The Rundown with Carrie Saldo

NEPM Podcasts
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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. News from the 413 retrospective, part 2

    20 HR. AGO

    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
  2. News from the 413 retrospective, part 1

    DEC 13

    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
  3. Wildfires, climate education, deed fraud investigation

    DEC 6

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

    NOV 22

    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
  5. Healthcare job cuts, digital equity, methadone access

    NOV 15

    Healthcare job cuts, digital equity, methadone access

    A local healthcare provider, Baystate Health, cuts over 130 leadership jobs. We break down what it means for the workforce and healthcare in our area. Today, computer access is extremely important to stay connected, expand job opportunities, and so much more. The city of Springfield looks to ensure digital equity for all of its residents, and we discuss the next steps toward that goal. And, with Republicans securing majorities in the U.S. Congress, we dig into why it’s relevant to western Massachusetts.  Plus, with a rise in counterfeit pills in Massachusetts, we look at the NEPM newsroom’s new series on methadone. Despite high rates of success, for many patients trying to escape addiction, why is it so hard to get? This week’s panel includes Larry Parnass, executive editor for the Springfield Republican; Matt Szafranski, editor-in-chief of Western Mass Politics and Insight; and NEPM reporter Karen Brown.

    29 min
  6. Election result analysis

    NOV 8

    Election result analysis

    We dive into the aftermath of the 2024 election and take a look at what voters, both nationally and locally, had to say with the ballots they cast.   Nationally, voters went big on President-elect Donald Trump. While Bay State voters were true to their blue roots with big support for Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump made gains. And, all three U.S. congressional incumbents, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Richard Neal, and Rep. James McGovern, kept their seats. And, in the five ballot questions that were on the docket, three things will change and two will remain the same.  What does all of that mean and where do we go from here? We dig in and find out. This week’s panel includes Adam Hinds, chief executive officer for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate; Eric Lesser, senior counsel at WilmerHale; and reporter Jim Kinney of the Springfield Republican.

    29 min
  7. State and congressional candidate breakdown

    NOV 1

    State and congressional candidate breakdown

    Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists wade into the state and congressional races on the ballot next week.  Three incumbent congressional seat holders have challengers. We rundown what’s known about Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s race against Republican John Deaton, Rep. Jim McGovern’s race against Independent Cornelius Shea, and Rep. Richard Neal’s race against Independent Nadia Milleron. And, turning to Beacon Hill, there are three Massachusetts House seats and one senate seat.  Visit NEPM’s comprehensive voter guide for information on the candidates and ballot questions. This week’s panel includes Sam Hudzik, news director for NEPM; reporter emeritus Paul Tuthill; and Berkshire Eagle reporter Clarence Fanto.

    29 min
  8. Ballot questions break down

    OCT 25

    Ballot questions break down

    Today on The Rundown, we host a ballot question extravaganza. Massachusetts voters will decide on different proposals this time round the ballot box.  We help you dissect the ballot bids including auditing state legislature; removing MCAS testing, or Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, as a graduation requirement; unionization for rideshare workers; legalization of some psychedelics; and increasing the minimum wage for tipped workers.  This week’s panel includes NEPM reporters Adam Frenier, Jill Kaufman, Nirvani Williams, Karen Brown and Nancy Eve Cohen.

    29 min
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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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