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The Rundown with Carrie Saldo

NEPM Podcasts

Dig into the week’s most important stories and know what’s up in western Mass. Join Carrie Saldo for The Rundown — where reporters from newsrooms across the region recap the biggest headlines and share their takes on the news and events that shaped the week in the 413.

What do you think was the most important news event of the week? Share your thoughts at 413-225-4922 or via email at therundown@nepm.org.

Dig into the week’s most important stories and know what’s up in western Mass. Join Carrie Saldo for The Rundown — where reporters from newsrooms across the region recap the biggest headlines and share their takes on the news and events that shaped the week in the 413.

What do you think was the most important news event of the week? Share your thoughts at 413-225-4922 or via email at therundown@nepm.org.

34hr 48min
Thumbnail for "Local suit against Trump administration, civil rights rollback concerns, housing advocacy alliance".
Thumbnail for "Signed state budget, hydropower relicensing, reinstating ‘happy hour’".
Today on The Rundown, we discuss how a new state budget could aid local homeowners with crumbling foundations, relicensing hydropower facilities in Franklin County, talks of reinstating “happy hour” for Mass. restaurants and bars and more.
Thumbnail for "Threats to Job Corps, digital equity, support for rural schools".
Today on The Rundown, we discuss local reaction to U.S. strikes in Iran, threats waged against Job Corps, local advocacy for digital equity and public schooling in rural areas and much more.
Thumbnail for "“No Kings,” rising cost of living, Juneteenth celebrations".
Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss local involvement in the “No Kings” protests, how people in western Mass. are surviving under rising costs of living, and how communities in the 413 celebrated Juneteenth.
Thumbnail for "Legal vices: cannabis and gambling".
Today on The Rundown, Carrie Saldo and panelists discuss the legal landscape of cannabis and gambling in western Massachusetts.
Thumbnail for "Small Business Administration closes, Quabbin Reservoir protection, Cannabis Control Commission".
Panelists discuss the evolving Cannabis Control Commission, DOGE’s decision to close Springfield’s Small Business Administration, a call for more water protections for the Quabbin Reservoir and much more.
Thumbnail for "Civil asset forfeiture, toxic lead in phone lines, low-quality nursing home food".
Today on the Rundown, Carrie Saldo and panelists discuss how a large Franklin County drug bust became a windfall for law enforcement, toxic lead in local phone lines,the concerningly low costs of nursing home food, and more!
Thumbnail for "Bee population decline, vacant malls, industrial development".
Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss the possible consequences and solutions to massive bee colony collapse, plans to repurpose the vacant Berkshire Mall for senior housing, the latest in a controversial biomass plant development in Springfield and much more.
Thumbnail for "ICE arrests, environmental challenges, cuts to arts".
Today on The Rundown, Carrie Saldo and panelists discuss ICE presence in western Mass., how federal funding cuts could impact the local arts and culture economy, how municipalities prepare for future climate disasters and much more.
Thumbnail for "Trump impacts, Holyoke schools, Latino economic contributions".
Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss the first 100 days of the Trump administration, the Mass. Latino population’s significant contributions to the state’s economy, returning Holyoke schools from state to local control and much more.
Thumbnail for "Threatened VA services, life without parole sentencing".
In for Carrie Saldo, NEPM reporter Adam Frenier and panelists discuss the local impacts and legacy of Pope Francis, concern for veteran services as federal funding cuts continue, advocacy to eliminate life without parole sentencing and much more.
Thumbnail for "Federal cuts, rising tariffs".
In for Carrie Saldo, Jill Kaufman discusses with panelists about continued federal funding cuts to library and historical services and disaster prevention in western Mass. Plus, how a 10% tariff will impact local commerce.
Thumbnail for "Federal cuts to education, school leadership turnover".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss large federal cuts looming over schools across western Massachusetts, the high leadership turnover rate in Berkshire County schools, the latest on economic development in Adams and much more.
Thumbnail for "PILOTs, housing solutions".
Today on The Rundown, we discuss how the city of Holyoke hopes to gather funds from tax-exempt organizations with voluntary Payments in Lieu of Taxes and how the state plans to combat the housing crisis in western Massachusetts.
Thumbnail for "Gov. Healey’s $8.4B funding package, public school budgets, cannabis regulations".
Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss Gov. Maura Healey’s new $8.4 billion package for transportation and infrastructure, continued development for the west-east rail despite federal funding uncertainty, public school budget strains, evolving cannabis regulations and more.
Thumbnail for "Energy bill relief, judge shortages, political analysis".
Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss Gov. Healey’s plan to combat high energy bills, the local ties to the DNC’s new executive director, the legal impacts of a judge shortage in western Mass. and much more.
Thumbnail for "President Trump’s address to Congress, bullying policy, cannabis industry".
Today on The Rundown, we discuss President Donald Trump’s address to Congress, state demands for Southwick School District to update its bullying policy and discuss the latest in the cannabis industry.
Thumbnail for "Primary care shortage, teacher burnout".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the struggle to find primary care in western Mass., educator shortages as teachers face burnout, employer efforts to bring employees back into the office and much more.
Thumbnail for "Icy weather, President’s Day protests".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss ice and snow removal shortfalls this winter, take a closer look at a donation made to MCLA, analyze public opinion on the Trump administration so far, and much more.
Thumbnail for "Local Black history, fluoride in water".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the great legacy of local Black author James Weldon Johnson, discuss the absence of fluoride in drinking water in the Berkshires, remember the life of Bishop Bryant Robinson and much more.
Thumbnail for "Catholic dioceses abuse, Baystate Health cutbacks, west-east rail".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss investigative reporting on alleged child sexual abuse at some western Mass. Catholic dioceses, the impacts of ongoing cutbacks at Baystate Health, updates in the west-east rail project and much more.
Thumbnail for "Trump impacts, mobile home affordability, municipal leadership".
Today on The Rundown, panelists continue to digest the many executive orders signed by President Donald Trump, the cost of living in mobile home parks, the prospect of a new courthouse in Springfield, the future of municipal leadership around western Massachusetts and much more.
Thumbnail for "Local perspective on Trump’s executive orders".
Today on The Rundown, panelists digest President Donald Trump’s first week back in office, and how his many executive orders could impact western Massachusetts.
Thumbnail for "EV charging stations, farm financial crises, women’s sober homes".
Panelists discuss Gov. Healey’s State of the Commonwealth, the lack of EV chargers in the Berkshires, the consequences of decreased food support for low-income people in western Mass., gender inequality in sober homes, and much more.
Thumbnail for "Sheriff Cocchi’s OUI arrest footage, environmental action".
Today on The Rundown, panelists unpack newly released footage of Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi’s OUI arrest, a potential ban on fossil fuels for construction projects in Northampton, a $20M deal to preserve 2,400 acres of land and much more.
Thumbnail for "News from the 413 retrospective, part 2".
Today on The Rundown, panelists continue a news retrospective for 2024 by discussing efforts to clean up toxic waste, how western Mass. institutions begin repatriation processes of Native remains and artifacts, and the ongoing impacts of a deregulated climate.
Thumbnail for "News from the 413 retrospective, part 1".
What were the biggest news stories of 2024 in western Mass.?
Thumbnail for "Wildfires, climate education, deed fraud investigation".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss why wildfire severity has increased in western Massachusetts, how a long-closed landfill in Windsor can teach lessons on climate resiliency, how some cases of alleged deed fraud are mysteriously linked to a Florida prison, and much more.
Thumbnail for "TPS removal concerns, Northern Tier rail project, UMass coach buyout".
Today on The Rundown, we weigh in on concerns among immigrant advocacy groups about the possible removal of the Temporary Protected Status program, the latest push for the Northern Tier rail project, a $1.4 million buyout owed to a fired UMass football coach, and much more.
Thumbnail for "Healthcare job cuts, digital equity, methadone access".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, we discuss Baystate Health’s giant job cut, the rise in counterfeit pills and need for methadone access, and how Springfield is working to increase digital access for its residents.
Thumbnail for "Election result analysis".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists weigh in on this week’s election results in both national and statewide.
Thumbnail for "State and congressional candidate breakdown".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, we breakdown the state and congressional races that will be on the ballot for residents of western Massachusetts.
Thumbnail for "Ballot questions break down".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, a full panel of 5 NEPM dissect and analyze the ballot questions you will see when you visit the polling station.
Thumbnail for "Congressional debate, first responder hiring, tech in policing".
Today on The Rundown, panelists weigh in on yesterday’s congressional debate, the expiration of a federal consent decree to govern hiring practices in police and fire departments, the rise in technology to combat graffiti and high-speed chases, and updates from the eviction of a Northampton ‘recovery camp.’
Thumbnail for "Environmental management concerns, tent encampment removal".
Thumbnail for "Gov. Healey’s gun law, Sheriff Cocchi’s O.U.I, golden treasure hunt".
Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss Gov. Maura Healey’s new gun law, what consequences face Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi after his O.U.I arrest, the golden treasure hunt has been resolved in the woods of western Mass., and much more.
Thumbnail for "Sheriff drunk driving arrest, dipping MCAS scores, huge Big E crowds".
Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss what’s to come after Hampden County’s sheriff was arrested for drunk driving, why local family members of Ethel Rosenberg seek to exonerate her of being a Soviet spy, what could be impacting low MCAS scores, and much more.
Thumbnail for "Streamlining elections, Springfield cybersecurity center, and a climate chief".
This week on The Rundown, a look at how town clerks are modernizing elections, a new cybersecurity center in Springfield, and an update on the cleanup of the Housatonic River.
Thumbnail for "Affordable housing, psychedelics, debate highlights".
This week on The Rundown, panelists discuss the presidential debate, solutions to affordable housing scarcity, what’s new with controlled substances, and much more.
Thumbnail for "Massachusetts primary election results, back-to-school campus tensions".
The Rundown is back to discuss the results of the Massachusetts primary elections, both local and statewide, and the start of a new school year at UMass Amherst, where students have conflicted feelings.
Thumbnail for "VP Harris in Pittsfield, Superior Court nominees, property tax burdens".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign stop in Pittsfield, the nomination of local federal prosecutor Deepika Shukla to the Superior Court, the burden of past-due property taxes on Massachusetts homeowners, the Summer Olympics and more.
Thumbnail for "RNC, mobile methadone clinic, nursing home maltreatment, Victor Theater restoration".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the Republican National Convention, a new mobile methadone clinic in the region, grim allegations of patient maltreatment in western Massachusetts, and the latest on the MIFA Victory Theater restoration project.
Thumbnail for "Biden candidacy support, cannabis industry, smalltown commerce, AI development".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss Mass. democrats’ support for President Joe Biden’s candidacy, the local struggle under the Cannabis Control Commission, the state of smalltown commerce, the rise of AI development, and much more.
Thumbnail for "Regional broadband internet, flood mitigation, accessible outdoor spaces".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the growing need for local flood mitigation, the future of reliable regional broadband internet access, and how western Massachusetts can increase access to the outdoors.
Thumbnail for "Doctor shortage, free bus fares, journalism industry support".
Panelists discuss the shortage of primary care doctors in the region, the possibility of state support for the journalism industry, the future of accessible public transportation, and the latest in changes in Holyoke Public Schools.
Thumbnail for "Racial segregation in schools, school choice impacts, “Gender Queer” controversy".
Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss racial segregation in Springfield and Holyoke schools, funding challenges faced by Pittsfield Schools as students choose other districts, the latest in the “Gender Queer” book controversy, and much more.
Thumbnail for "Opioid remediation funds, divestment debates, superintendent shuffles".
On The Rundown, panelists discuss use of the state’s opioid remediation funds, the ongoing divestment debate at UMass Amherst and Williams College, Hampshire Regional Schools new superintendent’s controversial history, and much more.
Thumbnail for "Springfield Schools tensions, ex-crypto mogul, public opinion polls".
This week on The Rundown, panelists discuss ongoing tensions in the Springfield School District as disparaging remarks made by outgoing superintendent circulate on social media, how an ex-cryptocurrency executive and convicted felon has impacted real estate in Lenox, the latest results in UMass Amherst public opinion polling, and much more.
Thumbnail for "New Springfield superintendent, cannabis lawsuit, LGBTQIA+ legal climate".
This week on the Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the lawsuit to challenge the Controlled Substance Act by western Massachusetts cannabis couriers, the newly elected Springfield School District Superintendent, and LGBTQ+ social and legal climates.
Thumbnail for "UMass faculty votes no confidence in chancellor, spring housing market, Ludlow Mills".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists debate and discuss the UMass faculty vote of no confidence in Chancellor Javier Reyes, the evolving local housing market, and EPA assistance at the Ludlow Mills redevelopment project.
Thumbnail for "Public transportation funding, UMass chancellor criticism, environmental regulation".
Thumbnail for "UMass arrests, racist bullying, hospital safety reports".
Today on The Rundown, panelists cover administrative responses to pro-Palestine encampments at UMass Amherst and Williams College, a recent civil rights complaint against Southwick Regional school districts leaders, varying safety ratings in local hospitals, and more.
Thumbnail for "Campus protests, UMass racial discrimination, school superintendent search".
Today on the Rundown, panelists dig into pro-Palestine protests on local college campuses, alleged discrimination against Palestinian and Arab UMass students, and the search for new superintendents at two local school districts.
Thumbnail for "Border toll controversy, west-east rail, climate impacts".
Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss a controversy about potential state border tolls, the latest plans for connecting eastern and western Massachusetts by a future rail system, how the changing climate is impacting local residents, and more.
Thumbnail for "Quabbin Reservoir, school budget woes, canceled rail car contract".
On The Rundown, we discuss the potential for local access to the Quabbin Reservoir drinking supply, the budget deficits facing many regional schools, and the termination of a key rail car manufacturing contract.
Thumbnail for "Amherst schools lawsuit, psychedelic futures, and new Springfield police superintendent ".
Panelists discuss a defamation and discrimination lawsuit out of Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, the future of psychedelics in Massachusetts, Springfield’s first Black police superintendent, and much more from the NEPM newsroom.
Thumbnail for "New North Adams hospital, PFAS lawsuits, and eclipse mania ".
Panelists discuss the new North Adams Regional Hospital, PFAS manufacturers under legal fire for environmental contamination, the upcoming eclipse, and more reporting highlights from the NENC.
Thumbnail for "Criminal neglect at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, Holyoke schools receivership, federal disaster fund denial ".
The panel discusses the latest with criminal neglect charges at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, the move for local control of Holyoke public schools, and the denial of federal funds for local counties impacted by flooding and much more.
Thumbnail for "Aftermath of racist bullying, clean energy, and a Berkshire dam repair".
This week on The Rundown, panelists discuss what happens after alleged racist student bullying, the development of clean energy infrastructure, and more from the NEPM newsroom and the NENC.
Thumbnail for "Gunfire at Springfield school, Mass. marijuana pardons, and a Berkshire House race ".
This week on The Rundown, panelists discuss impacts of gunfire at Springfield Sci-Tech, Gov. Healey’s effort towards economic development and marijuana pardons, the race for the 3rd Berkshire District and much more.
Thumbnail for "Super Tuesday, MASS MoCA strike and a $20M anti-homelessness campaign".
Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss Super Tuesday, the union strike at MASS MoCA, Gov. Maura Healey’s recent $20 million campaign targeting veteran homelessness, and much more from the NEPM newsroom and media partners.
Thumbnail for "Super Tuesday, vacant Catholic properties and to-go cocktails".
Host Carrie Saldo and panelists discuss expectations for Super Tuesday, vacant properties owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese, the fate of to-go cocktails, and community activism with the W.E.B Du Bois Center.
Thumbnail for "Racist bullying, controversial SJC nomination and community activism".
Guest host Jill Kaufman talks to panelists about racist allegations at Southwick Regional School, Gov. Maura Healy's Supreme Judicial Court nomination, and more. Carrie Saldo interviews local activist Mpress Nembhard.
Thumbnail for "Standout Stories for 2024".
It’s prognosticating and postulating as host Carrie Saldo gathers a group of journalists to discuss what they think the standout stories of 2024 will be!
Thumbnail for "West-east rail, control of Holyoke schools and mail-in ballots".
This week Carrie Saldo talks with panelists about connecting western Mass. to Boston, local control of Holyoke schools, demand for mail-in ballots, and abolitionist David Ruggles.
Thumbnail for "The Rundown: February 2, 2024".
The debut episode of The Rundown with Carrie Saldo

Local suit against Trump administration, civil rights rollback concerns, housing advocacy alliance

Thumbnail for "Local suit against Trump administration, civil rights rollback concerns, housing advocacy alliance".
May 30, 202529min 12sec

Gov. Maura Healey warns that President Donald Trump’s battle with Harvard University could cost the whole state of Massachusetts millions. What are the potential economic impacts in western Massachusetts?

Easthampton is in the national spotlight as a federal judge blocks the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and fire employees.

A vigil in Springfield marks five years since George Floyd’s murder, and speakers call for the protection of reforms made since.

Plus, arts organizations in Berkshire County form an alliance in infrastructure and housing advocacy. 

We’re running down all of that and more with this week’s panel: Dave Eisenstadter, state editor for MassLive; Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle; Aprell May Munford, reporter for the Springfield Republican; and NEPM reporter Adam Frenier.

Thumbnail for "Local suit against Trump administration, civil rights rollback concerns, housing advocacy alliance".
Local suit against Trump administration, civil rights rollback concerns, housing advocacy alliance
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