NightSide With Dan Rea

Massachusetts may seem primed for a political shake-up, with frustrated voters, competitive primaries, and a record nine ballot questions this fall. But political analyst Jon Keller says the state's political establishment has a long history of surviving challenges, noting that incumbents like Gov. Maura Healey and Sen. Ed Markey continue to poll well. Keller joined Dan for discussion. 

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The highly anticipated murder trial of Lindsay Clancy is underway in Plymouth Superior Court, where prosecutors allege the former Duxbury labor and delivery nurse deliberately killed her three young children in January 2023 before attempting to take her own life. The jury first heard opening statements from Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham and defense attorney Kevin Reddington. Patrick Clancy, the children's father and...

For the final hour of the week, Dan shared a story about a couple he recently had dinner with. Each had created their own bucket list without knowing what was on the other's list. When they finally compared them, they were amazed to discover they had both chosen the very same destination! Curious where it was? Listen to the podcast to find out. Dan also awarded a NightSide mug to the first listener who guessed the destination corre...

The war with Iran is now approaching its fifth month, with no clear end in sight as U.S. and Iranian forces continue exchanging strikes and tensions remain high across the Middle East. The fighting has extended beyond Iran’s borders, affecting U.S. bases, regional allies, and key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about global energy supplies and the risk of a broader regional war. Is this a con...

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has unveiled a street safety plan following the death of city transportation planner and cyclist Louisa Gag, pledging more permanent protected bike lanes, stronger truck safety measures, and an outside review of the city's Streets Cabinet. The plan also calls for evaluating the Mission Hill intersection where Gag was killed, expanding durable bike lane barriers, improving school-zone safety, and upgrading t...

Massachusetts voters will get the chance this November to weigh in on whether the state’s recreational marijuana law should be repealed. Supporters of the ballot question say legalization has led to public health and safety concerns, while opponents argue the industry has created jobs, brought in tax revenue, and provides a regulated way for adults to buy cannabis. The vote will determine whether Massachusetts sticks with the...

A deadly attack in Boston has sparked calls for action. A Bedford man is facing charges in connection with two violent incidents, including the death of a man found with serious injuries near Boylston and Tremont streets and a separate assault near Beach Street. The Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association is calling for a renewed task force to address public safety concerns, and co-founder Rishi Shukla joined Dan to discuss.

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Cyclospora cases have surged across the U.S., sickening thousands in a foodborne outbreak linked to fresh produce, including iceberg lettuce. The parasite can cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, and weight loss, and outbreaks are often difficult to trace because symptoms may not appear for up to two weeks. Dan spoke with Timothy Lytton, Regents' Professor at Georgia State University College of Law and author of ...

The Massachusetts Senate is considering a proposal to eliminate Chapter 62F, a voter-approved law that requires excess state tax revenue to be returned to taxpayers. Republican candidate for Governor Brian Shortsleeve says repealing 62F would amount to a permanent tax increase by allowing Beacon Hill to retain billions in excess revenue rather than returning it to taxpayers. Shortsleeve joined Dan to talk about his pledge to protec...

In a recent video statement, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged that the city does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits for the United Nations General Assembly. However, Mamdani said he still believes the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant should be enforced and urged the federal government to join the ICC and execute the warrant. In response, Israel's...

A new investigation by ProPublica and the Anchorage Daily News found that a federal broadband subsidy program is providing more than $340,000 a year to deliver internet service to hundreds of mostly empty buildings on Alaska’s remote Adak Island. The funding comes through the Universal Service Fund, a fee collected from telecommunications customers that helps bring internet access to rural communities. Residents who remain on...

A Boston man convicted of killing 87-year-old Maude Hinds in 1991 has been granted parole after decades behind bars for the brutal attack. Dionicio Delvalle was sentenced to life in prison for her death, but the Massachusetts Parole Board cited his rehabilitation efforts, prison record, and acceptance of responsibility in approving his release. The decision has sparked debate over whether people convicted of violent crimes like thi...

David Solet is a longtime Middlesex County prosecutor running for district attorney, with 24 years of experience handling serious criminal cases. He led the office’s Cold Case Homicide Unit from 2019 to 2025, working on unsolved murders and major investigations, and says his focus is on public safety, supporting victims, and using modern tools like DNA and digital evidence to solve crimes. Dan spoke with Solet about his campa...

The conversation continued about how New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he will seek to have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he comes to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Mamdani argues he has the authority to do so based on an International Criminal Court warrant alleging war crimes in Gaza. Critics question whether the mayor has the legal authority to make such an arrest, sparking a broa...

Continued conversation about how New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he will seek to have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he comes to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Mamdani argues he has the authority to do so based on an International Criminal Court warrant alleging war crimes in Gaza. Critics question whether the mayor has the legal authority to make such an arrest, sparking a broader ...

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he will seek to have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he comes to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Mamdani argues he has the authority to do so based on an International Criminal Court warrant alleging war crimes in Gaza. Critics question whether the mayor has the legal authority to make such an arrest, sparking a broader debate over U.S. law and diplomat...

Residents across Boston continue to raise concerns about unlicensed and off-leash dogs. Several years ago, a 4-year-old girl was bitten by an unleashed dog, and just last year, a man was attacked, suffering extensive injuries. Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn will chair a July 30 hearing examining animal control enforcement, leash law compliance, dog licensing, and public safety. He checked in to discuss the concerns and what can be ...

You leave the house and you're halfway to your destination when panic sets in…you left your phone at home! Suddenly, you feel "naked" and completely out of touch. Or maybe you're rushing to meet someone and can't find your keys…or your wallet. Maybe you're traveling and suddenly can't remember if you packed your laptop before leaving the hotel. It's happened to all of us, and Dan wanted to hear your stories!

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