The Rundown with Carrie Saldo

Whether you hope to smoke, eat, or drink it, legal social consumption of cannabis is coming in Massachusetts. What could this mean for the 413? And, a report finds that western Massachusetts municipalities lack racial diversity among those holding public office. Plus, a Somerville-Holyoke business, Sublime Systems , pauses a planned expansion after the Trump administration rescinds an $87 million...

Three buildings in downtown Holyoke were impacted by devastating fires over the course of two days, leaving about 100 families displaced. We unpack the details and look at how the community is offering support. In educational news, new high school graduation requirements are outlined by the Healy administration to replace MCAS testing, which is no longer required to graduate after a statewide vote...

Eleven different ballot questions appear to have met the requirements ahead of this week’s deadline for the 2026 ballot. We will dig into a divide on the rent control question proposed for the next election cycle along with a range of housing-related issues facing the 413.   And, Springfield train ridership is down against a nationwide increase. We explore what it might mean for east-west rail. Pl...

A tragic fire at an off-campus housing complex serving UMass Amherst students leaves hundreds displaced and a community in shock . We discuss the latest in the story and how the public is responding . A boom in enrollment at vocational and technical schools nationwide makes an impact at school districts across western Massachusetts. And, an eagerly-awaited project in Springfield's north end to bui...

Today on The Rundown, we unpack some of Tuesday’s election results . In the contested mayoral races across the 413, voters favored incumbents. What might that continuity yield for western Mass. residents?  And, we take a closer look at the city council election results in Springfield and Holyoke . Most of the incumbents who sought a return to Springfield’s council won, but several races were nail...

With four contested mayoral, city council and school committee elections in cities and towns across western Massachusetts this coming Tuesday, we rundown the ballot options. The government shutdown hits 31 days today and, barring court intervention, there will not be Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) benefits for Massachusetts residents in November.  We explore what it means for l...

Beacon Hill Democrats consider oversight over what some claim is "unsustainable" spending by local sheriff's offices. "No other state agency or department overspends their budget by 22%," said state Sen. Michael Rodrigues, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. And the latest student needs assessment in Franklin County finds that while substance use is down, suicide attempts have increased....

Herd immunity is lacking at several schools across western Massachusetts. We’ll discuss what we know about why fewer children are being vaccinated, and the potential impact. And, a Pittsfield man is back in the Berkshires after a judge ruled he was unlawfully detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And while his lawyer says it’s unlikely, the man fears he may be arrested again.  Then...

Amid peace plan talks, western Massachusetts and the world marks two years since war broke out between Hamas and Israel. A controversial immigration resolution in Holyoke fails as members of the city council raise concerns about a possible loss of federal funding. We’ll unpack the details. And towns that neighbor the MGM Springfield casino have been benefitting from mitigation payments they've rec...

On The Rundown, we look at government shutdown limbo. There’s a lot of uncertainty locally over the impact of the federal government shutdown . We’ll tick through some of the standing questions.   Tracing a Legionella bacteria outbreak in Pittsfield. Did healthcare officials wait too long to report what they knew?  Plus, the latest MCAS testing scores are in, and some of the biggest school distric...

Freedom of speech is in the news, up for debate, and drawing protestors in at least one western Massachusetts city. What does our panel think? And $2.5 million from the state was spent. But an investigation by the Springfield Republican found not much to show for that at the Paramount Theater. What happened?  How much could a potential government shutdown impact western Massachusetts? And, how the...

On this episode of The Rundown, why the former board chair of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, a Berkshire County resident, is calling for a “paradigm shift.” A troubling pyrrhotite problem on the ground in parts of New England might be sorted out from the sky. And, some schools in the northern Berkshires are eyeing regionalization . What could the impact be?  In local politic...

The 2026 elections are shaping up to have a record number of ballot questions , including one about rent control that is stirring Northampton , Easthampton and Springfield . And, as the kids are going back to school, there is much debate on the pros and cons around creating new schools versus maintaining existing schools in Pittsfield , Longmeadow and West Springfield . Plus, as students head back...

Governor Maura Healey has announced policies to enable pharmacies to administer COVID vaccinations for Massachusetts residents aged 5 and over, with the cost to be covered by insurance. We discuss local labor movement protests this past weekend that join nationwide concerns regarding the erosion of worker protections, federal funding cuts, governmental overreach and other issues. And, a new state...

We examine the local impact of a recently passed state budget that could offer help to homeowners dealing with crumbling foundations . And, we discuss new developments on relicensing the Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project and Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project. Plus, Beacon Hill looks at reinstating the so-called “ happy hour ” for Massachusetts restaurants and bars, but not everyone is a...

The western Mass. Congressional delegation is outraged over President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran, but not all Democrats from the 413 agree . Plus, Westover Job Corps students rallied earlier this month to decry lost opportunities, and this week a judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Labor Department from ending the program. We will look at the importance of Job Corps...

As a military parade made its way through the nation’s capital last Saturday, millions across the country demonstrated against what they perceive to be the Trump administration’s overreach. We discuss the local reaction and involvement in the “No Kings” protests. And, as the cost of basic food and housing continues to rise for many, we explore how people living in the four counties of western Mass...

We’re presenting a “Legal Vices” edition of The Rundown, exploring the current status of legalized gambling and marijuana in the 413. As the cannabis industry faces challenges, growers and sellers raise issue with a 1970’s law they say are holding them back . Meanwhile, municipalities find themselves dealing with so-called “ gas station weed ,” a product is unregulated and available to people unde...

The Massachusetts House of Representatives seeks to reorganize the state’s Cannabis Control Commission ( CCC ) and oversight of legalized marijuana. We unpack the details. The decision to close the Springfield Small Business Administration Office by the Department of Government Efficiency comes under fire by state lawmakers. We explore what the closure could mean for small businesses in the 413. A...

Gov. Maura Healey warns that President Donald Trump’s battle with Harvard University could cost the whole state of Massachusetts millions. What are the potential economic impacts in western Massachusetts? Easthampton is in the national spotlight as a federal judge blocks the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and fire employees. A vigil in Springfield mark...

On this episode of The Rundown:  Police and the district attorney in Franklin County turn property seized in a cannabis bust into millions in revenue ; how are they spending it? We’ll unpack the details. And lead from old phone lines found in manhole sediment has electrical workers and others concerned about health and environmental impacts. We’ll dig into what’s known. Plus, many nursing homes in...

Beekeepers across the nation are reeling with the news that over 1 million colonies have been lost in the last 10 months. What could this mean for agriculture in the 413 and beyond? We explore. And, is senior housing the new direction for the long-dormant Berkshire Mall? We unpack what its future might hold. Plus, the 15 year battle to bring a controversial biomass plant to the city of Springfield...

Today on The Rundown with Carrie Saldo, panelists react to ICE agents making arrests in downtown Great Barrington. We unpack what we know so far. Federal funding cuts under the Trump administration are impacting the arts and culture scene in the Berkshires. We explore how the local economy could be affected as the summer season approaches. Plus, in the wake of Connecticut River floods of 2023, we...

Today on The Rundown, panelists reflect the first 100 days of the Trump administration, and how its policies have had local impact in the 413 thus far. And, we unpack a new report that looks at the contributions of Latino population to the state’s economy over the last ten years, despite ongoing gaps between Latino residents and other Massachusetts populations. Plus, concerns emerge as the Holyoke...

Today on The Rundown, panelists examine the legacy of Pope Francis, how the residents of western Mass. view his papacy and his impact on the church here in the 413. And, local veterans express concern to policymakers about cuts to services as many municipalities wrestle with their budgets for the next fiscal year in the wake of major slashes to federal funding.  Plus, advocates push the state to c...