NEW ENGLAND

We speak with author Chuck Collins about the elite class and his book, "Burner by Billionaires," preview the Northampton Book Fair this weekend and McGovern with Rep. Jim McGovern.

We discuss the divisions as rent control makes its way on the 2026 ballot, how decreased rail use in western Mass. could impact the east-west rail project and historical debates on the route of Henry Knox's artillery march.

We visit Born Free Food Pantry in Springfield, hear live music with musician Jude Roberts and discuss silent letters with the Word Nerd.

Food banks around the U.S. have been busier than usual in the past month. Produce for soup kitchens and pantries comes from several sources, including fields that are gleaned of excess crops, after farmers finish their harvest.

The housing complex Springfield Gardens was involved in a $10 million dollar settlement that her office reached with the building's landlords for significant housing violations.

In Springfield Public Schools, about 87% of all students eat breakfast every morning, followed by 75% of elementary school students in North Adams and 73% in Holyoke, a new report finds.

Andrew Morehouse, the executive director for the Food Bank, cited high food insecurity rates, in particular Hampden County and Franklin County, which had the highest food insecurity rates of any county in the state in 2024.

We visit community center The Brick House in Montague, walk through Crabapple Farm and learn about a play about musician Teddy Pendergrass premiering at CitySpace this weekend.

Staff at K-12 public schools in Massachusetts missed an average 12 days of work during the 2024-2025 school year, apart from summer vacation and breaks. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released the staff absenteeism data for the first time on Tuesday, though Commissioner Pedro Martinez noted it was "not popular" with certain stakeholders.

Dave Rothstein was known for small acts of creativity, like carving intricate designs on fresh snow in his driveway, as well as big and dramatic efforts, such as a backyard igloo he turned into a speakeasy.