Early Edition With Joe Mathieu

Good Thursday morning from Joe Mathieu and the WGBH Morning Edition team. Another day on the news grind as today brings leaked excerpts from former national security advisor John Bolton’s new book, including President Trump asking if Finland is part of Russia. This led to some early morning trolling from the Russian government via social media. Speaking of social media, the fireworks that continue to fly in greater Boston on a nightly basis have inspired their own social media account. And two competing protests near Roslindale last night give us some interesting soundbites for the morning. Stay safe and enjoy the good weather, and thanks for waking up with WGBH.

Good Wednesday Morning from the WGBH Morning Edition team. The midway point of the week has arrived and Joe Mathieu is about to start a ‘Fireworks Patrol’ for his Boston-area neighborhood, the fireworks flew even as late as 4AM on his drive in to the station. Despite the rainy April and May, our area is already looking at a possible drought and which could mean water restrictions this soon in the season. And some promising coronavirus news coming out of a Boston University study that may have implications on stocks later this morning. Thanks as always for waking up with WGBH Radio.

Good morning from Joe Mathieu and our WGBH Morning Edition team. We’re back at it for day two of the work week and ready to help get your day started. If you attended one of the dozens of Massachusetts area protests in the past two weeks, you can now get tested for free at dozens of local testing sites. A few former Ebay employees apparently had it out for some Natick residents. Monumental decision by the Supremem Court for our LGBTQ neighbors. And the FDA has now shot down a medication once touted by President Trump for use on the Coronavirus. Hey, its only Tuesday… you’re just getting started. Thanks for waking up with WGBH.

Good Monday Morning from Joe Mathieu and the WGBH Morning Edition team. Welcome back to the work week, and for Joe Mathieu its welcome back to our Brighton studios… Joe is safely socially distanced in Control Room 6, while our logistics guy Andrew remains in Control Room 5. So welcome back to the building Joe. We recap the weekend including some challenges navigating a ramp for the President, and we’ll lay out the work week ahead including more on the pandemic and easement of restrictions. Thanks for starting your week with WGBH Radio.

Joe Mathieu and the WGBH Morning Edition team get you ready for the weekend on a Friday morning. Thanks for waking up with us for “the best 10”, and thanks for tuning in to WGBH Radio.

Good Thursday morning from the WGBH Morning Edition team. It appears today is the final day Joe will be broadcasting from home, and he’s excited to get back in the building ASAP. Meanwhile the “new normal” is taking over as many restaurants and eateries put outdoor dining into full use. Some patrons are returning, but many remain cautious. Nascar took a big symbolic step yesterday that has many in its audience divided. And calls to the Boston Police concerning illegal fireworks are up over 2000 percent since quarantine began, and a couple of our show members are personally affected. Thanks for waking up with WGBH, and have a great Thursday.

Welcome to Wednesday from Joe Mathieu and the WGBH Morning Edition team. We’re doing it once again, working from home as we mark the three month anniversary of quarantine and social distancing. It may come to and end for a few of us soon, but most of us are staying put in our houses for the time being. Governor Baker, along some key local celebrities, gave graduating high school seniors a few choice words of encouragement (virtually, via WGBH). But as both Baker and our M.E. team point out, not many people actually remember their commencement, or who spoke at it. Have a great Wednesday everyone, and thanks for listening to WGBH Radio.

Good Tuesday morning from Joe Mathieu and the entire WGBH Morning Edition team. Technical difficulties for one member of the team has Joe gambling on whether Shelby will pop into our zoom room before the end of the show… let’s find out how he did. Sleep schedules are upside down for many people during the Covid-19 quarantine, but none more so than Brendan’s, who is keeping vampire hours according to Joe. And schools will face serious social distancing and PPE challenges if and when classes resume in September Thanks for waking up with WGBH and have a great Tuesday.

Good Monday morning from Joe Mathieu and our WGBH Morning Edition crew. As the days get longer, we enjoy these 5AM sunrises as Early Edition is in progress… Joe notes its a beautiful morning out there, get outside and enjoy when you get the chance. We’ll catch you up on the latest news from the weekend including the protests, rallies, and today’s phase two re-openings taking place in Massachusetts. Have a great Monday, and thanks for tuning in to WGBH Radio.

We made it to Friday, thanks for waking up with Joe Mathieu and our WGBH Morning Edition team. We wake up to downpours in Boston, and a few lightning strikes and thunder claps… they should clear out for later, but we’ll be swimming in our atmosphere later on as high humidity rolls in. Another night of protests, and another round of disturbing videos surface, including one from our colleagues at Buffalo’s NPR, who documented Buffalo police seriously inuring a 75 year old protester. Meanwhile in DC, our President may have lost the confidence of a Republican Senator from Alaska, which of course didn’t go over well with Trump. Stay safe this weekend, and thank you for joining us this week on WGBH Radio.

Good Thursday morning from Joe Mathieu and our entire WGBH Morning Edition team. Another night of protests for the murder of George Floyd, and we’re happy to report that at least in this Commonwealth, things remained calm and peaceful after dark. We’ll update you on the latest and the scheduled events for today. Meanwhile in DC, President Trump’s former Secretary of Defense penned some biting words for his former commander-in-chief, words that obviously didn’t sit well with Trump. Going to be a hot one out there today, enjoy it safely, and thank you as always for waking up with WGBH News.

Welcome to Wednesday from Joe Mathieu and the WGBH Morning Edition team. A strong showing last night in Franklin Park, where a huge crowd of protesters remained organized and peaceful for the duration - a great omen for our city. Down in Brockton things started the same, but devolved into violence before the night was over. Our guy Brendan was once again on the scene for the Franklin Park protest, and has some details and observations to share with us. Have a safe day, and thanks for waking up with WGBH Radio.

Good morning and thanks for waking up with Joe Mathieu and WGBH Radio. Another unreal night of unrest in the United States. The President is threatening to use military force on United States citizens, and then unleashed police and military to clear a peaceful protest with tear gas and rubber bullets in order to facilitate a photo op. Hard to believe this is the United States, but here we are. We’ll catch you up on the latest from last night and get you ready for your day. Hang in there, love your neighbors and stay safe out there.

Good morning from Joe Mathieu and the WGBH Morning Edition team. Across the country we had a weekend of protests that turned into civil unrest that turned into chaos, and last night it boiled over in Boston. Peaceful protests turned ugly as night fell and as police moved in and the unrest and vandalism escalated. Our writer Brendan was out to witness some of it before things turned ugly, and gives us his thoughts on what he saw and heard. Much more to come on today’s Morning Edition. Stay safe out there everyone, and thank you for listening to WGBH Radio.

Good Friday morning from Joe Mathieu and the WGBH Morning Edition team. We made it to Friday, although after the President's tweet storm last night, in which he crossed several lines and threatened violence and lethal force against protesters in Minneapolis, we’re kind of surprised we did make it. In local news the rescheduled Boston Marathon is officially cancelled for September, but runners and organizers will still have the chance to participate in a “virtual” marathon. Virtual work, virtual social gatherings, so sure, why not a virtual road races too? We get your ready for your weekend, and hope you enjoy it. Thanks as always for waking up with WGBH News.

Good Thursday morning from Joe Mathieu and our WGBH Morning Edition team. Breaking news: we’re still working from home. Nothing new on that front, but there is news today about some potential re-openings around the state, including the Encore Casino in Boston… and that left us wondering if outdoor casinos are somehow a possibility? Sure cards wouldn’t work too well, but slot machines under the sun? What’s not to love? For the first time in quite some time bald eagles are starting to nest on the cape again, what a way to spice up your new found love of bird watching. And Brendan is back after having his birthday off, sadly, no birthday parade for young Brendan. Stay safe out there and thanks as always for waking up with WGBH Radio.

Good Wednesday morning from Joe Mathieu and the WGBH Morning Edition team. The cool weather finally broke yesterday and we had a rare dose of hot weather this May. It’s going to be stay this way for the next couple of days, so make sure you get outdoors and safely enjoy it. The return of the hot weather means the bugs are coming out to play, and Joe feared for his life last night fighting off one mean creepy-crawly. Some new WGBH polling data suggests that many employees forced into quarantine may in fact enjoy working from home. And drive-in theatres are all the rage right now in the age of social distancing. Stay cool out there today and thanks for waking up with WGBH Radio (even if you do go back to bed).

Good Tuesday morning from Joe Mathieu and the WGBH Morning Edition team. Joe is back… wondering out loud why he even bothered to take Memorial Day off with not much to do except stay home. Even the weather didn’t really cooperate for cookouts, although it did warm up at least. Barbers and hair salons open up today under new restrictions, and most are booked out for weeks… schedule now for a mid-to-late June appointment… or be like Brendan and just forego that whole haircut thing. We wonder if we might have to mention the traffic out there for the first time in a few months… but consensus is probably not, after all, people still don’t really have a reason to come in to Boston. Enjoy the shortened work week… from home, and thanks for waking up with WGBH Radio.

A good Memorial Day Monday morning to you from WGBH’s Morning Edition team. Joe Mathieu has been working non-stop since remote broadcasting came about a couple of months ago, so we’re giving him a much deserved holiday to sleep in and enjoy… by staying home… but its the thought that counts! So Aaron “Radio Schact” Schacter is filling in for us this morning and brings you Early Edition with Brendan and Shelby in the house. We recap the weekend, which included SOME warm weather which tested the limits of the stay-at-home and social distancing orders. We did okay in some spots, but a few others were definitely overcrowded… come on people, you know better than that. A few local businesses are eager to re-open this week, including but not limited to drive-in movie theaters. Thanks for waking up with WGBH, please enjoy your holiday.

Good Friday Morning from Joe Mathieu and the WGBH Radio Morning Edition team. Friday is of course the threshold of the weekend, and with the weather we’re about to get its a good chance to get outside of your home and (safely) enjoy the weather. It’s been a cold, damp Spring so this one has been a long time coming. Joe is planning to barbecue the entire weekend, so come on by and grab a burger if you’re in the neighborhood. Beaches will re-open soon but not without a full boat of restrictions - but that wouldn’t stop several members of our team from enjoying it… nor would it stop many potential visitors to the Cape this summer… details on that coming up on Morning Edition. Enjoy the long weekend, do something nice for a veteran, and stay safe out there. Thanks for supporting WGBH this week, and thanks as always for tuning in.