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Jones Library renovation, Rep. Jim McGovern

Today we're centered on construction and destruction.

In the creation end, the Jones Library is in the middle of its massive restoration project and is spotting an end point on the horizon. So we head out to Amherst to see how things are going as the building keeps its historic facade and gets updated to the 21st century.

Decked out in hard hats and safety gear, we get a glimpse at some of the changes and improvements that are headed to the building, learn how you can be a part of this new construction with their top off ceremony this week, and where you can put your proverbial "John Hancock" on an actual part of the new building. Library Director Sharon Sharry, Development Director Lisa DeGrace, Facilities Supervisor George Hicks-Richards, and Project Supervisor Karl Beaumier take us around the site to see the edifice’s progress.

And on the other end, our weekly chat with Congressman Jim McGovern is extremely alarmed by the war-instigating actions of our nation, especially as they attempt to bypass required congressional action, the issues with the latest farm bill, and his reflections on the Texas primaries.

Christopher “Monte'' Belmonte is host and executive producer of NEPM's The Fabulous 413. He was born and raised in Massachusetts and has been a radio host in western Massachusetts for the last 20 years — the last 17 of them as host of Mornings with Monte on The River 93.9/WRSI.
Kaliis Smith is a radio host and producer for NEPM's The Fabulous 413.