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Jane has her hands full with On Point this week, so David will be hosting the show on Friday. What to do for Independence Day? Well, Boeri is planning one of his grand opuses. He thinks all the recent hubbub over “hack holidays” like Evacuation Day has missed the point; commemorating our history is what matters, not whether the RMV stays open when we do so.

It’s amazing how many moments that were integral to the formation and development of the whole country happened in our little city. This week, David is stepping off–WAY off–the Freedom Trail to find the true story of liberty’s birth and rearing in Boston. It’s a story that’s as much about absurd utopian fantasies and the origins of Black Power as it is about mis-named battles waged by old, white generals.

If you have your own favorite Boston historical site or story that you think may be in danger of omission, leave us a comment below.

If you’re new to Boston or slept through social studies, this show is going to be a great primer. Listen from your lawn chair with a lemonade in one hand and a sparkler in the other. (Hopefully, you won’t need a third hand for an umbrella.)

In the wake of several serious accients by elderly drivers, lawmakers on Beacon Hill are considering changes to rules regarding seniors and driving, including one that would issue new driving tests to anyone over 85.  Another bill makes it easier for doctors to recommend elderly drivers have their licenses revoked.

The history books are pretty clear: no cod, no Boston.

It’s hard to overstate the importance of the fishing industry to New England as a whole. The industry’s well-documented decline in recent decades due to overfishing and mismanagement has taken its toll, but 80,000 people in Massachusetts still work in the commercial fishing business.

Many of our listeners were disappointed when we had to cancel this show last week in favor of a DiMasi reax hour. You’ll be happy to know, we’re on track to do it this week, and we have a super-special, super-secret guest who we’re hoping will be in town from Washington long enough to appear. Hint: kinda rhymes with “peregrine.”

Sal DiMasi becomes the third House Speaker in a row to face federal indictment.  Governor Deval Patrick’s been calling for ethics reforms on Beacon Hill, but we’re asking, is the real problem a culture of corruption at the State House and beyond.

We all know the T is broke; but over the last couple of weeks, it’s been looking increasingly broken too. Ultimately, it’s no surprise; it’s the oldest subway system in North America. Obviously, the funding mechanisms for the T need to be updated, but what about the trains themselves?

Tom Menino is running for an unprecedented 5th election to the Mayor’s office, but this year he faces some of the most serious opposition in his career.

Downtown Crossing has been a vibrant retail center for decades. On Newbury, you might be able to find the height of fashion, at similarly lofty prices, but Downtown Crossing has always been where you go if you just need some new clothes for work, at more reasonable prices.

Governor Deval Patrick has been pushing pension reform on Beacon Hill, and despite the state’s dire financial need, says he might veto tax increase legislation unless lawmakers include reform as part of their agenda.

WBUR is airing a special series this week, looking at the American medical establishment’s evolving approach to care for the dying.