New England Weekend

Two mothers on the South Coast of Massachusetts are teaming up to help children with special needs enjoy the outdoors like so many other kids do: biking! Alissa DeSousa and Lindsay Best-Greenspan both have children with special needs, and they were able to see first-hand the difference adaptive bikes made in the kids' lives. Now, they're on a mission to make sure as many children as possible can h...

For more than 35 years, supporters of the Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have walked each year along the Boston Marathon Course from Hopkinton to Boston, raising money and spirits to find a cure for cancer. This year's course will look a little bit different, but that doesn't mean the mission will be any different this time around. Jimmy Fund Vice President Suzanne Fountain stops...

Erosion on Cape Cod is certainly nothing new, but in recent years, the Atlantic Ocean has been chewing up more and more of the shoreline. These tidal troubles are forcing communities to think ahead to a future without some of their most beloved shoreline properties, and that problem is front and center at the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, where the consistent erosion has forced the Fish and Wi...

For generations, potable water from the Quabbin Reservoir has been enjoyed by residents in dozens of cities and towns in central and eastern Massachusetts. However, many communities that line the reservoir don't have access to this precious resource, and as a new study looks to expand the MWRA network, many Quabbin-area residents feel they're not getting proper recompense for providing this water...

Homelessness can impact anyone, and it doesn't always take much to get you to that point - even one or two life events can completely up-end your path. John Lane is someone who knows that all too well. John was living a comfortable life when addiction struck and took him down a path of very hard lessons. Now, John has come full circle, and he's teamed up with Pine Street Inn to use his life experi...

After four years off due to COVID, Japan Festival Boston is back! Later this month, Boston Common will be home to the city's largest festival dedicated to all things Japanese culture: food, kimono, origami, tea ceremonies, ikebana, cosplay, and so much more. Ara Mahar, the PR manager for the festival, joins Nichole this week to talk about all this free family-friendly event has to offer. See omnys...

With just months until the November elections, the campaigns are heating up, and so is the political rhetoric, both on and offline. Election interference on social media is nothing new at this point, but another major player is making its presence known for this election cycle: artificial intelligence. Dr. Weiai "Wayne" Xu, Associate Professor at UMass Amherst, focuses his courses and research on...

Childhood is full of pure, unadulterated joy through the little things - playing outside, eating a new snack, meeting friends, laughing at cartoons, and much more. For many families, those joys aren't as easy to come by due to poverty, food insecurity or chronic illness. Since 2006, the Dunkin Joy in Childhood Foundation has been working with franchisees, customers, local organizations and chariti...

Living with breast cancer is an emotional, physical, and mental rollercoaster. One woman who knows that personally is Jacquie Bishop, a Boston resident who is fighting it for a second time. She's choosing to share her story of strength and vulnerability in hopes of removing the stigma from the mental and physical health struggles that come along with a diagnosis. She's also hoping to encourage peo...

The U.S.S. Constitution - affectionately dubbed "Old Ironsides" - is a symbol of resilience, strength, history and honor. It stands out on the Boston skyline, and so does the woman at the helm! Commander Billie J. Farrell is the first woman to ever command the vessel, leading dozens of sailors, and she's had a storied career in the Navy. In April, she'll be receiving the "Third Lantern" award from...

Kids are incredibly resilient, but it can be hard to be strong all the time when you're suffering from a chronic condition like asthma, epilepsy, or heart problems. The same goes for their parents. Managing health conditions and trying to provide as "normal" a childhood as possible can take a toll on families. Luckily, Zebra Crossings in Dover, NH is there to help! Executive Director Deb Taylor an...

Embrace Boston recently released its "Harm Report", a comprehensive look at how slavery and centuries of systemic racism against Black Bostonians has impacted seven key aspects of life, including housing, transportation, healthcare and income. The report also outlines suggestions from the team at Embrace Boston on how the city can move forward in a more equitable manner and address the harms again...

"Period poverty" is a global problem that's felt right here in Massachusetts. The rising price of menstrual hygiene products can severely impact the ability of women and girls to get an education, go to work, or even socialize with their families and friends. Asian Women for Health, based in Boston, works to shed light on, and break, systemic barriers that contribute to the lack of representation...

Among all the foods that are quintessentially "New England", maple syrup is close to the top! We're in sugaring season right now, and it doesn't last too long - just a matter of weeks. Farmers, sugar house owners, and hobbyists are working long hours to try and make the most of what the trees choose to provide this year. Melissa Leab of Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock is also a member of the Massachus...

If inflation's kept you from going out to your favorite neighborhood restaurant, Meet Boston says it can help! The organization has teamed up with dozens of Boston-area restaurants for this year's "Dine Out Boston" event, which runs March 10-24. You can find almost anything you're craving, from sushi to tapas to a quality steak, with prix fixe options that won't break the bank. Hilina Ajakaiye, Ex...

Genealogical work isn't easy, but it can be especially difficult for people directly related to some of the millions of men, women, and children who were enslaved in pre-and-post colonial America through chattel slavery. Many Black Americans say they wish they knew more about those who came before them, and American Ancestors wants to help make that a reality through the new "10 Million Names" pro...

The Melrose Symphony Orchestra is the oldest continuously performing volunteer orchestra in the country, making its way through Season 106! The musicians have been practicing for their upcoming performance on March 2, which focuses solely on French composers. Conductor Yoichi Udagawa returns to the show to talk with Nichole about the lineup! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many model railroad lovers have setups in their basement, a bedroom, or the garage, but in Roslindale, model train enthusiasts have spent decades creating a museum dedicated to the craft of creating intricate train layouts! The members of the Bay State Model Railroad Museum love to lay track, paint, build, and create, and the public will get soon get a chance to see their work up close and persona...

For years, the trio of Todisco brothers struggled with substance abuse, a battle which eventually led to two of the brothers losing their lives. Mario Todisco, however, was able to make his way through recovery, but it wasn't an easy road. Now, his daughter, Marissa Capone Todisco, has started a non-profit named after her father, "Mario's Mission", to help those on the road to recovery have an eas...

Makeup and skincare influencers are a dime a dozen on social media these days. Normally, they're offering up advice for adults, but tweens are now embracing their advice - to the point where they're buying up skincare products that could actually be doing damage to their fragile, young skin. These "Sephora Kids" have been caught on camera trashing testers in makeup stores, and many adults are wond...

Millions of lush, healthy trees make up New England's forests, and those trees could end up being a major player in the fight against climate change. For nearly a century, the New England Forestry Foundation has made it their duty to conserve and cultivate our woodlands, and as we look ahead to an uncertain future, the Foundation is embarking on a new five-year pilot program, hoping to utilize the...

Thousands of people come down with breast cancer each and every year here in Massachusetts, and while treatment is critical for recovery, it can also get very expensive, very quickly. Finances can become overwhelming, even for everyday purchases like food and housing costs. Enter Pawsitively 4 Pink. Founder Michelle Power talks with Nichole this week about their work to ease financial burdens for...

After a turbulent couple of years, the Boston City Council is now in the hands of new leadership. At-Large Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, the first Haitian-American to serve on the council, took over the role of President in January. Council President Louijeune joins Nichole this week to reflect on her inauguration and path to the presidency, talk about current events and her plans to bring integrit...

The Girl Scouts have been a fixture across America for more than 100 years, and here in Massachusetts, dozens of troops help bring girls together each and every day to make memories. Barb Fortier, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, joins Nichole this week to talk about all the ways Girl Scouting can help young women make friends, learn critical life skills, enrich their self-esteem,...

Have you been walking through downtown Boston lately and noticed a few things that seem... out of place? A girl on a swing, hovering over an alley? Two massive clown heads wedged between two buildings? How about a unicorn in a box? It's all part of a brand new public art exhibit called WINTERACTIVE, a partnership between the city of Boston and artists in Quebec, Canada. Michael J. Nichols, Preside...