We get a preview of the Fall Festival at the Berkshire Botanical Garden, find out how the Bogin Playscape Project will improve outcomes for children in western Mass., and talk next steps on the government shutdown with Rep. Jim McGovern.

This week, western Mass. marks two years of war between Israel and Hamas, looks at a controversial immigration resolution in Holyoke, the end of casino mitigation payments from MGM Springfield and asks, is Massachusetts in a "soft secession?"

Hamed Sinno brings his solo show "Poems of Consumption" to UMass Amherst's Fine Arts Center, two artists from the Berkshires will present their new graphic novels in Easthampton, and the new season at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

We talk to the president of Smith College about its new plan to make tuition free for some students, and tour Farmer Clark's in Hampden.

Author Michael Hutton-Woodland shares the story of his new novel, "Harvesting Legacy: A Farm’s Journey," Avery Sharpe on tour across New England, and Mr. Universe tells us about World Space Week.

Sweet Honey in the rock member Rochelle Rice talks about her podcast "Tell Her This" as she presents it live at Bombyx, Jeffrey Focault performs for Live Music Friday, and we conclude our look at the housing crisis with Keith Fairey of Way Finders and Kerry Spitzer of Umass' Donohue Institute

This week on The Rundown, our panel takes on the local impacts of the federal government shutdown, a Legionella bacteria outbreak in Pittsfield, and what the latest MCAS test scores mean for Massachusetts students.

MLK Family Services on their Social Justice Awards and more, Way Finders and the Donahue Institute on local housing needs and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern addresses the federal government shutdown.

Get a preview of the music at Saturday's Easthampton Porchfest, explore a local museum in a new light with The Carle After Dark, and hear about the new 12th Collegiate Dictionary from Merriam Webster

Sue Kosinski recalls the history of Kosinski's Farm Stand in Westfield, live music from Sally Baby's Silver Dollars, and a play that reveals the realities of being refused abortions at the Shea.