MASSACHUSETTS

A federal state voucher program is weighted to benefit private schools, communities receive $100 million in natural gas investments from utilities companies despite moving away from fossil fuels, Berkshire County loses another dairy farm, and South Hadley considers lifting a ban on marijuana establishments.

Author Eric Jay Dolin discusses a 19th-century New Bedford whaling voyage that ended in a shipwreck and a clash of cultures in Palau.

Springfield City Clerk Gladys Oyola-Lopez claims City Councilor Justin Hurst has created a hostile work environment after accusing her of not disclosing her financial interest in a development project.

The Ghanaian-American novelist discusses using Boston to frame her characters' search for authenticity and a quiet reprieve from elite spaces.

The journalist turned novelist discusses embedded surveillance with gang task forces and how the callousness of young Boston gang members kept him up at night.

The former Longmeadow resident shares how the 2018 Hawaii alert inspired his western Mass.-set debut novel, tracing the local fallout, satire, and trauma of a tech error.

Less than a week after signing the new Massachusetts budget, Gov. Maura Healey filed a supplemental budget seeking an additional $100 million for public schools this year.

We speak to Peaceful Ensemble and Abby Kingsman of Mountain River Taiko, tour Jericho in Holyoke, have a summer white thunderdome with Mary and Ben Daire, and hear about a BIPOC maker's market in Florence.

We review alleged inequities regarding the Quabbin Reservoir, the ongoing controversy with the planned Hampden County courthouse and much more.

We talk to Karen Randall of Randall's Farm, check out Greenfield's 2nd Congregational Church's new concert series, and chat with Rep. Jim McGovern.