve crimes more efficiently, while critics continue to raise concerns abo...

Best known for his book Walden  and his essay  Civil Disobedience , Henry David Thoreau was a writer, philosopher, naturalist, and abolitionist, and was closely associated with Concord and Walden Pond in Massachusetts. In 1845, he moved to a small cabin near Walden Pond, where he lived simply for two years while observing nature and reflecting on society. Those experiences became the bas...

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas, that enslaved people were free, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Bradley was joined by Joel Mackall, co-founder of the Hidden History of Black Boston Tours, to discuss the history of Juneteenth. See omnystudio.com/listen...

President Donald Trump's 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran has been released. The interim agreement includes an immediate ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, and gradual sanctions relief and expanded economic activity for Iran. Dan broke down the agreement and explained its key elements. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about how the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has removed a proposed income tax cut from the November ballot, ruling that a summary of the measure issued by Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office was misleading. The initiative would have lowered the state's flat income tax rate from 5% to 4%, but the court found that voters were not properly informed that the change...

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has removed a proposed income tax cut from the November ballot, ruling that a summary of the measure issued by Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office was misleading. The initiative would have lowered the state's flat income tax rate from 5% to 4%, but the court found that voters were not properly informed that the change would also affect taxes on long-t...

Trial attorney John Deaton's Senate campaign is built around the idea that Massachusetts needs an independent voice and a break from career politicians. He argues that Washington was "never meant to be a career." Deaton often highlights his working-class background and says his goal is to help people who feel ignored by the political system. Massachusetts Republican Senate candidate John Deaton jo...

Continuing the discussion about how things Americans consider ordinary and routine can be surprisingly fascinating to international visitors, Dan asked listeners what they like best about America! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal authorities say they disrupted a planned mass-casualty attack targeting the UFC event at the White House, arresting five suspects before the plot could be carried out. Investigators allege the multi-stage assault would have involved explosive-laden drones and snipers. The FBI learned of the scheme after the mother of one of the suspects alerted authorities to concerns about his behavior an...

What Americans consider ordinary and routine can seem surprisingly fascinating to international visitors. Everyday conveniences we often take for granted—such as ice makers and sprawling supermarkets—can be eye-opening for many travelers. World Cup visitors are going viral for their takes on ordinary American life, and Dan shared some of their favorite discoveries as he talked with Dr....

Efforts are underway to make AI literacy accessible to all K–12 students, regardless of background. Schools, nonprofits, universities, and technology companies are investing in AI literacy programs, teacher training, open educational resources, and free software to help ensure that students in public schools have access to the same opportunities as their private-school peers. Dan was joined...

Dan began the hour with a tribute to Eddie Andelman, then opened the phone lines for discussion of other topics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Which candidate impressed you most? Dan recapped the John Deaton–Seth Moulton pre-primary debate and opened the phone lines for your reaction. Did either candidate change your mind? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.