NEW ENGLAND

We get a preview of the Fall Festival at the Berkshire Botanical Garden, find out how the Bogin Playscape Project will improve outcomes for children in western Mass., and talk next steps on the government shutdown with Rep. Jim McGovern.

This week, western Mass. marks two years of war between Israel and Hamas, looks at a controversial immigration resolution in Holyoke, the end of casino mitigation payments from MGM Springfield and asks, is Massachusetts in a "soft secession?"

The federal government shutdown has dragged into a second week. Springfield U.S. Representative Richard Neal of Springfield, a Democrat said the shutdown could last "a while longer."

Hamed Sinno brings his solo show "Poems of Consumption" to UMass Amherst's Fine Arts Center, two artists from the Berkshires will present their new graphic novels in Easthampton, and the new season at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

Analysis: rising costs, revenue-raising restrictions, and sluggish state aid are squeezing local government budgets

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday issued a stern warning to participants in what she called "illegal street meetups," pledging "zero tolerance" for the growing wave of coordinated drag racing and mass car rallies that erupted across Massachusetts over the weekend.

We talk to the president of Smith College about its new plan to make tuition free for some students, and tour Farmer Clark's in Hampden.

As the federal government shutdown continues, some organizations in western Massachusetts who receive federal funds have been preparing for this.

Author Michael Hutton-Woodland shares the story of his new novel, "Harvesting Legacy: A Farm’s Journey," Avery Sharpe on tour across New England, and Mr. Universe tells us about World Space Week.

Sweet Honey in the rock member Rochelle Rice talks about her podcast "Tell Her This" as she presents it live at Bombyx, Jeffrey Focault performs for Live Music Friday, and we conclude our look at the housing crisis with Keith Fairey of Way Finders and Kerry Spitzer of Umass' Donohue Institute