New England Weekend

As Labor Day approaches, the Greater Boston Labor Council is gearing up for its second annual parade in the city's Back Bay, and this year's event promises to be just as vibrant and groundbreaking as the first. Darlene Lombos, President of the Greater Boston Labor Council, says this year's event in Copley Square will celebrate worker power, challenge corporate greed, and focus on getting out the vote. Darlene returns to the show to...

While millions of Americans either rely on Social Security for their retirement, millions more hope it will be solvent and available for them when it's time for them to make the transition. No matter how old you are, there are resources out there, especially online, to help you navigate the system and make the most of your benefits as you plan for your future. The trouble is, new research shows many Americans don't know how to acce...

Testing is considered to be crucial when it comes to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, but there are still many barriers that prevent people from getting screened and treated. Researchers at UMass Amherst have been working on some new technology that could be a major breakthrough in that effort: at-home HIV detection tests. Professor Chang Liu, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UMass Amherst, and Dr. Helmut Albrecht, t...

This weekend, Gaelic football players are coming from all over the world to the Greater Boston area, as the USGAA Finals are taking place at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton! While Gaelic football may not be the best-known sport here in the United States, it has a close-knit community, and it's growing in popularity each and every year. This week, Allie D'Amico, a player with the Boston Shamrocks LGFC, shares information about t...

For more than 40 years, Congregation Shirat HaYam on Nantucket has been without a permanent home, holding services and events in spaces all over the island. That's about to change. They're taking a major step forward with the purchase of an historic property, the former Surfside Life Saving Station, and the vision is clear: it won't just be a synagogue, but a vibrant center for Jewish life on the island. David Gregory and Chuc...

In a world where living your entire life online seems to be the norm, a mother and daughter from Needham are challenging the status quo with their analog approach to mental health. Teri and Ella Macduff are on a mission to encourage authenticity and self-reflection through their organization, "Chasing Red Flags". This week, they talk with Nichole about their journey to create a special journal that's helping people all over the cou...

New Bedford's rich maritime history and expertise will be on display on August 13th as the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center hosts Scallopalooza! Not only will dozens of local fishermen take part in a scallop shucking contest, the event will also give you a glimpse into the equipment and technology they use to harvest the seafood we love to enjoy this time of year. Joe Ritter, Programs Manager at the Fishing Heritage Center, talk...

While Massachusetts, and New England as a whole, are often looked at as leaders in renewable energy and overall sustainability, there are still some roadblocks for business owners who want to make pledges to hit certain climate goals. Rising costs and changes in policy are making it increasingly difficult for all but the largest companies to make a meaningful commitment. James Boyle, the CEO and Founder of Sustainability Roundtable...

There's a growing group of collectors around the country who are fascinated with the smallest of items that can tell some big stories: a button, a pin, a poster. We're talking about political memorabilia, and enthusiasts from all over the country who are part of the American Political Items Collectors are coming to Danvers later this month for their National Convention. President Tony Lee takes a deep dive into the world of politic...

After more than three decades in New York City, the Museum of American Finance has made its way to Boston's Seaport District. At the new home on Commonwealth Pier, the museum is showcasing a treasure trove of educational programs and special artifacts, like George Washington's treasury bonds and a share certificate from the Boston Red Sox! Nichole's joined by David Cowen, President and CEO of the Museum of American Finance, to...

You might be hearing the word "cyclospora" a lot more lately as the number of cases in this nationwide parasite outbreak continues to rise. There are lots of questions about how this is impacting us here in New England, from how it's impacting our produce to the symptoms those infected might be dealing with. This week, Nichole talks with Dr. Zoe Weiss, the director of Clinical Microbiology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, to...

Summertime is here, and it's the perfect time to enjoy both good food and some time in nature! Someone who knows quite a bit about both of those things is Marc Hurwitz of Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants, who also leads walks and hikes for the Appalachian Mountain Club around New England. He returns to the show this week to talk with Nichole about hiking safety, some of his new recommended hiking destinations,...

Social media has proven to be a boon for history lovers, as people all over the world generate content about their pastimes, families, neighborhoods, and much more. Derek Strahan of Longmeadow is the man behind the "Lost New England" and "Gravestones of New England" accounts on Instagram and Facebook, two accounts which have garnered big followings of people who can't get enough of the posts on places they've known and loved throug...

The American Ancestors "Family Heritage Experience" in Boston's Back Bay has joined the Blue Star Museums program, which offers military families free admission to museums and other cultural institutions over the summer. Jennifer Zanolli, the manager of the Family Heritage Experience, talks with Nichole on this week's episode about this new partnership and how it uniquely offers military families a chance to explore their family hi...

Local pride will be on full display July 19th at Malibu Beach in Dorchester, as teams from nine Boston neighborhoods will compete to win the Hoodlympics! Organized by Black Brown Boston, this event brings together people from all over the Hub for friendly competition in field-day style games like Foam Dodgeball, Steal the Bacon and Tug of War. The winning team gets bragging rights, but a fun day is promised for all who show up. Van...

The Community Music Center of Boston has been working around the city for decades to provide music therapy, music education, creative programming, and much more to people of all ages. This year, they're celebrating a major anniversary and getting ready for a big move, too! Chief Advancement Officer Zachary Sheets and Rachel Chao, Director of Programming and Community Engagement, talk with Nichole about the Center's mission and effo...

Vacant lots all around the city of Boston are getting some new life, thanks to the Boston Food Forest Coalition. Residents, community groups, permaculture advocates, and many others from around the Hub are coming together to revamp these open spaces, turning them into community "food forests" where anyone can come and have a bite of berries, fruits, veggies, and much more. Orion Kriegman, Founding Executive Director of the Boston F...

June is Men's Health Month, and over at the Whittier Street Health Center in Roxbury, men and boys will get all the help they need to get on a healthy track at the upcoming Men's Health Summit on June 27th! From screenings to informative panels, the focus will be on men and boys of all ages, giving them the resources and tools they need to live healthier, happier, stronger lives. Frederica M. Williams, CEO of Whittier Street Health...

Boston's Roxbury neighborhood once thrived as a center of Black entrepreneurship through systemic struggles, and for decades, it was known as its own “Black Wall Street.” The stories of the neighborhood are being given new life in a documentary called "The Way We Were", showcasing oral histories of Roxbury's Black business owners and families that made the neighborhood so successful. It's all part of a greater research ...