Meagan McGinnes-Bessey's Avatar

Meagan McGinnes-Bessey

@meaganmcbessey.bsky.social

Managing editor, digital audience & community engagement @WBUR Lover of snacks, public service journalism, fitness and moose (in that order). Thoughts = mine. Mail: mmcginn1@bu.edu

1,032 Followers  |  566 Following  |  35 Posts  |  Joined: 12.11.2024  |  1.9528

Latest posts by meaganmcbessey.bsky.social on Bluesky

Preview
The WBUR Festival - Boston, MA, USA Imagine if The New Yorker Festival and the Aspen Ideas Festival had a baby โ€” one with a Boston accent and Big Papiโ€™s swagger. Thatโ€™s The WBUR Festival, coming in May 2025. Weโ€™re celebrating WBUR's 75t...

๐ŸŽ‰ Thread: The WBUR Festival โ€“ aka our 75th birthday party โ€“ is kicking off next weekend in Boston, and youโ€™re invited! Hereโ€™s what to know before you arrive. (Donโ€™t have tickets? You can still grab them on our site.)

19.05.2025 20:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 23    ๐Ÿ” 12    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

This is one of the most relevant articles Iโ€™ve read in some time. thank you, WBUR for showing how it affects the people of Massachusetts. Every state should do this. Congress do your job and educate your state.

30.04.2025 12:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 11    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Also this was a beast for my team to pull together so please check it out lol

30.04.2025 10:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
100(ish) changes in Mass. during Trump's whirlwind (second) first 100 days WBUR's newsroom reviewed the whirlwind of executive orders, directives, counter-actions and lawsuits over the past three-plus months โ€” with a special focus on how federal actions are affecting Massach...

Archiving these big impacts for history and for our readers so we don't tune out the deluge of news โ€” but actually understand what's happened in the first 100 days and what we may expect in the days ahead. www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...

30.04.2025 10:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Video thumbnail

A sign that made me giggle (Video credit: Kaileen Spaulding)

21.04.2025 20:16 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Why this year's Red Sox season 'should look a little different than the last handful' Despite six years of mostly mediocrity since the Red Sox' last World Series, the vibes are high as the team heads into the 2025 season. Boston Globe sports reporter Alex Speier breaks down the bloomin...

It's Opening Day! And the vibes around the 2025 Red Sox are [knocks on woods] kinda good? The Globe's @alexspeier explains why.

Plus:
โ€” Somerville protests Tufts student detainment
โ€” A strike at Wellesley College
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03... @wbur.org

27.03.2025 11:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 10    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Protesters demand Tufts student's release following arrest by immigration officials More than a thousand people gathered at Powder House Square near the Tufts University campus Wednesday evening to protest the arrest and possible deportation of graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk.

โ€˜We're creating a society of fear, this is completely โ€” itโ€™s illegal,โ€™ @wbur.org @annarubenstein.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...

27.03.2025 14:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Are you a current or former federal worker? We want -- and need -- to hear from you to make sure we're telling the stories we need to tell and capturing this moment in history accurately.

18.03.2025 12:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Video thumbnail

three minute videos, you say? here's one from @miriamwasser.bsky.social on why your heating bills have been so high in Mass. this winter.

11.03.2025 13:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 16    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Wu prepares to face hostile GOP grilling in Congress over immigration policy Republicans leading the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee say theyโ€™re holding the mayors of Boston, New York, Chicago and Denver โ€œpublicly accountableโ€ for the way they handle immigratio...

Boston Mayor @wutrain.bsky.social heads to Congress today and will testify over Boston's immigration policies. We'll have live coverage today, and a video later this afternoon:

www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...

05.03.2025 14:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Tell us: Where do you go to have fun indoors and find your inner kid? We want to hear about all the places around Greater Boston where you go to shake the winter doldrums off and just have fun.

Tell me where you go to have fun!

27.02.2025 14:17 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Wu: Border czar Homan's promise to 'bring hell' to Boston mere 'bluster' Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins WBUR's Morning Edition.

"I'm trying to think about what I will wear and how to be in that setting and be able to have nursing-friendly attire on," Wu said.

"There's no one who knows how to multitask better than working moms," she adds.

More here: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org

25.02.2025 13:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
In icy storm aftermath, Somerville issues 'hundreds of tickets a day' for uncleared sidewalks This past weekendโ€™s storm has left sheets of ice on sidewalks across the Boston area. In Somerville, officials say they're fielding hundreds of complaints a day.

In the icy aftermath of this past weekend's storm, Somerville officials say they're issued "hundreds of tickets a day" for widespread uncleared sidewalks: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org

19.02.2025 13:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Downtown Boston's future relies on more than return-to-work orders, says new report The report,ย released Thursday by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, says downtown Boston's future depends on whether we can make commuting and living there easier.

In this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:

โ€” A new report on the future of downtown Boston calls for thinking outside of the office
โ€” Third time's a charm for Wu property tax proposal?
โ€” State House advances shelter changes
โ€” Say goodbye to the Boylston Steet bus lane
www.wbur.org/news/2025/02...

13.02.2025 14:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image Post image

A number of newly surfaced quotes from Josh Kraft in this feature by WBUR's Walter Wuthman, including about his early work in Boston and his views on "woke"/Israel: www.wbur.org/news/2025/02... @wbur.org

04.02.2025 12:45 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
Preview
What the unprecedented bird flu outbreak in Massachusetts means for you The current bird flu outbreak in Massachusetts is the largest the state has ever seen. Here's why officials believe it has become so widespread and what residents should do to protect themselves (and ...

Officials say bird flu is โ€œwidespread in Massachusetts and likely present even in places where there has not been a confirmed positive."

What does that actually mean for you?

Plus:
โ€” Another Republican eyes 2026 governor's race
โ€” Ibram X. Kendi to leave BU
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...

31.01.2025 13:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Students, teachers, parents: What do you think about banning cellphones in Mass. schools? Earlier this month, bills to restrictย cellphones and other personal electronics during school hours wereย proposed in the Senate and House.

Tell us what you think!

28.01.2025 17:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

Boston got a record 110 inches of snow in the winter of 2015.

But the wild part is that nearly 95 inches fell between Jan. 24 and Feb. 22, burying the city's previous a 30-day snowfall record (58.8 inches).

More fun stats from the 2015 winter here: www.wbur.org/news/2025/01... @wbur.org

27.01.2025 15:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
Dig through WBUR readers' 2015 'snowmaggedon' memories and photos More than 60 WBUR listeners and readers shared their stories โ€” and photos โ€” with us to collectively commemorate, rage and laugh at all the wild occurrences during that snowy year. Here are some of the...

Pulling this together brought me joy this week, hope it makes you smile this weekend, too.

24.01.2025 17:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

These photos are WILD

20.01.2025 14:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

NO! That is a definite neighbor etiquette foul.

20.01.2025 14:40 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Share your most memorable moments โ€” and pictures โ€” from 2015's 'Snowmageddon' It's been 10 years since four storms dumped so much snow on Massachusetts that it felt like we lived in an ant farm. We want to hear your stories from that time โ€” the good, the bad and the hilarious โ€”...

Hey @wbur.org fans: You know you want to tell us your good, bad, infuriating and funny stories from Boston's (arguably) craziest winter in the 21st century.

15.01.2025 16:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 4
Preview
NPR shopped for 96 items at Walmart to track how prices are really changing NPR has tracked the prices of dozens of items at the same superstore in Georgia, including eggs, T-shirts, snacks and paper towels. Here's what got cheaper over the past year, and more expensive.

NPR has tracked the prices of dozens of items at the same superstore in Georgia, including eggs, T-shirts, snacks and paper towels. Here's what got cheaper over the past year, and more expensive.

14.01.2025 17:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 489    ๐Ÿ” 117    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 29    ๐Ÿ“Œ 15
Preview
Gov. Healey proposes shifting the responsibility for broker's fees to landlords Gov. Maura Healey announced Monday that her upcoming budget proposal will include language to require broker's fees be paid by whoever originally hired the broker โ€” usually the landlord.

In this morning's @wbur.org newsletter: Breaking down Gov. Maura Healey's broker's fee proposal

Plus:
โ€” Wu property tax proposal, take two
โ€” Needham's Milton-esque referendum
โ€” Brockton City Council pushes back on mayor's veto
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...

14.01.2025 13:58 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
How processed is your food? A new database from MGH can help you find out A new database from Mass General Brigham launched Monday with the nutritional value and "processing scores" for more than 50,000 foods available at Target, Whole Foods and Walmart. Hereโ€™s how it works...

In this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:

How processed is your food? A new database released this morning by MGH can help you find out: www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...

13.01.2025 14:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 8    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
What the SJC ruling on the MBTA Communities Act means beyond Milton Massachusettsโ€™ Supreme Judicial Courtย ruled Wednesdayย the state can force communities to comply with the MBTA Communities Act (after it rewrites the law's guidelines). The ruling has ramifications for...

With more than 30 communities in Massachusetts currently considered out of compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, yesterday's SJC ruling has ramifications that reach far beyond Milton.

Details in this morning's @wbur.org newsletter:
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01...

09.01.2025 13:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
Preview
What you need to know about that nasty stomach bug going around Mass. Data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health shows the number of confirmed cases norovirus in the state more than doubled last month. Here's what you need to know about the gastrointestinal...

What to known about the rise in norovirus cases in Massachusetts (and why soap+water is so important)

Plus:
โ€” Two new health laws in Mass.
โ€” Healey's stance on broker's fees
www.wbur.org/news/2025/01... @wbur.org

08.01.2025 14:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 8    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

And in the interim, tell us what's bringing you joy lately. (Reply in the thread!) For me, it's my rescue dog Rocky (above) who has officially been with our family for 2 months as of today. It's also that I'm now a blue slope skier after many lessons and learning as an adult!

07.01.2025 14:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
The Pick Me Up: WBUR's Seasonal Joy Newsletter A little bit of good news to make your dark winter days brighter.

Sign up to get this weekly throughout the winter! www.wbur.org/news/the-pic...

07.01.2025 14:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

What to expect: A good news story to make you smile. Shoutouts of joy and care from fellow readers. Links to other feel-good stories like recipes and life advice. No hard news, no politics, just good vibes and things going right in the world.

07.01.2025 14:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@meaganmcbessey is following 20 prominent accounts