New England Weekend

Does it seem like everyone you know is getting sick these days? What's not helping is the fact that those of us living here in the New England states are contending with the worst flu season we've seen in years, and health experts say it's going to be weeks before it starts to get any better. Dr. Larry Madoff, the Medical Director of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences at the Massachusetts...

Now that we're officially getting into the coldest months of the year, you're likely ensuring you have everything you need in place to stay warm and safe through the worst elements. That also counts for your vehicle! Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson at AAA Northeast in Providence, returns to the show to share all the information you need to make sure your vehicle can handle whatever Mother Nat...

Recent data shows one out of every four American adults are providing some sort of unpaid caregiving for a loved one, be it a parent, child, or someone else they know with a chronic illness or disability. Caregiving can require a lot of physical, emotional and mental energy, but there's a lot of love there, too - and there is assistance out there to ensure you don't burn out. Nichole talks with Ka...

While getting an annual mammogram is pretty commonplace for many women, the testing isn't always accessible for many reasons: language barriers, a lack of insurance or being underinsured, the inability to get to a clinic, and childcare issues, just to name a few. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Mammography Van has a solution for that. The hospital has packed up a full mammography suite into a van,...

In Roxbury, the team at the National Center for Afro-American Artists has been busy, pulling together this year's rendition of "Black Nativity", the iconic Christmas performance penned by Langston Hughes. The Center is also under new leadership, with Akiba Abaka taking over to bring their creativity and work into a new era. She talks with Nichole about this year's "Black Nativity" production at th...

Sometimes it just takes a bit of self-care to help lift your spirits, and for many women, a little lipstick, mascara, or blush can do just the trick. Unfortunately, good makeup isn't cheap, and when you're struggling to get by, it's far from a priority. Needham's Circle of Hope and Westborough's Give 'N Glow are teaming up with donors, influencers, and beauty companies to help women in need get a...

When it comes to classic Christmas albums, Vince Guaraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack often ranks up there near the top! You can hear it live this coming week at Watertown's Mosesian Center for the Arts, performed by the Eric Mintel Quartet on December 9. It's just one of many different winter programs that the Center is putting on this year, including educational opportunities for resi...

For years, the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts has been working out of temporary offices as they carried out their mission to support Black business owners around the Commonwealth. Now, their dream to find a special place to settle down and create a permanent home for their work has been realized, with the purchase of a new "Sustainability Hub" in Roxbury. Executive Director Nicole Obi ret...

This is a huge weekend for holiday shopping, with big box stores, online chains, and small businesses alike offering up deep discounts. New data from the Retailers Association of Massachusetts shows our Main Street businesses could really use some holiday love in order to keep them thriving into 2026 and beyond. Jon Hurst, President and CEO of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, returns to...

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society's annual Festival of Trees is underway in Wellesley. From sparkling holiday trees to model trains, there's a little something for everyone, even down to the hot chocolate and s'mores keeping you warm as you wander through the Garden at Elm Bank! Allison Dush, the Director of Programs and Education at the Society, talks with Nichole about this family-friendly...

The Massachusetts State Lottery is no stranger to games - they've got lots of them! This time of year, they're also getting involved with board games, plushies, sports equipment, and other toys for local kids in need. The Lottery's 10th annual Holiday Toy Drive is underway, and they need your help to make sure it's a fun, joy-filled season for every child in the Commonwealth. Rachel Guerra, Deputy...

If you're a veteran, or happen to know one, you might be familiar with the work of DAV - Disabled American Veterans. One of the major missions that they focus on is connecting veterans with work, especially as we deal with rising unemployment around the country. They've got a nationwide virtual job fair coming up later on this month, and Dan Clare, DAV's Chief Communications and Outreach Officer,...

A little bit of spice or seasoning can turn a humdrum meal into something nutritious, tasty, and filling. With Massachusetts in the throes of a food insecurity crisis, people who find themselves needing to utilize food banks and pantries may not always be able to access the spices and seasonings that help them connect to their culture and feel the dignity they deserve by cooking a complete meal. T...

Earlier this month, we marked Veterans Day and paid tribute to all the service members who give their time, energy, health, and so much more to ensure our nation stays safe. However, veterans are in need of resources all year long, and in New England, veterans have a big ally in a Worcester non-profit called Veterans, Inc. From housing programs to suicide prevention, healthcare to case management,...

As resale sites grow in popularity, Second Serve Resale, based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is standing out. Not only is it connecting customers with gently loved designer offerings, but owner Amy Hebb is taking it one step further: customers choose which charity receives 85% of the purchase price, ranging from local food banks to international women's organizations! Amy talks about her efforts, an...

Have you noticed your morning (or afternoon) coffee is getting more expensive? Perhaps the beans you really like at the store are hitting your wallet, too. Roasters here in New England and around the country are struggling with the rising cost of beans, which is hitting customers in the cup. Derek Anderson, the owner of Speedwell Coffee in Plymouth, joins Nichole this week to talk about their expe...

In Worcester, there's a branch of a local credit union that has a lot of young energy behind the scenes! All One Credit Union recently opened up a branch at Worcester Technical High School, and patrons who come to do their banking will find students behind the counter processing their transactions. Nichole talks with Lauren Hayes, the head of the Finance, Marketing, and Business Management departm...

When you think of housing policy, you may not immediately think of furry friends. However, MSPCA-Angell in Jamaica Plain says our pets need to be kept in mind when it comes to the ongoing housing crisis. They've brought on a new housing specialist, Jamie Blackburn, to advocate for pet owners and find a way to keep them, and their beloved pets, together without fear of eviction or foreclosure. Jami...

While life seemed simpler back in the day before most everything moved online, you have to be pretty connected nowadays in order to accomplish even the most basic of tasks. There's still a stark digital divide in low-income areas, rural areas, and with seniors and students. The city of Cambridge has a "Digital Navigator" program that's working with residents, one by one, to connect them with knowl...

Food banks, advocates, and local officials have been scrambling this week upon word that November's SNAP assistance won't be funded by the federal government. The Trump administration cites the ongoing shutdown for the move, and refuses to tap into federal contingency funding. However, state leaders say the hundreds of millions of dollars each month simply can't be covered on the state level, and...

The stories of the deadly Salem Witch Trials are well known, with the hysteria sweeping through for months in the 1690's. If you visit Salem, you'll find museums and memorials dedicated to the incident, but what many don't know is that down the road, in what we now call Danvers, is where the real beginning of America's witch panic took place. Daniel Gagnon, a life-long Danvers resident, author, an...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this year's theme is "With Survivors, Always". In Boston, Jane Doe Inc., the state's coalition against sexual assault and domestic violence, is working each day to ensure survivors have access to the help they need to find safety, healing, and peace. However, state and federal cuts have sparked worry in these organizations over just how much they'l...

The middle school years can be difficult for young people, with so many questions about the world around them and their place in it as they come of age. YW Boston recently launched a program called "F.Y.R.E.", or Fierce Youth Re-Igniting Excellence, which focuses on teaching BIPOC girls and gender-expansive youth resilience, confidence, and leadership skills, while offering them an understanding s...

Reading is fundamental, so they say, and it can also be a major factor in cutting down prison recidivism rates. The Prison Book Program in Quincy has been providing free books to incarcerated people around the country since 1972, helping people behind bars grow, study, and prepare for a healthier and more productive life upon their release. Executive Director Kelly Brotzman joins Nichole this week...

It's easy to forget about food in the fridge or the cabinets, leading it to go bad. Oftentimes, it just goes right in the trash, and when you add your food waste to everyone else's, plus all the waste from hospitals, restaurants, cafeterias, schools, and other institutions, it adds up fast! Massachusetts has had a commercial food waste ban in place since 2014 to try and cut down on the negative im...