Our panel explores how several communities western Mass. are addressing health insurance costs that are affecting the bottom lines of school and municipal budgets.And, we take a look at how business in the 413 is impacting the future of computing.Plus, we examine two very different sides of nuclear as a bill to prohibit nuclear weapons gains traction on Beacon Hill and as power companies take a second look at nuclear energy to bolster electricity needs in the state.We’re running down all of that and more this week with our panel, Adam Hinds, senior advisor at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate; Clarence Fanto, reporter for the Berkshire Eagle; and Jim Kinney, reporter for the Springfield Republican.

Food pantries in the 413 are seeing an increase in need; we unpack why that is and what local legislators are saying and doing to address it. And, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern pushes back on Veterans Administration Secretary Douglas A. Collins for allegedly restricting the speech of VA chaplains who are memorializing Alex Pretti, a VA nurse who was killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. Plus, long-time water woes have plagued a Berkshire County community come to a head as a town considers buying the private utility company in charge of the drinking supply. We’re running down all of that and more this week with our panel Talia Lissauer, Berkshire Eagle reporter; Adam Frenier, NEPM news reporter; political consultant Ryan McCollum of RMC Strategies; and special appearance by resident Bad Bunny correspondent Elizabeth Román, executive news editor for NEPM.

Hydropower is in the news this week as a Hampden County utility company secures a contract extension to continue hydropower use, while an energy company in Franklin County clears a hurdle in its quest to open two facilities despite concerns from locals.And some 413 high schools look to an app to reign in cell phone use, while local municipalities seek to curtail nicotine use by young people. We unpack the details.This week’s panel for The Rundown includes Greenfield Recorder reporter Erin-Leigh Hoffman, Paul Tuthill, reporter emeritus; and Rich Parr, Vice President at the MassINC Polling Group.

The state’s largest snowfall in four years hit 413 hard earlier this week. We plow through the impact of the storm on cities, residents and workers.And, the Trump administration is targeting the government's primary program to address homelessness, and the effects could have a big impact in western Massachusetts cities.Plus, we look at the rising costs of utility bills in the state and what it means for local energy users.We’re running down all of that and more this week with our panel, Hallie Claflin, reporter for Commonwealth Beacon; Dave Eisenstatder, state editor for MassLive; Ryan McCollum, political consultant for RMC Strategies; and NEPM’s own Monte Belmonte of The Fabulous 413.

Gov. Maura Healey delivers the annual State of the Commonwealth Address, and our panel puts what she said in context for western Massachusetts.And, water levels at the Quabbin Reservoir are 10 feet lower than normal, and surrounding communities are questioning water use and stewardship of the reservoir. Should public policy be changed to address their concerns?Plus, a decision made by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection could result in a temporary furlough of work and production for a Springfield manufacturing company. Will we see a broader impact on the 413?We’re running down all of that and more this week with our panel, Jim Kinney, reporter for the Springfield Republican newspaper; Matt Szafranski, founder and editor for Western Mass. Politics & Insight; and Bridgette Davis, assistant professor of public policy at UMass Amherst.

Low enrollment could cost the Pittsfield school district millions in state education aid as statewide public school enrollment has decreased to its lowest level in over a decade.And whether they like it or not, the residents of Agawam may be getting a new battery storage plant in town. We explore why they can’t say no.Plus, we talk about the transparency, or lack thereof, in public records and ballot question funding.This week’s panel for The Rundown include Eric Lesser, senior counsel with WilmerHale; Greg Sukiennik, news editor for The Berkshire Eagle; and Dusty Christensen, investigations editor at The Shoestring.

The Rundown with Carrie Saldo returns with a 413 perspective of the dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States government.And, we unpack the details as Southampton residents debate the potential impact of a proposed solar power field on farmland and the Barnes Aquifer.Plus, with a slate of elected officials sworn into office after November’s elections, we examine history made in the Holyoke and Springfield municipalities. This week’s panel includes Paul Tuthill, reporter emeritus; Elizabeth Román, executive editor for the NEPM newsroom; and Mike Dobbs of Focus Springfield.

Baystate Health contends with a projected $146.7 million annual shortfall in the wake of a Trump administration domestic policy bill. What could it mean for healthcare in the 413?And, a study recommends the dismantling of the Route 2 overpass in the city of North Adams. What could the costs and benefits be?Plus, while the Healy administration pushes for more accessory dwelling units statewide, the city of Pittsfield adds a community resource center and more housing for residents.This week’s panel includes Kevin Moran, executive editor for The Berkshire Eagle; Elizabeth Román, executive editor of news for NEPM; and Springfield Republican executive editor Larry Parnass.

Whether you hope to smoke, eat, or drink it, legal social consumption of cannabis is coming in Massachusetts. What could this mean for the 413?And, a report finds that western Massachusetts municipalities lack racial diversity among those holding public office.Plus, a Somerville-Holyoke business, Sublime Systems, pauses a planned expansion after the Trump administration rescinds an $87 million grant. How will this impact the local economy?We run down all of that and more this week with our panel, Anthony Cammalleri, reporter for the Greenfield Recorder; Adam Hinds, CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute; and Nirvani Williams, NEPM Newsroom Reporter.

Three buildings in downtown Holyoke were impacted by devastating fires over the course of two days, leaving about 100 families displaced. We unpack the details and look at how the community is offering support.In educational news, new high school graduation requirements are outlined by the Healy administration to replace MCAS testing, which is no longer required to graduate after a statewide vote last year. We explore what it means for students in the 413.And, we explore how public money is used, and why costs keep rising, by county sheriffs.Plus, with rising safety concerns, Pittsfield seeks to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant.This week’s panel includes Maryjane Williams, reporter for the Berkshire Eagle; Eric Lesser, former state senator and senior counsel for WilmerHale; Aprell May Munford, reporter for the Springfield Republican; and Jill Kaufman, reporter for NEPM.

Eleven different ballot questions appear to have met the requirements ahead of this week’s deadline for the 2026 ballot. We will dig into a divide on the rent control question proposed for the next election cycle along with a range of housing-related issues facing the 413. And, Springfield train ridership is down against a nationwide increase. We explore what it might mean for east-west rail.Plus, why are historians still debating Henry Knox’s march through the Berkshires? Today’s panel for The Rundown includes Jane Kaufman, community voices editor of the Berkshire Eagle; Jim Kinney, reporter for the Springfield Republican; and Rich Parr, vice president at MassINC Polling Group.

A tragic fire at an off-campus housing complex serving UMass Amherst students leaves hundreds displaced and a community in shock. We discuss the latest in the story and how the public is responding.A boom in enrollment at vocational and technical schools nationwide makes an impact at school districts across western Massachusetts.And, an eagerly-awaited project in Springfield's north end to build a new community center falls apart, leaving questions for many. We unpack the details.Plus, Mercy Medical Center’s soon suspension of maternity care causes concerns about jobs and the future of the Springfield hospital.We’re running down all of that and more with this week’s panel, Bridgette Davis, assistant professor at UMass Amherst School of Public Policy; Greg Sukiennik, news editor for The Berkshire Eagle; and Larry Parnass, executive editor for the Springfield Republican.