Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
@meaganmcbessey.bsky.social
Managing editor, digital audience & community engagement @WBUR
Lover of snacks, public service journalism, fitness and moose (in that order).
Thoughts = mine.
Mail: mmcginn1@bu.edu
Lover of snacks, public service journalism, fitness and moose (in that order).
Thoughts = mine.
Mail: mmcginn1@bu.edu
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
🎉 Thread: The WBUR Festival – aka our 75th birthday party – is kicking off next weekend in Boston, and you’re invited! Here’s what to know before you arrive. (Don’t have tickets? You can still grab them on our site.)
The WBUR Festival - Boston, MA, USA
Imagine if The New Yorker Festival and the Aspen Ideas Festival had a baby — one with a Boston accent and Big Papi’s swagger. That’s The WBUR Festival, coming in May 2025. We’re celebrating WBUR's 75t...
www.wburfestival.org
May 19, 2025 at 8:41 PM
🎉 Thread: The WBUR Festival – aka our 75th birthday party – is kicking off next weekend in Boston, and you’re invited! Here’s what to know before you arrive. (Don’t have tickets? You can still grab them on our site.)
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
This is one of the most relevant articles I’ve read in some time. thank you, WBUR for showing how it affects the people of Massachusetts. Every state should do this. Congress do your job and educate your state.
WBUR's newsroom reviewed the whirlwind of executive orders, directives, counter-actions and lawsuits over the past three-plus months — with a special focus on how federal actions are affecting Massachusetts and New England.
100(ish) changes in Mass. during Trump's whirlwind (second) first 100 days
WBUR's newsroom reviewed the whirlwind of executive orders, directives, counter-actions and lawsuits over the past three-plus months — with a special focus on how federal actions are affecting Massach...
www.wbur.org
April 30, 2025 at 12:13 PM
This is one of the most relevant articles I’ve read in some time. thank you, WBUR for showing how it affects the people of Massachusetts. Every state should do this. Congress do your job and educate your state.
Archiving these big impacts for history and for our readers so we don't tune out the deluge of news — but actually understand what's happened in the first 100 days and what we may expect in the days ahead. www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...
100(ish) changes in Mass. during Trump's whirlwind (second) first 100 days
WBUR's newsroom reviewed the whirlwind of executive orders, directives, counter-actions and lawsuits over the past three-plus months — with a special focus on how federal actions are affecting Massach...
www.wbur.org
April 30, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Archiving these big impacts for history and for our readers so we don't tune out the deluge of news — but actually understand what's happened in the first 100 days and what we may expect in the days ahead. www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...
A sign that made me giggle (Video credit: Kaileen Spaulding)
April 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM
A sign that made me giggle (Video credit: Kaileen Spaulding)
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
It's Opening Day! And the vibes around the 2025 Red Sox are [knocks on woods] kinda good? The Globe's @alexspeier explains why.
Plus:
— Somerville protests Tufts student detainment
— A strike at Wellesley College
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03... @wbur.org
Plus:
— Somerville protests Tufts student detainment
— A strike at Wellesley College
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03... @wbur.org
Why this year's Red Sox season 'should look a little different than the last handful'
Despite six years of mostly mediocrity since the Red Sox' last World Series, the vibes are high as the team heads into the 2025 season. Boston Globe sports reporter Alex Speier breaks down the bloomin...
www.wbur.org
March 27, 2025 at 11:56 AM
It's Opening Day! And the vibes around the 2025 Red Sox are [knocks on woods] kinda good? The Globe's @alexspeier explains why.
Plus:
— Somerville protests Tufts student detainment
— A strike at Wellesley College
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03... @wbur.org
Plus:
— Somerville protests Tufts student detainment
— A strike at Wellesley College
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03... @wbur.org
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
‘We're creating a society of fear, this is completely — it’s illegal,’ @wbur.org @annarubenstein.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...
Protesters demand Tufts student's release following arrest by immigration officials
More than a thousand people gathered at Powder House Square near the Tufts University campus Wednesday evening to protest the arrest and possible deportation of graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk.
www.wbur.org
March 27, 2025 at 2:52 PM
‘We're creating a society of fear, this is completely — it’s illegal,’ @wbur.org @annarubenstein.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...
Are you a current or former federal worker? We want -- and need -- to hear from you to make sure we're telling the stories we need to tell and capturing this moment in history accurately.
The conversations we've had with workers have helped us explain how the layoffs will affect Americans in New England and beyond.
We want to hear from current and former federal workers from New England
Are you a current or former federal worker in New England affected by the changes being made by the Trump administration? If you're willing to share your experience, we want to listen.
wbur.fm
March 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Are you a current or former federal worker? We want -- and need -- to hear from you to make sure we're telling the stories we need to tell and capturing this moment in history accurately.
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
three minute videos, you say? here's one from @miriamwasser.bsky.social on why your heating bills have been so high in Mass. this winter.
March 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
three minute videos, you say? here's one from @miriamwasser.bsky.social on why your heating bills have been so high in Mass. this winter.
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
Boston Mayor @wutrain.bsky.social heads to Congress today and will testify over Boston's immigration policies. We'll have live coverage today, and a video later this afternoon:
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...
Wu prepares to face hostile GOP grilling in Congress over immigration policy
Republicans leading the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee say they’re holding the mayors of Boston, New York, Chicago and Denver “publicly accountable” for the way they handle immigratio...
www.wbur.org
March 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Boston Mayor @wutrain.bsky.social heads to Congress today and will testify over Boston's immigration policies. We'll have live coverage today, and a video later this afternoon:
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...
Tell me where you go to have fun!
Tell us: Where do you go to have fun indoors and find your inner kid?
We want to hear about all the places around Greater Boston where you go to shake the winter doldrums off and just have fun.
www.wbur.org
February 27, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Tell me where you go to have fun!
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
"I'm trying to think about what I will wear and how to be in that setting and be able to have nursing-friendly attire on," Wu said.
"There's no one who knows how to multitask better than working moms," she adds.
More here: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org
"There's no one who knows how to multitask better than working moms," she adds.
More here: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org
Wu: Border czar Homan's promise to 'bring hell' to Boston mere 'bluster'
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins WBUR's Morning Edition.
www.wbur.org
February 25, 2025 at 1:54 PM
"I'm trying to think about what I will wear and how to be in that setting and be able to have nursing-friendly attire on," Wu said.
"There's no one who knows how to multitask better than working moms," she adds.
More here: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org
"There's no one who knows how to multitask better than working moms," she adds.
More here: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
In the icy aftermath of this past weekend's storm, Somerville officials say they're issued "hundreds of tickets a day" for widespread uncleared sidewalks: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org
In icy storm aftermath, Somerville issues 'hundreds of tickets a day' for uncleared sidewalks
This past weekend’s storm has left sheets of ice on sidewalks across the Boston area. In Somerville, officials say they're fielding hundreds of complaints a day.
www.wbur.org
February 19, 2025 at 1:53 PM
In the icy aftermath of this past weekend's storm, Somerville officials say they're issued "hundreds of tickets a day" for widespread uncleared sidewalks: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
In this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:
— A new report on the future of downtown Boston calls for thinking outside of the office
— Third time's a charm for Wu property tax proposal?
— State House advances shelter changes
— Say goodbye to the Boylston Steet bus lane
www.wbur.org/news/2025/02...
— A new report on the future of downtown Boston calls for thinking outside of the office
— Third time's a charm for Wu property tax proposal?
— State House advances shelter changes
— Say goodbye to the Boylston Steet bus lane
www.wbur.org/news/2025/02...
Downtown Boston's future relies on more than return-to-work orders, says new report
The report, released Thursday by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, says downtown Boston's future depends on whether we can make commuting and living there easier.
www.wbur.org
February 13, 2025 at 2:25 PM
In this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:
— A new report on the future of downtown Boston calls for thinking outside of the office
— Third time's a charm for Wu property tax proposal?
— State House advances shelter changes
— Say goodbye to the Boylston Steet bus lane
www.wbur.org/news/2025/02...
— A new report on the future of downtown Boston calls for thinking outside of the office
— Third time's a charm for Wu property tax proposal?
— State House advances shelter changes
— Say goodbye to the Boylston Steet bus lane
www.wbur.org/news/2025/02...
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
A number of newly surfaced quotes from Josh Kraft in this feature by WBUR's Walter Wuthman, including about his early work in Boston and his views on "woke"/Israel: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org
February 4, 2025 at 12:45 PM
A number of newly surfaced quotes from Josh Kraft in this feature by WBUR's Walter Wuthman, including about his early work in Boston and his views on "woke"/Israel: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
Officials say bird flu is “widespread in Massachusetts and likely present even in places where there has not been a confirmed positive."
What does that actually mean for you?
Plus:
— Another Republican eyes 2026 governor's race
— Ibram X. Kendi to leave BU
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
What does that actually mean for you?
Plus:
— Another Republican eyes 2026 governor's race
— Ibram X. Kendi to leave BU
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
What the unprecedented bird flu outbreak in Massachusetts means for you
The current bird flu outbreak in Massachusetts is the largest the state has ever seen. Here's why officials believe it has become so widespread and what residents should do to protect themselves (and ...
www.wbur.org
January 31, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Officials say bird flu is “widespread in Massachusetts and likely present even in places where there has not been a confirmed positive."
What does that actually mean for you?
Plus:
— Another Republican eyes 2026 governor's race
— Ibram X. Kendi to leave BU
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
What does that actually mean for you?
Plus:
— Another Republican eyes 2026 governor's race
— Ibram X. Kendi to leave BU
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
Tell us what you think!
Students, teachers, parents: What do you think about banning cellphones in Mass. schools?
Earlier this month, bills to restrict cellphones and other personal electronics during school hours were proposed in the Senate and House.
www.wbur.org
January 28, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Tell us what you think!
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
Boston got a record 110 inches of snow in the winter of 2015.
But the wild part is that nearly 95 inches fell between Jan. 24 and Feb. 22, burying the city's previous a 30-day snowfall record (58.8 inches).
More fun stats from the 2015 winter here: www.wbur.org/news/2025/01... @wbur.org
But the wild part is that nearly 95 inches fell between Jan. 24 and Feb. 22, burying the city's previous a 30-day snowfall record (58.8 inches).
More fun stats from the 2015 winter here: www.wbur.org/news/2025/01... @wbur.org
January 27, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Boston got a record 110 inches of snow in the winter of 2015.
But the wild part is that nearly 95 inches fell between Jan. 24 and Feb. 22, burying the city's previous a 30-day snowfall record (58.8 inches).
More fun stats from the 2015 winter here: www.wbur.org/news/2025/01... @wbur.org
But the wild part is that nearly 95 inches fell between Jan. 24 and Feb. 22, burying the city's previous a 30-day snowfall record (58.8 inches).
More fun stats from the 2015 winter here: www.wbur.org/news/2025/01... @wbur.org
Pulling this together brought me joy this week, hope it makes you smile this weekend, too.
Dig through WBUR readers' 2015 'snowmaggedon' memories and photos
More than 60 WBUR listeners and readers shared their stories — and photos — with us to collectively commemorate, rage and laugh at all the wild occurrences during that snowy year. Here are some of the...
www.wbur.org
January 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Pulling this together brought me joy this week, hope it makes you smile this weekend, too.
Hey @wbur.org fans: You know you want to tell us your good, bad, infuriating and funny stories from Boston's (arguably) craziest winter in the 21st century.
Share your most memorable moments — and pictures — from 2015's 'Snowmageddon'
It's been 10 years since four storms dumped so much snow on Massachusetts that it felt like we lived in an ant farm. We want to hear your stories from that time — the good, the bad and the hilarious —...
www.wbur.org
January 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Hey @wbur.org fans: You know you want to tell us your good, bad, infuriating and funny stories from Boston's (arguably) craziest winter in the 21st century.
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
NPR has tracked the prices of dozens of items at the same superstore in Georgia, including eggs, T-shirts, snacks and paper towels. Here's what got cheaper over the past year, and more expensive.
NPR shopped for 96 items at Walmart to track how prices are really changing
NPR has tracked the prices of dozens of items at the same superstore in Georgia, including eggs, T-shirts, snacks and paper towels. Here's what got cheaper over the past year, and more expensive.
www.npr.org
January 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
NPR has tracked the prices of dozens of items at the same superstore in Georgia, including eggs, T-shirts, snacks and paper towels. Here's what got cheaper over the past year, and more expensive.
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
In this morning's @wbur.org newsletter: Breaking down Gov. Maura Healey's broker's fee proposal
Plus:
— Wu property tax proposal, take two
— Needham's Milton-esque referendum
— Brockton City Council pushes back on mayor's veto
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
Plus:
— Wu property tax proposal, take two
— Needham's Milton-esque referendum
— Brockton City Council pushes back on mayor's veto
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
Gov. Healey proposes shifting the responsibility for broker's fees to landlords
Gov. Maura Healey announced Monday that her upcoming budget proposal will include language to require broker's fees be paid by whoever originally hired the broker — usually the landlord.
www.wbur.org
January 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
In this morning's @wbur.org newsletter: Breaking down Gov. Maura Healey's broker's fee proposal
Plus:
— Wu property tax proposal, take two
— Needham's Milton-esque referendum
— Brockton City Council pushes back on mayor's veto
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
Plus:
— Wu property tax proposal, take two
— Needham's Milton-esque referendum
— Brockton City Council pushes back on mayor's veto
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
In this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:
How processed is your food? A new database released this morning by MGH can help you find out: www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
How processed is your food? A new database released this morning by MGH can help you find out: www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
How processed is your food? A new database from MGH can help you find out
A new database from Mass General Brigham launched Monday with the nutritional value and "processing scores" for more than 50,000 foods available at Target, Whole Foods and Walmart. Here’s how it works...
www.wbur.org
January 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
In this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:
How processed is your food? A new database released this morning by MGH can help you find out: www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
How processed is your food? A new database released this morning by MGH can help you find out: www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
With more than 30 communities in Massachusetts currently considered out of compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, yesterday's SJC ruling has ramifications that reach far beyond Milton.
Details in this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
Details in this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
What the SJC ruling on the MBTA Communities Act means beyond Milton
Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court ruled Wednesday the state can force communities to comply with the MBTA Communities Act (after it rewrites the law's guidelines). The ruling has ramifications for...
www.wbur.org
January 9, 2025 at 1:39 PM
With more than 30 communities in Massachusetts currently considered out of compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, yesterday's SJC ruling has ramifications that reach far beyond Milton.
Details in this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
Details in this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...
Reposted by Meagan McGinnes-Bessey
What to known about the rise in norovirus cases in Massachusetts (and why soap+water is so important)
Plus:
— Two new health laws in Mass.
— Healey's stance on broker's fees
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01... @wbur.org
Plus:
— Two new health laws in Mass.
— Healey's stance on broker's fees
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01... @wbur.org
What you need to know about that nasty stomach bug going around Mass.
Data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health shows the number of confirmed cases norovirus in the state more than doubled last month. Here's what you need to know about the gastrointestinal...
www.wbur.org
January 8, 2025 at 2:12 PM
What to known about the rise in norovirus cases in Massachusetts (and why soap+water is so important)
Plus:
— Two new health laws in Mass.
— Healey's stance on broker's fees
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01... @wbur.org
Plus:
— Two new health laws in Mass.
— Healey's stance on broker's fees
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01... @wbur.org
I think we could all use a mid-week "Pick Me Up." Especially coming off the holidays and trying to kick off 2025 with a positive mindset. Luckily, @wbur.org's seasonal joy newsletter is back starting tomorrow! (Rocky has been waiting patiently for this!) www.wbur.org/news/the-pic...
January 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I think we could all use a mid-week "Pick Me Up." Especially coming off the holidays and trying to kick off 2025 with a positive mindset. Luckily, @wbur.org's seasonal joy newsletter is back starting tomorrow! (Rocky has been waiting patiently for this!) www.wbur.org/news/the-pic...