ACCESSIBILITY RIGHTS

We learn how to celebrate authenticity with this weekend's Hampshire Pride and the Rainbow Players Theater and discover life on planets far, far away with Mr. Universe.

By law, after a snow storm, sidewalks and curb cuts need to be cleared within a period of time. Some towns have special sidewalk plows for areas around schools and public buildings, but it's generally not the job of cities or towns. The responsibility belongs to abutting residents and business owners.

With the New Year, there are a few changes coming for Massachusetts residents. There are new laws, some taking effect Jan. 1, others later this year.

State lawmakers are supposed to only take up non-controversial matters during this informal session period.

The Massachusetts Office of Outdoor recreation has awarded nearly $165,000 to 17 groups in Massachusetts. The groups serve low-income residents, people of color, those living with disabilities and people from the LGBTQ+ community received state grants.

The Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation is launching a group to evaluate the accessibility of hiking trails and make recommendations to expand and improve them.

A panel of Massachusetts educators and civil rights activists has issued recommendations for college campuses to promote access to higher education, particularly for students of color, LGBTQ+ students and low-income students. The report is in response to the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that bars the use of race in college admissions.

A bill that would evaluate access to trails on state land in Massachusetts, and make recommendations to increase access, did not get a vote in the formal legislative session.

We learn about how All Out Adventures is increasing access to the outdoors, learn about Northampton celebrated Britain's abolition of slavery in the 19th century with the latest Power of History segment, and Mr. Universe discusses the possibility of life on mars.

Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss the growing need for local flood mitigation, the future of reliable regional broadband internet access, and how western Massachusetts can increase access to the outdoors.