Nightside With Dan Rea

Dan wants to know if the World Cup would draw more interest than the World Series. So, he asked, are you looking forward to Soccer games or the Red Sox season this year?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the start of the war with Iran, the U.S. stock market has been down. On Thursday stocks had their worst day since the war started as the Nasdaq dropped 10% below its record. Dr. Gregory Stoller, professor at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, checked in to discuss the economic impacts the war with Iran has had on the U.S. economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel has long had an ongoing conflict with Iran prior to the U.S. entering the war against Iran on Feb. 28th of this year. Israeli Consul General to New England Benni Sharoni joined us to share Israel’s perspective on the war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of our continuing news coverage, we will chat with a Cape Cod shop about how they are embracing a new way of shopping and reusing packaging.8:05PM: Massachusetts School of Law 18th Annual Animal Rights Day April 4th Benefitting the Shadow Fund – Free & Open to the Public!Guest: Diane Sullivan – Shadow Fund New England 8:15PM: The Spring 2026 Edition of InBoston Magazine.Guest: AnnMarie LaFauci – Editor of InBoston Magazine 8:30PM: Burlington MA to run with Boston Marathan Team MGB to honor his late father & raise awareness about testicular cancer as April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.Guest: Adam Averback – Burlington Runner – Father diagnosed with glioblastoma (a type of aggressive cancer - later died in 2020) 2021 Adam was diagnosed himself with testicular cancer…he is now cancer free. Both treated at MGH. 8:45PM: Did you know that only 9% of items get recycled into something new? Cape Cod shop called The Glass Jar is embracing a new way of shopping and reusing packaging. Their goal is to prevent containers from ending up in landfills or polluting our oceans.Guest: Meghann Lazott - owner of The Glass JarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump further warned Iranian officials to consider his peace proposal “before it’s too late.” This came shortly after Israel announced it had killed the Iranian naval commander responsible for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Dan talked with U.S. Army Major General (Retired) Robert F. Dees, former Commander of the US-Israeli Combined Task Force for Missile Defense, about the latest in the war against Iran.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump further warned Iranian officials to consider his peace proposal “before it’s too late.” This came shortly after Israel announced it had killed the Iranian naval commander responsible for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Dan talked with U.S. Army Major General (Retired) Robert F. Dees, former Commander of the US-Israeli Combined Task Force for Missile Defense, about the latest in the war against Iran.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Change is needed in our educational institutions as enrollment declines, attending costs rise, and workforce demands evolve. Higher education is one of the few industries that has changed the least in the past few decades. Arthur Levine, President of Brandeis University, shared thoughts from his new book, From Upheaval to Action: What Works in Changing Higher Ed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We began the program with four interesting guests on topics we think you should know more about! Have you ever heard of the gas tax refund for Mass Pike drivers? You may be eligible for some cash back! 8:05PM: The latest on the Cape Cod Bridges Project. Guest: Luisa Paiewonsky, Executive Director of MassDOT's Mega Projects Delivery Office 8:15PM: Dave McGillivray is running the 54th Boston Marathon, alongside his three children, Astronaut Sunita Williams, and the Finish Strong Foundation Charity Team. Guest: Dave McGillivray, long-time director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon / athlete, author, and motivational speaker 8:30PM: Have you ever heard of the gas tax refund for Mass Pike drivers? Find out how you might be able to get some money back this tax season! Guest: Mary Connaughton, Director of Government Transparency at the Pioneer Institute in Boston 8:45PM: We’ve had a few asteroids/meteorites hitting Earth lately, but thankfully there are folks out there monitoring it all! A team of MIT researchers are on the “space-case” and have developed a new way to mitigate threats posed by smaller asteroids.Guest: Julien de Wit, Associate Professor of Planetary Science at MITSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every now and then, we throw open the gate to North America's Back Porch and invite callers to bring up whatever topic they want to bring up for discussion! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The day after a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in damages over child exploitation and user safety claims, an L.A. jury found Meta and YouTube liable for failure to warn users of the dangers associated with using their platforms. A young woman accused the social media giants of being responsible for her childhood addiction to technology and thus leading to her mental health struggles later in life. The companies were ordered to pay a total of $3 million in damages. Do you agree with the verdict? Do you question parental responsibilities in all of this? Tech writer and reporter for the Boston Globe, Hiawatha Bray, checked in with Dan to discuss this landmark case!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cancer treatment advocates are asking lawmakers to support legislation (House Bill 4339/Senate Bill 809) that would ensure insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. This legislation has passed in 23 other states so far and Massachusetts appears to be falling behind on this... The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers, including survivors and patients from across Massachusetts, gathered on Beacon Hill to meet with lawmakers as part of its annual Cancer Action Day to urge them to support proposals that address the needs of cancer patients and reduce health disparities. Marc Hymovitz with the American Cancer Society discussed the MA legislation, what it includes, how it would help cancer patients, and why there is a need for this legislation in MA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We kicked off the program with four stories and guests on topics we thought you might like to learn more about! 8:05PM: Lobster rolls approach $50, but Bostonians appear happy to shell that out! How much is too much for a lobster roll? Guest: Kara Baskin – Boston Globe Correspondent 8:15PM: The Kraft-Group owned New England Revolution is backing Boston’s $325 million public-private rebuild of White Stadium despite Josh Kraft’s public opposition to the project. Guest: Josh Kraft 8:30PM: U.S. Pedestrian Deaths Nationwide Fall 11% in First Half of 2025, According to New GHSA Research. However, MA saw a 12% increase in the number of pedestrian deaths from 2024-2025…What can be done to improve pedestrian safety? Guest: Adam Snider – Spokesperson for the Governors Highway Safety Association 8:45PM: Trump waives Jones Act for 60 days in bid to free up the flow of oil to US ports. Guest: Kent Strang - Managing Director for Americans for Prosperity. Kent oversees AFP’s federal strategies and manages a team focused on policy reforms that empower citizens to pursue their American Dream.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump and his Administration find themselves in a complicated position trying to negotiate an end to the ongoing war with Iran when leaders in the previous regime were wiped out earlier in the war…This week Trump said they were having productive talks with a top person in Iran but wouldn’t say who that was for fear of their safety. Does the U.S. know exactly who they’re speaking with in Iran? Has the U.S. put themselves in a bad position here with this ongoing war?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has filed legislation to do away with a current blue law in the state that prohibits hunting on Sundays. Additionally, the governor is looking to legalize the use of crossbows. MassWildlife agrees with the governor saying, hunters are needed to help manage an exploding deer population in MA. The MSPCA opposes efforts to lift the Sunday ban, arguing that hunting interferes with activities such as hiking, climbing, birdwatching, horseback riding, trail running, and mountain biking. Where do you come down on allowing hunting in the state, 7 days a week?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has filed legislation to do away with a current blue law in the state that prohibits hunting on Sundays. Additionally, the governor is looking to legalize the use of crossbows. MassWildlife agrees with the governor saying, hunters are needed to help manage an exploding deer population in MA. The MSPCA opposes efforts to lift the Sunday ban, arguing that hunting interferes with activities such as hiking, climbing, birdwatching, horseback riding, trail running, and mountain biking. Where do you come down on allowing hunting in the state, 7 days a week?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of our continuing news coverage, we will discuss what you need to know about Alpha-gal syndrome, a growing threat from tick bites and how the syndrome can cause a red meat allergy.8:05PM: Massachusetts to track Alpha-gal syndrome, a growing threat from tick bites. The syndrome can cause a red meat allergy…Here’s what to know.Guest: Sam Telford - Professor, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University 8:15PM: Former Bruins player Chris Nilan is being inducted into the MA Hockey Hall of Fame.Guest: Chris Nilan – former NHL player 8:30PM: The top 10 states where Americans trade the least workdays for rent, food, and a used car.Guest: Sam Bourgi - finance analyst and researcher at InvestorsObserver8:45PM: The Red Sox’ Opening Day is coming up this Thursday and the roster is set. Did the front office do enough to add power?Guest: Peter Abraham – Boston Globe sports reporter and MLB columnistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump and the U.S. postpones strikes on Iranian power plants after what Trump calls "productive" talks on ending the war. The stock market responded to Trump's comments with the Dow surging as a result. However, Iranian officials have denied that any negotiations or discussions have taken place. Iran's Parliament Speaker, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf put out a statement today on X saying, "No negotiations have been held with the US, and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped." We discussed this along with any new developments in the war with Iran.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump and the U.S. postpones strikes on Iranian power plants after what Trump calls "productive" talks on ending the war. The stock market responded to Trump's comments with the Dow surging as a result. However, Iranian officials have denied that any negotiations or discussions have taken place. Iran's Parliament Speaker, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf put out a statement today on X saying, "No negotiations have been held with the US, and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped." We discussed this along with any new developments in the war with Iran.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While it's been confirmed that there appears to be no plans for ICE to come to Logan Airport or any other New England airport amid Trump’s deployment of ICE agents to airports nationwide, TSA agents have been walking off the job amid the ongoing partial government shutdown where agents are not being paid. Roughly 50,000 TSA workers nationwide have been working without pay since Feb. 14, as Congress remains at a standstill over legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The staffing shortages have been leading to long lines and delays nationwide. Have you experienced long security lines at the airport or any delays? When will this partial shutdown end? Do you have upcoming travel plans that you're concerned will be impacted?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8:05PM: This week over a hundred cancer advocates will convene on Beacon Hill to ask lawmakers to support legislation that will help improve and save lives.- Advocates are asking lawmakers to support legislation (House Bill 4339/Senate Bill 809) that would ensure insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing.Guest: Marc Hymovitz - Regional Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network 8:15PM: ConfiKids 3rd annual Inspiration Gala to Raise Funds for Underserved Youth Through Confidence-Building Enrichment Programs on March 28, 2026, at Lake Pearl in Wrentham.Guest: Laurie Barkowsky – Board of Directors for ConfiKids 8:30PM: The story of Pope Leo XIV and his plan to heal the church. There had never been an American pope nor an in-depth examination of the new American pontiff and his extraordinary election until now.-The 1st biography of the 1st American PopeGuest: Dr. Paul Kengor - New York Times bestselling author and noted Catholic historian 8:45PM: Allergy season in New England is expected to start earlier and last longer in 2026, due to warmer temperatures that accelerate plant growth and increase pollen levels. What does this mean for allergy suffers and what are early allergy symptoms you should not ignore!Guest: Hassen Borhot, NP is a board-certified practitioner and an experienced clinician at Personal Primary CareSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For NightSide’s last hour of the week we like to keep it light and have fun. Dan posed an interesting question: What is your favorite thing about the start of Springtime?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent survey conducted by Munley Law asked drivers what the angriest roadways or routes are in each state. For Massachusetts, respondents said the Zakim Bridge/1-93 North route in Boston makes them the angriest! Do you agree? What roadway or route makes you the angriest when driving?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Boston Police officer has been charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of an alleged carjacker. Officer Nicholas O’Malley pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. This appears to be the first time a Boston officer has faced criminal charges for an on-duty death in decades. Larry Calderone, President of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, joined us this evening to discuss the details of the case including the police report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8:05PM: Gas station owner in Quincy plans to hire violist to spread happiness for customers! Guest: Harvey Kertzman – Owner of Quincy Gas 8:15PM: Middle-of-the-night insomnia is common. 5 tips for when you’re wide awake at 3 a.m. Guest: Anahad O’Connor – Washington Post Health columnist 8:30PM: Chronic stress takes a real toll. 77% of people report physical symptoms and 73% experience mental health impacts. For many, stress isn’t just about being busy; it’s about carrying the emotional weight of life while trying to keep up. Why you should stop focusing only on your to-do list and start with a “to-be list”. Guest: Kari Wells – Reality TV Star who appeared on Bravo’s Married to Medicine, survivor of personal trauma & violent assault where she was held at gunpoint and attacked by robbers at a nail salon! – now an author. Wrote the book: From Attitude to Gratitude 8:45PM: With Boston heading into a major year of public events including the Boston Marathon, FIFA World Cup matches, 250th anniversary celebrations & others, some security experts are asking whether large gatherings face evolving threats. How security teams assess risk at events like these and what the public should realistically know amid headlines about sleeper cells and Iranian drone threats. Guest: Rory Moran - Director of Executive Protection & Threat Analysis at United Security Inc. and a former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Boston City Council is floating legislation that would allow non-citizens, immigrants, with “legal status” but without full citizenship the right to vote in local elections. The measure was put forth by Councilor Julia Mejia. We went over the details of the measure and heard Boston residents’ thoughts on the proposed measure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Boston City Council is floating legislation that would allow non-citizens, immigrants, with “legal status” but without full citizenship the right to vote in local elections. The measure was put forth by Councilor Julia Mejia. We went over the details of the measure and heard Boston residents’ thoughts on the proposed measure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The town of Reading is speaking out about its support for auditing the State Legislature, a measure State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has been fighting for after 72% of MA voters approved the measure last Fall. The Reading Select Board is sending a letter to top Beacon Hill lawmakers, expressing its “strong support” for the will of the voters to be respected and the legislative audit to be conducted. Will we start to see more MA cities and towns follow suit? Reading Select Board Chairman Christopher Haley joined us to discuss this move by the Select Board.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8:05PM: A new study suggests that toxic or difficult people in your life might make you age faster! Guest: Brea L. Perry – one of the lead researchers in the study - Professor & Associate Director of the Irsay Institute for Sociomedical Sciences Research at Indiana University 8:15PM: Boston’s Newbury Street possibly becoming pedestrian only? Guest: Jay Willett – WBZ NewsRadio Reporter 8:30PM: President Trump is hosting a crucial summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. We discussed the importance of trade talks. Guest: Ambassador Jeff Gerrish - Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative for Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Industrial Competitiveness 8:45PM: What’s the angriest route/roadway among MA drivers? A new survey shows which U.S. roads make commuters angriest! Guest: Dan Mazella – Traffic Reporter & Operations Director for Boston’s Total Traffic & Weather Network HubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Congress is taking up the controversial “Save America Act” that addresses voter ID in the U.S. The heavily backed Republican bill would require proof of U.S. citizenship and photo identification for federal voting. Lawmakers are at odds over the bill with Republicans saying it would strengthen election security, whereas Democrats say it could prevent eligible voters from participating in elections. Where do you come down on voter ID and what is being proposed with the SAVE Act? We took listener calls and went over all the specific details of the Act.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Congress is taking up the controversial “Save America Act” that addresses voter ID in the U.S. The heavily backed Republican bill would require proof of U.S. citizenship and photo identification for federal voting. Lawmakers are at odds over the bill with Republicans saying it would strengthen election security, whereas Democrats say it could prevent eligible voters from participating in elections. Where do you come down on voter ID and what is being proposed with the SAVE Act? We took listener calls and went over all the specific details of the Act.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday marked 36 years since the infamous art heist at Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. 13 pieces of art worth more than $500 million were stolen from the museum by thieves posing as police. To this day, none of it has been recovered and no one has been arrested. Who stole the art? What was the motive? Anthony Amore, the Director of Security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, joined us to discuss whether there are any new emerging details in the case and what working theories there are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8:05PM: How safe is a commercial flight in the global airline industry? 12 years ago this month the disappearance of Malaysian Air 370 occurred where 239 disappeared on this flight never to be found again. We’ll discuss how safe we are when we fly and what incidents in the air have taken place that the public doesn’t know about. Guest: Thomas Ray - a veteran of the U.S. intelligence services, having worked in the field for two decades & author of the book: Flight 47 8:15PM: James Bond made Champagne glamorous - but the real story belongs to Lily Bollinger, the widow who ran her Champagne house during WWII, resisted Nazi control, and ultimately became the name behind Bond’s signature drink. Guest: Rebecca Rosenberg – Sonoma Valley-based champagne historian & award-winning historical novelist of the Champagne Widows series - her latest "License to Thrill: Lily Bollinger". 8:30PM: How to Avoid Sticker Shock at the Gas Pump: 6 Essential Tips Guest: John Vincent - U.S. News' Senior Editor/Vehicle Testing 8:45PM: The World Baseball Classic – U.S. loses to Venezuela! Guest: Tim Healey – Boston Globe Sports ReporterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strait of Hormuz is a small strip of water connecting the Persian Gulf to the world’s oceans and it’s been a big problem for the world’s economy amidst the war with Iran as The Islamic Republic has blocked the region’s oil exports. On an average day about a fifth of the world’s oil sails out of the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has urged NATO and other U.S. allies to assist with the Strait of Hormuz dilemma, but many nations don’t want to get involved. We discussed the latest in the ongoing war with Iran and the impacts the war poses on everyday Americans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strait of Hormuz is a small strip of water connecting the Persian Gulf to the world’s oceans and it’s been a big problem for the world’s economy amidst the war with Iran as The Islamic Republic has blocked the region’s oil exports. On an average day about a fifth of the world’s oil sails out of the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has urged NATO and other U.S. allies to assist with the Strait of Hormuz dilemma, but many nations don’t want to get involved. We discussed the latest in the ongoing war with Iran and the impacts the war poses on everyday Americans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday was the real St. Patrick’s Day, a day that honors Saint Patrick and pays homage to Irish heritage and culture. What better time to welcome Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther on the program, who recently traveled to Ireland for the first time and self-admittedly knew nothing about the country of Ireland. Chris chatted with us about his experience in Ireland, all the history to be learned there and the local connection between Ireland and Boston. Have you ever been to Ireland? What was your favorite part about visiting? If you’ve never been but wish to, what’s the biggest draw for you?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8:05PM: Poll: Confidence in the Supreme Court drops to a record low. Guest: C. Evan Stewart - Supreme Court historian, legal analyst and attorney 8:15PM: U.S. ranks bottom in happiness yet 79% of workers say JOY is non-negotiable for best work performance Guest: Amy Leneker - former C-suite executive, Fortune 100 leadership advisor (Costco, Microsoft, etc.), and author of Cheers to Monday: The Surprisingly Simple Method to Lead and Live with Less Stress and More 8:30PM: March is Women’s History Month. Highlighting how women are leading America’s disaster response operations… Guest: Larysa Murray - Marine Corps veteran and 17-time Team Rubicon deployment leader 8:45PM: Millions more people may need to start cholesterol-lowering medications as young as their 30s. Here’s why… Guest: Chris Clyne, MD, Cardiologist at Tufts Medical CenterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump's sons (Don Jr. & Eric) have invested in a drone company (Powerus) that has hopes of winning a drone contract with the Pentagon that would fill a hole left by the administration’s ban on new Chinese drones in the U.S. This raises concerns about a conflict of interest. Brett Velicovich, the co-founder of Powerus, when asked about a conflict of interest, said, “There’s no conflict there. Whatever they’re doing is what they’re doing. Our focus at the company has nothing to do with politics.” Some disagree...What do you think? Is Trump’s sons’ investment in a drone company eyeing a government contract, a conflict of interest?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discussed the parole of Massachusetts man, Ronald Bonnoyer, who was convicted of killing his girlfriend’s 18-month-old son, and putting the child’s body in a dumpster in 1989. Bonnoyer was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the death. The MA Parole Board has had a series of controversial paroles lately, this being the latest. The Board cited that Bonnoyer has multiple health issues and has been sober for 32 years with minimal disciplinary reports, and the last one was over 20 years ago. With that being said, is the release still warranted?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discussed the parole of Massachusetts man, Ronald Bonnoyer, who was convicted of killing his girlfriend’s 18-month-old son, and putting the child’s body in a dumpster in 1989. Bonnoyer was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the death. The MA Parole Board has had a series of controversial paroles lately, this being the latest. The Board cited that Bonnoyer has multiple health issues and has been sober for 32 years with minimal disciplinary reports, and the last one was over 20 years ago. With that being said, is the release still warranted?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8:05PM: Thunderstorms and wet conditions Monday evening with a hint of snow possible for parts of MA. Sunshine looks to return Tuesday. Guest: AccuWeather Meteorologist – John Feerick 8:15PM: Why more of the wealthy are moving from Massachusetts to other states. Should we be concerned? Guest: Paul Karger – CFA & cofounder and managing partner of Boston-based Twin Focus, a firm that manages investment portfolios for wealthy families. 8:30PM: An update/follow-up on the MSPCA-Angell adoption event for dozens of rats following a huge surrender a couple of weeks ago. Guest: Jamie Garabedian, project manager for MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division 8:45PM: What you need to know about cyber threats from Iranian backed hackers, and how it could affect American companies. Stryker, one US company was the first attacked last week… Guest: Lisa Sotto – cyber security expert – partner with Hunton, Andrews Kurth LLP & Chair of Global Privacy and Cybersecurity PracticeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is Friday the 13th, a day many believe is unlucky. Are you superstitious at all? If so, tell us about what superstitions you subscribe to!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parking scams are becoming increasingly common and can take on various forms such as fake parking citations left on windshields, fake QR codes that are placed over legitimate ones, and digital text scams. Kerry Lutz, who is an attorney, financial podcaster, systems expert, and bestselling author will join us to talk about parking scams, how parking apps turned "convenience" into mandatory digital contracts in some cases and the hidden incentives for driving ticket quotas and aggressive enforcement. Give us a call with your parking stories or concerns!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.