Adam Frenier

All Things Considered Reporter/Producer/Host

Adam joined NEPR as a freelance reporter and fill-in operations assistant during the summer of 2011. For more than 15 years, Adam has had a number stops throughout his broadcast career, including as a news reporter and anchor, sports host and play-by-play announcer as well as a producer and technician.

Adam graduated from UMass Amherst in 2004 with a B.A. in History.

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Western Mass. Mayoral Campaigns Raising Cash, But 'Too Early To Tell' Who Voters Favor

By • 3 hours ago
The polling place at St. Elizabeth Parish Center in North Adams, Massachusetts, on Sept. 19, 2017.
Adam Frenier / NEPM

You might be thinking about your vacation plans or backyard barbecues, but there are several mayoral races heating up across western Massachusetts. 

Renovation Of Springfield's Former Court Square Hotel Expected To Begin This Year

By • Jul 14, 2021
The former Court Square Hotel at 31 Elm St. in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Adam Frenier / NEPM

A long-awaited project to bring more than 70 apartments to Court Square in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, could get underway in earnest this fall.

'Sad To See Them Leave': Springfield Vaccination Site Gave A Mall A Needed Push

By • Jul 2, 2021
The outside of the mass vaccination site at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Adam Frenier / NEPM

After distributing more than 178,000 doses, the mass vaccination site at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield is closing Tuesday. The state plans to take a more targeted approach to COVID-19 shots. But mall management and some tenants say having the clinic there provided a much needed boost to business.

The Short List Lights Up A Conversation About Cannabis — Now Legal In Connecticut

By • Jul 2, 2021
There are some 20,000 cannabis plants growing at any one time under the 15,000 square feet of indoor canopy at the Holistic Industries cultivation and manufacture facility in Monson, Massachusetts.
Kevin Gutting / Daily Hampshire Gazette / gazettenet.com

On Thursday, possession of marijuana became legal for recreational use in Connecticut. That's after the General Assembly and Governor Ned Lamont signed off on the legislation last month.

Owners Of Iron Horse Venues Hit With Fines, Penalties Over Workers' Rights Violations

By • Jun 21, 2021
The door to the upstairs office at Iron Horse Entertainment Group's Northampton Box Office.
Ellery Berenger / NEPR

Updated 3:46 p.m.

The owner of several entertainment venues in Northampton and Holyoke, Massachusetts, has been hit with $100,000 in fines and restitution after the Massachusetts Attorney General's office found the rights of about 30 workers were violated.

Massachusetts Vaccine Lottery Might Nudge Some To Get A COVID-19 Shot

By • Jun 18, 2021
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.
Craig F. Walker / Boston Globe / Pool / State House News Service

This week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced a COVID-19 vaccine lottery, designed to encourage people to continue to get their shots.

Connecticut To Join Massachusetts, Vermont As Higher-Tax State For Marijuana

By • Jun 18, 2021
Mass Alternative Care in Chicopee, Massachusetts, sells marijuana for medical and recreational use.
Don Treeger / The Republican / masslive.com

When Governor Ned Lamont, as expected, signs a bill legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Connecticut, the retail tax rate would be at the high end for states in the Northeast.

A Legislative Committee Will Take Another Look At Sports Betting In Massachusetts

By • Jun 14, 2021
Sports betting in action.
Thomas Schlosser / Creative Commons

This week, a legislative committee will take another look at legalizing sports betting in Massachusetts.

In A 'No-Win Situation,' Springfield Police Commissioner Clapprood 'Has To Start Listening'

By • Jun 11, 2021
Activists assemble for a rally at City Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, on June 9, 2021, to call for Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood's removal.
Karen Brown / NEPM

This week, a group of seniors gathered in downtown Springfield t0 renew their call for Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood to be removed from her job.

'Fair Share Amendment' Finds Opposition From Economic Development Agency Head

By • Jun 10, 2021
Rick Sullivan, president of the Western Mass Economic Development Council.
Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican / masslive.com

The head of an economic development agency in western Massachusetts says the so-called "Fair Share Amendment" could hurt the region.

Massachusetts Officials Reviewing Opt-Out Requests From Mosquito Spraying

By • Jun 10, 2021
A female mosquito.
Alvesgaspar / Creative Commons

Some communities in Massachusetts are trying to opt out of the state's mosquito spraying program. That's after a change in state law provided for a process to do so. 

Los Angeles Is Ready For Springfield-Built Rail Cars, Despite Issues In Boston

By • Jun 8, 2021
James Gallagher of LA Metro speaks at an unveiling ceremony at CRRC's Springfield factory. The train behind him is the first of 64 to be built for LA Metro.
Adam Frenier / NEPM

A top official with a Los Angeles-area transit agency said he's "completely confident" in rail cars made by a company in Springfield, Massachusetts. That's after several issues with similar train cars made for Boston.

2011 Tornado Ripped 'The Heart Out of Springfield,' But Also 'Transformed' It

By • Jun 4, 2021
Residents begin cleanup work on Beech Street in Springfield, Massachusetts, after a deadly tornado ripped through the city on June 1, 2011.
Michael S. Gordon / The Republican / masslive.com

This week marks 10 years since a devastating tornado ripped through a swath of western Massachusetts. Three people were killed and 200 injured, and it caused more than $200 million in damages.

'Opioid Issues Are A Serious Problem' As Overdose Deaths Climb

By • May 14, 2021
Opioids.
Hailey R. Staker / U.S. Air Force

Massachusetts public health officials announced this week opioid overdose deaths climbed by 5% in the state last year.

Springfield City Council President Sets Process To Hire A New City Clerk

By • May 13, 2021
City Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts.
cmh2315fl / Creative Commons / flickr.com/photos/21953562@N07

The president of the City Council in Springfield, Massachusetts, said an open process will be used to fill the position of city clerk.

Massachusetts Senate Budget Looks To Bolster Schools

By • May 12, 2021
An aerial view of the Massachusetts State House in Boston in June, 2017.
AbhiSuryawanshi / Creative Commons

The recently-unveiled Massachusetts Senate budget proposal includes increased funding for public schools.

'Access Is Everything' As Massachusetts Pivots Its COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy

By • May 7, 2021
A regional vaccination site opened on April 20, 2021, at The Big E grounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Don Treeger / The Republican / masslive.com

Massachusetts announced changes this week to its COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategy. More shots will be provided to regional sites, mobile clinics and doctor's offices.

MGM Springfield Sees Staffing Levels Tick Upward

By • May 6, 2021
MGM Springfield on Main Street in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican / masslive.com/photos

The MGM Springfield casino's workforce grew by 8.5% in the first quarter of this year, with pandemic-related capacity restrictions still in place.

Northampton City Council To Weigh In On Daily Hampshire Gazette

By • May 5, 2021
The Daily Hampshire Gazette's headquarters in Northampton, Mass.
File Photo / Daily Hampshire Gazette / gazettenet.com

The Northampton, Massachusetts, City Council will consider a resolution Thursday night in support of workers at the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

Massachusetts High Court Hears Rintala Murder Conviction Appeal

By • May 3, 2021
Cara Rintala is handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom after being found guilty of first-degree murder in Hampshire Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016.
Carol Lollis / Daily Hampshire Gazette / gazettenet.com

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments Monday in the murder conviction of Cara Rintala. The Granby woman was found guilty in 2016 of murdering her wife.

When It Comes To Reopening, 'People Have Been On A Roller Coaster This Whole Time'

By • Apr 30, 2021
Roller coasters at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts.
Jeremy Thompson / Creative Commons / flickr.com/photos/rollercoasterphilosophy

This week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced a further rollback of the state's COVID-19 restrictions.

Massachusetts Senate Passes Funding Bill For New Holyoke Soldiers' Home

By • Apr 29, 2021
The Holyoke Soldiers' Home in March 2020.
Jesse Costa / WBUR

The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed its version of a funding bill for a new Holyoke Soldiers' Home. It carries a higher price tag than the bill the House recently passed.

Bars, Amusement Parks Prepare To Open As Massachusetts Relaxes COVID-19 Restrictions

By • Apr 28, 2021
Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts, in a pre-pandemic file photo.
Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican / masslive.com/photos

Some Massachusetts business owners are gearing up to open their doors next month after the state relaxed COVID-19 restrictions this week.

Sarno To Appeal, But 'Good Decision' To Allow Springfield Police Commission To Go Forward

By • Apr 23, 2021
Springfield, Massachusetts, Mayor Domenic Sarno in a file photo. Behind him stands Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood.
Adam Frenier / NEPR

A Massachusetts superior court judge has largely sided with the Springfield City Council in its lawsuit against Mayor Domenic Sarno over a 2018 ordinance seeking to establish a police commission.

Youth Mental Health Crises Likely To 'Linger After The Pandemic'

By • Apr 16, 2021
A new psychiatric hospital called MiraVista, operated by Health Partners New England, is scheduled to open April 21, 2021, at the site of the former Providence Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Ben James / NEPM

This week on The Short List: Many children in western Massachusetts in a mental health crisis are struggling to get services they need.

New Holyoke Soldiers' Home Bill Clears First Legislative Hurdle

By • Apr 15, 2021
The Holyoke Soldiers' Home.
Mike Plaisance / The Republican / masslive.com/photos

A bond bill to provide funding for a new Holyoke Soldiers' Home unanimously passed the Massachusetts House Thursday.

Massachusetts Auto Inspection Outage Creating A Hardship For Some Businesses

By • Apr 13, 2021
People enter and exit the Registry of Motor Vehicles office on Blackstone Street in Boston.
Jesse Costa / WBUR

It could be until at least Saturday before vehicle inspections resume in Massachusetts. Some local businesses are feeling the impact of the outage. 

Massachusetts High Court Hears Arguments Over Blackjack Odds

By • Apr 7, 2021
The MGM Springfield casino.
Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican / masslive.com

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Wednesday heard arguments in a pair of cases focusing on whether the state's two resort casinos shorted blackjack players on their winnings.

Baystate Health CEO: 'It Certainly Feels Like A Surge'

By • Apr 6, 2021
Springfield, Massachusetts, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris addresses reporters at the city's weekly COVID-19 briefing.
File photo / Don Treeger / The Republican / masslive.com

An increasing number communities in western Massachusetts are now categorized as “red,” the state’s highest risk level for COVID-19. There's been a bump in cases statewide, too.

Regional Equity Again Cited In Holyoke Soldiers' Home Bill Legislative Hearing

By • Apr 5, 2021
Main lobby at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home in a file photo.
Mike Plaisance / The Republican / masslive.com

Updated at 7:33 p.m. 

Another Massachusetts legislative committee heard testimony Monday on a $400 million bill to fund a new Holyoke Soldiers' Home. Questions arose again about geographic equity and care for the thousands of veterans outside the two state-run facilities in Holyoke and Chelsea.

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