New England Weekend

It's Labor Day Weekend, the unofficial end of summer... so that means it's time to start thinking about getting outside and taking in all fall has to offer! Marc Hurwitz of Boston's Hidden Restaurants and Boston Restaurant Talk returns to the program. He and Nichole talk about special places to hike and explore all over the region, along with places you can get a tasty meal before or after your ad...

Police dogs, and their handlers, often find themselves in unpredictable, and even dangerous, situations. They don't always have the gear they need to keep themselves safe, but Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog has been working for decades to change that. President David Shilale joins Nichole to talk about their efforts to outfit every K-9 officer in Massachusetts with safety vests tailored specifically to...

The MBTA's Orange Line officially closed Friday night for a month of critical repairs. The leadup to the closure was swift and full of confusion, and commuters are preparing for what's expected to be a horrific month of travel. WBZ NewsRadio reporter Karyn Regal, who has been watching the situation as it develops, joins Nichole to talk about how things got to this point and what's expected to come...

Earlier this week, the CDC revised guidelines on how to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic - in some cases, completely removing or revising them. It's almost time for school to get started in New England's largest city, and Nichole talks with Boston's Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, about what they expect from the virus in the autumn months. Climate change and other environmental probl...

Members of white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups are becoming more aggressive with their public presence here in our part of the country. The Nationalist Social Club, or NSC-131, is just one of those groups based right here in New England. Nichole talks with Robert Trestan, New England Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, about who these people are, what drives them to join such groups...

For decades, A Place to Turn in Natick has provided families in need in Boston's Metrowest with a respectful, stigma-free place to obtain food, toiletries, and other critical items to get by. With inflation soaring and the economy struggling, now, the food pantry is finding itself with empty shelves for the first time in a long time. Joanne Barry, Executive Director of A Place to Turn, joins Nicho...

We're making our way toward the peak of hurricane season here in New England, and even though we may not have seen any tropical weather quite yet, it's never too early to get ready for anything that might come our way. Chris Besse, Public Information Officer at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, has all the info you need to know about the best items for an emergency pack and creating a...

For more than a decade, Tim O'Connell pursued his mission of creating a special place where families fighting childhood cancer could relax and enjoy life, even for a short time. Tommy's Place in Falmouth has become that place, with everything children could want for a fun-filled week away from home. Some kids call it better than Disney! Now, Tim wants to help more families by opening another home...

From prisons to homeless shelters, dozens of Boston-area amateur musicians are spreading joy through song to those struggling to get by, or searching for a second chance. Tim McHale, co-founder of "Music With Heart", joins Nichole on the show this week to talk about the group's three-decade history performing in and around the Hub, and how you can take part. For more than 50 years, John Drew has b...

Stacey Borden, founder of New Beginnings Re-Entry Services, joins Nichole for this week's show to talk about her work with women who are leaving incarceration. New Beginnings offers trauma-based physical and mental health treatment, housing, educational opportunities, job placement, addiction treatment, and much more to try and make sure women caught up in the system don't go back. Stacey also has...

When you hear the phrase "Mutt Society", you might think it's all about pups, but in this case, it's a group of friends who love bikes - and getting bikes into the hands of those who need them. Trent Sanders and Andrew Wallace from the Mutt Society join Nichole to talk about their philanthropic work not just here in New England, but around the world. They also have details on their upcoming bike g...

Children and teens, now more than ever, are reaching out to get help with their mental health struggles - depression, anxiety, and body image problems, among many others. Nichole talks with Dr. Fatima Watt, Director of Behavioral Health Services at Franciscan Children's, about what teens need from adults in their lives as they try to navigate a mental health crisis. They also talk about the effect...

The “Massachusetts Beagle Freedom Bill”, if passed, would require researchers who use animals for testing to offer them up for adoption when their tenure is done, instead of sending them directly to be euthanized. Cara Zipoli, Susan Howe of the Aisling Center, and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), come together on the show to talk with Nichole about their efforts to get this legisl...

Don't be surprised if, later this month, you see people dressed to the nines riding around Greater Boston on some high-end motorcycles. It's all part of the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, a special event that takes place around the globe each year to help raise awareness, and funds, to benefit the Movember Foundation. Sean Carberry, Managing Editor at National Defense Magazine, joins Nichole to t...

++ TW: addiction, drug dependency, substance abuse ++ As Massachusetts continues to struggle with the opioid crisis, and more people turn to substances to try and get them through the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, there is a group that’s focused on being their voice: Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery. For more than 30 years, MOAR has worked to educate the public and bring aw...

Massachusetts families are dealing with record levels of food insecurity, and record levels of inflation are only making the situation worse. One in ten people here in Massachusetts aren’t getting enough healthy food – and when it comes to children, that number is even higher. The Greater Boston Food Bank has teamed up with Boston Medical Center on a new effort to raise money to put more meals on...

Millions of Ukrainian refugees have fled the war in their country by making their way over the border into Poland. Two men with Massachusetts ties are in Poland this week, doing what they can to make life a little easier for those who may have lost everything to war. Lars Whelan talks with Nichole about his efforts to assist families who make their way to Warsaw Central Railway Station, and how hi...

For decades, Necco was the pride of New England candy-making. The iconic company, based in Revere, has been closed for a few years now, but there are still plenty of stories to be told. Darlene Lacey, an author and “candy historian” from Los Angeles, California, has been exploring the extensive history of the candy – and the people – behind the New England Confectionary Company. She’s releasing a...

It's the fight that’s made headlines for weeks now in the Boston area. How much are restaurant owners in the North End willing to shell out for tables outside their restaurant? Boston Mayor Michelle Wu recently unveiled new fees specifically for restaurants in their neighborhood – nowhere else – citing resident complaints of trash, rodents and noise. Marc Hurwitz, author of “Boston Restaurant Talk...

Harvey Ball’s iconic “smiley face” adorns posters, stickers, masks, you name it – all over the world. Created by a Worcester artist, the smiley face is now synonymous with Worcester – even serving as the mascot of the Worcester Red Sox! The Worcester Historical Museum has also paid tribute to Ball by dubbing their major annual fundraiser the “Harvey Ball”, which is taking place this year at Polar...

Many Americans have been using the past couple of years to forge a new career path, and that’s certainly the case for Patrick and Beth Downing of Franklin. They come from a family of pharmacists, and they were working in the industry themselves. Now, they’re all-in with their new venture: GlenPharmer Distillery, where they embrace science as they come up with creative spirits. The couple talk with...

We're seeing record-high gas prices at the pump each and every day. You're shelling out way more for groceries and household items. What is going on? It's not just one factor driving all this, and UMass Assistant Professor of Analytics and Operations Management Dr. Belleh Fontem joins Nichole to break it all down. Dr. Fontem also has tips on how you can save some cash during this time, and thought...

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, there are worries about potential cyberattacks here in the United States as part of the fallout. Stephanie Helm, the Director of the Mass Cyber Center, returns to the show to talk with Nichole about how plausible a Russian-backed cyberattack on the US could be as part of this conflict. She also reviews tips to help you make sure your digital presence i...

Yoichi Udagawa, Conductor of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, returns to the show to talk with Nichole about their "March Masterworks" concert. The two also discuss life in the arts after the peak of COVID, and how classical music can be fun for everyone. Bennett Weiner, Executive Vice President and COO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, joins Nichole to share important tips on how you can keep yours...

This episode is Part 2 of a two-part deep dive into recycling, sustainability, and integrating zero-waste policies into our everyday lives. Brian Coughlin, Superintendent of Waste Reduction at Boston Public Works, chats with Nichole about the City of Boston’s recycling process, and how residents can make it a more successful venture. Brian also has details about the city’s efforts to move toward a...