Boston, MA

WBUR cancels 'Radio Boston'

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2024

Press Room

Local News

The move was framed as “strategic,” and no staff members are being cut.

WBUR’s CitySpace location on Commonwealth Avenue. David L. Ryan/Boston Globe

WBUR announced Friday that it would be cancelling “Radio Boston,” a midday talk show that has been part of the station for 17 years.

The decision was made in order to enable a wider weekday programming shakeup that will include a longer “Morning Edition,” new times for “BBC NewsHour” and “On Point,” and an emphasis on original, local journalism, the station announced.

This was characterized as a “strategic move,” and no staff members are being cut.

“The exceptional work of the Radio Boston team will continue, but in a new way that goes beyond the confines of an hour-long daily radio show,” Dan Mauzy, executive editor of WBUR’s local newsroom, said in a statement. “This shift is a more contemporary approach to daily journalism — and will fuel our public news service throughout the day and across platforms.”

“Radio Boston” became a daily show in 2010, and has since served listeners as WBUR’s only show dedicated entirely to local news. The final show will be on Dec. 20.

In March, WBUR leadership said the station was struggling after losing close to half of its on-air sponsorship income over the last five years. By late April, seven staff members were laid off and 24 chose to take voluntary buyouts, affecting some 14% of the station’s staff.

“We want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can with the resources that we have, and having the biggest impact with our audiences,” Mauzy told WBUR reporters for a story on the situation.

Earlier this year, WBUR announced that “Radio Boston” host Tiziana Dearing would become the host of “Morning Edition.” In that role, she is continuing to interview local leaders like Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

“Morning Edition,” which also includes national and global news, will broadcast on WBUR from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays. “BBC NewsHour” will air at 10 a.m., “On Point” will shift to 11 a.m., and “Here & Now” will add an updated hour at 3 p.m.

The station says the new lineup is meant to bring “national and international shows together while supercharging local news throughout the day and on WBUR’s digital platforms.”

The current producers of “Radio Boston” will shift to work on “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” which WBUR says will allow them to focus more on local reporting and arranging interviews with high-profile guests.

Both WBUR and GBH, Boston’s other NPR news station, struggled this year to brave financial headwinds. GBH laid off 31 employees in May, leaving some newsroom staff “blindsided.” WBUR generally has higher ratings than GBH, but the latter dominates midday hours with its popular “Boston Public Radio” program hosted by Jim Braude and Margery Eagan.

“This move is not in response to any competition,” Mauzy told a WBUR reporter. “We think that this is a smarter way for us to produce journalism.”

The following daily schedule will go into effect on Jan. 6:

“Morning Edition,” 5 – 10 a.m.
“BBC NewsHour,” 10 – 11 a.m.
“On Point,” 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
“Here & Now,” 12 – 2 p.m.
“Fresh Air,” 2 – 3 p.m.
“Here & Now” (third hour), 3 – 4 p.m.
“All Things Considered,” 4 – 6:30 p.m.
“Marketplace,” 6:30 – 7 p.m.

Ross Cristantiello

Staff Writer

Ross Cristantiello, a general assignment news reporter for Boston.com since 2022, covers local politics, crime, the environment, and more.

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Boston, MA

Celtics, Bucks celebrate history in inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic

Published

6 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

Celtics, Bucks celebrate history in inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic

The Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks honored the 75th anniversary of the breaking of the NBA’s color barrier Sunday by squaring off in the inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic.

The game spotlighted Basketball Hall of Famers Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd, who were the first Black players to be drafted, sign an NBA contract and appear in an NBA game, respectively.

Players for both teams wore shooting shirts with Cooper, Clifton and Lloyd’s names emblazoned on the back. Each uniform featured a “Pioneers Classic” patch above the nameplate and a “1950” patch beneath the rear jersey number.

The three legends’ names and jersey numbers also appeared on the TD Garden court and on the stanchion beneath each basket. Relatives of Cooper, Clifton and Lloyd joined Jaylen Brown on the court for a pregame address.

“Today is the NBA’s first Pioneer Classic, and it’s an honor to speak on the behalf of some of our legends — Nat Clifton, Earl Lloyd and (the) Boston Celtics’ Chuck Cooper,” Brown, who went on to tally 30 points and 13 rebounds in a 107-79 Celtics win, told the Garden crowd. “… A pioneer, by definition, if a leader, is an innovator and a forward thinker. Who will be the pioneers of this generation? On the behalf of the NBA, I want to say thank you — thank you, Boston. Let’s have a good game.”

Cooper played four seasons for the Celtics from 1950 to 1954.

“When you coach the Celtics, we’ve had just high-character people and have history and have had a tradition in many different forms,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said pregame. “And when you’re helping move that forward, you just have a responsibility to the people who came before you to move it forward. One, to be appreciative of what those before you have done on and off the court, and then the second piece to that is doing your part and moving that forward and kind of leaving it better.

“You don’t have a situation like this if you don’t have the people that have come before you. So that’s important. And I think the league is the same way. We’ve had great people come through this league, influential people, and just taking advantage of the opportunity you have to move forward is an opportunity we’re given.”

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, who coached the Celtics from 2004 until 2013, saluted Red Auerbach during his pregame news conference. Auerbach drafted Cooper in the second round in 1950 — his first draft as Boston’s head coach — fielded the NBA’s first all-Black starting five in 1955 and hired Bill Russell as the league’s first Black head coach in 1966.

“What I think Pioneers Day represents, to me, is America,” Rivers said. “Red Auerbach is responsible for our achievements as much as anyone else. He didn’t see color. He wanted to make the league a better league, and he kept doing it — hiring Bill Russell as coach. I mean, you think about this city that’s had its ups and downs race-wise, but you have this one guy. And I got it a little bit, but when you come here and you coach here, boy, you really get it with Red. You really get what he was about. And so Pioneers Day, first game being here, for me, obviously, being a coach here for nine years, means a lot.”

The Celtics also honored Auerbach and Russell during the game. Auerbach’s granddaughter, Julie Auerbach Flieger, and Russell’s daughter, Karen Kenyatta Russell, were recognized on the court during a first-quarter timeout.

Rivers said the Pioneers Classic is “good for history.”

“Because we live in a time right now where our history is being, you know, whitewashed, a lot of it,” he said. “And I think you learn a lot through history. You have to. I think that’s our problem. We need to teach history, whether it’s bad or good. Need to teach it more.”

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Boston, MA

Syracuse lacrosse vs. Boston University: Live score, updates

Published

18 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Syracuse lacrosse vs. Boston University: Live score, updates

Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse lacrosse team takes on the Boston University Terriers at 1 p.m., Sunday in the JMA Wireless Dome.

The game will be available to stream on ACC Network Extra.

See in-game team and individual stats here.

Note: Refresh this page throughout Syracuse’s game vs. Boston University to see the latest updates

First quarter

Syracuse 1, Boston University 1 – 6:23

BU goalie Connor Phillips appeared in just three games as a freshman in 2025. Now handling the starting gig, Phillips held strong against the Orange early, making three saves on four shots.

Through the first quarter, Spallina attempted anything to get going. He moved the ball three times with a behind the back pass, and shuffled a one-handed pass out of desperation once the shot clock fell under 10 seconds.

Syracuse 1, Boston University 1 – 9:35

The Orange struck iron on their first shot but retained possession on the groundball. After Finn Thomson missed a shot off a crafty pass from Spallina, SU scooped the ball up again. As the shot clock dwindled, Luke Rhoa worked downhill and beat Connor Phillips low to take a 1-0 lead 90 seconds in.

Syracuse made a stop defensively after BU hit the post too, and the Orange missed the mark on their next shot as Thomson was called for falling into the crease.

Back on the other end, the Terriers tied it up as Ethan Hart found nylon.

Opening faceoff

Multiple offseason position battles were answered quickly. With Ryan out to start the season due to a foot injury, senior Jordan Beck slotted in alongside Dwan and Figueiras. Anderson began on the attack with Deere down and Tyler McCarthy worked into the midfield.

Syracuse secured the opening faceoff on a violation from the Terriers, taking first possession.

Pregame

Syracuse’s 2025 season began with a pushover game against former goalie John Galloway and Jacksonville. The Orange led within two minutes of the opening faceoff and never looked back as a 10-0 run to start the contest ballooned into a 25-4 win. To kickstart 2026, SU faces a much tougher task.
Out of the Patriot League, the Terriers rank No. 17 per Inside Lacrosse to begin the season. Boston University lost its leading scorer, Jimmy O’Connell, to graduation, but returns three Preseason All-Patriot League players in Connor Kehm, Andrew Pape and Timothy Shannehan.
The two squads scrimmaged ahead of the 2025 season, where sophomore attack Payton Anderson remembers the Terriers matching SU’s physicality with a 10-man ride. Head coach Gary Gait emphasized BU’s 10-man ride as a top challenge the Orange will face in the season opener.
“That’s their bread and butter,” Gait said Friday. “Putting pressure on you to clear the ball and try and decrease your number of possessions.”
Syracuse returns a plethora of key contributors from its 2025 ACC Tournament title and Final Four run in senior captains Joey Spallina, Finn Thomson, Billy Dwan III and Riley Figueiras. Additionally, Michael Leo, Luke Rhoa and Jimmy McCool bring experience in high-pressure situations.
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Gait pointed to the Orange’s short-stick defensive midfield as the “biggest question mark” entering the season. SU lost Carter Rice to the Professional Lacrosse League and brought in Ohio State transfer Dante Bowen to likely fill the void.
Sophomore Cam Ryan was slated to fill the third defensive spot next to Dwan and Figueiras, but will begin the year on the shelf with a foot injury. The season-ending injury to Trey Deere from a car accident adds intrigue for Syracuse’s attack, opening with Owen Hiltz also moving on to the professional ranks.
Syracuse warmed up in Orange long-sleeve shirts with the slogan “Burn the Boats” on the back. Sporting the mantra against a school from Boston is quite ironic. Though it showcases SU’s “us against the world” mentality, entering a pivotal fifth season under Gait. Its quest toward its first national title since 2009 begins versus the Terriers.

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Boston, MA

Boston Police Blotter: City snow slowly but surely getting removed

Published

1 day ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Boston Police Blotter: City snow slowly but surely getting removed

The Boston Police Department reported a lower-than-usual number of incidents in the 24-hour period leading up to 10 a.m. Saturday, which could be attributed to temperatures in the single-digits and the massive amount of snow still on the ground.

But Boston Public Works says they’re on the second one.

“No rest for the weary! After another successful night of large-scale snow removal across #Boston, PWD district continue work today removing snow banks and clearing alleys, crosswalks & crub ramps to improve safety and accessibility,” the city department reported Friday.

They were at it again Saturday, when they reported they had cleared more than 2,667 loads of snow from city streets — totaling 41,168 cubic yards.

Incident Summary

BPD responded to 178 incidents in the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. Saturday, according to the department’s incident log. Those included three aggravated assaults and 18 instances of miscellaneous larceny.