The Rundown with Carrie Saldo

NEPM Podcasts
  • 5.0 (3)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Rundown with Carrie Saldo

Dig into the week’s most important stories and know what’s up in western Mass. Join Carrie Saldo for The Rundown — where reporters from newsrooms across the region recap the biggest headlines and share their takes on the news and events that shaped the week in the 413. What do you think was the most important news event of the week? Share your thoughts at 413-225-4922 or via email at therundown@nepm.org.

  1. Trump impacts, mobile home affordability, municipal leadership

    5 DAYS AGO

    Trump impacts, mobile home affordability, municipal leadership

    President Donald Trump has been in the oval office for over a week, and his directives on immigration, environment, and federal spending have prompted questions for many. Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists unpack what some of these orders could mean for residents in western Massachusetts. The cost of living in mobile home parks is rising, how are residents trying to combat this issue? And, prospects for a new courthouse in Springfield are facing some opposition.  Plus, we discuss the future of municipal leaders around western Massachusetts. Who is projected to run for reelection, and who will run unopposed?  This week’s panel includes NEPM reporter Nirvani Williams; veteran reporter and columnist G. Mike Dobbs; and Springfield Republican enterprise reporter Namu Sampath.

    29 min

  2. JAN 24

    Local perspective on Trump’s executive orders

    In for Carrie Saldo, NEPM reporter Jill Kaufman and panelists breakdown a few of President Donald Trump’s many executive orders signed this week, and how those signatures could impact western Massachusetts. Trump’s executive order attempting to redefine birthright citizenship drew immediate lawsuits from the ACLU of Massachusetts and Attorney General Andrea Campbell.  And, the president’s call for more fossil fuels puts the federal government at odds with Massachusetts and its push for renewable energy.  Plus, what rights will remain in place in Massachusetts despite banning gender-neutral options on federal identification documents. This week’s panel includes Sam Hudzik, news director of NEPM; John Micek, political editor at MassLive; Adam Hinds, former state senator and CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute; and Springfield-based political consultant Anthony Cignoli.

    29 min
  3. EV charging stations, farm financial crises, women’s sober homes

    JAN 17

    EV charging stations, farm financial crises, women’s sober homes

    Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists react to Gov. Maura Healey’s State of the Commonwealth. Where are all the electric vehicle charging stations? Despite a rise in electric vehicles we discuss why there aren’t more EV chargers in the Berkshires. And, after the Massachusetts Healthy Incentive Program suffered funding cuts, some western Massachusetts farms say decreased support for low-income people to buy fresh produce is creating a financial crisis.  Plus, we discuss gender inequality in local recovery residences, and how initiatives to open more sober homes for women are trying to change that.  This week’s panel includes NEPM reporter Karen Brown; Jane Kaufman, community voices editor at the Berkshire Eagle; and Springfield Republican investigations editor Greta Jochem.

    29 min
  4. Sheriff Cocchi’s OUI arrest footage, environmental action

    JAN 10

    Sheriff Cocchi’s OUI arrest footage, environmental action

    Today on The Rundown, panelists unpack stories of the new year.  Newly-released body camera footage sheds new light on Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi’s OUI arrest. Meanwhile, Franklin County’s Sheriff Christopher Donelan announces his retirement after 14 years of service. And, we discuss the latest environmental news in western Massachusetts with a proposed city-wide ban of fossil fuels in construction projects moves forward in Northampton and a $20M deal to preserve 2,400 acres across Hampshire and Franklin Counties. This week’s panel includes Sam Hudzik, news director for NEPM; Emeritus Paul Tuthill former Pioneer Valley bureau chief for WAMC; and Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics and Insight editor-in-chief.

    29 min
  5. News from the 413 retrospective, part 2

    12/20/2024

    News from the 413 retrospective, part 2

    Today on The Rundown, NEPM’s Adam Frenier is in for Carrie Saldo for part-two of News from the 413 Retrospective, where panelists review some of the biggest news stories of 2024 and discuss how those stories might develop into 2025.  The cleanup of PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, a highly toxic manmade chemical, is ongoing in the Berkshires. How have these efforts progressed, and is it enough? After a federal rule change requiring Native American tribal consent before displaying culturally significant items, panelists discuss how institutions in western Massachusetts have altered displays and begun repatriation of Native remains and artifacts. And, from wet weather to drought to wildfires, severe weather has had sizable impacts in western Massachusetts. As we look at the greatest greenhouse gas emitters in the area, we dig into local efforts to combat the ongoing effects of climate change. All that and more with this week's panelists, NEPM reporter Nancy Eve Cohen; Greg Sukiennik, news editor for the Berkshire Eagle; and Dusty Christensen, frequent NEPM contributor and investigative editor at The Shoestring.

    29 min
  6. News from the 413 retrospective, part 1

    12/13/2024

    News from the 413 retrospective, part 1

    What were the biggest news stories of 2024 in western Mass.? The Rundown is recapping some of the most impactful events of the year — and discuss and debate where those issues might end up in 2025. In part one of two, panelists take on the big news in local education. After nearly a decade in state receivership, Holyoke Public Schools is transitioning back to local control. In Springfield Public Schools, the search for a new superintendent was complicated by the abrupt early retirement of Daniel Warwick.  Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools faced a lawsuit from a teacher alleging civil rights violations. And in Southwick Regional Schools, six eighth graders face criminal charges for allegedly creating an online group chat facilitating a mock slave auction. And, on the higher ed front, community college became tuition-free for all Massachusetts residents. Plus, what will it take to disagree respectively? This week's panelists include Elizabeth Román, managing editor at NEPM, and Springfield Republican reporter Aprell May-Munford.

    32 min
  7. Wildfires, climate education, deed fraud investigation

    12/06/2024

    Wildfires, climate education, deed fraud investigation

    Drought conditions are responsible for wildfires across western Massachusetts. We investigate why these fires have been burning bigger and for longer than typical. We discuss how the town of Windsor hopes to teach climate resiliency by turning a long-closed landfill into an educational forest. And, why are local cases of alleged deed fraud being traced back to a Florida prison? We dig in and find out. Plus, we remember some local music legends who have recently passed away, Leah Kunkel and Alice Brock. This week’s panel includes NEPM reporter Jill Kaufman; Kevin Moran, executive editor of the Berkshire Eagle; and Springfield Republican investigations editor Greta Jochem.

    29 min
  8. TPS removal concerns, Northern Tier rail project, UMass coach buyout

    11/22/2024

    TPS removal concerns, Northern Tier rail project, UMass coach buyout

    Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists discuss concerns among western Massachusetts immigrant advocacy groups about the possible end of a key federal program, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), under Donald Trump’s presidency. We dig into the latest on the push for a passenger rail across northern Massachusetts, the Northern Tier project. Will this momentum catch wind after finding success from the West-East Rail movement? And, the head football coach fired by UMass Amherst this week is due a $1.4 million buyout from the school, according to a spokesperson.  Plus, the holiday season is upon us, and we discuss some of the ways you can get into the giving spirit by helping those in need heading into Hunger Awareness Week. This week’s panel includes NEPM reporter Nirvani Williams; G. Michael Dobbs, reporter at The Reminder; and Ryan McCollum, principal of RMC Strategies.

    29 min
See All (45)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Dig into the week’s most important stories and know what’s up in western Mass. Join Carrie Saldo for The Rundown — where reporters from newsrooms across the region recap the biggest headlines and share their takes on the news and events that shaped the week in the 413. What do you think was the most important news event of the week? Share your thoughts at 413-225-4922 or via email at therundown@nepm.org.

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