HOUSING

Amid a statewide housing crisis, renters across Western Massachusetts communities are banding together in hopes of resisting a trend of rising rents across the region and the state.

Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss rent control as western Mass. towns see tenant rights advocacy, how school districts are addressing infrastructure needs, inconsistent leadership in higher education and continued delays from the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC).

A State House News Service reporter digs into that supplemental budget request and explains what Mass. Gov. Maura Healey is seeking.

We discuss how a new state budget could aid local homeowners with crumbling foundations, relicensing hydropower facilities in Franklin County, talks of reinstating “happy hour” for Mass. restaurants and bars and more.

Officials say demand for shelter is down, and the state and its partners are moving families out of shelter at a record pace.

We hear live music from Cheap City, learn about the documentary, "Secret Mall Apartment," and try wine at Tip Top Wine Shop.

Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss the possible consequences and solutions to massive bee colony collapse, plans to repurpose the vacant Berkshire Mall for senior housing, the latest in a controversial biomass plant development in Springfield and much more.

We meet many of the folx making up the former factory, now work/event/living space Greylock WORKS in North Adams.

Springfield's housing department had already signed a contract with the EPA when Trump took office and appeared to cancel the grant.

Today on The Rundown, we discuss how the city of Holyoke hopes to gather funds from tax-exempt organizations with voluntary Payments in Lieu of Taxes and how the state plans to combat the housing crisis in western Massachusetts.