WBUR

We’re proud to announce that WBUR and Senior Investigative Reporter Willoughby Mariano were selected to receive a significant grant to work on an investigation with ProPublica as part of its Local Reporting Network (https://wbur.fm/3PLbDxm). This program, funded by the Abrams Foundation, helps remove financial barriers, enabling newsrooms to pursue time-intensive investigations. WBUR is one of five news organizations picked by ProPublica to collaborate, starting April 1. ProPublica launched the Local Reporting Network in 2018 to boost investigative journalism in local newsrooms. “It's a tremendous honor for WBUR to be chosen,” said Managing Editor of Investigations Christine Willmsen. “ProPublica is known for award-winning collaborations and news stories with impact.” Mariano has been with WBUR since 2024. Her recent work with ProPublica helped spur Gov. Maura Healey’s recent proposal to change Massachusetts’ law on sexual assault (https://wbur.fm/3Nz6AQ4). She was previously at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where her reporting led to changes in housing and criminal justice law (https://wbur.fm/3NXCXrI). “It is a privilege to be working with these fabulous reporters and their newsrooms,” said Sarah Blustain, assistant managing editor for ProPublica. “They have identified some important topics and we’re excited to begin the collaboration.” WBUR has partnered with ProPublica in the past, producing investigations about civil forfeiture, public housing and law enforcement.

The WBUR Festival speaker list keeps growing. Check out the lineup and grab your ticket. 🔗: https://wbur.fm/3PCvxdT 📰: Boston Globe Media

Two WBUR stories have been honored with Gracie Awards from the Alliance for Women in Media. In the National Radio Public Affairs category, On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti won for “Black Women's Deep Roots in Country Music.” Producing by Claire Donnelly with hosting and editing by Meghna Chakrabarti. Listen here: https://wbur.fm/4d0cP9L. In the Local Radio Portrait/Biography category, WBUR’s All Things Considered won for an in‑depth obituary of former First Lady of Massachusetts Kitty Dukakis. Reporting by Lisa Mullins and Lynn Jolicoeur, editing by Roberto Scalese and David Greene and mixing by Patrick O’Connor. Listen here: https://wbur.fm/47fLTzg. As AWMF President Becky Brooks said, these stories don’t just reflect the world — they shape it. Congratulations to everyone involved.

A roar heard everywhere! Circle Round wins Best Kids & Family Podcast at the iHeartPodcast Awards 2026. 🏆 Thank you, listeners — this is yours as much as ours. #iheartpodcastawards Sheir and Shim: Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis

The WBUR Festival returns this year and our lineup is stacked. Bryan Stevenson, Samantha Power and José Andrés are just a few of the big names who will take the stage on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30. In the meantime, here's another important date to know: On Monday, March 16, we’ll say goodbye to early bird ticket prices. That means you’ve got three days left to claim our best deals of the year. https://wbur.fm/4s5wbPj

2025 was an epic year. In so many ways. Despite the complexity of what we had to navigate, WBUR has a very good story to tell. https://lnkd.in/ef8NBBqJ

One week from today, on Wednesday, March 18, The WBUR Breakfast Club is back. Former NPR host, Ari Shaprio will be on the CitySpace stage with the founders of Bombas, David Heath and Randy Goldberg. It promises to be a riveting conversation and a masterclass in how to build a purpose driven business. Come join us. https://lnkd.in/eU6-K62k

It took a village to teach 80 people Hong Kong style mahjong at WBUR on Lunar New Year 🧧 as I enter the Year of the Fire Horse (as a horse myself!), it felt so right to build community and raise funds (and eat Mei Mei Dumplings) for something I care so much about: public media and radio! I'm feeling so grateful for this incredible crew of fellow mahjong teachers and friends ❤️ Extra special thanks to our consummate host Candice Springer, and Jessica Coughlin, the brain to this pinky and the provider of our oldest mahjong set (love you nanny!) My favorite part of the evening was connecting with other HK-style mahjong teachers who graciously volunteered to join us for this sold out evening: Tiffany from Chicken Hand Society, Nicole and Thomas from Wednesday Tile Club (at Aeronaut Brewing) and Rob from Lucky Knot Arts. Thank you for your time and generosity in service of this game we all love so much 🀄️ We had too much fun to not do this again, so stay tuned for more. Want to get a head start? Watch the tutorial recording at https://lnkd.in/eyY-QCUK #lunarnewyear #wburcityspace #mahjongonamission #mahjong #hkstylemahjong

Reporting for this story began in August 2024, when I filed the first batch of public records requests. My investigative reporting students were bought in from day one of the semester that fall, with a handful of them continuing the reporting over the past year and a half. I'm so impressed with their passion and couldn't be more proud of the empathy and professionalism they showed throughout. This is a story about accountability and the search for justice, and I'm grateful to everyone who shared their story and perspective with us. Gabrielle Gagnon Julia Goujiamanis Eva Liu Faith Imafidon Julia Deal Angeliki Michalou Rayea Jain Mariam Ibrahimi Laila Musleh Aditi Thube Abigail Pritchard https://lnkd.in/eHhZTquD