GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

We begin our conversations with the Northampton mayoral candidates ahead of the primary elections with Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra and talk to comedian Daniel Shar's show, "Near Sex for Work."

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation analyzed the impact of two new Medicaid recertification and work rules passed by Congress, which are likely to shrink the number of MassHealth recipients.

We visit the Memorial Hall Museum in Deerfield to view the exhibit, "Pioneer Valley Picture Show," and check in with Rep. Jim McGovern.

Massachusetts will break ties with federal immunization policies to ensure the availability of COVID-19 booster shots at retail pharmacies, and mandate insurance coverage of vaccines.

There's just two Springfield City Council races needing a preliminary election and one for school committee.

Holyoke is holding two public sessions Monday as they solicit feedback from residents on how to spend $1.1 million in opioid litigation settlement funds.

National resettlement agencies have been in a seven month legal battle with the Trump administration to resume the U.S. refugee admissions program. Recently, a federal district court judge ordered the government to process and admit 160 refugees previously blocked by Trump’s executive order. That includes a family of 8 who arrived this summer at Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Conn.

We learn about all the community-forward healthcare that is provided by local organization Tapestry Health, learn about the invasive spotted lantern fly with NEPM reporter Philip Bishop and Jennifer Foreman Orth of MDAR and check in with Rep. Jim McGovern.

Western Mass has among the lowest vaccine rates in the state. Officials say vaccine hesitancy is likely to get worse under Trump administration, which is attacking vaccines through rhetoric and funding cuts.

We talk with CitySpace's Zoë Fieldman and Pay It Forward grant recipient Chestina Thrower and have our latest Power of History segment with professor Ousmane Power-Greene.