Nonprofits like the International Language Institute of Massachusetts offer free English classes to help immigrants access jobs, further education, and community. Your support of 413 Gives will bolster these efforts to assist our neighbors across western Mass. Learn more: nepm.org/413gives

There's a full calendar of nifty bookish events across western Mass. Hit the highlights with the NEPM Book Club. nepm.org/bookclub

Nonprofits like the Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County offer safety, healing and justice to young survivors of chid abuse. Your support of 413 Gives will sustain these kinds of crucial safety nets for children and families. Learn more at nepm.org/413gives

Monday marks 15 years since a strong EF-3 tornado ripped through Hampden County. The storm of June 1, 2011, caused tremendous damage. https://bit.ly/49wgQAd

This week on Beacon Hill in 5, a preview of Mass. political strategies on immigration, upcoming gig worker regulatory battles, a sewage sludge ban, and why state lawmakers won't target the Red Sox. https://bit.ly/4foTwIx

The quarterfinals begin tonight! Don't miss two back-to-back matches as four teams fight it out for a spot in the As Schools Match Wits semis. It all starts at 7 p.m. #onNEPM TV. #ASMW nepm.org/asmw

Nonprofits in western Mass. like It Takes A Village provide basic needs supplies, ease postpartum struggles and help families find stability. Your support of 413 Gives will shore up these crucial family safety nets. Learn more at nepm.org/413gives

Allowing underage people to consume alcohol at home or providing it, as well as marijuana, is illegal under Massachusetts state law. https://bit.ly/4wYiqEX

A few hundred middle and high schoolers from western Massachusetts presented a variety of ideas this week at a civics showcase in Springfield. Showcases are taking place around the state, in an effort to teach students about civic engagement and community service. https://bit.ly/4tZuymr

Hostilities between the U.S. and Iran have ramped up recently despite a cease fire in the ongoing war against the two nations. https://bit.ly/4u13xPs

Monte Belmonte's dedication to ending hunger in western Mass. is evident in every step he takes on the annual March for the Food Bank. Thank you to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts for honoring his incredible work!

A civil rights icon in Springfield and former state representative, Benjamin Swan, died Monday at age 92. https://bit.ly/4uysItT

Many local nonprofits have lost the federal funding that helped them provide food, shelter, childcare, immigration support, and other essential services. 413 Gives is a community-wide day of giving to help fill that gap. Find out more: nepm.org/413gives

New England Public Media has received national recognition for its storytelling and creative work, earning a 2026 Communicator Award and a nomination for a Boston/New England Emmy Award. https://www.nepm.org/press-releases/2026-05-22/nepm-wins-communicator-award-nominated-for-boston-new-england-emmy

Tonight on As Schools Match Wits, a clever team from BART Charter take on the smart students of Conard High! Find out who emerges victorious at 7 p.m. #onNEPM TV. #ASMW nepm.org/asmw

Calling all birders! 🐦‍⬛🦢🦆🦅🦜 With the NEPM monocular, you'll not only be able to see every Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting and Golden-crowned Kinglet, but take photos of them too! Get yours today when you support NEPM: nepm.org/radiopledge

Don't be caught without NEPM — even if the power goes out! Get our Eton radio today with your gift to NEPM at →📻 nepm.org/radiopledge

Cap off your love of public media with 88.5 NEPM's new baseball hat. Get yours today when you support NEPM: nepm.org/radiopledge

A Postal Service satellite office is slated to close next month after the owner's contract was abruptly terminated. 📷 🎤 Photos, interview: Phil Bishop 📝 Editing: Elizabeth Román

Hampshire College celebrated its final commencement ceremony with the Class of 2026. The college is set to close permanently this fall. 📷 🎤 Photos, interviews: Nirvani Williams 📝 Editing: Elizabeth Román

NEPM's Nirvani Williams won first place for a story about a father’s effort to reunite with his children after escaping the Taliban. https://www.nepm.org/press-releases/2026-05-07/nepm-reporter-nirvani-williams-wins-first-place-in-religion-news-association-awards

Hampshire College held its final graduation ceremony this weekend in Amherst, MA. https://bit.ly/4ujBGv5

Tonight on As Schools Match Wits, it's Gateway Regional vs. Longmeadow High! Don't miss the high school quiz show action at 7 p.m. #onNEPM TV. #ASMW nepm.org/asmw

Show off your love of public radio. Donate to NEPM today: nepm.org/radiopledge

Hear everything NEPM has to offer with our new Bluetooth earbuds! You can get them now for just $5 a month with your gift to NEPM. Donate today at nepm.org/radiopledge

Make the NEPM hoodie a go-to piece of your wardrobe. "It is exceptionally comfortable, it's very warm, it's very hardy," says NEPM's Phil Bishop. Get yours today by giving to NEPM at nepm.org/radiopledge!

The Holyoke Teachers Association has ratified a 3-year contract. Next, the contract will go before the Holyoke School Committee for final approval. More at nepm.org 🎤 📷 Reporting, photos: Jill Kaufman 📝 Editing: Elizabeth Román

New England Public Media and The New York Times make the perfect match. Get your subscription to all the news that's fit to print when you become a NEPM member today: nepm.org/radiopledge

Unlock the ultimate festival experience! Win VIP tickets to the Green River Festival and get ready for a weekend of fun, music and the great outdoors: nepm.org/radiopledge

After months of heated negotiations, Holyoke teachers are preparing to ratify a tentative contract agreement made last week between their union and the Holyoke school committee. https://bit.ly/4uGhNy3

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 📺📱💻

Tonight on As Schools Match Wits, it's the smart students from Suffield High School vs. a clever team from Easthampton High School! Don't miss the academic quiz show action at 7 p.m. #onNEPM TV. #ASMW nepm.org/asmw

The Hampshire Next campaign seeks to raise millions of dollars by May 16 to show the school's Board of Trustees that radical education is viable. https://bit.ly/48Mxknr

Emma MacDonald's closest friends shared stories about her life at a memorial service Tuesday, in view of where she was killed almost two weeks ago at the Hotel UMass on the campus of UMass Amherst. https://bit.ly/3QJwqC7

The investigation is based on whether Smith College’s policy of admitting transgender women violates Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination. https://bit.ly/42m32Eq

Smith College is under investigation by the Department of Education for admitting trans students. More to come on 88.5 FM and nepm.org 📷 Photos, interview: Nirvani Williams 📝 Editing: Ismary Santiago-Lugo, Elizabeth Román

Pressure from the Trump Administration to share voter data has Mass. lawmakers concerned. https://bit.ly/42avHfE

ICYMI: For more stories from the NEPM newsroom visit nepm.org 📝Editing: Tucker Paquette, Newsroom/Sports intern

Tonight on As Schools Match Wits, it's Hall High School vs. Frontier Regional! Don't miss the high school quiz show action at 7 p.m. #onNEPM TV. #ASMW nepm.org/asmw

After seven years of collaboration, GBH and New England Public Media are planning to formally merge by the summer of 2026, creating a statewide media organization. https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2026-05-01/gbh-to-merge-operations-with-new-england-public-media

UMass forester Paul Catanzaro's book, "Tending Your Forest" uses Aldo Leopold’s "cogs and wheels" concept to show family landowners how to restore ecosystem health through ecological forestry. https://bit.ly/4tHUcwJ

U.S Representative Richard Neal said Wednesday the Supreme Court decision to roll back parts of the Voting Rights Act "a step back," but said it remains to be seen how it could impact the midterm elections this fall. https://bit.ly/426zpXz

A vigil was held at UMass Amherst today where many of Emma MacDonald's colleagues, friends and some family remembered her as a kind, hard-working woman and loving mother and friend. 🎥 Video: Jill Kaufman 📝 Editing: Erin O'Neill

Amherst, MA author Cassandra Clare talks @BookCon and connecting with readers, especially women. 🎤 Interview: Nirvani Williams 🎥 📝 Video; Editing: Donyel Le'Noir Felton

As the public learned last week about the beating death of Emma MacDonald, allegedly at the hands of her husband, at a UMass Amherst hotel, organizers were setting up an annual girls empowerment conference in the same building. https://bit.ly/41XFBkJhttps://bit.ly/41XFBkJ

Two vigils are being held for Emma MacDonald, one on April 29 at 2:30 p.m., organized by the campus unions and another on May 5, at 3 p.m. held by the university in partnership with the Center for Women and Community. 🎥 Video: Jill Kaufman 📝 Editing: Erin O'Neill

Baystate Health, which operates its flagship hospital in Springfield, is acquiring the city's other hospital, Mercy Medical Center. https://bit.ly/49gbuc1https://bit.ly/49gbuc1

It'll be May at the end of the week. Massachusetts lawmakers are aiming to have a balanced budget process complete and signed by Gov. Maura Healey before the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. https://bit.ly/4mW6dfu

ICYMI: For more stories from the NEPM newsroom visit nepm.org 📝Editing: Tucker Paquette, Newsroom/Sports intern

Tonight on As Schools Match Wits, the smart students from Westfield Technical Academy take on a clever team from Pope Francis Preparatory School! Don't miss the high school quiz show action at 7 p.m. #onNEPM TV. #ASMW nepm.org/asmw