New England Public Media airs and publishes commentaries from local people during Morning Edition and All Things Considered. We look for contributors in the region whose views will be of continuing interest and value to New England Public Media’s listeners — from the Berkshires to Worcester, Hartford to Brattleboro, and all points between.
Experts in a particular field who have an informed perspective on events in the news — whether local, national or international — are wanted. We also seek people with knowledge of local civics, culture and history, with an eye on little-known but fascinating elements of the regional experience. And we seek non-experts who by virtue of their thoughtfulness broaden or deepen our understanding of the world we live in.
Please email submissions to our commentary editor at commentaries@nepm.org.
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Commentator Susan Johnson knows there's a lot to worry about these days, but she wonders if she —and we — sometimes worry about the wrong things.
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Banning books hurts us all, says western Massachusetts author and illustrator Grace Lin.
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'MassHealth saved Karl’s life': With insurance, illness brings lots of problems but not medical debtAfter two surgeries and a biopsy this year, commentator Morgan Sheehan has insurance coverage on her mind. Recently she talked with her friend Karl about his.
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Our commentator hopes to reshape prejudiced and fragmented perceptions of the Arab world by inspiring awe and joy — rather than fear.
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What makes a Christmas song a Christmas song? For many, it’s a nostalgic sound that evokes past holiday seasons. But everyone might not agree on what holiday nostalgia sounds like.
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Eighty years ago this month, a surprise German air raid during World War II destroyed an Allied fleet in an Italian harbor. This disaster led to an important medical breakthrough that commentator Andrew Lam thinks is worth remembering.
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Thoughts about the concept of "moral injury" — a relatively new term describing an ancient condition suffered by those who go to war.
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Commentator and veteran John Paradis says family members of veterans have also served. In fact they often continue to serve.
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Legislation known as the Massachusetts End of Life Options bill is currently sitting in committee. Should it pass the Massachusetts Legislature, the proposal would allow certain terminally ill people to request, obtain and ingest medication to die peacefully in their sleep. This is all quite personal for commentator Madelaine Zadik.
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Commentator Robert Chipkin takes many trips — some to places he returns to often. But a recent one? Not so much.
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Charles Bailey was desperate. His experimental heart operation to correct mitral stenosis had already killed three people and resulted in his dismissal from two hospitals.
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The school year is winding down. Parents and kids are preparing teacher gifts — notes of appreciation, boxes of chocolate, and coffee mugs with apples and pencils in them. Commentator Josh Stearns writes notes to his kids' teachers. But he's wondering: How can we thank them enough?
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Deemed a popular destination in the 1890 guide, "Carriage Driving in Western Massachusetts," there were asters, pinks and petunias, as well as cherries, plums and peaches. And, of course, the pansy.
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Most days, commentator and 5th grade English teacher Andrew Varnon walks to work. He approaches Greenfield Middle School from the back, where he thinks it looks more like a medieval castle than a school. He finds that an interesting coincidence.