All 160 Massachusetts legislative districts are electing members this fall, while new operating rules keep the current Legislature in session. https://bit.ly/4wanqoz

Massachusetts lawmakers pivot to campaign trail mode as regularly scheduled sessions end

All 160 Massachusetts legislative districts are electing members this fall, while new operating rules keep the current Legislature in session.

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Tune in to NEPM for the second Massachusetts Democratic primary U.S. Senate debate between Sen. Ed Markey and challenger Rep. Seth Moulton. Listen on 88.5 NEPM or watch #onNEPM TV tonight at 7 p.m.

The Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail highlights. ice cream shops that use local dairy milk in their ice cream. Recently Ashley Randle, the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, visited @flayvorsofcookfarm to promote the trail.

ICYMI: A few stories you may have missed from NEPM 's newsroom. Read more at nepm.org 📝 Edited by NEPM Intern: Olivia Bodden

A Springfield City Council subcommittee will now have decide whether to award a $100,000 grant to the New North Citizens Council with no further investigation into a conflict of interest claim. https://bit.ly/4ftxmEE

Under new rules, Mass. lawmakers can schedule formal sessions to take up any of the numerous bills that they have been dumping into six-person conference committees, after the end of July. https://bit.ly/4bKNIpU

July 31 isn't the hard deadline anymore, so when will Beacon Hill actually finish up?

Under new rules, Mass. lawmakers can schedule formal sessions to take up any of the numerous bills that they have been dumping into six-person conference committees, after the end of July.

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Long before "Moby-Dick" was drafted, a real MA whale ship sailed off the edge of the known map and into a harrowing, years-long nightmare of survival. Massachusetts author Eric Jay Dolin talks about his gripping true story, "The Wreck of the Mentor." 🎤 Interview: Carrie Healy 📝 Madeline Patterson

Springfield City Clerk Gladys Oyola-Lopez claims City Councilor Justin Hurst has created a hostile work environment after accusing her of not disclosing her financial interest in a development project. https://bit.ly/4yzIBmp

Springfield city clerk, councilor at odds over conflict of interest disclosure

Springfield City Clerk Gladys Oyola-Lopez claims City Councilor Justin Hurst has created a hostile work environment after accusing her of not disclosing her financial interest in a development project...

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Author Kai Alonté moved all the way to Finland to find peace, but her novel is set right here in Massachusetts. She discusses her novel, "Somewhere Soft to Land," with NEPM's Carrie Healy. 🎤 Interview: Carrie Healy 📝 Editing: NEPM News intern Madeline Patterson

Imagine spending months gaining the trust of a gang for a story, only to have a court order turn you into their number one target. In Jay Atkinson's new thriller, "Storrow Drive," reporter Joe Dolan is branded a narc and hunted through Boston's underworld by a kingpin who wants him silenced.

The NEPM newsroom is taking home three awards from the Public Media Journalists Association this year. Karen Brown, Nirvani Williams and Nancy Eve Cohen were all honored for their excellent work. Learn more: https://www.nepm.org/press-releases/2026-07-20/nepm-news-wins-three-pmja-awards

In the novel "The Gatepost," Vermont author Tim Weed takes readers from the hills of southern Vermont into a world of ancient artifacts, missing fathers, and questions about what survives us. 🎤 Interview: Carrie Healy 📝 Editing: Madeline Patterson, NEPM intern

ICYMI: For more stories from the NEPM newsroom visit nepm.org 📝Editing: Olivia Bodden, NEPM news intern

The Easthampton City Council passed a resolution on Wednesday calling for Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and the Northwestern district attorney to investigate and charge federal ICE agents when they violate state law. https://bit.ly/4fGFGkc

Easthampton City Council passes resolution to hold ICE accountable under state law

The Easthampton City Council passed a resolution on Wednesday calling for Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and the Northwestern district attorney to investigate and charge federal ICE ag...

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From a false missile alert that fractures a quiet western Massachusetts community, to a real-life Boston classroom subpoena that inspired a gang thriller, NEPM’s "Summer Reads" series features wild stories from local authors all next week on Morning Edition on nepm.org

Union nurses at the Greenfield hospital allege cuts to patient transport services is impacting their ability to provide care. https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2026-07-16/nurses-at-baystate-franklin-medical-center-file-public-health-complaint-amid-contract-negotiations

Nurses at Baystate Franklin Medical Center file public health complaint amid contract negotiations

Union nurses at the Greenfield hospital allege cuts to patient transport services is impacting their ability to provide care.

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Palestinian comedian Alaa Shehada was set to perform at UMass Amherst and had a valid O-1B visa, but was deported after hours of questioning by federal officers and a night in a New Jersey immigration detention facility. His show never took place.

NPR@npr.org · 3w ago

The visa process for visiting artists has always been complicated and expensive. Under the current administration, it's gotten significantly worse. n.pr/4gz1mzP

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma has invited other performing artists and public intellectuals to his August residency at @Tang, including civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson. https://bit.ly/4gzbqZA

'We The People' combines music and civil rights in the Berkshires

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma has invited other performing artists and public intellectuals to his August residency at Tanglewood, including civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson.

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Are there parts of our minds that are hidden from us? Hidden Brain has helped millions accomplish their goals, improve their relationships, and deepen understanding of their emotions. Don't miss host Shankar Vedantam in Northampton on Friday Aug. 21. Get tickets: nepm.org/smartandfunny

With NEPM Passport, get extended access to your favorite PBS shows — anytime, anywhere! Stream, catch up, and rewatch your favorites. Learn more: nepm.org/passport 📺📱💻

Vincent Yu's debut novel "Seek Immediate Shelter" is set in a fictionalized western Mass. inspired by his hometown of Longmeadow. "I hope that I've captured the soul of what it's like to be from this area and to be, sort of, of this area," he said. Sign up for the NEPM Book Club: nepm.org/bookclub

A coalition of local business groups sent a letter to Small Business Administration urging the re-opening of a Springfield branch office. https://bit.ly/4wy2doS

WMass business leaders call for return of local SBA office

A coalition of local business groups sent a letter to Small Business Administration urging the re-opening of a Springfield branch office

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Officials announced a new governance structure in eight Springfield Public schools in western Mass. The district's Innovation School Zone is an evolution of the district's Empowerment Zone they said, established a decade ago to turn around failing schools. https://bit.ly/4yfSKUS

Schools in Springfield move from 'Empowerment Zone' to 'Innovation Zone'

Officials announced a new governance structure in eight Springfield Public schools in western Mass. The district's Innovation School Zone is an evolution of the district's Empowerment Zone they said, ...

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ICYMI: For more stories from the NEPM newsroom click on the link in bio📰 📝Editing: Olivia Bodden, NEPM Newsroom intern

Tune to NEPM for the western Mass. Democratic Senate primary debate between @edmarkey.bsky.social and challenger @sethmoulton.bsky.social. Elizabeth Román, executive editor of NEPM News, will join the panel asking the questions. Listen on 88.5 NEPM or watch #onNEPM TV Wednesday, July 8 at 8 p.m.

The Springfield Armory reflects the city’s revolutionary legacy. 📷 📝 Photos, editing: Media Lab Intern Nina Hutchins

Virtual WayBack allows users to talk with their AI replicas in real time on their website. https://bit.ly/4oWQZYy

WMass AI company uses digital replicas of historical figures to highlight America250

Virtual WayBack allows users to talk with their AI replicas in real time on their website.

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As MA celebrates the nation's 250th anniversary, history books often point us toward the big dramatic moments in Boston, but a lot of the heavy work that won the Revolutionary War happened in the mud and snow of Western Massachusetts. 🎤 Interview by Carrie Healy 📝 Edited by Elizabeth Román

Haitians and Syrians who have been granted permission to legally work, have housing, and healthcare in the U.S. under what's known as temporary protected status or TPS are at risk of being deported. https://bit.ly/4oVSDde

Healey, advocates 'outraged' over Supreme Court decision removing legal protections for Haitians, Syrians

Haitians and Syrians who have been granted permission to legally work, have housing, and healthcare in the U.S. under what's known as temporary protected status or TPS are at risk of being deported.

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Tonight! Wilco + Billy Bragg take the stage at MASS MoCA for a legendary performance of their album "Mermaid Avenue" and more on the first night of the Solid Sound Festival. Listen live starting at 9 p.m. exclusively on 88.5 NEPM or stream at nepm.org/solidsound.