Nightside With Dan Rea

A visiting Harvard Law Professor was arrested for allegedly firing a pellet rifle outside a Brookline synagogue where congregants were marking the start of Yom Kippur. Carlos Portugal Gouvêa told police he was “hunting for rats” and not aware he lived next to a synagogue or that it was a religious holiday. While leaders at the synagogue say there is no reason to believe this was an antisemitic event, doesn't it seem common sense that you probably shouldn’t "hunt rats" openly with a BB gun without knowing your surroundings? Do you have a similar example where someone had a lack of common sense, where you would assume they knew better?

Over the weekend South End residents described seeing a large crowd of nearly 100 people involved in what appeared to be a chaotic scene on Mass Ave and Tremont St. Boston police say the group of people threw fireworks, traffic cones, poles, and other objects at cruisers during a “large-scale vehicle takeover" where a police cruiser was set on fire. A similar incident occurred in Randolph, MA just an hour earlier. Are the two incidents connected? What spurred the vehicle takeover? Some point to a growing nationwide trend.

Over the weekend South End residents described seeing a large crowd of nearly 100 people involved in what appeared to be a chaotic scene on Mass Ave and Tremont St. Boston police say the group of people threw fireworks, traffic cones, poles, and other objects at cruisers during a “large-scale vehicle takeover" where a police cruiser was set on fire. A similar incident occurred in Randolph, MA just an hour earlier. Are the two incidents connected? What spurred the vehicle takeover? Some point to a growing nationwide trend. Larry Calderone, President of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association checked in to discuss.

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!Last one-room schoolhouse in Massachusetts is mostly empty on Cuttyhunk Island, and it can’t be closed. Guest: Dr. Margaret Frieswyk – school district’s superintendent and sole employee of Cuttyhunk Island From Phones to Power Tools, Know the Risks of Lithium-Ion Batteries. It’s National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 5-11th. Guest: Tom Lyons, Director of Communications at National Fire Protection Association 1 in 8 Women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their lifetime…October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Boston-based Find The Cause Breast Cancer Foundation is unique in its mission, which is to fund scientific research on the environmental causes of breast cancer and to educate the public on prevention.  Guest: Dr. David Sher - Director of the Research Consortium at Find The Cause Breast Cancer FoundationIs it time to move motorized vehicles out of bike lanes? Guest: Paul Basken – Writer

Bradley Jay filled in on NightSideBradley shared a story this evening of an experience he had while at a ballpark that ruined his time. We asked the audience in 20th hour style fashion, what experiences you’ve had that ruined your time at a restaurant, movie theatre, concert, etc. Whether it’s people talking in the movie theatre, an extremely loud restaurant you can’t have a conversation at, whatever it is, we want to hear from you!

Bradley Jay filled in on NightSideWhile we’re in the month of October, what better time than now to talk about horror and Halloween movies! Bradley mentioned his favorite horror film and asked listeners what their favorite horror or Halloween movie is and why.

Bradley Jay filled in on NightSideHave you ever asked yourself why you love music so much? What’s the science behind that? Why do different people like different types of music? Music has a way of emitting emotions in us that is sometimes unexplainable. Dr. Robert Zatorre, a neuroscientist and expert of musical cognition and its brain mechanisms, joined us to answer these questions and explain how we get from perception of sound patterns to pleasurable responses.

Bradley Jay filled in on NightSideWhile we’re in the month of October, what better time than now to talk about horror and Halloween movies! Bradley mentioned his favorite horror film and asked listeners what their favorite horror or Halloween movie is and why.

Bradley Jay filled in on NightSideThe e-bike and motorized scooter debate has been raging in Boston as we continue to see more e-bike and scooter related accidents. Residents have been complaining about the lawless behavior happening in bike lanes, on sideways and on the roadways at the hands of these motorized bikes and scooters. Do motorized vehicles belong in bike lanes?

There's always next  year, as the Red Sox lost to the Yankees 0-4. Dan started to discussed it, opening the phones to other topics as well, but fans called in to talk baseball.

The latest government report shows common cold infections this month are at the highest level since 2022. Roughly 31% of weekly tests are coming back positive for rhinovirus and enterovirus. Doctors say this signals a rough cold and flu season ahead.

The latest government report shows common cold infections this month are at the highest level since 2022. Roughly 31% of weekly tests are coming back positive for rhinovirus and enterovirus. Doctors say this signals a rough cold and flu season ahead. Infectious Disease Dr. Shira Doron of Tufts Medical Center checked in to talk about how to best stay protected this Fall against not only the common cold but the Flu, Covid, RSV and more!

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!Combat Boots to Campus Blues: Veterans’ Struggle for Belonging in Civilian Life. Challenges they face with integrating into civilian life. & What's needed to help them? Guest: Glenn Baker – Veteran, recording artist & Patriot Fall is the best time to check out New Hampshire’s covered bridges. Here are some fascinating facts from the state’s expert on the subject! Guest: Kim Varney Chandler - University of New Hampshire graduate and a full-time high school counselor who spent countless hours researching and visiting the state’s covered bridges & wrote a book about them: Covered Bridges of New Hampshire Boston Rare Coin Treasure Hunt Oct. 7-11! - Stack’s Bowers Galleries Will Celebrate 90 Years of Rare Coin Auctions with a Free Treasure Hunt Featuring Rare Coin and Currency Prizes Valued Over $40,000! Guest: Mark Schimel - Stack's Bowers Director of East Coast Retail Secretary of War

This podcast date begins year 19 of NightSide! Dan invited callers to chime in with what they like, what they don't like and guest/topic suggestions for future shows!

Due to the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass a short-term funding bill, the federal government shut down starting just after midnight Wednesday. How might the shutdown impact everyday people, not just federal workers? What does this mean for travel/flights, social security payments, national park visits, or USPS mail delivery? Are you at all worried about delays or disruptions to your everyday life? Kurt Couchman, from the group Americans for Prosperity joined Dan to discuss. 

Due to President Trump’s sweeping federal cuts to medical research, many colleges and universities are faced with financial uncertainty. Why does the government want to make cuts to medical/science research? How worried are you about delays in potentially lifesaving research? UMass Chan Medical School Chancellor Dr. Michael F. Collins joined us on NightSide to discuss.

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!Uncle John’s Know It All Bathroom Reader is back with its 38th annual edition! A collection of short articles for trips to the “Throne Room”. Guest: Brian Boone – One of the writers/contributors – spokesperson for the Uncle John’s series. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases are expected to rise — posing serious risks to infants whose immune systems are still developing. Guidance and practical tips for protecting infants as well as yourself from RSV this season. Guest: Dr. Juanita Mora - immunologist with the American Lung Association While we are in the World Series playoffs, we check back in with baseball author Jeff Rodimer about Memorable and Offbeat World Series Stories  Guest: Jeff Rodimer – Author National Menopause for All Educational Program Comes to Boston – A free event open to the public about a medical transition that happens to all women at some point in their lives. Guest: Cla

Monday, President Trump presented Israel and Hamas with a 20-point peace deal to end the ongoing war in Gaza. Israeli has accepted the deal, as Trump gives Hamas 3-4 days to accept the offer. Part of the deal includes an immediate release of all hostages, the demilitarization of Gaza, decommission the military capabilities of Hamas, and destruction of all tunnel infrastructure among other things. What happens if Hamas does not accept the peace deal?

Monday, President Trump presented Israel and Hamas with a 20-point peace deal to end the ongoing war in Gaza. Israeli has accepted the deal, as Trump gives Hamas 3-4 days to accept the offer. Part of the deal includes an immediate release of all hostages, the demilitarization of Gaza, decommission the military capabilities of Hamas, and destruction of all tunnel infrastructure among other things. What happens if Hamas does not accept the peace deal?

Erika Kirk, the widow of the late Charlie Kirk who was murdered earlier this month, received widespread admiration across the political aisle when she forgave her husband’s killer during Charlie’s memorial service. Boston Globe opinion columnist Jeff Jacoby wrote a recent piece addressing the limits of personal forgiveness. Jeff joined us to explain and discuss.