If federal lawmakers can't reach a deal on a stop-gap spending plan by the end of this month, the government will shut down. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, said it is hard to be optimistic about a deal being reached during this Trump Administration. https://bit.ly/46uqUXW

A few dozen people along the main road in West Springfield, Mass., carried signs defending free speech and the constitution. They're hoping for higher turnout next weekend. https://bit.ly/4na1YMA

Gambling offering and taxes are getting fresh look as Massachusetts' share of betting revenues clears $1.5 billion per year. https://bit.ly/4nOpizz

Amherst author Mattea Kramer's debut novel "The Untended" tackles surviving American capitalism and addiction in rural Vermont with love and empathy. Don't miss the NEPM Book Club's next meeting on October. Sign up now →📖 nepm.org/bookclub

An idea so powerful it became the bedrock of a new nation. Explore the virtues, contradictions, tensions, and personalities that shaped this radical experiment in The American Revolution, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Premieres Nov. 16 #onNEPM TV.

On today's The Rundown with Carrie Saldo: Changes to the MassWildlife board, solving a pyrrhotite problem, and why Berkshires schools are eyeing regionalization. Listen: https://www.nepm.org/therundown/2025-09-19/masswildlife-board-shakeup-troublesome-minerals-and-berkshires-schools-regionalization

Are you, perchance, seeking a new streaming service today? May we suggest NEPM Passport? https://video.nepm.org/passport/learn-more/

Matt Donovan and Ligia Bouton created an exhibit that uses fragments of Emily Dickinson's poems and belongings to create a sense of the poet's mysterious work. https://bit.ly/3K6ODGh

Amid a statewide housing crisis, renters across Western Massachusetts communities are banding together in hopes of resisting a trend of rising rents across the region and the state. https://bit.ly/3VUEmQ0

One-term incumbent Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra is slated to square off against challenge Jillian Duclos in November's general election. They were the top-two vote getters in Tuesday's preliminary election. https://bit.ly/47MGAby

Elizabeth Román knows the Big E. A “born and raised Springfield girl,” she's been going every year since before she was born; and has even lived at the fairgrounds during the Big E. Elizabeth shares her tried-and-true Big E classic eats and things to do — everything to get the most out of the fair.

Super fabulous to see Mattea Kramer's 'Untended' as @nepublicmedia.bsky.social's book club choice. I know and love Mattea and her writing. On my fiction pile, Untended is on the TOP. TY NEPM for raising up this book and its author. www.nepm.org/nepm-events/...

The Trump administration has moved quickly and decisively to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Mass. lawmakers are signaling its continued use in the Commonwealth. https://bit.ly/46671aY

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick stopped by NEPM Studios this morning to chat with Jim Braude and Margery Eagan of Boston Public Radio. Don't miss their conversation — tune in to BPR at 11:30 a.m. on 88.5 NEPM.

Get the inside story behind the hit podcast that tells the story of the PVPA musical no one saw coming. We're Doing The Wiz Live! is coming to NEPM Studios on Oct. 4 — get tickets at nepm.org/thewiz!

The Massachusetts Democratic Convention was held in Springfield with thousands of delegates attending the event at MassMutual Center. https://bit.ly/4mhlu8S

The main focus of the convention will be on approving the Democratic party's platform, including issues such as affordable housing, education and health care. It also asserts that much is at risk under President Donald Trump's administration. https://bit.ly/4mdOZbw

This weekend, you’ll find a bunch of totally new things happening across western Mass. Try out Williamsburg Porchfest, Millennial Prom Night, New Salem Old Home Day, the Pa’lante 5K in Holyoke, and more. https://www.nepm.org/culture-to-do/2025-09-10/culture-to-do-sept-10-2025

In Northampton there's a four-way race for the mayoral seat, with three challengers seeking to unseat the incumbent. https://bit.ly/4gjEr9z

At a town meeting this week, Longmeadow residents voted in support of the project by a more than three-to-one margin. https://bit.ly/47XHLFh

The Big E fair on the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield kicks off this morning and will highlight local vendors and lots of new food items. https://bit.ly/3Iml6YB

Western Massachusetts lawmakers testifying at a hearing on Beacon Hill Tuesday said they want to strike surprising language from a state law that limits travel expense reimbursements for members of the Governor’s Council. https://bit.ly/4pfTe9n

It's been 24 years since the 9/11 terror attacks. These 20 documentaries — selected from @frontlinepbs.bsky.social‬ reporting — investigate the decisions that followed and the lasting impact on America and the world: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/9-11-documentaries-20th-anniversary/

Jim and Margery are taking Boston Public Radio on the road and heading out to NEPM in Springfield! What should they do? What should they see? What should they eat at the Big E? Tell us in the comments and be sure to tune in at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 15 and Tuesday, Sept. 16!

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation analyzed the impact of two new Medicaid recertification and work rules passed by Congress, which are likely to shrink the number of MassHealth recipients. https://bit.ly/4ggvy0h

Concerns are being raised over declining conditions for Western Massachusetts nursing home residents as for-profit operators cash in. NEPM's Carrie Healy speaks with @bostonglobe reporter Kay Lazar about their reporting on this issue. https://bit.ly/45Xx4kE

Springfield has a preliminary election on Tuesday. But given the lack of contests it figures to be sleepy at the polls. https://bit.ly/46sxI9K

Massachusetts will break ties with federal immunization policies to ensure the availability of COVID-19 booster shots at retail pharmacies, and mandate insurance coverage of vaccines. https://bit.ly/4mTQOeZ

With NEPM Passport, get extended access to your favorite PBS shows — anytime, anywhere! Stream, catch up, and rewatch your favorites. Learn more: nepm.org/passport 📺📱💻

Kari Njiiri has been bringing you music you can't hear anywhere else for over 40 years. Your support keeps the music playing. Give today: nepm.org/donate

A 19th century landscape by Thomas Cole of a view of the Connecticut River from the top of Mt. Holyoke was the inspiration for a group art show, installed along steep trails. Viewers had to be sure footed. https://bit.ly/4pf4Ppc

Holyoke is holding two public sessions Monday as they solicit feedback from residents on how to spend $1.1 million in opioid litigation settlement funds. https://bit.ly/47YLL8a

After walking off the job this week, facilities workers at Mount Holyoke college hope for renewed contract talks. https://bit.ly/41A0DWI

Take your students back to the Industrial Revolution! Explore the history of Labor Day and how it began in 1894 to honor the unions that fought for workers’ rights. (Grades K-5) https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/98318600-2348-499a-8727-5376258e761e/labor-day-all-about-the-holidays/

What happened when the Red Scare came to Greenfield? This is the story of the western Mass. workers who fought back against the mass hysteria — and became part of the origins of the United Electrical Workers. . This Labor Day, listen to At Sword's Point: https://t.co/6ZVQuCtaAm

Wrap up Valley Voices Summer Shorts with a story by Michael “Buster” McMahon complete with karaoke prowess and a mob boss with a carnation in his lapel. Listen now: https://www.nepm.org/podcast/valley-voices/2025-08-29/valley-voices-summer-shorts-killing-me-softly-because-of-my-song

National resettlement agencies have been in a legal battle with the Trump administration to resume the U.S. refugee admissions program. Recently, a federal judge ordered the government to process and admit 160 refugees previously blocked by Trump’s executive order. https://bit.ly/47SWjpn

NEPM's Media Lab youth media producers learned different production skills, how to edit videos, write stories, work professional cameras, and even learned to break out of their comfort zones. https://bit.ly/4mXFa2e

Western Mass has among the lowest vaccine rates in the state. Officials say vaccine hesitancy is likely to get worse under Trump administration, which is attacking vaccines through rhetoric and funding cuts. https://bit.ly/3HWfd45

In this week's Beacon Hill in 5, a look at the proposed data center in Westfield that will cost about $4 million. https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2025-08-26/westfield-planning-4m-data-center-with-help-from-state-tax-breaks

The ancient glacial and tectonic past surrounding a glacial drumlin in Amherst, Mass. will be brought to the present with new landform observatory. https://bit.ly/3Jvl8O4

In Hampshire Superior Court, in Northampton, Mass., an emergency motion by the the Amherst Pelham Regional School District to stop a former employee from being reinstated to her job as a guidance counselor has been denied. https://bit.ly/4mqu8CG

After what might feel like a fleeting summer break, most Massachusetts schools start the new year this week. In Holyoke students started Monday and after a decade of state receivership, decisions about the district are once again back in the hands of school committee members. https://bit.ly/3ViDSmt

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is back for one last scandal. Don't miss a sneak peek screening on Sept. 10 in Hadley special for new members of NEPM! Join NEPM today and claim your tickets: nepm.org/tvpledge

You wouldn’t think that being part of “the definition of a hot mess” would be a sweet memory. Tara Bronner tells us why it is in "Tuesdays with Lois." More from Valley Voices Summer Shorts →🩳 https://www.nepm.org/podcast/valley-voices/2025-08-22/valley-voices-summer-shorts-tuesdays-with-lois

Red Fire Farm in Granby scored both first and second place for heirloom tomatoes in the 40th annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest. https://bit.ly/3Jsmid6

Jeromie Whalen, a South Hadley resident who teaches at Northampton High School, is planning to challenge incumbent Richard Neal of Springfield in Massachusetts' First Congressional District. https://bit.ly/45w83Nb

The Hampden District Attorney's office will not seek a new trial in the case of Edward Wright, convicted of murder in 1985. Wright's conviction was overturned earlier this year. https://bit.ly/4oIu6rz

Congrats to NEPM listener Alison Triebwasser, of East Longmeadow, who took on the Sunday Puzzle and solved it! https://www.npr.org/2025/08/17/g-s1-82627/sunday-puzzle

This week on NEPM’s Valley Voices Summer Shorts podcast, Ruthy Woodring gets existential about her love of bike riding. Listen now: https://www.nepm.org/podcast/valley-voices/2025-08-15/valley-voices-summer-shorts-peace-on-wheels