NightSide With Dan Rea

NightSide’s last hour of the week we like to keep it light and fun. For this 20th hour, we bring back a fan favorite. Brushes with Celebrity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady is certainly no stranger to New England, but how many really know the man behind all that success? In New York Times bestselling author Lars Anderson’s new book, “Brady” An American Story and the Price of Greatness” , he paints a detailed psychological portrait of Tom Brady, a self-described loner whose life is defined by discipline, resilience, a fascination with preparation, an intolerance for wasted time, and a relentless pursuit of the extraordinary. Lars joined Dan to discuss one of New England’s most legendary sports figures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there would be a livestream of the firing squad execution of Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Hasan, allowing the public to watch. What’s the current legal framework on this? Most state and federal laws strictly limit who can witness an execution. Furthermore, as a society, should we go back to the days of public executions? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday evening, Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates Governor Maura Healey and Mike Minologue sparred in their first debate. What were the main takeaways from the debate, and did one candidate in particular stand out to you? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the Gubernatorial debate, Dan wanted to hear what you thought! Did Minogue make any headway, and did either candidate give you something new to think about? Were the issues that matter most to you addressed, or were there questions you wish they had answered? Did anything from tonight change your mind about who you’ll vote for in November, or are you more certain now about your choice? The debate will be over, but the conversation is just starting! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the Gubernatorial debate, Dan wanted to hear what you thought! Did Minogue make any headway, and did either candidate give you something new to think about? Were the issues that matter most to you addressed, or were there questions you wish they had answered? Did anything from tonight change your mind about who you’ll vote for in November, or are you more certain now about your choice? The debate will be over, but the conversation is just starting! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the Gubernatorial debate, Dan wanted to hear what you thought! Did Minogue make any headway, and did either candidate give you something new to think about? Were the issues that matter most to you addressed, or were there questions you wish they had answered? Did anything from tonight change your mind about who you’ll vote for in November, or are you more certain now about your choice? The debate will be over, but the conversation is just starting! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about how it’s been three years since the Hamas attack on Israel that left roughly 1,200 killed and more than 240 people taken as hostages. What has changed over the course of the last three years and where does the two warring factions stand? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been three years since the Hamas attack on Israel that left roughly 1,200 killed and more than 240 people taken as hostages. What has changed over the course of the last three years and where does the two warring factions stand? Israeli Consul General to New England, Benny Sharoni joined Dan and discussed the cascade of events that led to wars across the Middle East that are still ignited today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The two men sought in connection with the Bronx stabbing of an off-duty NYPD detective, were arrested in Lynn, MA. The suspects, D'Angelo Caraballo and Sneider Mejia broke into detective Jose Mercedes’s car and when Mercedes approached them, he was stabbed 7 times. The men are being charged with attempted murder. The Department of Homeland Security said both men are from the Dominican Republic and living in the United States illegally. U.S. Marshal Dennis Matulewicz joined Dan to discuss! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Massachusetts Question 3 asks voters whether to eliminate political party primaries for state elections and create a single primary where candidates are listed regardless of their political party. Dan spoke with both opposing campaigns on Question 3: Danielle Allen, convening chair of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy and a proponent of Question 3, along with Brian Muldoon, a campaign consult with “No on 3.” Discussion included where each camp comes down on the issue of political party primaries. Should Massachusetts ditch partisan primaries? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump has approved the execution of former Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan by firing squad, nearly 17 years after he killed 13 people and wounded 32 others at Fort Hood, Texas. Hasan was convicted and sentenced to death by a military jury in 2013, and the Army Secretary will now determine the time and place of his execution. If carried out, it would be the first U.S. military execution since 1961 and the first known military firing-squad execution since 1945. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Hampshire’s only death row inmate will remain on death row after the state Supreme Court dismissed Michael Addison’s latest appeal. Addison was convicted of killing Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs in 2006 and sentenced to death, but his attorneys argued that New Hampshire’s 2019 repeal of the death penalty should mean his sentence can no longer be carried out. The court ruled that state law does not allow another review of whether Addison’s sentence was appropriate, leaving his death sentence intact for now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue the show with a personal experience that may surprise you! We all have that loose change kicking around that we can’t wait to get rid of…so this weekend, Producer Karen had the opportunity to get rid of a few quarters. The bill was $2, she handed the cashier 8 quarters, and the Gen Z attendant glanced at them, looked a little puzzled, then asked, “I don’t know how much these are…are they 25?” Has cash gone the way of the dinosaur already? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We kicked off the show with a personal experience that may surprise you! We all have that loose change kicking around that we can’t wait to get rid of…so this weekend, Producer Karen had the opportunity to get rid of a few quarters. The bill was $2, she handed the cashier 8 quarters, and the Gen Z attendant glanced at them, looked a little puzzled, then asked, “I don’t know how much these are…are they 25?” Has cash gone the way of the dinosaur already? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From ordering food and booking appointments to tracking wellness and managing household tasks, there’s an array of different apps to handle just about every inch of our lives these days….and it can be exhausting! It also leaves people struggling to track endless notifications and remember login credentials across multiple platforms. No wonder we never have time for anything! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about how apps are essentially ruling our lives, from ordering food and booking appointments to tracking wellness and managing household tasks. It can be exhausting and it also leaves us struggling to track endless notifications and remember login credentials across multiple platforms. No wonder we never have time for anything! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CarolAnn Garratt is a record-setting pilot who has twice flown a small, single-engine plane around the world, including a 2008 flight that set a world record of just 8 days, 12 hours and 20 minutes. Her journeys were inspired by her mother’s battle with ALS, and Garratt has used her flights to raise awareness and money for the disease. Bradley talked with Garratt about her incredible aviation adventures, what it’s like spending 158 hours in a tiny cockpit, and the mission that inspired her to take to the skies! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four lads from Liverpool changed music forever when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr exploded onto the world stage in the 1960s! Bradley talked with Boston’s leading Beatles historian, ChaChi Loprete. Also joining was Boston Photographer Roger Farrington, who talked about his new book featuring pictures of John and Yoko, and Rich Hershenson, who talked his way into The Beatles pre-concert press conference at the Madison Hotel back in 1964! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's 20th Hour, Dan wanted to know "What Grinds Your Gears!?" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new ad campaign criticizing Boston Public Schools was briefly displayed on MBTA trains before the T pulled the ads, saying they violated its advertising guidelines. The ads, paid for by the education advocacy group Next Chapter Boston, highlighted state test data showing most Boston third graders performing below grade level in math and reading. The group says the campaign is meant to draw attention to BPS academic results, while the MBTA says the ads were placed without the required review. Local education advocate and former Boston School Committee member Mary Tamer, Ed.M., joined Dan to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Newton woman is fighting to keep Clover, her 28.5-inch-tall miniature horse, at her home after the city denied her permit. Judy Hinchey says she spent nearly $100,000 building a shelter and fencing for Clover, who she hopes to train as a therapy animal, but neighbors have complained about the smell and the city says her property doesn’t meet manure-storage rules. Now, Hinchey is considering taking the fight to court. Hinchey joined Dan with the latest on her efforts to keep Clover at home! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Massachusetts House has unanimously passed legislation aimed at giving residents greater control over their personal information and strengthening protections against the misuse of sensitive data. The bill would allow consumers to access, correct, and delete certain personal information, limit targeted advertising to minors, and ban the sale of precise location data. Passed by a 146-0 vote, the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act now returns to the Senate for further consideration. Joining Dan was Kade Crockford, Director for Technology and Justice Programs at the ACLU of Massachusetts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the start of year twenty for “NightSide!” Where did the time go? NightSide has shared the big stories, the wild stories, the laughs, the debates, and plenty of moments you probably never expected to hear on the air. As we kicked off year 20, Dan reminisced about the past nineteen years and wanted to hear from the listeners as to what’s kept them listening all these years! Hear what some of their favorite moments and topics were! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about how Christa Gail Pike’s scheduled execution in Tennessee was briefly halted when a federal appeals court issued a stay, but the U.S. Supreme Court later lifted it, allowing the execution to move forward. Hours later, the lethal injection was stopped after Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital and remained alive, prompting her attorneys to seek emergency relief as Pike was taken to a hospital. Pike would have been the first woman executed by Tennessee in more than 200 years, and Governor Bill Lee has now suspended executions in the state for the rest of the year while the incident is reviewed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christa Gail Pike’s scheduled execution in Tennessee was briefly halted Wednesday morning when a federal appeals court issued a stay, but the U.S. Supreme Court later lifted it, allowing the execution to move forward. Hours later, the lethal injection was stopped after Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital and remained alive, prompting her attorneys to seek emergency relief as Pike was taken to a hospital. Pike would have been the first woman executed by Tennessee in more than 200 years, and Governor Bill Lee has now suspended executions in the state for the rest of the year while the incident is reviewed. Dan discussed this bizarre turn of events. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Red Sox fans are expressing frustration over the end of Boston’s season in a sweep. After a season that had fans excited about what this team could do, the postseason ended much sooner and much more painfully than anyone wanted. Now fans are left wondering what went wrong and what the Sox need to do this offseason to come back stronger next year. Dan Shaughnessy, sports columnist and associate editor at the Boston Globe, joined Dan for analysis! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about a new report from MA Attorney General Campbell’s office finds that more than 270 Catholic clerics abused nearly 1,000 children across the Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester dioceses over several decades. The investigation also found cases where church leaders failed to act on allegations, moved accused priests to other parishes without disclosing the reasons, and did not consistently report allegations to law enforcement. Dan took a closer look at the findings, what the report says about the church’s handling of abuse allegations, and what could happen next for survivors and the three dioceses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report from MA Attorney General Campbell’s office finds that more than 270 Catholic clerics abused nearly 1,000 children across the Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester dioceses over several decades. The investigation also found cases where church leaders failed to act on allegations, moved accused priests to other parishes without disclosing the reasons, and did not consistently report allegations to law enforcement. Dan took a closer look at the findings, what the report says about the church’s handling of abuse allegations, and what could happen next for survivors and the three dioceses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leaders from all six New England states gathered in Lowell today to talk about whether nuclear power could help meet the region’s growing demand for electricity. The one-day summit focused on newer, advanced nuclear technology, with discussions about safety, waste, and how these smaller reactors could fit into the region’s energy future. The meeting comes as Gov. Maura Healey pushes to repeal a Massachusetts law requiring a statewide vote before a new nuclear plant can be built. Dan was joined by Deb Katz, Executive Director of the Citizens Awareness Network, to discuss the group’s position on nuclear power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A “Yes” vote on Massachusetts Ballot Question 2 would allow employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the state agency that provides legal representation to people who cannot afford an attorney, to form a union and negotiate with the state over things like pay and working conditions. Dan spoke with Tom McKeever, President of SEIU Local 888, who will explain what a “Yes” vote could mean for CPCS employees and the people they serve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about how earlier this month, Republicans held a fundraiser at Montano's Restaurant in Truro on Cape Cod. Ed Medeiros, the owner of Montano's, claims that he and his business have been harassed on social media by people who are upset that he allowed the GOP event at his restaurant. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, Republicans held a fundraiser at Montano's Restaurant in Truro on Cape Cod. Ed Medeiros, the owner of Montano's, claims that he and his business have been harassed on social media by people who are upset that he allowed the GOP event at his restaurant. Ed Medeiros joined Dan to talk about the ugly comments that he now faces from anonymous critics intent on harming his business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We broke down the “No” vote on Massachusetts Ballot Question 9, which would repeal the state’s 2024 gun law and roll back the changes it made to Massachusetts firearms regulations. For gun owners, that could mean changes to requirements involving licensing, ghost guns, assault-style weapons, machine guns and where firearms can be carried. For a deeper dive into what a “No” vote would mean for gun owners and Massachusetts’ firearms laws, Dan talked with John Mawhinney, Chief of Staff of the Civil Rights Coalition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would a “No” vote on Massachusetts Ballot Question 4 mean for voters? A “No” vote would keep the current voter registration rules right where they are, meaning no Election Day registration or updating your address at the polls. Dan took a closer look at what’s at stake in the debate over Election Day registration with Amy Carnevale, Chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued discussion about how the Massachusetts Parole Board released three more killers convicted of second degree murder. One double murderer, who killed an elderly couple in 1992, and two men convicted of separate crimes, one as recently as 2008, and a murder resulting from a drug deal in 2006. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Massachusetts Parole Board released three more killers convicted of second degree murder. One double murderer, who killed an elderly couple in 1992, and two men convicted of separate crimes, one as recently as 2008, and a murder resulting from a drug deal in 2006. Dan discussed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about MA Ballot Question #5 with Jim Stergios, Executive Director of the Pioneer Institute, who explained his reasons why Massachusetts voters should support Question 5. He argues that all Massachusetts State Tax Revenue, including the recently adopted “Millionaires Tax”, should be used to calculate whether taxpayers are due a tax credit in any given tax year. There is a lot at stake on Question 5 for taxpayers and for residents who rely on critical state programs, benefits, and services. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Essentially, that is Question 5 on the Ballot for Massachusetts Voters this November. Lew Finfer of Raise Up Massachusetts opposes Question 5 on the Massachusetts Ballot. Under existing law, Massachusetts has a limit on state tax revenue growth, and if collections exceed that limit, the excess is returned to taxpayers through a tax refund. But additional taxes collected under the so-called “Millionaires Tax” are not currently included in that calculation. Finfer discussed his opposition to voter approval of Question 5. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Huddle around the radio and listen in as Dan ended the week with a topic that challenges your recollections and interests! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We may not be in the Eye of our September Nor’Easter, but this storm will be ramping up! We spoke with Boston Globe Lead Meteorologist Ken Mahan about the weather for the weekend. Ken also answered listener’s calls. Listen in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“NightSide” hosted a look at both sides of Massachusetts Ballot Question 7. The question asks whether to make it easier to build certain single-family homes in residential areas, including on lots of at least 5,000 square feet with 50 feet of frontage and access to public water and sewer. A “Yes” vote would allow those homes to be built under the new rules, while a “No” vote would leave the current laws unchanged. We heard from Andrew Mikula, chair of the Legalize Starter Homes campaign, who supports a “Yes” vote, and Dave Koffman, Senior Executive and Legislative Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, who supports a “No” vote. Listen in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“NightSide” hosted a look at both sides of Massachusetts Ballot Question 7. The question asks whether to make it easier to build certain single-family homes in residential areas, including on lots of at least 5,000 square feet with 50 feet of frontage and access to public water and sewer. A “Yes” vote would allow those homes to be built under the new rules, while a “No” vote would leave the current laws unchanged. We heard from Andrew Mikula, chair of the Legalize Starter Homes campaign, who supports a “Yes” vote, and Dave Koffman, Senior Executive and Legislative Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, who supports a “No” vote. Listen in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan takes a look back on something President Obama said when he was running in 2008 that he finds interesting. And later, what are you doing to plan for the storm this weekend? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is America moving toward socialism, and what could that mean for our individual freedoms? In his book Wake Up America!: The Rise of Socialism Is the Death of Freedom, former Congressman Ken Buck takes a closer look at socialism, government power, and the values he believes are at the heart of American freedom. Buck joined Dan to discuss where he believes our country is headed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump and China President Xi Jinping dined at the White House recently. Professor Greg Stoller of the Boston University Questrom School of Business previewed the issues that were on the table for discussion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would Mike Walsh do if he became Massachusetts attorney general? Walsh says he wants to make the office more independent, focus on fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer money, and push back against state policies he believes infringe on local control. Dan talked with Walsh about his campaign, his priorities, and what he would bring to the attorney general’s office. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cursive writing is slowly disappearing from classrooms as more schools focus on typing, technology, and digital communication. Many students can read printed handwriting but struggle to read or write traditional cursive. Some states are bringing cursive lessons back into schools, while others are clearly moving away from it. Do you think cursive writing is still an important skill for kids to learn, or should we just let it go? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Massachusetts students are still struggling to get back to where they were before the pandemic, with the latest MCAS results showing declines in English language arts and continued gaps in math. Only 40% of students in grades 3 through 8 met or exceeded expectations in English, down two points from last year, while just 45% of 10th graders met the standard. Dan took a closer look at what the latest numbers say about the state of education in Massachusetts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about how gas prices are climbing in Massachusetts, and Gov. Maura Healey is proposing a two-month suspension of the state’s 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax to give drivers some relief. Healey says the move could provide about $120 million in savings, but House Speaker Ron Mariano has raised concerns about losing money used for roads and bridges. The plan still needs approval from the Legislature, so Dan took a closer look at the debate over suspending the gas tax. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.