This region is packed with great musicians. Our annual music series is a chance to highlight some of the amazing artists who live here, in southern Vermont, throughout western Massachusetts and around Hartford.

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Protest Rock, Funk, Post-Minimalism And More: A Local Music Spotlight

It's been more than six months since the MGM casino in Springfield opened its doors to thousands of gamblers, and curious pedestrians. Here’s a look at some of the casino’s early successes and challenges, and what it all means for Springfield and the state of Massachusetts.

How's The Springfield Casino Doing?

Climate change is expected to hit the Northeast pretty hard, affecting crops, ski resorts and fisheries on the coast. Here are some of our latest New England reports on climate change — from inland floods in New Hampshire, to a Connecticut forest, to a salt marsh north of Boston where there's an invasive plant that just won't quit.

How Climate Change Is Affecting New England, And What's Yet To Come

Much attention (and confusion) in Massachusetts has centered around three statewide ballot questions.

Confused About Ballot Questions? Give Us 27 Minutes.

This episode, we focus on a single plant. Weed, cannabis, marijuana, pot -- whatever you call it, Massachusetts is on a slow march to full legalization.

The Slow March To Fully Legal Marijuana In Massachusetts

We're still seeing the fallout of what could be the biggest political story in our region this year: the dramatic fall from power of former Senate President Stan Rosenberg. His resignation followed a critical ethics report. Many of Rosenberg's constituents told us they are sad and disappointed he's leaving, though not all think it's the wrong move.

Rosenberg Fallout, Old Town Halls, N-Word Lessons, Khalif Neville

The city of Hartford, Connecticut, is planning changes around its new downtown baseball stadium. The once-busy, historic North End neighborhood now has a lot of vacant lots and boarded-up buildings. We check in with Hartford residents about what should come next, what the area needs and what might be lost.

NEPR News Now: Ballpark Neighbors, City Hall Diversity, Farm And Suicide, Food Bugs And Smart Phones

Retail stores in Massachusetts are expected to start selling marijuana legally in the state this summer. Some cities and towns have taken steps to temporarily block pot shops within their borders. And others have banned them altogether.

NEPR News Now: Regulating Pot Shops, Saving Lobsters, Driving In Snow, Fighting Like Cats And Dogs

This December marked five years since the murders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty first-graders and six adults were gunned down.

NEPR News Now: Post-Newtown Security, Tax Return Foot-Dragging, #MeToo And Feminism

As Massachusetts lawmakers ponder whether to give more tax credits to a dwindling number of dairy farmers, those farmers are innovating. One example: a milking robot. We visit Luther Belden Farm in Hatfield.

NEPR News Now Podcast: Valuing Berkshire Art, Milking Robots, Elms' Comeback, Slime Mold Scholars

Worcester is making a serious pitch to be the new home of the top minor league team for the Boston Red Sox. But the Paw Sox of Pawtucket may have other plans.

NEPR News Now Podcast: Holyoke's PR Connection, Worcester Sox, Live Free Or Sue, Dunkin' Melancholy

NEPR News Now is a collection of recent features, interviews and commentaries.

NEPR News Now Podcast: Lawyering Gets Personal, Museum Controversies, Amtrak Music

NEPR News Now Podcast: Puerto Rico & Holyoke, Casinos & Jobs, Seuss & Racism, Beer & Hype

NEPR News Now Podcast: Visas For Victims, Sperm Warnings, Statehouse Fairytales, 'Beasts' Book

NEPR News Now Podcast: Librarian's Message, Drug Labs, New Capital, Hebrew's Hero, Judith Jones

Hosted by Sam Hudzik of New England Public Radio, a collection of recent features, interviews and commentaries.

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