NightSide News Update 03/20/2026

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.