This week, following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, thousands of delegates from all over the United States and Territories traveled to Milwuake to attend the 2024 Republican National Convention. We discuss the latest on the presidential race and hear from two Massachusetts delegates, Elizabeth Hinds-Ferrick and Michael Valanzola, about their support for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. In effort to combat the opioid crisis in the region, Behavioral Health Network launches a mobile methadone clinic in Ware, the only of its kind in western Massachusetts. We discuss the potential impact of this facility and the expanding need for accessible methadone treatment in rural areas. And, western Massachusetts nursing homes face grim allegations for patient neglect, maltreatment and more. We look into the reported mistreatment, the response from state legislators and how to combat this ongoing issue across the region. Plus, we touch on the latest from the $71 million project to restore the MIFA Victory Theater in Holyoke. What could this facility bring to the entertainment industry in western Massachusetts? We dig in and find out. This week’s panel includes Greta Jochem, investigations editor for The Republican, Rob Rizzuto, senior public information officer for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, and Payton North, executive editor of Reminder Publishing.

Despite calls for him to drop out of the presidential race, President Joe Biden is finding support from some Massachusetts democrats. Among that group is Democratic Delegate and Eastampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle; she weighs on her decision. What’s up with legal weed? Local state Rep. Aaron Saunders says “it’s a trainwreck.” We discuss how the Cannabis Control Commission is impacting the region’s cannabis industry. And, with closing businesses and empty storefronts, what is driving local economic transitions? We dig into the state of our charmed downtowns and ways to keep smalltown commerce alive. Plus, with the rise of artificial intelligence development, how does it fit in locally? We discuss the practical uses of AI in educational, economic, and jurisdictional spaces. This week’s panel includes Jim Kinney, reporter with The Springfield Republican, Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle and NEPM reporter Alden Bourne.

Today on the Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the need for flood mitigation in the region. What can legislators do to address this problem? And, despite expectations of regional broadband internet service by 2011, parts of western Massachusetts still lack reliable internet. Will a funding package from Gov. Maura Healey’s office combat this issue? Plus, disabled nature enthusiasts say being active outside 'changes everything,' but what exactly is involved in making outdoor spaces more accessible to more people? We dig in and find out. This week’s panel includes Alexa Lewis, reporter with the Daily Hampshire Gazette; Evan Garber, senior consultant at A.L. Cignoli Company, Inc.; and NEPM reporter Nancy Eve Cohen.

On The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the shortage of primary care physicians in Massachusetts, and how one Greenfield medical practice is approaching the issue. Can it be remedied by state lawmakers?State lawmakers consider re-establishing a panel to support the struggling journalism industry in Massachusetts. What could this mean for the survival of news organizations in the state?Some residents of the town of Amherst have seen benefits from free bus fares. As western Massachusetts enjoys a summer of free PVTA rides, will we see a future of free transportation in the region?Plus, we take a look at the latest school committee changes in Holyoke Public Schools as it transitions out of state receivership.This week’s panel includes Dave Eisenstadter, state editor for MassLive; Matt Szafranski, editor-in-chief of Western Mass Politics & Insight; and NEPM reporter Caitlin Reardon.

Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the big news week for education in the region. Springfield and Holyoke schools are falling under scrutiny after The Racial Imbalance Advisory Council released a new report revealing segregation in at least 60% of Massachusetts public schools. We’ll unpack the details. - We discuss the impacts of students' right to choose which public school district they attend. As students commute to other districts, the Pittsfield School District faces funding challenges. - And, following a police search in a Great Barrington classroom, we weigh in on the latest on the “Gender Queer” book controversy. - Plus, we take a look at Juneteenth celebrations across the 413. - Panelists include Kevin Moran, executive editor for the Berkshire Eagle; Aprell May Munford, reporter for The Republican and MassLive; and NEPM reporter Jill Kaufman.

Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists weigh in on payments from the Massachusetts Opioid Recovery Remediation Fund, bringing millions to cities and towns across the state to address the state’s opioid problem. As data reveal overdose-related deaths declined in 2023, what’s the best way to use that money? Some cities are looking for public insight. University of Massachusetts Amherst and Williams College grapple with student concerns around institutional investments; can students and college administrations reach a compromise? We dig in and find out. And, a year after losing the Easthampton position amid controversy regarding an alleged microaggression, Vito Perrone is offered the Hampshire Regional School District superintendent position. We discuss the public response to this decision. Plus, a new survey looks at the digital use of older populations in the Hilltowns. We discuss how communities are working to increase access to online resources. This week’s panel includes political consultant Ryan McCollum; Greta Jochem, investigations editor at The Springfield Republican; and NEPM reporter Karen Brown.

Tensions spike again in the Springfield School District as the outgoing superintendent, Daniel Warwick, refers to a school committee member’s family as “freaking scumbags.” We’ll talk about how these comments landed on social media and what happens next for the stirred-up school district. Berkshires native and former FTX executive, Ryan Salame, is awaiting his 90-month prison sentence for operating an illegal money transferring business. But how has this convicted felon impacted real estate in Lenox? We dig in and find out.Plus, we take a look at the latest results in Umass Amherst polling revealing public opinions on immigration, housing, and a proposed law that allows terminally ill medical patients to die on their own terms. This week’s panel includes Clarence Fanto, Berkshire Eagle reporter; Aprell May Munford, reporter at The Springfield Republican; and Elizabeth Román, managing news editor for NEPM.

Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists weigh in on a legal challenge to the Controlled Substances Act rolled out by legal cannabis purveyors in western Massachusetts. Will this light a spark that changes the weed industry? After months of divisions and delays among the committee members, the Springfield School District has elected a new superintendent, Sonia Dinnall. Have tensions in the district subsided now that a new leader has been chosen? We analyze how the rocky selection process could impact Dinnall moving forward.Plus, with Pride Month upon us, retired Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Margaret Marshall reflects on 20 years since gay marriage was legalized in the Bay State. We discuss the social and legislative climate on LGBTQIA+ issues around the nation and how it may impact us locally.Panelists include retired WAMC reporter Paul Tuthill, NEPM reporter Nirvani Williams, and Stephanie Barry, reporter of The Republican.

Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the University of Massachusetts Amherst faculty vote of no confidence in Chancellor Javier Reyes. Earlier this month, Reyes sent police to dismantle an on-campus pro-Palestine encampment resulting in more than 130 arrests. What does this mean for the chancellor?And, heading into the high season for home sales, western Massachusetts continues to see a rise in single-family home prices. We’ll break down the numbers and what that means for the housing market.Plus, one of the largest mill redevelopments in New England is underway at Ludlow Mills. Where asbestos glue continues to be a problem in the project, we discuss how the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is helping out. This week’s panel includes Chris Larabee, reporter for the Greenfield Recorder; Jim Kinney, reporter for The Republican and MassLive; and NEPM reporter Adam Frenier.

Today on The Rundown, Carrie Saldo and panelists discuss a new study that calls for an increase in state funding for public transportation in Massachusetts, pointing to a need to expand accessible transportation services into rural areas. What could this mean for the western part of the state? We’ll dig in and find out.As pro-Palestinian protestors at University of Massachusetts Amherst were arraigned this week, a contentious Faculty Senate meeting was held with the newly-installed chancellor, Javier Reyes. We discuss concerns voiced by the UMass community and the chancellor’s response.Plus, as litigation around PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, in the Berkshires continues, some small towns in western Massachusetts are ahead of the state in regulating large-scale green energy projects.This week’s panel includes Greg Sukiennik, news editor for The Berkshire Eagle; Sarah Robertson, freelance journalist for The Montague Reporter; and Sam Hudzik, news director for NEPM.

Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss two different administrative responses to Palestinian solidarity demonstrations at UMass Amherst and Williams College. We dig into the aftermath of a police crackdown that led to reports of brutality and more than 130 arrests of community members, UMass students and faculty members.And, we return to the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional school district where instances of racist bullying have made a lasting impact. What have the district leaders done to address a racially hostile school environment? According to a new federal civil rights complaint, not enough.Plus, Leapfrog Group report cards for western Massachusetts hospitals are mixed. Which hospitals improved and which didn’t? We get into what factors can lead to declining safety ratings.This week’s panel includes Aprell May Munford, reporter at The Republican; Luke Ruud, editor-in-chief of the Massachusetts Daily Collegian; and NEPM reporter Karen Brown.

Today on the Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss pro-Palestine campus demonstrations at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Consistent with a nationwide student movement, protesters demand UMass to cut financial ties with Israel. These demonstrations come as the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights investigates alleged discrimination against Palestinian and Arab students at UMass. These cases join more than 130 open investigations of ancestral-based discrimination at schools across the country. Plus, we weigh in on two local school districts on the search for new superintendents. The Springfield School Committee has been experiencing division as the national search to fill the role continues. Meanwhile, after months of controversy surrounding allegations of LGBTQ and racial discrimination, Amherst Regional School District selects Dr. E. Xiomara Herman to fill the position. Panelists include Eric Lesser, former state senator; Larry Parnass, executive editor for the Republican; and Elizabeth Román, managing editor at NEPM.