NightSide With Dan Rea

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty today in federal court to two stalking charges tied to the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, admitting that he shot Thompson in Manhattan. Mangione faces up to life in prison, but he still faces a separate murder case in New York state court. His attorneys are now asking the state court to dismiss those charges, arguing that prosecuting him twice for the same killing violates double-...

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty today in federal court to two stalking charges tied to the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, admitting that he shot Thompson in Manhattan. Mangione faces up to life in prison, but he still faces a separate murder case in New York state court. His attorneys are now asking the state court to dismiss those charges, arguing that prosecuting him twice for the same killing violates double-...

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña is facing federal charges after prosecutors allege he fraudulently obtained more than $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief loans and used the money for personal expenses, including taxes and mortgages. The allegations raise serious questions about how pandemic aid was distributed and whether enough safeguards were in place to prevent fraud. Dan took a closer look at the case.

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Surrogacy can be an incredible way to help people become parents, but what happens when a surrogate and the intended parents fundamentally disagree over a pregnancy or the baby’s medical care? A new Texas case highlights just how complicated these arrangements can become when questions of medical decisions, parental rights, contracts, and state laws collide. Dan talked with Kelli David, Client Director at Ivy Surrogacy, who p...

A man was fatally stabbed during a fight at Boston’s South Station yesterday, and today, two people were taken to the hospital after a stabbing on Lancaster Street in Boston’s West End. These incidents come as Boston’s homicide rate has seemingly tripled from January through May to June through August. Babak Bina, who owns nearly 10 restaurants and bars in Downtown Crossing, would like to see foot-patrol officers ...

There is currently no national policy governing AI use in schools, so states and school districts are largely on their own when it comes to how AI should be taught in America. The Kennedy Institute brought together two students from every state to develop a plan for teaching young people how to use AI responsibly, thoughtfully, and effectively. Dan welcomed Jeff Riley, former Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary E...

We often think we need better time management, but the real problem may be how we manage ourselves, especially when it comes to stress and self-doubt. Emotional reactions and internal friction can drain more time than a busy schedule ever could. Dan welcomed Neal Schore, founder and CEO of 25th Hour Group and author of The 25th Hour: How to Thrive (And Gain Ridiculous Amounts of Time) by Getting Out of Your Own Way...

Robocalls are making a comeback, and some area codes are being hit harder than others, according to data from YouMail. The surge is a reminder that scammers and telemarketers are constantly changing tactics to get people to answer their calls, making it harder to know which calls are legitimate and which ones aren’t. Dan talked with Ethan Garr, Vice President of Consumer Growth at YouMail, about how to get those robocallers o...

Robert Gilman, a Lowell native and former U.S. Marine who spent more than four years in Russian custody, has been released, bringing an emotional end to a long ordeal for his family. Global Reach, an organization that advocates for Americans detained overseas, played a role in pushing for Gilman’s release as concerns about his health intensified. Dan spoke with Kieran Ramsey, Chief Investigative Officer of Global Reach, about...

Continued conversation about how President Trump secretly switched planes after last month’s NATO summit in Turkey because of what U.S. officials described as a credible Iranian threat to his safety. Trump publicly boarded the old Air Force One, but was secretly transferred to a smaller military jet using an airport catering truck, leaving reporters and even some White House staff believing he was still on the original plane....

President Trump secretly switched planes after last month’s NATO summit in Turkey because of what U.S. officials described as a credible Iranian threat to his safety. Trump publicly boarded the old Air Force One, but was secretly transferred to a smaller military jet using an airport catering truck, leaving reporters and even some White House staff believing he was still on the original plane. Did the Secret Service do a good...

Massachusetts already has some of the highest electricity costs in the country, and now a new report from Synapse Energy Economics says consumers have paid billions more than necessary for power over the past decade. The report found that Massachusetts customers on basic service paid an average premium of 43%, or about $22 extra per month. Dan explored the report with Massachusetts energy expert Robert Rio.

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President Trump’s new executive order changes the standard childhood vaccine schedule, giving parents more choice in how their children are vaccinated. There are strong opinions on both sides, with supporters saying it puts families in control, while some in the medical field warn it could undermine public health. Dan talked with former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams about the potential benefits and drawbacks of greate...

Continued conversation about how President Trump has repeatedly said a deal with Iran is imminent, raising hopes that the conflict could soon come to an end and the Strait of Hormuz could reopen. But Iran is demanding major concessions, including compensation for the devastation caused by five months of U.S. and Israeli bombardment. Have you lost faith in Trump’s ability to close the deal?

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Imagine going to a concert and walking away with a free cruise! That’s exactly what happened at a recent Zac Brown concert when Brown surprised more than 37,000 fans with a cruise vacation...but let’s not forget about those taxes, fees, and other costs, which add up quickly. Would you jump at a “free” cruise, or does it stop being a deal once you see the final bill? Dan has enjoyed the many cruises he’...