NEW ENGLAND

We speak with 1st Berkshire State Rep. candidate Andrew Fitch, check out the North American Festival of Wales, and learn about an exciting new telescope with Mr. Universe.

Federal fraud indictments for a sitting state representative, Beacon Hill accountability, and EBT card skimming safeguards shape the week ahead in Mass. politics.

We speak with incumbent candidate for the U.S. Senate Ed Markey, talk to comedian Jay Jurden before his show at MASS MoCA, and talk to iconic drag queen Sasha Velour before she performs her latest work, "Travesty."

We speak to Arcadia sanctuary Manager MJ Rappaport and Jim Olsen of Signature Sounds about the 2026 Arcadia Folk Festival, speak to punk icon Laura Jane Grace, and McGovern with Rep. Jim McGovern.

Among the primary races in Massachusetts Sept. 1, voters will pick the Democratic state representative candidate for the 5th Hampden District — the city of Holyoke and one ward in the city of Chicopee. Political consultant Dori Dean is running to unseat the incumbent, State Representative Pat Duffy.

Longtime state Rep. Angelo Puppolo faces first-time candidate Michael Lachenmeyer in the Sept. 1 primary.

With primary elections only a few days away, voters in the 11th Hampden District will get to decide who they want to best represent them on Beacon Hill.

We speak with Seth Moulton, challenger to incumbent Ed Markey for U.S. Senate, learn more about this Friday's Latino Arts Festival, and learn about folk etymology with Word Nerd Peter Sokolowski.

The 1st Berkshire district represents the northern part of Berkshire County, including the towns of North Adams, Williamstown, and Lanesborough.

The eighth annual benefit concert, founded by Signature Sounds, takes place at the 700-acre wildlife sanctuary on Saturday August 29.