The Common

The end of summer means a whole slue of fun things to do in Greater Boston. Like cinema? How about dance? There are more than half-a-dozen film festivals happening in the region this autumn, and over a dozen dance events. How about new music for a new season? Look no further than WBUR's Fall Arts Guides, featuring new albums from local artists, theatre events, art exhibitions, classical music performances and more. WBUR Arts Editor Lauren Williams joins The Common to discuss some of highlights from this fall's arts guides. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

The top regulator of the state's $5-billion legal weed industry has been suspended, even as the Control Commission is poised to make new rules governing cannabis production and commerce in Massachusetts. State lawmakers also sent a letter Monday to the Legislature’s committee on cannabis policy, asking for a hearing and an independent state auditing unit to review the board's actions. Today, Boston Globe staff reporter Matt Stout joins The Common to discuss State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg's decision to suspend Shannon O’Brien, who she appointed as the state's top regulator just one year ago -- and what it might mean for the state's burgeoning cannabis economy. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Green crabs are an incredibly successful — and harmful — invasive species. They thrive in ocean waters the world over, including in New England. Although traditionally only used as fish bait, some chefs are now serving green crab at Boston restaurants. Today, Radio Boston Producer & Director Amanda Beland joins The Common to explain how green crabs are harming our local environment, and what some people are doing to fight back. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

With traditional flu season bearing down fast, and Covid-19 on the rise, the upcoming fall and winter might be better characterized as a triple-viral threat: Covid, flu and RSV. This is also the first year we've ever had vaccines available for all three respiratory viruses. Public health experts say the threat to the public at large -- and the hospital system -- must be taken seriously, but with more anti-viral-tools in our toolbox than ever before, there may also be also be some room for cautious optimism. Today, WBUR Senior Health Reporter Priyanka Dayal McCluskey joins The Common to talk about what's ahead for public health in Massachusetts. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Starting this year, Salem High School is instructing students to put their phones into lockable pouches during the school day, outside of lunch, to reduce in-class distractions and encourage in-person interactions.  Today, WBUR Senior Education Reporter Carrie Jung joins The Common to talk about this new policy, how students are responding, and what's next for cell phone restriction policies in high schools across the region.  Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Amplify Latinx's ALX100 recognizes inspirational leaders from across Massachusetts' Latinx community's diverse professions, nationalities and identities. This year's inaugural list of 100 includes WBUR's own José Massó, host of ¡Con Salsa!, the station's bilingual salsa and Latin jazz music show that has been on the air for 48 years. José joins The Common to discuss the ALX100 honor and ¡Con Salsa's! impact on Greater Boston over the decades. Listen to ¡Con Salsa! on WBUR Saturday nights at 10pm. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Boston City Councilors Ricardo Arroyo (District 5) and Kendra Lara (District 6) lost their bids for reelection during Tuesday's preliminary vote. This follows a year of controversy for both the councilors and city council. It's also the first time in over 40 years that an incumbent city councilor has lost a preliminary election in the city of Boston. WBUR Reporter Walter Wuthmann was at the polls on Tuesday. He joins The Common to discuss the upset and what it means going into the November general election. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Today, we're heading to Mattapan, looking for food. This culinary quest is part of WBUR's Field Guide to Boston -- a station-wide effort to help you connect with the city's communities. WBUR arts reporter and Mattapan native Arielle Gray joins us as a local guide on this episode of The Common, and takes us to three of her can't-miss spots for top-tier food in the neighborhood. Ari recommends.... - Ali's Roti Restaurant: 118 Blue Hill Ave.  - Café Juice Up: 1290 Blue Hill Ave.  - Le Foyer Bakery: 132 Babson St. And check out the rest of WBUR's Field Guide here: http://wbur.org/fieldguide  Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Cousin Stizz is a Dorchester-raised (currently LA-based) MC who broke out in 2014 with his song "Shoutout." Since then, he's gone on to release five albums and has won Artist of the Year at the Boston Music Awards three times (2018, 2019 and 2022). Now, he's returning to Boston on September 16 to launch Commonwealth Fest, a hip hop festival featuring a stacked lineup of local artists as well as national acts.  Cousin Stizz joins The Common to preview Commonwealth Fest and discuss its, as well as his own, Boston origins.  Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.

A month ago, Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency within Massachusetts' family shelter system, which is struggling to support record numbers of unhoused families across the state. WBUR Senior Health and Science Reporter Gabrielle Emanuel joins The Common today to discuss several of her latest stories from within the state's family shelter system, including challenges enrolling newly arrived children in school, as well as recent anti-immigrant protests targeting family shelter locations around the state. Greater Boston’s daily podcast where news and culture meet.