This week, Gov. Maura Healey was in the 413 announcing $8.4 billion in new transportation and infrastructure funding. She says this package won’t raise taxes, but how’s that possible? What’s the money for? We’ll dig in and find out.Despite uncertainty on federal funding, Healey says the commuter rail from western Massachusetts to Boston is on track for continued development. And, we discuss how school districts in Springfield, Pittsfield, Northampton, Belchertown and more are working to make ends meet this budget season. Plus, will we finally have regulations for cannabis cafes and other social consumption venues this year? This week’s panel includes G. Michael Dobbs, host of Government Matters on Focus Springfield; Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle; and NEPM reporter Adam Frenier.

Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss Gov. Maura Healey’s plans to provide relief for Massachusetts residents with high energy bills. The Democratic National Committee has elected a new executive director with ties to western Massachusetts, Roger Lau. We offer our analysis on this news as the Springfield Republican editorial board says that Democrats should not “play dead” in the face of President Donald Trump’s agenda. And, how has a judge shortage hampered legal proceedings in 413? We dig in and find out.This week’s panel includes Larry Parnass, executive editor for the Springfield Republican; Matt Szafranski, editor-in-chief for Western Mass Politics and Insight; and Elizabeth Román, executive editor for NEPM News.

Today on The Rundown, panelists react to President Donald Trump's address to Congress about the savings the Trump administration says it has identified through its efforts and how federal funding cuts are impacting western Massachusetts.And, we discuss state demands for the Southwick School District to amend its bullying policy following a civil rights violation.Plus, it’s time for another round of Rundown Pundown as we discuss the latest cannabis news in the 413.This week’s panel includes former State Senator Eric Lesser; Greg Sukiennik, news editor at The Berkshire Eagle; and Springfield Republican reporter Aprell May Munford.

It has been increasingly difficult to find a primary care physician in Massachusetts, but why is the issue worse in the 413 than the rest of the state?And, while area manufacturers look to local vocational and technical schools for recruiting new talent, many school districts struggle with teacher burnout and attracting new educators.Plus, panelists break down the battle between employers and employees over remote working.This week’s panel includes Springfield Republican reporters Jim Kinney and Aprell May Munford and NEPM reporter Karen Brown

Skates seemed like the most efficient means of travel after much of western Mass. received icy weather this week. Why is it so hard to clean-up after winter storms this season?After a large donation to construct a new art center for the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, State Rep. John Barrett says it is time to look a gift horse in the mouth, but not everyone agrees. We discuss who this donor is and her connection (or lack thereof) to the 413. What did some protestors have to say about the Trump administration this President’s Day? We dig in and find out.This week’s panel includes reporter Paul Tuthill; Sten Spinella, reporter at The Berkshire Eagle; and NEPM reporter Adam Frenier.

Why does the hymn, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” spark debate? We discuss what its author, James Weldon Johnson of Great Barrington, really intended.Towns in Berkshire County never added fluoride to drinking water. Is this a good thing or a missed opportunity?Plus, we reflect on the life of Bishop Bryant Robinson who demonstrated calm in the face of adversity.This week’s panel includes Jim Kinney, reporter at the Springfield Republican; political consultant Ryan McCollum; and Berkshire Eagle reporter Heather Bellow.

A Massachusetts attorney general report into alleged child sexual abuse at some Catholic dioceses has been kept private for years. New reporting delves into what survivors know and what they’re eager to find out.And Baystate Health eliminates 98 corporate jobs as budget cutbacks continue, but how might that move impact healthcare in the region? Plus, as part of the future west-east commuter rail, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has named a stop in Palmer, and we discuss public reactions to this selection.This week’s panel includes Nancy Eve Cohen, senior reporter for NEPM; Eric Lesser, former state senator for the 1st Hampshire and Hampden District; and Greenfield Recorder’s Chris Larabee.

President Donald Trump has been in the oval office for over a week, and his directives on immigration, environment, and federal spending have prompted questions for many. Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists unpack what some of these orders could mean for residents in western Massachusetts.The cost of living in mobile home parks is rising, how are residents trying to combat this issue?And, prospects for a new courthouse in Springfield are facing some opposition. Plus, we discuss the future of municipal leaders around western Massachusetts. Who is projected to run for reelection, and who will run unopposed? This week’s panel includes NEPM reporter Nirvani Williams; veteran reporter and columnist G. Mike Dobbs; and Springfield Republican enterprise reporter Namu Sampath.

In for Carrie Saldo, NEPM reporter Jill Kaufman and panelists breakdown a few of President Donald Trump’s many executive orders signed this week, and how those signatures could impact western Massachusetts.Trump’s executive order attempting to redefine birthright citizenship drew immediate lawsuits from the ACLU of Massachusetts and Attorney General Andrea Campbell. And, the president’s call for more fossil fuels puts the federal government at odds with Massachusetts and its push for renewable energy. Plus, what rights will remain in place in Massachusetts despite banning gender-neutral options on federal identification documents.This week’s panel includes Sam Hudzik, news director of NEPM; John Micek, political editor at MassLive; Adam Hinds, former state senator and CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute; and Springfield-based political consultant Anthony Cignoli.

Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists react to Gov. Maura Healey’s State of the Commonwealth.Where are all the electric vehicle charging stations? Despite a rise in electric vehicles we discuss why there aren’t more EV chargers in the Berkshires.And, after the Massachusetts Healthy Incentive Program suffered funding cuts, some western Massachusetts farms say decreased support for low-income people to buy fresh produce is creating a financial crisis. Plus, we discuss gender inequality in local recovery residences, and how initiatives to open more sober homes for women are trying to change that. This week’s panel includes NEPM reporter Karen Brown; Jane Kaufman, community voices editor at the Berkshire Eagle; and Springfield Republican investigations editor Greta Jochem.

Today on The Rundown, panelists unpack stories of the new year. Newly-released body camera footage sheds new light on Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi’s OUI arrest. Meanwhile, Franklin County’s Sheriff Christopher Donelan announces his retirement after 14 years of service.And, we discuss the latest environmental news in western Massachusetts with a proposed city-wide ban of fossil fuels in construction projects moves forward in Northampton and a $20M deal to preserve 2,400 acres across Hampshire and Franklin Counties.This week’s panel includes Sam Hudzik, news director for NEPM; Emeritus Paul Tuthill former Pioneer Valley bureau chief for WAMC; and Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics and Insight editor-in-chief.

Today on The Rundown, NEPM’s Adam Frenier is in for Carrie Saldo for part-two of News from the 413 Retrospective, where panelists review some of the biggest news stories of 2024 and discuss how those stories might develop into 2025. The cleanup of PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, a highly toxic manmade chemical, is ongoing in the Berkshires. How have these efforts progressed, and is it enough?After a federal rule change requiring Native American tribal consent before displaying culturally significant items, panelists discuss how institutions in western Massachusetts have altered displays and begun repatriation of Native remains and artifacts.And, from wet weather to drought to wildfires, severe weather has had sizable impacts in western Massachusetts. As we look at the greatest greenhouse gas emitters in the area, we dig into local efforts to combat the ongoing effects of climate change.All that and more with this week's panelists, NEPM reporter Nancy Eve Cohen; Greg Sukiennik, news editor for the Berkshire Eagle; and Dusty Christensen, frequent NEPM contributor and investigative editor at The Shoestring.