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.

Ways to Connect

Adam Hinds — 3-term Pittsfield state senator — begins campaign for lieutenant governor

By • Oct 13, 2021
Massachusetts state Sen. Adam Hinds (left) speaks with state Sen. Adam Gomez on October 13, 2021. During a campaign kickoff event in Springfield, Gomez endorsed Hinds' run for lieutenant governor.
Adam Frenier / NEPM

Pittsfield Democratic state Senator Adam Hinds is launching a bid for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts. He made the announcement official Wednesday during campaign stops in Pittsfield, Springfield and Boston.

Western Mass. would lose a state House seat under redistricting proposal

By • Oct 13, 2021
Proposed new Massachusetts state Senate districts.
Massachusetts Legislature

Massachusetts lawmakers Tuesday unveiled a proposal for new state legislative districts to take into account population shifts captured by the 2020 Census.

Mass. lawmakers still pondering how to use billions in ARPA funds

By • Oct 11, 2021
The dome of the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill.
Sumner Caughey / Creative Commons / flickr.com/photos/saboten_

Massachusetts received $5.3 billion from the feds in what's known as ARPA funds, or COVID-19 relief funds. The vast majority of it hasn't been spent yet.

Massachusetts 'got pretty lucky' with no EEE cases so far in 2021

By • Oct 8, 2021
A chart showing the transmission of Eastern equine encephalitis.
CDC / CDC.gov

Updated at 2:45 p.m. 

There have been no cases of the mosquito-borne disease Eastern equine encephalitis in Massachusetts this year in humans, animals or mosquito samples. The numbers for a more common mosquito illness, West Nile Virus, have been similar to other years.

Big E enjoys strong attendance, even in a pandemic

By • Oct 4, 2021
A ferris wheel at the Big E grounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Steven E. Nanton / The Republican / Masslive.com

The Big E fair in West Springfield, Massachusetts, drew nearly 1.5 million visitors during its 17-day run, despite the pandemic. The event wrapped up Sunday. 

Citing 'arbitrary and damaging legislation,' Smith & Wesson to move HQ from Springfield to Tennessee

By & • Sep 30, 2021
Smith & Wesson's headquarters on Roosevelt Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Don Treeger / The Republican / masslive.com

Updated at 9:45 p.m. 

After nearly 170 years in Springfield, Massachusetts, firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson said it’s moving its headquarters and hundreds of jobs to Tennessee.

Sciarra, Warner Top Northampton Mayoral Preliminary

By • Sep 28, 2021
Mayoral candidate Gina-Louise Sciarra, center, celebrates her first-place finish in the Northampton preliminary on September 28, 2021.
Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican / Masslive.com

November's field for mayor of Northampton, Massachusetts, is now set, as Gina-Louise Sciarra and Marc Warner were the top two finishers in Tuesday’s preliminary election.

COVID Vaccine Mandate Set For Eligible Amherst-Pelham Students

By • Sep 28, 2021
A vaccine for COVID-19 being prepared.
Alison Montemagni / Baystate Medical Center / The Republican / masslive.com

The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee has set December 1 as the deadline for eligible students to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

'Abysmal' Turnout In Holyoke, But 'Very Good Set Of Options' For Voters In November

By • Sep 24, 2021
A polling place sign.
Adam Frenier / NEPR

Tuesday was preliminary election day in a few western Massachusetts communities. In the race for Holyoke mayor, City Councilor Michael Sullivan and Joshua Garcia, who's the town administrator in Blandford, advanced to November's general election.

With Rare Open Seat, Four Competing To Become Northampton's Next Mayor

By • Sep 24, 2021
At a recent virtual debate organized by Northampton Neighbors, moderators quizzed mayoral candidates Gina-Louise Sciarra (top center), Shanna Fishel (bottom left), Marc Warner (bottom center) and Roy Martin (bottom right).
Screen Shot / Northampton Open Media / northamptonopenmedia.org

Voters in Northampton, Massachusetts, will go to the polls Tuesday for the city's preliminary election for mayor. Four candidates are vying to replace incumbent David Narkewicz, who has held the office since 2012 and is not seeking another term.

Sullivan, Garcia Move On In Holyoke Mayoral Race

By & • Sep 22, 2021
Mayoral candidate supporters flash signs at cars outside of Joseph Metcalf School, a polling site for the 2021 preliminary election in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Nirvani Williams / NEPM

Michael Sullivan will face Joshua Garcia in November's general election for mayor in Holyoke, Massachusetts. They were the top two finishers in Tuesday’s preliminary.

An 'Alarming And Scary' COVID Rise, And A Huge 'Gap' In Hospital Staffing

By • Sep 17, 2021
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.
Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM / CDC

Calling the spike "alarming and scary," Mayor Domenic Sarno said there were more then 250 new cases of COVID-19 in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Tuesday and Wednesday combined.

Holyoke Voters To Pare Down Crowded Mayoral Field In Preliminary Election

By • Sep 17, 2021
The seven candidates for mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts, meet for a debate on September 9, 2021.
Screen Shot / Holyoke Media

Holyoke, Massachusetts, will hold its preliminary election for mayor on Tuesday. Voters will have a crowded field of seven to choose from, with the top two finishers advancing to November’s general election.

As Springfield Masks Up And Cases Rise, Baker Still Wants Locals To 'Own These Decisions'

By • Sep 13, 2021
Springfield, Massachusetts, Mayor Domenic Sarno with city and health officials.
Don Treeger / The Republican / masslive.com

After canceling a statewide mask rule last spring, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has said he wants these decisions made locally. One such local mandate took effect Monday in Springfield. 

'Probably The Right Call' For Sheriff To Keep Incarcerated People From Troubled Courthouse

By • Sep 10, 2021
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi in Springfield, Massachusetts, in a file photo.
Carrie Healy / NEPR

Despite what officials have called extensive mold cleanup and environmental testing at the Roderick Ireland Courthouse in Springfield, Massachusetts, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi this week said he believes the courthouse still isn't safe. He's refusing to send people in his department's custody there.

Task Force On Clergy Sexual Abuse Releases Recommendations To Springfield Diocese

By • Sep 8, 2021
Springfield Catholic Bishop William Byrne speaks at a press conference announcing recommendations by a task force on clergy sexual abuse.
Adam Frenier / NEPM

A task force on Wednesday released recommendations for how the Springfield Catholic diocese can better handle — and prevent — instances of clergy sexual abuse.

Springfield Police Commission Lawsuit Moves Through Appellate Process

By • Sep 7, 2021
John Adams Courthouse, home of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Joe Difazio / WBUR

Massachusetts' highest court is scheduled in December to hear arguments over whether to reestablish a police commission in Springfield.

Moldy Springfield Courthouse Is A 'Sick, Sick Building' With An 'Endemic Structural Problem'

By • Aug 27, 2021
Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni speaks about the evacuation of his offices in Roderick Ireland Courthouse on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 due to deterioration of environmental conditions
Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican / masslive.com/photos

The Roderick Ireland Courthouse in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, was temporarily closed this week so a mold problem could be addressed, among other environmental concerns.

Springfield Courthouse Shuttered Due To Mold

By • Aug 25, 2021
The Hampden County Hall of Justice.
File Photo / The Republican

The main courthouse in Springfield, Massachusetts, is closing temporarily so a mold problem can be dealt with. The state's court system made the announcement Wednesday.

Mixed Census Data Show 'Better Economic Activity In Some Part Of Western Mass.'

By • Aug 20, 2021
Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin gestures to a county-level map showing the 2020 census results.
Sam Doran / State House News Service

Western Massachusetts is lagging the rest of the state in population growth, according to the latest U.S. census numbers. In a visit to Springfield this week, Secretary of State Bill Galvin brought attention to the region's stagnant or declining population.

MGM Springfield Still Behind Its Promised Goal For Hiring Women

By • Aug 19, 2021
Dealers and gamblers wearing face masks at the MGM Springfield casino.
Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican / masslive.com

MGM Springfield continues to miss its hiring goal for women, and is now placing some blame for it on the pandemic. The question came up Thursday during a Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting.

Secretary Of State Galvin Sounds Alarm On Western Massachusetts Population

By • Aug 18, 2021
Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin (left) and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno in Springfield walk to a press conference.
Adam Frenier / NEPM

Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin said action needs to be taken to grow the population of the western part of the state. He made his comments Wednesday during a visit to Springfield.

With Census Data Released, Redistricting Begins In Earnest On Beacon Hill

By • Aug 16, 2021
A photograph of the exterior of the Massachusetts State House taken on September 21, 2013.
Noah B Kaplan / Creative Commons / flickr.com/photos/noahkaplan

Every 10 years, state lawmakers get a whole lot of data from the census bureau and use it to make big decisions about the power of individual communities. That time is now.

A Call For 'Clarity' On Mask Rules, And A Plea For The Unvaccinated To Get The Shots

By • Aug 13, 2021
A mask mandate has remained in effect at airports across the country, including Bradley Airport in Connecticut.
Sam Hudzik / NEPM

This week, some health officials in western Massachusetts issued mask mandates or advisories amid rising COVID-19 rates. 

Mask Mandate Returns In Northampton, While Easthampton Goes With An Advisory

By • Aug 10, 2021
A sign, previously posted in the Florence section of Northampton, Massachusetts, reminding visitors to wear masks.
Sam Hudzik / NEPM

The CDC says Hampshire County has a "moderate" level of COVID-19 transmission — the lowest among Massachusetts counties. Still, starting Wednesday, a mask mandate returns in the county seat of Northampton.

Massachusetts Trial Court Looking To Break Leases At Temporary Sites

By • Aug 9, 2021
The judge panel and jury box inside one of the temporary courtrooms at the former Cinemark theater at Eastfield Mall in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican / masslive.com

The Massachusetts court system is looking to get out of leases several months early for three temporary court sites in the western part of the state.

Masks Will Be Mandatory This Fall Inside Springfield Schools

By • Aug 3, 2021
Springfield, Massachusetts, Mayor Domenic Sarno during a COVID-19 briefing Tuesday, August 3, 2021.
Adam Frenier / NEPM

When public schools open in Springfield, Massachusetts, later this month, students, teachers and staff will be required to wear masks. The announcement comes as COVID-19 rates continue to rise in the city.

'The Governor Has To Be The One To Step Up' As Massachusetts Shifts Mask Guidelines

By • Jul 30, 2021
A COVID-19 vaccine is administered at Baystate Medical Center.
Baystate Health / MassLive / MassLive.com

This week, the Centers for Disease Control recommended people go back to wearing masks indoors in places where the delta variant of COVID-19 is surging — including those who have been vaccinated.

A 'Holding Pattern' For Many Amid Rising COVID-19 Case Rates

By • Jul 23, 2021
A vial with a swab test for COVID-19.
Tony Spinelli / Connecticut Public

COVID-19 case rates have been on the rise over the last few weeks in Massachusetts and elsewhere.

Evaluating Climate Change's Role In New England's Summer Of Extreme Weather

By • Jul 20, 2021
A section of East Street in Belchertown, Massachusetts, collapsed from flooding and a beaver dam that broke on Sunday, July 18, 2021.
Luis Feldman / Daily Hampshire Gazette / gazettenet.com

Experts said climate change could be related to near-record — and, in some cases, record – rainfall this month in southern New England.

Pages