Recent Episodes
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Election results are in! What's next? Plus, Cape Cod's gas-pipeline fight and a new GBH documentary
On this episode of In Common: The 2026 midterm election is officially behind us. What changes can we expect from the candidates we voted into office? When will the ballot measures take effect? GBH's Hannah Reale, NEPM's Phil Bishop and CAI's Mindy Todd join In Common for reactions and recap some surprising local races. NASA has enlisted the help of UMass Amherst's astronomy professor Alexandra Pope to help explore our universe with a new telescope. NEPM's "Fabulous 413" hosts Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith learn about what her research will teach us. The Sagamore and Bourne bridges connecting Massachusetts with Cape Cod were built more than 90 years ago and are now considered functionally obsolete. The state transportation department has an ongoing project to replace them, but it's causing a contentious debate. Not over the bridges themselves – but a multi-million dollar plan to relocate natural gas pipelines connected to them. CAI’s Jennette Barnes has been following this story and is here to break why communities are raising concerns about the gas lines. A new GBH News documentary “They Took My Husband” follows a local family life after a loved one was detained by ICE. GBH News Senior Digital Video Producer Emily Judem spent nearly a year with the family and joins us to talk more about the making of this documentary. It’s time for our semi-regular series "Meanwhile In …" where we take a look at some of the weird, funny and sometimes amazing things happening outside of our beloved Commonwealth. Halloween is over, and pumpkin season is slowly winding down. There are many ways to recycle pumpkins, but the most fun and interesting way is to smash them. In Common's Jeremy Siegel takes a look at a pumpkin smashing tradition at Boston University. -
There's more to Halloween in Mass. than Salem; and the countdown to the 2026 midterm election
On this episode of In Common: The midterm election is just a few days out on November 3rd. This week, we are getting to know some of the candidates that will appear on the ballot. Candidates running for Massachusetts' governor office are Democratic candidate and incumbent Governor Maura Healey, Republican candidate Mike Minogue, and independent challenger Andrea James. NEPM’s Nirvani Williams spoke with all three of them to learn more about how they would address issues specific to residents in western Massachusetts. The town of Great Barrington in Western Mass. is in a fight with its water utility company, Housatonic Water Works. The issue: unkept promises and unpaid bills of more than 100 thousand dollars. And in recent weeks, the town’s Selectboard voted to declare a local emergency over this. NEPM’s Phil Bishop joins In Common now to break it all down for us. Cape Cod might be known for beaches and sea food, but it also has some spooky creatures and haunted houses. Tyler Daniels, a professor at Cape Cod Community College and Robin Smith-Johnson, author of Legends and Lore of Cape Cod, join In Common to tell us the haunting happenings in the region. U.S Senate Candidates: The midterm election is just a few days out on November 3rd. This week, we are getting to know some of the candidates that will appear on the ballot. There are four candidates running for the Massachusetts seat in the Senate: Democrat and incumbent Ed Markey, Republican challenger John Deaton, Party for Socialism and Liberation challenger Joe Tache and Independent challenger Shiva Ayyadurai. GBH's Adam Reilly spoke with three of the four candidates in this race and joins In Common to tell us more about their platforms. Ayyadurai declined GBH news/Boston 25's invitation to be interviewed Solar, wind, geothermal are just a few that are currently being used to power our grids. But not much has been done to generate energy from the waters in our oceans. John Miller and Stephen Barrett from The Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative of New England on Cape Cod spoke with CAI's Mindy Todd on a recent episode of The Point about the current research and developments in this arena. Every year, Salem welcomes more than a million visitors during October - and the weeks preceding, because it’s the Halloween town of America. In Common's Jeremy Siegel and Host Paris Alston tell us more on how that name sake came to be in this 2022 archive story. -
Not all of Massachusetts is blue. Where are the purple and red municipalities in the Commonwealth?
On this episode of In Common: The 2026 midterm election is just around the corner. This week, we are taking a closer look at how the distinct regions of Massachusetts cast their votes. Even though the Commonwealth has a reputation of being a "blue state," there are a number of purple and red municipalities up and down the state. UMass Amherst Political Science Professor Tatishe Nteta and John Micek, politics editor at MassLive, join In Common to put that into context for us. For many out-of-state college students, finding a new mental health provider or therapist can be a big challenge. Psypact, an agreement between states that allows psychologists to treat patients across statelines, is aiming to make it easier. 46 states have signed up to be a part of this, but not Massachusetts. CAI's Gilda Geist has more on some local efforts to change that. A new report found that many Mass. waterways are contaminated with PFAS chemicals. GBH’s Craig LeMoult joins In Common for the latest and explains why they are called "forever chemicals." The public comment period about the Quabbin Reservoir ends next week. State Senator Jo Comerford and Steve Smargiassi, the interim director of the MWRA, shared both sides of the argument during a recent episode for The Curiosity Desk. GBH’s Digital Associate Producer Renuka Balakrishnan is back for our semi-regular segment Mass Online – where we break down the biggest stories people in Massachusetts are talking about on social media The origins of Halloween can be traced back to an old pagan holiday called Samhain, where people also dress up in spooky costumes on October 31st. In Common's Jeremy Siegel has more on the deeper meaning behind Samhain celebrations from west Springfield. -
The biggest rowing event in the world is in Boston. And why are school administrators ignoring bullying reports?
On this episode of In Common: More than four in ten middle school students in Massachusetts say they’ve experienced bullying. For more than a year, GBH New reporter Chris Burrell has been investigating this issue and joins In Common to tell us more about his latest story on the rise of bullying cases among teen-athletes. Oyster season is in full swing, and Massachusetts produces millions of those shellfish a year. On Cape Cod, oyster farmers are warning that more farms are at the risk of closure. CAI's Jennette Barnes explains. Boston's most iconic river is home to the biggest rowing competition in the world. Tens of thousands of athletes and hundreds and thousands more spectators are in town for the big event. Stephanie Moore with Holyoke Rows will be among the rowers competing and joins In Common to tell us more about her love for the sport and HOCR. Over the next few weeks, In Common is helping you prepare for the upcoming midterm election on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. This week, we're talking about the nine ballot questions, what they mean and what we'll be voting for. Reporters from our three stations, along with GBH's Hannah Reale, help us break down each and every one of them. It's been 10 years since the bill to legalize recreational marijuana sale passed in Massachusetts. This upcoming election, ballot question 8 is challenging that law from 2016. In Common's Jeremy Siegel has a look back at the campaign that legalized weed in Mass. -
Abuse in three MA archdioceses; and, are you registered to vote?
On this episode of In Common: A new report from the office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell revealed that nearly 1,000 kids were sexually abused by more than 270 priests from three Massachusetts Catholic archdioceses-- Springfield, Worcester and Fall River. Reporter Nancy Eve Cohen broke the story of allegations three years ago. Now, she has spoken to abuse survivors and explains what happens next. In Common is your guide to the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. This week, we're talking about voter registration. Getting people to register is easy. Getting people to actually go out and vote is the hard part, says Shanique Rodriguez, executive director of Massachusetts Voter Table. The Alzheimer's Family Support Center on Cape Cod offers community and educational programs for families dealing with dementia, all from a storefront inside the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis. CAI's Mindy Todd takes us on a tour. Meanwhile, outside of our beloved Commonwealth.... several high peaks around New England already reporting the first snowfall of the season. Cranberry bogs can be useful even after they stop growing fruit. Environmental organizations are repurposing retired cranberry bogs to create more wetland habitats. CAI's Amy Kolb Noyes reports on projects that are underway on the Cape. The Blanding's Turtle, recognizable by its yellow neck, is one of the most endangered species in the northeast. Conservationists enlisted the help of school kids to protect this species. GBH's Craig LeMoult reports on the results. -
A day at The Big E: How an agricultural expo became one of the largest fairs in America
On this Big E special episode of In Common, NEPM's Elizabeth Roman has been to the event for as long as she can remember and is our tour guide of the fairgrounds. The Eastern State Exposition in Springfield (aka The Big E) is the fourth largest fair in the country. For 17 days, it's where agriculture experts, food lovers, musical talents and so much more congregate, drawing in more than a million visitors each year. The Big E, at its core, is all about showcasing agriculture and inspiring new generations of farmers. In Common's Patti Daniels meets with some of those young farmers raising big animals and a taste test of the 4-H Milkshakes. Gene Cassidy is the current CEO of The Big E and says "agriculture is our culture." He tells us more about how the expo first started, what has changed since and what the future holds for the exposition. Food is a big part of any fair, and there are many iconic eats at The Big E. In Common's Andrea Asuaje and Stina Chang take a bite of the famous Big E cream puffs (a recipe stolen from Wisconsin). Meanwhile, Patti and Liz engage in a "battle of the baked potatoes." The Avenue of the States is a grand row of six colonial buildings, each replica of a New England state house. Ashley Randall, the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, has more on the history and importance of the Massachusetts house. Inside the state houses, there are small business owners local to their state selling food, art and crafts. In Common's Patti Daniels talks with a candlemaker from Provincetown. Outside the state house, there are plenty more booths selling everything from clothes to jewelry and even ... hot tubs? In Common's Andrea Asuaje profiles the vendors selling mini pools at The Big E. While there is a plethora of amazing food options at the Big E, there are also some crazy ones. The In Common team tries some more iconic Big E eats, including the CrazE burger, Dr. Pickle and fried deviled eggs. The Big E is BIG in many ways. In another area of the fair, there's a whole building dedicated to exhibiting artistic creations. A Blue Ribbon textile artist tells us more about cross-stitching. Rides and games are synonymous with fairs. At The Big E, the Giant Slide is one of the most popular attractions. In Common's Stina Chang reports on how the slide does not disappoint. -
Survivors of a Cape Cod religious sect speak out amid new lawsuit
On this episode of In Common: A growing number of former Community of Jesus residents on Cape Cod are speaking out about the abuse they endured while living there. CAI's Gilda Geist investigated these claims and joins In Common to talk more about how she put her story together. A resident at a Malden apartment building became skeptical when the management took away their recycling bin, saying the waste facility will sort the recyclable. She was right to question them. In fact, no companies in the state separate recyclables from garbage. GBH's Craig LeMoult's has the story on why most apartment buildings in Boston don't offer recycling to their tenants. In several communities in Mass., cow plop events draw hundreds of people to bet on where a cow will poop. In Common's Stina Chang has more from Southampton on this unique event. A new series from NEPM takes a look at Massachusetts' rich brewing history. Reporter Karen Brown takes us to a museum exhibit in historic Deerfield that covers centuries of brewing history in the state and how it has contributed to the Commonwealth's economy. Later, she visits White Lion brewery in Springfield to see what creative ways they are implementing to keep customers coming in. Then, In Common's Jeremy Siegel has more with Notch Brewing's Chris Lohring and Bill Shufelt, founder of Athletic Brewing, about how the industry is changing with the times, particularly in regards to low- or no-alcohol brews. -
When is peak leaf season in Mass? Plus, a Springfield cyberattack, a transportation panel and the Shared Seas Lab
On this episode of In Common Just a few days after the first day of school, Springfield Public Schools canceled classes due to a data breach. Classes resumed on Monday, but the incident remains under investigation. NEPM's Jill Kaufman joins In Common to give us the latest on the cyberattack investigation and how school districts can be better prepared. Humans put many demands on the ocean — for fishing, shipping, raw materials, and more. Those demands can threaten marine life and the communities that depend on local fisheries. The Shared Seas Lab at UMass Dartmouth aims to help us share the ocean. CAI's Jennette Barnes has more with Professor Melissa Cronin. In the late 1700s, the newly drafted U.S. Constitution was celebrated as an innovative, bold experiment. Yet it didn't answer a couple of fundamental questions: who is a citizen? And how do you become one? As part of our ongoing series 'From Colony to Commonwealth,' GBH immigration reporter Sarah Betancourt tells us how citizenship was granted during the early days of America. After last year's dry-spell, weather experts are forecasting earlier and fuller fall foliage this season. Carol Connare, the editor-in-chief of The Old Farmer's Almanac, has more on when peak color will begin in Massachusetts and where to get the best views. The MBTA has taken on major strides to repair and maintain the T. But there's still a long way to go when it comes to building a world-class transit system here. In Common's Jeremy Siegel discussed this topic with Stephanie Pollack, the former secretary of transportation for Massachusetts and federal highway deputy administrator, Yonah Freemark of the non-profit think tank The Urban Institute and Corrigan Salerno, the transportation policy manager for the Metropolitan Abundance Project. Public libraries in some communities across the state are reaching residents by bringing books to them directly in a truck. These mobile libraries — known as bookmobiles—are attempting to bridge accessibility needs for library patrons who can’t easily go to a branch. GBH’s Trajan Warren and NEPM’s Nirvani Williams have more about these libraries on wheels. -
Privacy vs. security: Why Mass. communities are cutting ties with Flock Cameras
On this episode of In Common: How Flock Surveillance quietly built one of the largest private surveillance networks in American history. But privacy advocates -- including the ACLU of Massachusetts -- have raised alarms that these cameras allow warrantless tracking, share sensitive data with out-of-state agencies, and can be abused. CAI's Sam Houghton reports on the debate from Cape Cod. The state is putting muscle behind the housing idea of Accessory Dwelling Units, better known as "granny flats" -- a smaller additional home built onto an existing house site. Jeremy talks with Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matais and GBH reporter Liz Neisloss about how ADUs can help ease the housing crunch, and support multi-generational households. Massachusetts has nearly 100 hundred colleges and universities, but many of them are struggling to stay open. Several small schools across the Commonwealth have recently closed or announced plans to shutter. GBH's Kirk Carapezza and NEPM's Jill Kaufman join host Jeremy Siegel to discuss why so many colleges are struggling -- and what happens when students, professors and college towns when they lose their school. The latest installment of our semi-regular segment, Meanwhile In, where we look at the weird, funny and sometimes amazing New England stories happening outside of our beloved commonwealth. This week: A New Hampshire parking lot mistaken for a UFO. A new bilingual series called "Latinos de Aqui" puts a spotlight on the lives of Latinos in western Mass, with short, documentary portraits. NEPM's executive editor Elizabeth Roman and digital producer Luis Salazar join In Common to preview the project. -
Keeping memory alive: How Mass. schools are teaching 9/11 to students
On this episode of In Common: Friday is the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. For students who were born after 2001, it's now something they're learning through a third lens. The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund together with GBH has created an education program that teaches students about the impact and aftermath of this event. Patrick Davis, the education director at the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, and Rockland social studies teacher Greg Rowe join In Common to tell us how schools are teaching kids about 9/11. On Cape Cod, the Steamship Authority has redesigned the Woods Hole ferry terminal, where passengers catch a ride to Martha's Vineyard. CAI's Amy Kolb-Noyes reports the renovation has an eye on sustainability. When Rick Thorpe was killed in the terror attacks of 9/11, his family wanted to create a lasting tribute to the young father. The result of their effort is Rick's Place, a grief counseling center for children in Thorpe's hometown of Wilbraham. We hear from Thorpe's childhood friend Bill Scatolini, and then a conversation hosted by NEPM's Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith. They spoke with Rick's Place Executive Director Therese Ross, and with Steve Nagel from ROCK 102 in Springfield, who turned to Rick's Place after his wife died. On the north shore, the city of Lynn is home to about a hundred public murals that splash color and design across the busy downtown. GBH’s Magdiela Matta spoke recently with a group of young people who were recruited to work alongside professional artists to make their creative mark on Lynn. Voters in the Massachusetts Primary Election this week seem to prefer incumbents and the status quo. Jeremy gives a preview of what the General Election ballots will look like. The annual Labor Day festival in Lawrence, Mass. commemorates the historic textile workers strike in 1912, when more than 20,000 workers fought for better wages and working conditions. Elizabeth Pelerito, director of the Labor and Education Program at UMass Lowell, tells us more about this history and how it set up a new era of labor rights.
