New England Public Media is your home for PBS, NPR and local perspective in western Mass. nepm.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3murhthxpgx2nWith NEPM Passport, get extended access to your favorite PBS shows — anytime, anywhere! Stream, catch up, and rewatch your favorites. Learn more: nepm.org/passport 📺📱💻05 Sep 2026 12:23 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3murhthxpgx2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mum6a52ctu2uIn this divided moment, one of the few things everyone agrees on is Dolly Parton — but why? That simple question leads to a rethinking of one of America’s great icons. Celebrate Dolly’s enduring influence with a special broadcast of Dolly Parton's America Saturday morning on 88.5 NEPM.03 Sep 2026 09:48 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mum6a52ctu2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3muka4i3gvk2nAll WMass incumbents retained their seats in the 2026 primary election. https://bit.ly/4gFgw4U02 Sep 2026 15:16 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3muka4i3gvk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mujogvretc2sU.S. Rep. Richard Neal has retained his seat as the congressman for the 1st Hampden District. He beat out school teacher Jeromie Whalen. https://bit.ly/4x68Izs https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2026-09-02/neal-longtime-incumbent-beats-whalen-an-educator-political-newcomer02 Sep 2026 10:00 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mujogvretc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3muhl7kdwqz2dFederal fraud indictments for a sitting state representative, Beacon Hill accountability, and EBT card skimming safeguards shape the week ahead in Mass. politics. https://bit.ly/4yaWhD401 Sep 2026 13:57 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhl7kdwqz2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3muh5y2a3jm2lIt's Election Day in Massachusetts. If you haven't made your choice yet the NEPM newsroom has a look at all of the candidates running for contested seats in WMass. For more visit nepm.org 📝 Editing: NEPM News Intern Olivia Bodden01 Sep 2026 10:00 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3muh5y2a3jm2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mu6772yoa225With primary elections only a few days away, voters in the 11th Hampden District will get to decide who they want to best represent them on Beacon Hill. https://bit.ly/3UdsNpP28 Aug 2026 20:28 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu6772yoa225https://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mu5yprj5lk2hAmong the primary races in Mass. Sept. 1, voters will pick the Democratic state representative candidate for the 5th Hampden District. Political consultant Dori Dean is running to unseat the incumbent, State Representative Pat Duffy. https://bit.ly/3SGpgj428 Aug 2026 18:32 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5yprj5lk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mu2vspsoht2fThe 1st Berkshire district represents the northern part of Berkshire County, including the towns of North Adams, Williamstown, and Lanesborough. https://bit.ly/4wWaEKC27 Aug 2026 13:02 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu2vspsoht2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mtyeveeyzt2lGo deep into the friendship of two Black women who meet at a small western Mass. college, and learn what happens when tragedy puts their relationship in peril. Kai Alonté’s debut novel “Somewhere Soft to Land” is the next pick for the NEPM Book Club. Join us for our next meeting: nepm.org/bookclub26 Aug 2026 12:54 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtyeveeyzt2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mtyaxqnaze22Longtime U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, is facing a primary challenger in Jeromie Whalen, an educator in Northampton. https://bit.ly/3UVPHC726 Aug 2026 11:43 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtyaxqnaze22https://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mtvxcm57dx26 The 1st Franklin district includes multiple cities and towns across Franklin County, including Deerfield, Shelburne, and parts of Greenfield.https://bit.ly/466FXaR https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2026-08-25/greenfield-city-councilor-former-chief-of-staff-face-off-to-fill-1st-franklin-district-seat25 Aug 2026 13:45 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtvxcm57dx26https://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mtu5jzz2772pFrom immediate primary matchups in Western Mass. to sweeping November ballot initiatives, state voters face critical choices that highlight the dynamic between local representation and direct policy fights. https://bit.ly/4wI0xcp24 Aug 2026 20:31 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtu5jzz2772phttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mttfdlgg3i2vThe Sept. 1 Massachusetts Democratic Primary contest for the Governor's Council seat representing WMass., is a rematch between incumbent Tara Jacobs, a social psychologist and community organizer, and her challenger, Michael Fenton an attorney and Springfield City Councilor. https://bit.ly/4wQgUUn24 Aug 2026 13:18 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mttfdlgg3i2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mtoavppzou2vDid you know you can find dinosaur tracks and amazing dino history all along the Pioneer Valley? Join NEPM and Tumble Science Podcast for Kids LIVE as we explore so much of what scientists have discovered here — and so much left for YOU to discover along with us! Find a tour stop: nepm.org/dinotour https://www.nepm.org/nepm-events/2026-07-31/dino-map-adventure-live22 Aug 2026 12:16 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtoavppzou2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mto7xcvtmp2vNEPM's Smart & Funny People brings Jad Abumrad, creator of public radio favorite Radiolab, to the Academy of Music on Saturday, Feb. 6. His live show "Words Fail Me" is a deeply personal meditation on what it feels like to live inside information overload. Get tickets: nepm.org/smartandfunny 22 Aug 2026 11:59 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mto7xcvtmp2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mtlufbvrnx2qIncumbent Richard Neal wants to shore up the Affordable Care Act while newcomer Jeromie Whalen wants to replace it with a single payer system. Neal touts his experience; Whalen says he wants less corporate influence. https://bit.ly/3SpCtg521 Aug 2026 13:26 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlufbvrnx2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mtk5gavnag2qWestern Mass. towns that manage the Quabbin want more representation on the board, and more money from the state for maintaining a water resource they don't receive. https://bit.ly/4qsaf0V20 Aug 2026 21:03 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtk5gavnag2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mtjr5prele2cGov. Maura Healey was in western Massachusetts recently to meet with local officials and community leaders ahead of the September primary. https://bit.ly/45I0hPt20 Aug 2026 17:23 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjr5prele2chttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mtc5tojn6o2nA Boston Fed report highlights severe wealth inequality in Mass., prompting lawmakers to evaluate housing reforms and estate tax policies to address the divide. https://bit.ly/3UCuWv617 Aug 2026 16:49 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtc5tojn6o2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mt4rdc6zvl24Are there parts of our minds that are hidden from us? Hidden Brain host and creator Shankar Vedantam brings key insights from the first decade of the hit show to Northampton on Friday, August. 21. Get tickets: https://www.nepm.org/nepm-events/2026-05-26/hidden-brain-on-stage-with-shankar-vendantam15 Aug 2026 13:22 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt4rdc6zvl24https://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mstihjq4xx2bHey readers, cool book event alert! Find out what's happening in the western Mass. literary community every month when you subscribe to the NEPM Book Club newsletter at nepm.org/bookclub.11 Aug 2026 20:49 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mstihjq4xx2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3msl5qmdeqz2dWith NEPM Passport, get extended access to your favorite PBS shows — anytime, anywhere! Stream, catch up, and rewatch your favorites. Learn more: nepm.org/passport 📺📱💻08 Aug 2026 13:16 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3msl5qmdeqz2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3ms7dxrjfpw26All 160 Massachusetts legislative districts are electing members this fall, while new operating rules keep the current Legislature in session. https://bit.ly/4wanqoz03 Aug 2026 20:35 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms7dxrjfpw26https://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3ms6yawir6w2xTune 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. 03 Aug 2026 17:06 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms6yawir6w2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mrvgtahcwv2iThe 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. 30 Jul 2026 22:00 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrvgtahcwv2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mrqjxka6p42eICYMI: A few stories you may have missed from NEPM 's newsroom. Read more at nepm.org 📝 Edited by NEPM Intern: Olivia Bodden28 Jul 2026 23:13 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrqjxka6p42ehttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mrqhl2lvpo2eA 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/4ftxmEE28 Jul 2026 22:30 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrqhl2lvpo2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mrnbaxqaag2iUnder 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/4bKNIpU27 Jul 2026 15:59 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrnbaxqaag2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/nepublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mrfcjhviqy2eLong 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 Patterson24 Jul 2026 12:00 +0000at://did:plc:n6ensvb45rs5vyj26hpgtm7a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrfcjhviqy2e