December 23, 2025 • 35 mins
For one of NightSide’s last regular hours of programming this year, Dan asked the audience: What do you think was the top local, national, and/or international story from this past year? What story made the biggest impact on you personally or as a community/country and why?
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
It's Nightside with Dan Ray on WBS, Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Thanks very much, Dan Watkins. As we head into our
nine o'clock hour, it will be our final hour of
conversation between you and me for this year. Tonight is
my last edition of Nightside, and I do think it's
the two hundred and twenty first edition of Nightside to
(00:29):
this year. I'll double check that for you later on.
If doesn't probably matter. All you need to know is
that after tonight, I'll be gone until January and there
will be I believe Bradley will be sitting in. So
what I wanted to do tonight in the nine o'clock hour,
and we only have an hour because we're going to
be going to the Nightside thirteenth Annual Charity Combine beginning
(00:53):
at ten o'clock. What I wanted to do this hour
is to just down give you an opportunity, need to
tell me what you think is were are continue to
be the most important stories of twenty twenty five. And
I've broken it down into three categories, and if you
(01:14):
want to create a different category, that's fine too. We're
going to be very laisse a fair with this local
Stories meaning new England stories, national stories, which would mean
anything that is outside of New England. It could encompass
New England obviously, and then international stories, which could touch
(01:37):
upon some other corner of the globe. Of course, every
international story will affect the United States. But I just
want to get a sense of what you feel are
most important, and I'd love to talk to a lot
of you. I've written down a series of local stories
that I think are important. I haven't rated them in
(02:01):
terms of order or anything. And I've written down a
group of stories that are national stories, or I would
consider them to be national stories, and a group that
are clearly international stories. So I'm just interested in hearing
from all of you, and i just want to get
right to it. There's not much for me to say.
(02:21):
It's more important to hear from you than it is,
and that will be you will start the conversation. So
it's a little a little bit of a turn of
the table if you will. Six one, seven, two, five,
four ten thirty or six one seven, nine three one
ten thirty, Either of those will get you on. Let
me start off with Alex Alex and Millis Alice. Alex,
(02:45):
welcome back, how are you.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Hey, Dan?
Speaker 4 (02:48):
How are you good evening, and I'm merry Christmas. Success
I get to tell you for the post, no.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Merry Christmas to you. And by the way, what we're
doing with this is you can give me your what
you consider to be the most important. Anyone else can
give me the most their most important local, national, and
or international. They can just give me one story and say, hey,
the most important story of the year for me was
this story. So what what's the most important couple of
(03:13):
stories that that captured get captured your attention this year.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
I think there's quite a few, so I don't know
if I can just pick one.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
But no, no, no, two or three, go ahead. I don't
want you to run the table. I mean it's like
it's like if we're playing pool here, you know, sing
a couple and then.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
According to all these stories, you know, like I live
a very sheltered life. But anyways, so, uh, i'd start
off with, I guess the death of the Pope. Uh,
the uh, Israeli strike on Iran. The Sean Diddy Combs trial.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
Now, yeah, I did not.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
I did not have the Sean Diddy Combs trial. So okay,
that was a big one. That would be a Uh,
that's a national story. I did have the and again
people can can can take more than more than one story.
I did have the I didn't have the Israeli strike
on Iran. I really had the US strike on Iran,
(04:15):
and I did have and I did have. I did
have the American the American Pope. There was an interesting
story on one of the newscasts tonight of some American
who was over there and had a conversation with the
pope about the red sox so so yeah, said, the
strike on on on Iran, the election or the death
(04:36):
of the pope, which of course is uh is connected
to the election of Pope Leo. And the Sewan did
he Kombs trial. I did not have the show the
Sean did he Kombs trial on my Bingo card. Wow.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
And also before I forget, I happened to be Greek Orthodox.
But the Greek allans are you are you serious?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
I'd never knew that. Well, I've never mentioned that. You've
never mentioned that before. Of course, with a name like
alex that's a common Alexander, that's a common Greek name.
That's good. I'm only teasing you.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Go ahead, I know I don't mind. But the uh
the unification, well not unification, but the Catholic UH Church
and the Eastern Orthodox Church. We're trying to sort of
like you know, uh have uh come to terms uh
because the two the two churches separated, you know, many
(05:33):
many centuries ago, and they were start talking about unity, unification.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
So this this would be a reunification of those two. Interesting. Yeah,
that's a good one too. You you picked two ones
I had not thought of. Sean Diddy Coombs and the
reunification potential reunification of the Catholic Church and the Eastern
Orthodox Church. Alex, I hope you have a great new year.
I hope to hear from you many times coming up
(06:01):
in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Well, and I'm sticking to my regimen of exercising every day,
but I don't know, you know, for what reason, but
only because it makes me feel good.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
It's your health while you're doing it, that's your health.
You're a young man.
Speaker 5 (06:17):
How old are you actually?
Speaker 4 (06:20):
I just turned seventy, but people don't believe it.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah, well you don't sound seventy, that's for sure. And
it's never too late to get in better shape. It's
as simple as that. Alex Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Merry Christmas, Dan, thank you, thank you much.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Okay, go take quick break. We're going to be back.
Who's up next? Sureife will be up next. We got
Patty and Wellesley, one of my favorite callers, Kathy and Quincy,
Stephen Merrimack. The only line open is six one seven
two five, four ten thirty. I like it like this.
I want to know now. Alex had a couple of
stories that I did not have on my bingo card,
So I'm sure that there's some stories that are reporting
(06:57):
stories that you will recall as well. It's it's kind
of a year interview here on our last night of
Nightside in twenty twenty five. My name is Dan Ray.
The only line is six one seven two five, four
ten thirty. Dial it now. We'll get you on the
air very shortly, coming back on night Side.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
It's night Side with Dan Ray on Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
We'll keep it rolling here. We're talking about the most important,
the top news stories, however you want to characterize them.
Sharif in Boston. Shariff, Welcome to Nightside. How are you, sir?
Speaker 6 (07:31):
Hey, Dan, how you doing? That's my second time calling. Yes,
I listen to your show.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
I saw you one night a couple of weeks ago,
and I couldn't get to you, and I apologize for that.
So thanks for thanks for coming back soon. What's what's
your what what stories?
Speaker 6 (07:47):
Well, it's actually my second time calling in ten years.
That's what I've been listen to your show for many years.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Well, thank you. I got to get you to be
a more frequent caller. Okay, it's as simple as that.
Make that your New Year's resolution. So we're talking about
most of the important local, national, international stories. What do
you got.
Speaker 6 (08:06):
No, I, first of all for starters to talk about
the New England Patriots.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
That was at the top of my That was at
the top of my list. You and I think alike,
talk a little bit about it.
Speaker 6 (08:17):
Go ahead, Well, my wife and I every day been
discussing about, uh these local bossing teams and I have
to sort of be sunning in the Western teams, like
in basketball because I'm more of an NBA fan, uh
that they tend to be more scrappedy, more competitive to
(08:41):
have better uh uh sports clinics, recreational programs, it seems like.
And in the fifties and sixties, mostly the Boston Celtics
one winning the championships, and then there there were fewer
teams in the league until the mid seventies after the
(09:02):
APA plans with Danba. Yep, that's when the West Coast
teams started to Doc Dominic. So I always time my
tell us about certain Boston teams winning each games and no,
I've been having this debate on social media as well,
so on such Terry.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Well, you know, I'll disagree with you a little bit.
In the NBA, Uh, you did have the Minneapolis Lakers,
which were the predecessor to the Los Angeles Lakers. They
were a pretty good team.
Speaker 6 (09:36):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
You had the Cincinnati Royals with people like Jack Twyman
and Oscar Robertson. They were they were some pretty good teams.
But you're right, the Celtics were dominant h throughout the
sixties and seventies, although you had the SuperSonics come in
and I think they won one NBA title in the
(09:57):
in the seventies. So yeah, but you watch the.
Speaker 6 (10:03):
Yeah, sometimes I watched the old clips of the match
the birth Games in the late seventies, Michigan State and
UH Indiana and the University of Indiana State great classic games.
I I prefer to watch those classic games and today's
NIG games when I have a chance. But I enjoyed
(10:23):
watching the uh Deyonder dogs winning it all.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Okay, so you got, you got the pay you got.
The Patriots is a big story this year. Who knows
it might become a really big story in January and February.
What other stories are important in your mind?
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Uh? The story that you mentioned yesterday on Joseph Lenz
or len Joseph, Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
You to stay. I will stay on that story into
the new year. Trust me on that sharif.
Speaker 6 (10:57):
Yeah, I I I can sympathize, empathized what took place.
I'm a loan moderate conservative African Mountains, and I've felt
sometimes ostracized when you know, when two people can't speak
their mind, and you know, I just feel that it's
(11:21):
important to raise the issue and be forthcoming about it
if it if it's something that has to do with
the driver being here illegally, uh not not to put
it underneath the covers.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
No, I hear you. Transparency and yeah, transparency is very
very important. Unfortunately, a lot of these politicians talk a
good game until they get into office. I mean, one
of the stories that I think has been important this
year is the story of the state auditor who is
being frustrated. Seventy of the voters said let's allow her
(11:59):
to audit the legislature, and that that should have happened
last January. I hope it can happen somewhere twenty twenty six.
Sure if great call, you got to be a more
regular caller on my show. Simple as that. Okay, tu
begs you, Rafe, I appreciate it. Happy New Year to you,
my friend. Have a good one. Thank you. All right,
(12:22):
let's keep rolling. You've got to go to Patty and Wellesley.
Oh my Patty is so good to hear you. Thank
my god, Don, how are you.
Speaker 7 (12:30):
I can't believe I get to talk to you at
the end of the year. Happy Christmas to you and
your family.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
I have Merry Christmas to you as well. Absolutely great
to hear your voice.
Speaker 7 (12:40):
Oh my god, Don, you know, I'm just I'm speechless
because I when I heard that it was your last call,
I just got back in the car after supper and
I went to get some gifts for tomorrow, and then
I hear it your last night, and I just want
to tell you that you are the best part of
every night.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Well, thank you very much. I will be back in
twenty twenty six. Just taking a few days off at
the end of the year, and I'll be back in
twenty twenty six. I promise you that, Patty.
Speaker 7 (13:11):
Okay, okay, thanks for being you make my nights.
Speaker 5 (13:15):
Okay.
Speaker 7 (13:16):
So don here's the thing. There's so many things to
put on the list, and not a good list of
the naughty list, but on things happening. Yeah, for example, Australia,
Rob Reiner, Yeah, Karen Reid. These are three things of highlight.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
I had Karen Reid on my list for sure. I
did not have Australia, but I had anti Semitism being
so prevalent. And Rob Reiner is another example of you know,
a couple of mom and dad that tried to do
(13:55):
the best by a son who was having troubles and
and it came back to cost them their lives. No
greater love than a parent can have for a child.
It is just horrible. They say the worst thing in
the world is for a parent to have to bury
a child. I think the worst thing in the world
is for a parent to be buried as a consequence
(14:17):
of the actions.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
Of their child or a child, a sibling.
Speaker 7 (14:22):
Losing three people in one day, yes, I understand if
you lose three friends in one day, but you know,
to like whatever, but to actually lose three family members
of the day, I think that's a terrible trifecta help, no.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
No question. And also, by the way, you would look
at that family from the outside and say, they have
to be one of the luckiest families in America. They
had it all, you know, they were in the movie business,
and they were famous, and they were well respected, and
it all went away in a matter of moments and
just a horrible tragic story.
Speaker 7 (14:58):
And you what, don I want to tell you something
my mother told me when I was like so young.
She said to me, when it's too good, it's no good.
And you know what this sort of this sort of
echoes right.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Well, there's the other thing. What do they say that
if the deal sounds too good to be true, it's
too good to be true?
Speaker 5 (15:19):
Exactly?
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Yeah, But.
Speaker 7 (15:23):
Can I tell you the best thing about you is
that I was talking to my husband and he said,
what do you think is so great about Don Ray?
And you know what I said, I said, I agree
with every single thing.
Speaker 5 (15:33):
He says, Oh well.
Speaker 7 (15:36):
He said to me, go ahead, He said, why don't
you agree with everything I say? I said, because I
agree with everything.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Done says, you're going to get me in trouble with
your husband, Patty.
Speaker 7 (15:49):
Come on, no, it's thirty one years.
Speaker 5 (15:52):
We're good, We're good.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
No, no, no, no, I'm sure. I'm sure. And anyone
who's lucky enough to be married to Patty love love
the lilt in your voice, love your intelligence, love your charm.
You're one of my favorite callers. I just wish I
could get you to call a little more often, and
maybe some one of these days we'll get that cup
of coffee that we keep promising each other.
Speaker 7 (16:14):
Okay, done, I swear for twenty twenty six if you
have a list for goals, that is one of my goals.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Okay, that'll be our That'll be our mutual New Year's resolution.
Next time you call in twenty twenty six, we'll set
it up. Okay.
Speaker 7 (16:28):
Or give me anywhere?
Speaker 2 (16:30):
No, I know that, I know. Well, you're in Wellesley.
I mean I'm not too far. We can we can
figure out a location. I love to meet you in person,
I really, I've met so many of my listeners in person.
Over the years, Patty, I've taken trips with people down
the Rhine River, down the Danube River, to Alaska, to Ireland,
to Italy. We did an event last April out at
(16:54):
a restaurant in Westwood with the Winnakers. They were the
musical entertainment and we had a brunch, two brunches that
it was double booked. Actually they couldn't do it for
just one setting. They had two sittings. We've done baseball games.
I know most of my listeners and I've met many
(17:14):
of them. I know you pretty well, and I hope
you get a chance to meet you in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 7 (17:19):
Okay, it'll be my biggest honor and pleasure and the
best to you in all you do for twenty twenty six,
and thank you for being the best part of twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
And I know you have a store in Wellesley, correct, Yes.
Speaker 7 (17:33):
I do yet, next to August Restaurants. So if you're
ever there for lunch your breakfast, please let me know.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
All right, hey, okay, but let's give you it's a
jewelry store, correct.
Speaker 7 (17:46):
Tell me give me jewelry clothing. It's all one of
a kite and give me.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
The name of it's right on Route sixteen. You're very
close to the Greens Hardware. Yeah, I know. I've been
to there. I've been to there. I've been there. And
also the bakery right, yes, yeah, So what's the name
of your store.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
Is Patties Patties perfect, yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
And you opened five six days a week. How many
days a week?
Speaker 7 (18:19):
Six days a week, six day week Saturday okay, yeah, okay,
eleven ish eleven.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Ish elevenish okay? So how late six five six six okay?
Six is okay? Good? So we got some publicity for
you too. That's a Christmas present. Okay, thank you.
Speaker 7 (18:40):
What I didn't even think of that. I just thought
of just connecting with you because you are the man dad.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Thanks Patty, Merry Christmas. We will we'll meet in twenty
twenty six, that's for sure, Okay, brad it we'll have
coffee at cap Brada on me, okay, on me, on me, no, no, no, no,
I always pay trust me that. Thanks Patty. I love
you much. Talk you soon. You have a great We'll
take a break. Here's the newscast at the bottom of
(19:06):
the hour.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Night Side with Dan Ray on Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Okay, I do have some lines open at six one,
seven for you want to get through. In the meantime,
let's go to Kathy and Quincy. Kathy top news stories
of this year that's passing quickly in your mind? How
are you, Kathy?
Speaker 5 (19:29):
Goodn't yourself? Thank you for taking my call. I was,
I just got in. I was with the first call.
Speaker 7 (19:35):
I was going to say, Pope Leo too.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
Yeah, that's okay, you keep going and it was a.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
Great year for you too.
Speaker 8 (19:44):
With Caroline Ruth.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
Congratulations, that's that's.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
The first first mentioned in this show of our new
baby granddaughter. Excellent, thank you. I will I will let
her parents know that she got a shout out on
to the Night on nightside, Caroline Ruth. Yes, she's now,
she'll she'll be eight months old.
Speaker 6 (20:08):
Oh god, love.
Speaker 8 (20:09):
How is Benjamin doing.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Benjamin is doing great. He's a handful. Let me tell you.
I had good time with him on the weekend. I
was showing him how to throw sticks. We had a
lot of sticks and branches down in our yard and
I was able to show him how to throw, you know,
big sticks and big branches high up in the ear
into the woods. It fascinated him.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
Yeah, yeah, anything little like that does well.
Speaker 7 (20:35):
Listen, Mary, Christmas and a happy healthy New Year to you,
your family, friends, listeners and Carlos.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
All right, thanks, thanks so much, Kathy. That was a
great call. Thank you so much. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 7 (20:46):
Okay, my pleasure and have a great vacation.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
And Merry Christmas to you, and happy New Year to
you and yours. Thanks Kathy, have a great one, Thank you,
good night. Thank you. Neil in Watertown, Hey Neil, welcome back.
How are you having heard from you in a while?
Speaker 6 (21:01):
Oh?
Speaker 9 (21:01):
Thank you, Dan. I just have three stories that I'm
just able to think of right now for ever reasons.
One is the kidnapping of children in Nigeria.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Well you know something that's that's another story that that
was not on my card here where do you? I'll
read some of the stories I had, But you're right,
Nigerian kidnapping horrible story and too much of that is
going on over there. Yes, what what else you got?
Speaker 9 (21:30):
The trouble for the people of Sudan just just happened
to me living in the wrong place, I.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
Guess, yes, absolutely problems in Sedan yep, okay, I did
not have that one on my card.
Speaker 9 (21:41):
No, I'm not trying to want you know, it's not
like a contest. It's just the ones that I.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
No, no, no, no, no. It's interesting what is in
the forefront of people's minds. I'll mention at the end
of the hour all the ones that that I've thought about,
and I just what's your third one. I'd love to
know the third one.
Speaker 9 (21:57):
Third one is the extreme cruelty of Russian soldiers to
Ukrainian women.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Yeah, that's a good one. Well, I mean, I certainly
had you. I did have Ukraine as one of the
international crises related to that. I had the meeting between
Trump and Putin in Alaska, which I think Trump got
played by Putin. There was nothing that came out of you.
(22:23):
That's four months ago now, September, October, November December, and
nothing came out of that which was helpful. And if anything,
I think that that war has become even more entrenched,
pardon the pun, and that it's going to be very difficult,
(22:44):
I think, to bring that to a conclusion based upon
the differences between those two countries. I hope that somehow,
some ways someone can figure out the magic formula. But
that's a Gordian nod of a of a dilemma as
far as I'm concerned. I mean, I don't see how
I don't see how Ukraine gives up land, and I
don't see how Russia, uh, you know, stops its aggression
(23:09):
unless it gains land. That's that's a tough one. That's
a tough one. Neil that this is a good call.
Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Speaker 9 (23:17):
Thank you for listening.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Oh absolutely, thank you, my friend. We'll talk soon, okay, Okay, night,
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, thank you, good night. Okay.
All of a sudden, I get some wide open lines here,
so I've been trying to call early when the lines
were packed. We only have about seventeen minutes left. You're
from your perspective, the most important news stories of the year,
and again, they can be local, they can be national,
(23:41):
and they could be international. Let me go to Jane
in Shrewsbury. Jane, welcome next on Nightside. How are you tonight?
Speaker 5 (23:48):
Hi?
Speaker 8 (23:48):
Dan, I'm fine. How are you?
Speaker 2 (23:50):
I'm doing great? Love to know what stories are at
the top of your mind, the top of your list.
Speaker 8 (23:56):
Okay, well, I have a few. Well, as you know,
I'm not a big fan of Donald Trump, and I
think he's a big disappointment and I think he's hurting
his legacy. Probably the number one story I think is
measles outbreaks and the anti vaccine efforts of Robert Kennedy Junior,
who Trump had to have in his cabinet for some reason.
(24:17):
I guess he wanted to Kennedy, but the anti vaccine
issues that he by the way.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
He does have more more than Kennedy. He has a
lot of doctors who I'm a vaccine guy. I have
my COVID shot, I have my flu shot. I'm a
vaccine guy. I'm somebody who, as you know, who strongly
believes people should be able to make their own decisions.
But there's a group of doctors that including Marty McCarey
(24:49):
out of Johns Hopkins, and there are others at significant
institutions who kind of are on the same page as Kennedy.
I don't necessarily understand that like you, but it's it's
kind of become the the Make America Healthy movement again,
the MAHA movement. I did not have that on my
list of top subjects. What else you got right?
Speaker 8 (25:13):
Well, And just to add to it. The idea that
babies shouldn't have this big injection on the day they're
born because they're putting so much liquid into their bodies.
It's crazy. They can catch hepatitis beef from their mother
or from any caregiver, so that's why they were getting
vaccinated on day one. And the idea that the measles
(25:35):
months rubella was causing autism has been debunked decades ago.
And if they're researching that, they're not spending the money
to research the real causes. So I think that whole
attitude is bad.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
The money I tend, I tend, I tend to agree
with you on a lot of that, probably more than
more than you realize. And again, I think it's a
whole different story when when there were a lot of
young women and also young men, including military members, who
did not want to get COVID shots. I got my
(26:07):
COVID shot. But I can see that I'm in a
different situation as a twenty eight year old woman who
might be in the military, who might be contemplating, you know,
having a child at some point, and the unknown scares them.
I believe that people should have the right but however,
when you start talking about the health of infants and
(26:28):
decisions being made by parents based upon faulty information, that
infant is put at great risk. And I think you
would agree.
Speaker 8 (26:38):
With that, yes, And we have to remember the public
health also that we have to take actions that benefit
the public. And one of the few things that I
do appreciate that Donald Trump did was he got the
COVID vaccine out, but now he's walking away from it.
But a different issue, changing to a different issue is
during the debate against Biden, he talked about how Haitians
(26:58):
were eating people's pets and kind of got overlooked a
little bit because Maiden did such a bad job at
the debate. And now he's talking about Somali's and you know,
really saying horrible things about people from other countries. And
I just think of JD. Vance, whose kids are half
of Indian origin. To his wife, what if people were
(27:21):
talking about his kids in Ohio as eating pets rather
than people from Haiti. Doesn't he even realize that it's
really hypocritical to go along with.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
Yeah, I would draw, I would draw, yeah, I would
draw changes a couple of distinctions. And I want to
move on here and grab some other callers. Uh, the
idea of people eating the dogs is what was said
was was was one of those absolutely false, scurrilous rumors
on the internet, and for some reason President Trump, then
(27:54):
candidate Trump healthy had to throw that in freelancing. The
story with the Somali's in Minnesota is much different. There
is a serious federal investigation going on and there has
been a lot of fraud up there that revolves around
the Somali community. It does not involve every Somali who
(28:15):
is in Minnesota, but you're going to see a lot
of people go to jail up there in Minnesota. So
that's a whole different story in terms of serious, serious
criminal activity of a portion of that community. It's not
all the Somalis up there, but that is a story
that is a significant and substantive story in which a
(28:39):
lot of money which was intended to help poor people
was siphoned off. So just you know, make understand, I
have to call a little bit of a clarification on
that one. It's it's not at the same level as
they're eating dogs in Springfield, Ohio, which was just a
(28:59):
absurd at the time and still absurd. Hope you have
a great Christmas you too.
Speaker 8 (29:06):
And yeah, I have no problem with going after anyone
who's doing fraud or causing problems. I just don't like
to generalize about all the Islamic based countries and Haiti
and everything else and say that they're all horrible and
that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
And you have a right. You have a right to
feel that way. Jane, thank you so much, and thanks
for calling the show, and thanks for being an active
participant throughout the year. Thanks, talk to you soon. Have
a great night, right, Merry Christmas in happy New Year.
Six one seven, two, five, four ten thirty six one
seven nine three one ten thirty. I know some of
you out there, if you've never called the show before,
(29:43):
give us a call here. Tell us what you think
might be one of the more important stories. I have
a list of stories here which would take me ten
minutes to read. I kind of imagine some of these
stories have not been mentioned as important stories, local stories,
national stories, and international stories. I will go over them
in my in the my entire in the entirety of
(30:04):
my list, but I want to hear from you. Six
one seven, two, five four thirty six one seven, nine three,
one ten thirty. This is our last talk segment of
the year coming up back on Nightside after.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
This, You're on night Side with Dan Ray on w
B Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Okay, the lines are filled up again. We've got to
go quickly. I'm going to ask everybody to be quick
on this one, and then I want to tell you
some of the things that were not mentioned. Florence and
grovelin Florence. Next on Nightside, give us a couple of important.
Speaker 10 (30:37):
Stories in your mind, Dan, The number one story to
me and to you is the vocal on the little
boy hit by school.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
But yep, Len's Joseph.
Speaker 10 (30:52):
Yep, Yeah, we can after that. That little boy should
have been able to celebrate his christ share and enjoy himself.
And all the officials out there, somebody could have spoke
out and let public know what's going on and what's
(31:14):
being done. And everybody's staying quiet.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Well they may stay quiet, but I pled I pledge
to you, Florence, we will get after that in the
new year. Trust me on that. We're going to get
answers on that no matter what.
Speaker 10 (31:27):
Ye Yeah, it's an absolute, Dan, absolute.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
Okay, absolutely couldn't agree with you more. Florence, Merry Christmas,
Happy New year and we'll talk to you in twenty
twenty six.
Speaker 10 (31:39):
Okay, Merry Christmas to your Dan.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Stay well YouTube you too, Thanks so much by mine.
Let me go to Gary and Danas Gary next on
Nightsiger right ahead, Hey.
Speaker 5 (31:49):
Hey Ben Ben. Let me just want to shut a
little light on something. Yeah, story about fifteen years ago.
I lived in Revere, Mass. I used to go to
this core of mars It and buy groceries by Hamburger,
you know, make with my spaghetti sauce. And after eating
that that Hamburger, I used to get sick. I used
(32:09):
to burk strange ways and I didn't understand it. I
want to, I want to Shawls bought it of hamburg
a week later.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
How does this? How does this work on what we're
talking about tonight?
Speaker 5 (32:22):
Okay, because of what that about when you said about uh,
you know that information being false about people eating dogs.
Let me finish my story. I went to the health
department because I went there again and bought the meat.
Same thing happened, and I brought them a sample. Do
you know what they found? It was cat meat?
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Oh well yes.
Speaker 5 (32:45):
They fill, yes, and they what happened was the place
got raided. Don't know what happened. I know a month
later it was shut down or they packed up and
moved out.
Speaker 2 (32:55):
Okay, well that's that's there are people.
Speaker 5 (32:58):
That eat cats and dogs and launches.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
All right, I'm.
Speaker 5 (33:06):
I was getting I'm just trying to balance the scale.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
Thank you very much, and a little descriptive. Thanks very much,
Merry Christmas, good night. Let me go to Daniel and Lester. Hi, Hi, Daniel,
I hope i'll pronounce your town correctly, Lester.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
Mister, mister Dan, the last time I spoke to you,
I disappointed you because no, not not me, but the
last time my mom my, mom my, mommy's baby called you.
You know, disappointed you because he took too long. But
people you said you should be fast now. So I
just wanted to let you know that the most important
story is that when I disappointed you, you know, I
was climbing on the fence and you didn't throw me
(33:44):
in the water. You left me on the fence. So
I'm still here. That's if you told me in the water,
I don't know how to sim't do that.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
Give us, give us a story or two because we're
running out of time. Daniel, I got you in here, Go.
Speaker 3 (33:56):
Ahead, oh, well, I'm going to be quick, but I
but but now you know, I just don't say that
the poor little boy who who was hit by the school.
But I told you before I thought that. You know,
it's it's easy to mend the bus, Drigon, but we
should mend the city because where where Advincent the most?
(34:16):
Because the bus driver, the human being, can only podcast
on so many things on the same time.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
All right, all right, Daniel I'm flat out of time.
I agree with you, Joseph Lens. Joseph is an important story.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year. Will talk to you
twenty twenty.
Speaker 3 (34:32):
Six, Happy happy Hanukah.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Wansa happy, happy and happy Festivus as well, DANIELA, please nope, nope, nope, nope,
not at all. Okay, the the MBTA Communities Act, the
shooting at Brown and Brookline wasn't mentioned. The murder trials
of Brian Walsh, Karen Reid, mast and cast the the
(34:56):
the controversy over the Massachusetts Pike Plaza, Boston Mayer's Race,
the summer trash strike in so many communities, market Basket,
the Newton, the controversy about the Italian heritage, and no Niantum,
anti Semitism generally terris, the economy, betting scandals in baseball
and basketball. Support for Palestine surprised me. The assassination of
(35:18):
Charlie Kirk, Jimmy Kimmel troops in US cities. The Auditor
of the Legislature, I mentioned DOGE, the Department of the
Government Efficiency, the DC plane crash that took so many
lives of New Englander's Ukraine, the Middle East. We mentioned
the Iranian nuclear strike, the future of NATO, and there
(35:40):
were a couple that were mentioned. There were lots we
left on the table, Folks. Here comes the two thirteenth
Annual Night Side Charity Combine coming up on the other side, Folks,
buckle up, you're going to meet some very interesting people.
Stay with us on Nightside. As we wrapped the year,
It's Nightside with Dan Ray on WBS, Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Thanks very much, Dan Watkins. As we head into our
nine o'clock hour, it will be our final hour of
conversation between you and me for this year. Tonight is
my last edition of Nightside, and I do think it's
the two hundred and twenty first edition of Nightside to
(00:29):
this year. I'll double check that for you later on.
If doesn't probably matter. All you need to know is
that after tonight, I'll be gone until January and there
will be I believe Bradley will be sitting in. So
what I wanted to do tonight in the nine o'clock hour,
and we only have an hour because we're going to
be going to the Nightside thirteenth Annual Charity Combine beginning
(00:53):
at ten o'clock. What I wanted to do this hour
is to just down give you an opportunity, need to
tell me what you think is were are continue to
be the most important stories of twenty twenty five. And
I've broken it down into three categories, and if you
(01:14):
want to create a different category, that's fine too. We're
going to be very laisse a fair with this local
Stories meaning new England stories, national stories, which would mean
anything that is outside of New England. It could encompass
New England obviously, and then international stories, which could touch
(01:37):
upon some other corner of the globe. Of course, every
international story will affect the United States. But I just
want to get a sense of what you feel are
most important, and I'd love to talk to a lot
of you. I've written down a series of local stories
that I think are important. I haven't rated them in
(02:01):
terms of order or anything. And I've written down a
group of stories that are national stories, or I would
consider them to be national stories, and a group that
are clearly international stories. So I'm just interested in hearing
from all of you, and i just want to get
right to it. There's not much for me to say.
(02:21):
It's more important to hear from you than it is,
and that will be you will start the conversation. So
it's a little a little bit of a turn of
the table if you will. Six one, seven, two, five,
four ten thirty or six one seven, nine three one
ten thirty, Either of those will get you on. Let
me start off with Alex Alex and Millis Alice. Alex,
(02:45):
welcome back, how are you.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Hey, Dan?
Speaker 4 (02:48):
How are you good evening, and I'm merry Christmas. Success
I get to tell you for the post, no.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Merry Christmas to you. And by the way, what we're
doing with this is you can give me your what
you consider to be the most important. Anyone else can
give me the most their most important local, national, and
or international. They can just give me one story and say, hey,
the most important story of the year for me was
this story. So what what's the most important couple of
(03:13):
stories that that captured get captured your attention this year.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
I think there's quite a few, so I don't know
if I can just pick one.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
But no, no, no, two or three, go ahead. I don't
want you to run the table. I mean it's like
it's like if we're playing pool here, you know, sing
a couple and then.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
According to all these stories, you know, like I live
a very sheltered life. But anyways, so, uh, i'd start
off with, I guess the death of the Pope. Uh,
the uh, Israeli strike on Iran. The Sean Diddy Combs trial.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
Now, yeah, I did not.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
I did not have the Sean Diddy Combs trial. So okay,
that was a big one. That would be a Uh,
that's a national story. I did have the and again
people can can can take more than more than one story.
I did have the I didn't have the Israeli strike
on Iran. I really had the US strike on Iran,
(04:15):
and I did have and I did have. I did
have the American the American Pope. There was an interesting
story on one of the newscasts tonight of some American
who was over there and had a conversation with the
pope about the red sox so so yeah, said, the
strike on on on Iran, the election or the death
(04:36):
of the pope, which of course is uh is connected
to the election of Pope Leo. And the Sewan did
he Kombs trial. I did not have the show the
Sean did he Kombs trial on my Bingo card. Wow.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
And also before I forget, I happened to be Greek Orthodox.
But the Greek allans are you are you serious?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
I'd never knew that. Well, I've never mentioned that. You've
never mentioned that before. Of course, with a name like
alex that's a common Alexander, that's a common Greek name.
That's good. I'm only teasing you.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Go ahead, I know I don't mind. But the uh
the unification, well not unification, but the Catholic UH Church
and the Eastern Orthodox Church. We're trying to sort of
like you know, uh have uh come to terms uh
because the two the two churches separated, you know, many
(05:33):
many centuries ago, and they were start talking about unity, unification.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
So this this would be a reunification of those two. Interesting. Yeah,
that's a good one too. You you picked two ones
I had not thought of. Sean Diddy Coombs and the
reunification potential reunification of the Catholic Church and the Eastern
Orthodox Church. Alex, I hope you have a great new year.
I hope to hear from you many times coming up
(06:01):
in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Well, and I'm sticking to my regimen of exercising every day,
but I don't know, you know, for what reason, but
only because it makes me feel good.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
It's your health while you're doing it, that's your health.
You're a young man.
Speaker 5 (06:17):
How old are you actually?
Speaker 4 (06:20):
I just turned seventy, but people don't believe it.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah, well you don't sound seventy, that's for sure. And
it's never too late to get in better shape. It's
as simple as that. Alex Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Merry Christmas, Dan, thank you, thank you much.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Okay, go take quick break. We're going to be back.
Who's up next? Sureife will be up next. We got
Patty and Wellesley, one of my favorite callers, Kathy and Quincy,
Stephen Merrimack. The only line open is six one seven
two five, four ten thirty. I like it like this.
I want to know now. Alex had a couple of
stories that I did not have on my bingo card,
So I'm sure that there's some stories that are reporting
(06:57):
stories that you will recall as well. It's it's kind
of a year interview here on our last night of
Nightside in twenty twenty five. My name is Dan Ray.
The only line is six one seven two five, four
ten thirty. Dial it now. We'll get you on the
air very shortly, coming back on night Side.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
It's night Side with Dan Ray on Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
We'll keep it rolling here. We're talking about the most important,
the top news stories, however you want to characterize them.
Sharif in Boston. Shariff, Welcome to Nightside. How are you, sir?
Speaker 6 (07:31):
Hey, Dan, how you doing? That's my second time calling. Yes,
I listen to your show.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
I saw you one night a couple of weeks ago,
and I couldn't get to you, and I apologize for that.
So thanks for thanks for coming back soon. What's what's
your what what stories?
Speaker 6 (07:47):
Well, it's actually my second time calling in ten years.
That's what I've been listen to your show for many years.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Well, thank you. I got to get you to be
a more frequent caller. Okay, it's as simple as that.
Make that your New Year's resolution. So we're talking about
most of the important local, national, international stories. What do
you got.
Speaker 6 (08:06):
No, I, first of all for starters to talk about
the New England Patriots.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
That was at the top of my That was at
the top of my list. You and I think alike,
talk a little bit about it.
Speaker 6 (08:17):
Go ahead, Well, my wife and I every day been
discussing about, uh these local bossing teams and I have
to sort of be sunning in the Western teams, like
in basketball because I'm more of an NBA fan, uh
that they tend to be more scrappedy, more competitive to
(08:41):
have better uh uh sports clinics, recreational programs, it seems like.
And in the fifties and sixties, mostly the Boston Celtics
one winning the championships, and then there there were fewer
teams in the league until the mid seventies after the
(09:02):
APA plans with Danba. Yep, that's when the West Coast
teams started to Doc Dominic. So I always time my
tell us about certain Boston teams winning each games and no,
I've been having this debate on social media as well,
so on such Terry.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Well, you know, I'll disagree with you a little bit.
In the NBA, Uh, you did have the Minneapolis Lakers,
which were the predecessor to the Los Angeles Lakers. They
were a pretty good team.
Speaker 6 (09:36):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
You had the Cincinnati Royals with people like Jack Twyman
and Oscar Robertson. They were they were some pretty good teams.
But you're right, the Celtics were dominant h throughout the
sixties and seventies, although you had the SuperSonics come in
and I think they won one NBA title in the
(09:57):
in the seventies. So yeah, but you watch the.
Speaker 6 (10:03):
Yeah, sometimes I watched the old clips of the match
the birth Games in the late seventies, Michigan State and
UH Indiana and the University of Indiana State great classic games.
I I prefer to watch those classic games and today's
NIG games when I have a chance. But I enjoyed
(10:23):
watching the uh Deyonder dogs winning it all.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Okay, so you got, you got the pay you got.
The Patriots is a big story this year. Who knows
it might become a really big story in January and February.
What other stories are important in your mind?
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Uh? The story that you mentioned yesterday on Joseph Lenz
or len Joseph, Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
You to stay. I will stay on that story into
the new year. Trust me on that sharif.
Speaker 6 (10:57):
Yeah, I I I can sympathize, empathized what took place.
I'm a loan moderate conservative African Mountains, and I've felt
sometimes ostracized when you know, when two people can't speak
their mind, and you know, I just feel that it's
(11:21):
important to raise the issue and be forthcoming about it
if it if it's something that has to do with
the driver being here illegally, uh not not to put
it underneath the covers.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
No, I hear you. Transparency and yeah, transparency is very
very important. Unfortunately, a lot of these politicians talk a
good game until they get into office. I mean, one
of the stories that I think has been important this
year is the story of the state auditor who is
being frustrated. Seventy of the voters said let's allow her
(11:59):
to audit the legislature, and that that should have happened
last January. I hope it can happen somewhere twenty twenty six.
Sure if great call, you got to be a more
regular caller on my show. Simple as that. Okay, tu
begs you, Rafe, I appreciate it. Happy New Year to you,
my friend. Have a good one. Thank you. All right,
(12:22):
let's keep rolling. You've got to go to Patty and Wellesley.
Oh my Patty is so good to hear you. Thank
my god, Don, how are you.
Speaker 7 (12:30):
I can't believe I get to talk to you at
the end of the year. Happy Christmas to you and
your family.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
I have Merry Christmas to you as well. Absolutely great
to hear your voice.
Speaker 7 (12:40):
Oh my god, Don, you know, I'm just I'm speechless
because I when I heard that it was your last call,
I just got back in the car after supper and
I went to get some gifts for tomorrow, and then
I hear it your last night, and I just want
to tell you that you are the best part of
every night.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Well, thank you very much. I will be back in
twenty twenty six. Just taking a few days off at
the end of the year, and I'll be back in
twenty twenty six. I promise you that, Patty.
Speaker 7 (13:11):
Okay, okay, thanks for being you make my nights.
Speaker 5 (13:15):
Okay.
Speaker 7 (13:16):
So don here's the thing. There's so many things to
put on the list, and not a good list of
the naughty list, but on things happening. Yeah, for example, Australia,
Rob Reiner, Yeah, Karen Reid. These are three things of highlight.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
I had Karen Reid on my list for sure. I
did not have Australia, but I had anti Semitism being
so prevalent. And Rob Reiner is another example of you know,
a couple of mom and dad that tried to do
(13:55):
the best by a son who was having troubles and
and it came back to cost them their lives. No
greater love than a parent can have for a child.
It is just horrible. They say the worst thing in
the world is for a parent to have to bury
a child. I think the worst thing in the world
is for a parent to be buried as a consequence
(14:17):
of the actions.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
Of their child or a child, a sibling.
Speaker 7 (14:22):
Losing three people in one day, yes, I understand if
you lose three friends in one day, but you know,
to like whatever, but to actually lose three family members
of the day, I think that's a terrible trifecta help, no.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
No question. And also, by the way, you would look
at that family from the outside and say, they have
to be one of the luckiest families in America. They
had it all, you know, they were in the movie business,
and they were famous, and they were well respected, and
it all went away in a matter of moments and
just a horrible tragic story.
Speaker 7 (14:58):
And you what, don I want to tell you something
my mother told me when I was like so young.
She said to me, when it's too good, it's no good.
And you know what this sort of this sort of
echoes right.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Well, there's the other thing. What do they say that
if the deal sounds too good to be true, it's
too good to be true?
Speaker 5 (15:19):
Exactly?
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Yeah, But.
Speaker 7 (15:23):
Can I tell you the best thing about you is
that I was talking to my husband and he said,
what do you think is so great about Don Ray?
And you know what I said, I said, I agree
with every single thing.
Speaker 5 (15:33):
He says, Oh well.
Speaker 7 (15:36):
He said to me, go ahead, He said, why don't
you agree with everything I say? I said, because I
agree with everything.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Done says, you're going to get me in trouble with
your husband, Patty.
Speaker 7 (15:49):
Come on, no, it's thirty one years.
Speaker 5 (15:52):
We're good, We're good.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
No, no, no, no, I'm sure. I'm sure. And anyone
who's lucky enough to be married to Patty love love
the lilt in your voice, love your intelligence, love your charm.
You're one of my favorite callers. I just wish I
could get you to call a little more often, and
maybe some one of these days we'll get that cup
of coffee that we keep promising each other.
Speaker 7 (16:14):
Okay, done, I swear for twenty twenty six if you
have a list for goals, that is one of my goals.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Okay, that'll be our That'll be our mutual New Year's resolution.
Next time you call in twenty twenty six, we'll set
it up. Okay.
Speaker 7 (16:28):
Or give me anywhere?
Speaker 2 (16:30):
No, I know that, I know. Well, you're in Wellesley.
I mean I'm not too far. We can we can
figure out a location. I love to meet you in person,
I really, I've met so many of my listeners in person.
Over the years, Patty, I've taken trips with people down
the Rhine River, down the Danube River, to Alaska, to Ireland,
to Italy. We did an event last April out at
(16:54):
a restaurant in Westwood with the Winnakers. They were the
musical entertainment and we had a brunch, two brunches that
it was double booked. Actually they couldn't do it for
just one setting. They had two sittings. We've done baseball games.
I know most of my listeners and I've met many
(17:14):
of them. I know you pretty well, and I hope
you get a chance to meet you in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 7 (17:19):
Okay, it'll be my biggest honor and pleasure and the
best to you in all you do for twenty twenty six,
and thank you for being the best part of twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
And I know you have a store in Wellesley, correct, Yes.
Speaker 7 (17:33):
I do yet, next to August Restaurants. So if you're
ever there for lunch your breakfast, please let me know.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
All right, hey, okay, but let's give you it's a
jewelry store, correct.
Speaker 7 (17:46):
Tell me give me jewelry clothing. It's all one of
a kite and give me.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
The name of it's right on Route sixteen. You're very
close to the Greens Hardware. Yeah, I know. I've been
to there. I've been to there. I've been there. And
also the bakery right, yes, yeah, So what's the name
of your store.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
Is Patties Patties perfect, yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
And you opened five six days a week. How many
days a week?
Speaker 7 (18:19):
Six days a week, six day week Saturday okay, yeah, okay,
eleven ish eleven.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Ish elevenish okay? So how late six five six six okay?
Six is okay? Good? So we got some publicity for
you too. That's a Christmas present. Okay, thank you.
Speaker 7 (18:40):
What I didn't even think of that. I just thought
of just connecting with you because you are the man dad.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Thanks Patty, Merry Christmas. We will we'll meet in twenty
twenty six, that's for sure, Okay, brad it we'll have
coffee at cap Brada on me, okay, on me, on me, no, no, no, no,
I always pay trust me that. Thanks Patty. I love
you much. Talk you soon. You have a great We'll
take a break. Here's the newscast at the bottom of
(19:06):
the hour.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Night Side with Dan Ray on Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Okay, I do have some lines open at six one,
seven for you want to get through. In the meantime,
let's go to Kathy and Quincy. Kathy top news stories
of this year that's passing quickly in your mind? How
are you, Kathy?
Speaker 5 (19:29):
Goodn't yourself? Thank you for taking my call. I was,
I just got in. I was with the first call.
Speaker 7 (19:35):
I was going to say, Pope Leo too.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
Yeah, that's okay, you keep going and it was a.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
Great year for you too.
Speaker 8 (19:44):
With Caroline Ruth.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
Congratulations, that's that's.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
The first first mentioned in this show of our new
baby granddaughter. Excellent, thank you. I will I will let
her parents know that she got a shout out on
to the Night on nightside, Caroline Ruth. Yes, she's now,
she'll she'll be eight months old.
Speaker 6 (20:08):
Oh god, love.
Speaker 8 (20:09):
How is Benjamin doing.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Benjamin is doing great. He's a handful. Let me tell you.
I had good time with him on the weekend. I
was showing him how to throw sticks. We had a
lot of sticks and branches down in our yard and
I was able to show him how to throw, you know,
big sticks and big branches high up in the ear
into the woods. It fascinated him.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
Yeah, yeah, anything little like that does well.
Speaker 7 (20:35):
Listen, Mary, Christmas and a happy healthy New Year to you,
your family, friends, listeners and Carlos.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
All right, thanks, thanks so much, Kathy. That was a
great call. Thank you so much. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 7 (20:46):
Okay, my pleasure and have a great vacation.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
And Merry Christmas to you, and happy New Year to
you and yours. Thanks Kathy, have a great one, Thank you,
good night. Thank you. Neil in Watertown, Hey Neil, welcome back.
How are you having heard from you in a while?
Speaker 6 (21:01):
Oh?
Speaker 9 (21:01):
Thank you, Dan. I just have three stories that I'm
just able to think of right now for ever reasons.
One is the kidnapping of children in Nigeria.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Well you know something that's that's another story that that
was not on my card here where do you? I'll
read some of the stories I had, But you're right,
Nigerian kidnapping horrible story and too much of that is
going on over there. Yes, what what else you got?
Speaker 9 (21:30):
The trouble for the people of Sudan just just happened
to me living in the wrong place, I.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
Guess, yes, absolutely problems in Sedan yep, okay, I did
not have that one on my card.
Speaker 9 (21:41):
No, I'm not trying to want you know, it's not
like a contest. It's just the ones that I.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
No, no, no, no, no. It's interesting what is in
the forefront of people's minds. I'll mention at the end
of the hour all the ones that that I've thought about,
and I just what's your third one. I'd love to
know the third one.
Speaker 9 (21:57):
Third one is the extreme cruelty of Russian soldiers to
Ukrainian women.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Yeah, that's a good one. Well, I mean, I certainly
had you. I did have Ukraine as one of the
international crises related to that. I had the meeting between
Trump and Putin in Alaska, which I think Trump got
played by Putin. There was nothing that came out of you.
(22:23):
That's four months ago now, September, October, November December, and
nothing came out of that which was helpful. And if anything,
I think that that war has become even more entrenched,
pardon the pun, and that it's going to be very difficult,
(22:44):
I think, to bring that to a conclusion based upon
the differences between those two countries. I hope that somehow,
some ways someone can figure out the magic formula. But
that's a Gordian nod of a of a dilemma as
far as I'm concerned. I mean, I don't see how
I don't see how Ukraine gives up land, and I
don't see how Russia, uh, you know, stops its aggression
(23:09):
unless it gains land. That's that's a tough one. That's
a tough one. Neil that this is a good call.
Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Speaker 9 (23:17):
Thank you for listening.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Oh absolutely, thank you, my friend. We'll talk soon, okay, Okay, night,
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, thank you, good night. Okay.
All of a sudden, I get some wide open lines here,
so I've been trying to call early when the lines
were packed. We only have about seventeen minutes left. You're
from your perspective, the most important news stories of the year,
and again, they can be local, they can be national,
(23:41):
and they could be international. Let me go to Jane
in Shrewsbury. Jane, welcome next on Nightside. How are you tonight?
Speaker 5 (23:48):
Hi?
Speaker 8 (23:48):
Dan, I'm fine. How are you?
Speaker 2 (23:50):
I'm doing great? Love to know what stories are at
the top of your mind, the top of your list.
Speaker 8 (23:56):
Okay, well, I have a few. Well, as you know,
I'm not a big fan of Donald Trump, and I
think he's a big disappointment and I think he's hurting
his legacy. Probably the number one story I think is
measles outbreaks and the anti vaccine efforts of Robert Kennedy Junior,
who Trump had to have in his cabinet for some reason.
(24:17):
I guess he wanted to Kennedy, but the anti vaccine
issues that he by the way.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
He does have more more than Kennedy. He has a
lot of doctors who I'm a vaccine guy. I have
my COVID shot, I have my flu shot. I'm a
vaccine guy. I'm somebody who, as you know, who strongly
believes people should be able to make their own decisions.
But there's a group of doctors that including Marty McCarey
(24:49):
out of Johns Hopkins, and there are others at significant
institutions who kind of are on the same page as Kennedy.
I don't necessarily understand that like you, but it's it's
kind of become the the Make America Healthy movement again,
the MAHA movement. I did not have that on my
list of top subjects. What else you got right?
Speaker 8 (25:13):
Well, And just to add to it. The idea that
babies shouldn't have this big injection on the day they're
born because they're putting so much liquid into their bodies.
It's crazy. They can catch hepatitis beef from their mother
or from any caregiver, so that's why they were getting
vaccinated on day one. And the idea that the measles
(25:35):
months rubella was causing autism has been debunked decades ago.
And if they're researching that, they're not spending the money
to research the real causes. So I think that whole
attitude is bad.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
The money I tend, I tend, I tend to agree
with you on a lot of that, probably more than
more than you realize. And again, I think it's a
whole different story when when there were a lot of
young women and also young men, including military members, who
did not want to get COVID shots. I got my
(26:07):
COVID shot. But I can see that I'm in a
different situation as a twenty eight year old woman who
might be in the military, who might be contemplating, you know,
having a child at some point, and the unknown scares them.
I believe that people should have the right but however,
when you start talking about the health of infants and
(26:28):
decisions being made by parents based upon faulty information, that
infant is put at great risk. And I think you
would agree.
Speaker 8 (26:38):
With that, yes, And we have to remember the public
health also that we have to take actions that benefit
the public. And one of the few things that I
do appreciate that Donald Trump did was he got the
COVID vaccine out, but now he's walking away from it.
But a different issue, changing to a different issue is
during the debate against Biden, he talked about how Haitians
(26:58):
were eating people's pets and kind of got overlooked a
little bit because Maiden did such a bad job at
the debate. And now he's talking about Somali's and you know,
really saying horrible things about people from other countries. And
I just think of JD. Vance, whose kids are half
of Indian origin. To his wife, what if people were
(27:21):
talking about his kids in Ohio as eating pets rather
than people from Haiti. Doesn't he even realize that it's
really hypocritical to go along with.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
Yeah, I would draw, I would draw, yeah, I would
draw changes a couple of distinctions. And I want to
move on here and grab some other callers. Uh, the
idea of people eating the dogs is what was said
was was was one of those absolutely false, scurrilous rumors
on the internet, and for some reason President Trump, then
(27:54):
candidate Trump healthy had to throw that in freelancing. The
story with the Somali's in Minnesota is much different. There
is a serious federal investigation going on and there has
been a lot of fraud up there that revolves around
the Somali community. It does not involve every Somali who
(28:15):
is in Minnesota, but you're going to see a lot
of people go to jail up there in Minnesota. So
that's a whole different story in terms of serious, serious
criminal activity of a portion of that community. It's not
all the Somalis up there, but that is a story
that is a significant and substantive story in which a
(28:39):
lot of money which was intended to help poor people
was siphoned off. So just you know, make understand, I
have to call a little bit of a clarification on
that one. It's it's not at the same level as
they're eating dogs in Springfield, Ohio, which was just a
(28:59):
absurd at the time and still absurd. Hope you have
a great Christmas you too.
Speaker 8 (29:06):
And yeah, I have no problem with going after anyone
who's doing fraud or causing problems. I just don't like
to generalize about all the Islamic based countries and Haiti
and everything else and say that they're all horrible and
that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
And you have a right. You have a right to
feel that way. Jane, thank you so much, and thanks
for calling the show, and thanks for being an active
participant throughout the year. Thanks, talk to you soon. Have
a great night, right, Merry Christmas in happy New Year.
Six one seven, two, five, four ten thirty six one
seven nine three one ten thirty. I know some of
you out there, if you've never called the show before,
(29:43):
give us a call here. Tell us what you think
might be one of the more important stories. I have
a list of stories here which would take me ten
minutes to read. I kind of imagine some of these
stories have not been mentioned as important stories, local stories,
national stories, and international stories. I will go over them
in my in the my entire in the entirety of
(30:04):
my list, but I want to hear from you. Six
one seven, two, five four thirty six one seven, nine three,
one ten thirty. This is our last talk segment of
the year coming up back on Nightside after.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
This, You're on night Side with Dan Ray on w
B Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Okay, the lines are filled up again. We've got to
go quickly. I'm going to ask everybody to be quick
on this one, and then I want to tell you
some of the things that were not mentioned. Florence and
grovelin Florence. Next on Nightside, give us a couple of important.
Speaker 10 (30:37):
Stories in your mind, Dan, The number one story to
me and to you is the vocal on the little
boy hit by school.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
But yep, Len's Joseph.
Speaker 10 (30:52):
Yep, Yeah, we can after that. That little boy should
have been able to celebrate his christ share and enjoy himself.
And all the officials out there, somebody could have spoke
out and let public know what's going on and what's
(31:14):
being done. And everybody's staying quiet.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Well they may stay quiet, but I pled I pledge
to you, Florence, we will get after that in the
new year. Trust me on that. We're going to get
answers on that no matter what.
Speaker 10 (31:27):
Ye Yeah, it's an absolute, Dan, absolute.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
Okay, absolutely couldn't agree with you more. Florence, Merry Christmas,
Happy New year and we'll talk to you in twenty
twenty six.
Speaker 10 (31:39):
Okay, Merry Christmas to your Dan.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Stay well YouTube you too, Thanks so much by mine.
Let me go to Gary and Danas Gary next on
Nightsiger right ahead, Hey.
Speaker 5 (31:49):
Hey Ben Ben. Let me just want to shut a
little light on something. Yeah, story about fifteen years ago.
I lived in Revere, Mass. I used to go to
this core of mars It and buy groceries by Hamburger,
you know, make with my spaghetti sauce. And after eating
that that Hamburger, I used to get sick. I used
(32:09):
to burk strange ways and I didn't understand it. I
want to, I want to Shawls bought it of hamburg
a week later.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
How does this? How does this work on what we're
talking about tonight?
Speaker 5 (32:22):
Okay, because of what that about when you said about uh,
you know that information being false about people eating dogs.
Let me finish my story. I went to the health
department because I went there again and bought the meat.
Same thing happened, and I brought them a sample. Do
you know what they found? It was cat meat?
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Oh well yes.
Speaker 5 (32:45):
They fill, yes, and they what happened was the place
got raided. Don't know what happened. I know a month
later it was shut down or they packed up and
moved out.
Speaker 2 (32:55):
Okay, well that's that's there are people.
Speaker 5 (32:58):
That eat cats and dogs and launches.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
All right, I'm.
Speaker 5 (33:06):
I was getting I'm just trying to balance the scale.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
Thank you very much, and a little descriptive. Thanks very much,
Merry Christmas, good night. Let me go to Daniel and Lester. Hi, Hi, Daniel,
I hope i'll pronounce your town correctly, Lester.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
Mister, mister Dan, the last time I spoke to you,
I disappointed you because no, not not me, but the
last time my mom my, mom my, mommy's baby called you.
You know, disappointed you because he took too long. But
people you said you should be fast now. So I
just wanted to let you know that the most important
story is that when I disappointed you, you know, I
was climbing on the fence and you didn't throw me
(33:44):
in the water. You left me on the fence. So
I'm still here. That's if you told me in the water,
I don't know how to sim't do that.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
Give us, give us a story or two because we're
running out of time. Daniel, I got you in here, Go.
Speaker 3 (33:56):
Ahead, oh, well, I'm going to be quick, but I
but but now you know, I just don't say that
the poor little boy who who was hit by the school.
But I told you before I thought that. You know,
it's it's easy to mend the bus, Drigon, but we
should mend the city because where where Advincent the most?
(34:16):
Because the bus driver, the human being, can only podcast
on so many things on the same time.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
All right, all right, Daniel I'm flat out of time.
I agree with you, Joseph Lens. Joseph is an important story.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year. Will talk to you
twenty twenty.
Speaker 3 (34:32):
Six, Happy happy Hanukah.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Wansa happy, happy and happy Festivus as well, DANIELA, please nope, nope, nope, nope,
not at all. Okay, the the MBTA Communities Act, the
shooting at Brown and Brookline wasn't mentioned. The murder trials
of Brian Walsh, Karen Reid, mast and cast the the
(34:56):
the controversy over the Massachusetts Pike Plaza, Boston Mayer's Race,
the summer trash strike in so many communities, market Basket,
the Newton, the controversy about the Italian heritage, and no Niantum,
anti Semitism generally terris, the economy, betting scandals in baseball
and basketball. Support for Palestine surprised me. The assassination of
(35:18):
Charlie Kirk, Jimmy Kimmel troops in US cities. The Auditor
of the Legislature, I mentioned DOGE, the Department of the
Government Efficiency, the DC plane crash that took so many
lives of New Englander's Ukraine, the Middle East. We mentioned
the Iranian nuclear strike, the future of NATO, and there
(35:40):
were a couple that were mentioned. There were lots we
left on the table, Folks. Here comes the two thirteenth
Annual Night Side Charity Combine coming up on the other side, Folks,
buckle up, you're going to meet some very interesting people.
Stay with us on Nightside. As we wrapped the year,
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