NEXT New England: Recent Episodes
Connecticut Public Radio
NEXT was a radio show and podcast that aired its final episode in May 2021 after a successful five-year run. The weekly program focused on New England, one of America's oldest places, at a time of change. NEXT was produced at Connecticut Public Radio and featured stories from journalists across the New England News Collaborative. Most recently, the program was hosted by Morgan Springer.
With New England as our laboratory, NEXT asked questions about how we power our society, how we move around, and how we adapt. Through reporting and interviews, we explored: Where are we now? How did we get here? And what's next?
The New England News Collaborative is a regional partnership of public media stations, with Connecticut Public as the lead station. Partners include Maine Public, New England Public Media, New Hampshire Public Radio, Vermont Public Radio, WBUR, WGBH, WCAI, and WSHU. Vanessa de la Torre is the NENC’s executive editor.
After five years on air, our weekly program NEXT has ended. The show focused on New England at a time of change and featured stories from journalists across the New England News Collaborative. The good news is that these powerful stories aren’t going away. We are ramping up our next phase of New England reporting to bring you more news and conversations from the region. Executive Editor Vanessa de la Torre explains what’s ahead for the New England News Collaborative, and how you can follow our work.
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On the final episode of NEXT, Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola talks about the evolution of her poetry, and how she uses futurism to reimagine history. Plus, protesters reflect on what has changed — or not — in the year since George Floyd’s murder. We also speak with band members of Lake Street Dive about their latest album, “Obviously.” And finally, to mark the end of NEXT, Executive Editor Vanessa de la Torre joins us to explain what’s ahead for the New England News Collaborative.
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Rebecca Carroll’s new memoir details her experiences as a Black child raised by adoptive white parents in rural New Hampshire. This week on NEXT, Carroll talks about “Surviving The White Gaze.” Plus, epidemiologist and physician Dr. Sandro Galea on the impact of structural issues on public health — and how we should prepare for the next pandemic. And we learn about the practice of “green” burials, and why they’re becoming more popular.
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Millions of people in the U.S. left the workforce as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A majority of them were women. This week on NEXT, we hear from women who left their jobs and talk with an expert about the stressors — and what recovery might look like. Plus, high school English teacher Takeru Nagayoshi on what he’s learned in this past year of hybrid teaching. And we remember trans activist and ballroom icon Jahaira DeAlto.
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Alison Bechdel’s new graphic novel depicts her life through fitness. This week on NEXT, we talk with Bechdel about ‘The Secret to Superhuman Strength,' which is more about a state of being than six-pack abs. Plus, advocates make the case for colleges to hire more diverse financial firms to manage billion-dollar endowments. And scholar-activist Katharine Morris reflects on her experience at the intersection of racism, environmental justice and public health, and her framework for moving forward.
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When Professor Laurie Santos first offered a course about psychology and happiness at Yale University, over a thousand students signed up. This week on NEXT, Santos gives us tips on how we can be happier in our lives. Plus, we’ll hear dream experts discuss the evolution of COVID-19 dreams. And we talk to author, illustrator and TV writer Jonny Sun about his relationship with work and free time — and the things he’s unintentionally inherited from his family.
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By the time today’s teenagers are fifty, they’ll be living in a very different New England. This week on NEXT, we hear from young climate activists around our region about how they’re responding to the threat of climate change. And after a year of no travel, why some climate researchers are reconsidering how much they fly. Plus, listeners reflect on their experiences with electric vehicles, and we talk with an expert about the future of EVs.
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Erin French’s ascent to rock star chef almost didn’t happen. Before becoming the owner of The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine, she lost nearly everything that mattered in life. This week on NEXT, we talk with French about her journey and new memoir “Finding Freedom.” Plus, as a way to diversify staff and address inequality, more employers are dropping degree requirements for certain jobs — and gaining a market advantage. And we hear from Mardi Fuller, a volunteer leader with Outdoor Afro, about enjoying nature despite the prevalence of the “white colonial imagination.”
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A few years ago, Hallel came out as a “boy-girl” to their parents. This week on NEXT, 9-year-old Hallel and their family explore gender identity. Plus, we learn about a new Connecticut law banning race-based hair discrimination in the workplace and in schools. And we hear from newcomers to New Hampshire about whether they plan to stay in the state after the pandemic.
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After a year of online school, high school senior Bridget Donovan is back in the building and feeling like “a freshman again.” This week on NEXT, we tag along with Bridget and visit a New Hampshire school that’s experiencing the social benefits of learning outdoors. Plus, we hear about Massachusetts’ new climate legislation and how it compares to other New England states. And author Jennifer De Leon reflects on language and heritage in her new book of essays.
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This week on NEXT, in the aftermath of the killings of six Asian women in Atlanta, we hear about the inextricable link between racism and sexism. Plus, we talk with Boston chef and restaurateur Irene Li about how the pandemic has altered our relationship with food and cooking. And the entanglement of a North Atlantic right whale named Snow Cone has caused an outcry from fishermen, who say they’re being unfairly blamed.
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Through fresh eyes, there’s a lot that’s unusual about American life and culture — from bloated wallets and giant cars to the emphasis on self. This week on NEXT, writer Roya Hakakian shares keen observations from her new book “A Beginner’s Guide To America.” Plus, how retrofitting triple-decker houses can help fight climate change. And singer-songwriter Niu Raza blends musical traditions to find her signature sound and a new sense of home.
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NASA plans to land the first woman on the moon by 2024. This week on NEXT, we talk to a Maine astronaut who is part of the Artemis mission about why that milestone matters, and what it’s like to be in zero gravity. Plus, we’ll hear from two sisters who are participating in one of the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials for children. And we visit one coastal community on the Cape that is considering a retreat strategy as sea level rises.
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The Biden administration and state leaders are pushing to get more students into “in-person” classes again. This week on NEXT, the politics of making it happen. Plus, as the Massachusetts Audubon Society reckons with its founder’s racist past, the group’s push to create equitable access to nature. And we talk with Crystal Maldonado about her debut young adult novel “Fat Chance, Charlie Vega,” the importance of representation — and seeing herself on the page.
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A new report shows that millions of homes across the country are at risk of flooding — and insurance companies aren’t keeping up. This week on NEXT, we explore the inequities and how this affects our region. Plus, we hear more about a proposal for high-speed rail across New England that Congress may consider soon. And we visit a Vermont town that’s mourning the loss of its historic covered bridge.
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This week on NEXT, we hear about the enduring impacts of The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island that killed 100 people in 2003. Plus, the mysterious history of Lost Nation Road in Vermont. And we visit an experimental forest in our region to gain new insight on New England research of the natural world.
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This week on NEXT, we’ll hear the latest on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout across our region — including concerns over inequities in distribution — and get expert answers to some of our questions about life after vaccination. Plus, what’s next for a proposed wood-burning biomass plant in Springfield, Mass., a city beset with high asthma rates. And we’ll learn what it’s like to work as a ski patroller during the pandemic.
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This week on NEXT, why one New England state is vaccinating young researchers before older adults. Plus, a look at ropeless fishing and the hope to save the endangered North Atlantic right whale. We’ll also hear from Connecticut’s Supreme Court chief justice about racial inequities in jury selection — and what his state is doing about it. And how the pandemic led one New Englander to create an unusual fictional crime thriller.
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This week on NEXT, what student loan forgiveness under the Biden administration would mean for borrowers in Maine. Plus, an interview with Shalanda Baker, a new deputy director at the U.S. Department of Energy, on the role of energy justice in the transition to clean energy. And we hear from an insider about what happens at behavioral treatment programs for “troubled teens.”
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The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are the first of their kind to use mRNA. This week on NEXT, how this new experimental technology could help fight diseases like cancer and cystic fibrosis. Plus, some of the challenges of vaccine distribution in New England. And a new podcast, “Anything For Selena,” explores the Mexican American pop star’s legacy and what it shows us about belonging in America.
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Severe storms. Heat waves. Rising seas. New England is already seeing the impacts of climate change, and scientists project they will become more deadly, shaping how we live and work in the northeastern U.S. This week on NEXT, in a special ahead of Inauguration Day, the New England News Collaborative and America Amplified look at climate change in our region and how President-elect Joe Biden’s administration could affect climate action.
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Public school enrollment in New England is down during the pandemic. But even when kids are enrolled, it can be a struggle to get some to show up. This week on NEXT, how one district is tackling absenteeism and why doctors are increasingly concerned about youth mental health. Plus, Massachusetts school districts try to cope with a teacher shortage. And when a Vermonter’s business plummeted after COVID hit, she donned an inflatable T-Rex costume and started dancing.
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This week, in a special episode of NEXT, we listen to a collection of award-winning stories from the New England News Collaborative — from a retrospective on the couple that fought for marriage equality in Massachusetts, and later divorced, to a close look at a First Amendment dispute in New Hampshire.
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The brothers behind New England’s famous R&B group Tavares are of Cape Verdean descent. This week on NEXT, what that means in a Black and white America. And an effort to change the name of Faneuil Hall in Boston continues as New Englanders grapple with the region’s racist past. Plus, how author Jennifer De Leon’s childhood experience informed her debut novel about school desegregation.
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Most COVID-19 deaths in New England can be tied to long-term care facilities. This week on NEXT, how a nursing home – spared from the virus for months – got hit this fall. Plus, the number of lives we could save if we cut our transportation emissions. And we’ll hear how the “Fauci effect” is driving up medical school applications.
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The first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are expected to arrive as soon as mid-December, but it’s up to each state to figure out how to distribute the vaccines. This week on NEXT, we’ll hear about who gets priority in New England. Plus, some health experts question whether contract tracing is worth the investment. And as hunting license sales boom and more people hit the trails in northern New England, the benefits of getting outside.
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This week on NEXT, North Atlantic right whales are under threat of extinction. Scientists say entanglement in fishing lines is the main cause of death, but changing the way New England lobstermen fish won’t be easy. Plus, we hear from young climate activists pushing Massachusetts lawmakers to pass a bill requiring climate change education in K-12 classrooms. And the banner and burden of the phrase #BlackGirlMagic.
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When a group of immigrants started a community farm in a Yankee farming town, their presence was complicated by race and rural American identity. This week on NEXT, the story of Bami Farm in Rhode Island. Plus, how the pandemic has accelerated the debate over driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts. And journalist Maria Hinojosa talks about what’s at stake if public media fails to become more diverse.
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What we don’t learn in school can matter as much as the lessons we do learn. This week on NEXT, we talk to teachers and students about the harm of omitting stories and cultures from curricula — and how we can do better. It's a rebroadcast from our series of specials on “Racism in New England,” produced by the New England News Collaborative and America Amplified.
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Here’s the story that New England tells itself: Racism is a Southern problem. But our region’s abolitionist past hides a darker history of racism, slavery and white supremacy. It’s a legacy that lives with us today. This week on NEXT, we rebroadcast a special from our series on racism in New England — produced by the New England News Collaborative and America Amplified.
This episode originally aired Sept. 17.
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America is taking a hard look at policing right now. Many wonder: can we trust the cops? In states across the country, the answer to that question is already out there – on secret lists kept by government lawyers. This week on NEXT, “The List” from New Hampshire Public Radio, which looks at one state’s decades of secrecy around police misconduct and asks: why do these lists exist? And if they were finally made public, would they solve our policing problems?
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Transgender and nonbinary people can face misgendering at the polls. This week on NEXT, how that can make voting especially stressful this election. And with Nov. 3 just around the corner, we hear from the Associated Press about its process for calling the presidential race … and about 7,000 others around the country. Plus, we talk to Boston hip-hop artist Latrell James about his life and what inspired the lyrics for his new EP “Under.”
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In-person voting has started in some New England states. This week on NEXT, we talk about what’s driving people to vote early this general election. Plus, as temperatures warm due to climate change, toxic cyanobacteria are increasingly polluting our water. And we talk to author Jennifer De Leon about “Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From,” her new young adult novel set in Boston.
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After years of strong support from Maine constituents, Republican Sen. Susan Collins is in one of her greatest political fights. This week on NEXT, how a few highly contested races in New England could impact party control at the national level. Plus, we’ll talk about how New Englanders are coping with a severe drought.
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What we don’t learn in school can matter as much as the lessons we do learn. This week on NEXT, we talk to teachers and students about the harm of omitting stories and cultures from curricula — and how we can do better. It’s the final show in a special series on racism in New England, produced by the New England News Collaborative and America Amplified.
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Racism is trauma. But for many of us, racism’s impact on mental health can be hard to talk about. This week on NEXT, we hear about the stressors of racism in New England and ways to get relief. It’s the third show in a special series on racism in New England — produced by the New England News Collaborative and America Amplified.
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Despite progress in civil rights, segregated communities still exist throughout New England. This week on NEXT, we look at how housing laws and discrimination influence where we live. It’s the second show in a special series on racism in New England — produced by the New England News Collaborative and America Amplified.
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Here's the story that New England tells itself: Racism is a Southern problem. But our region's abolitionist past hides a darker history of racism, slavery and segregation. It's a legacy that lives with us today. This week on NEXT, we premiere a special series on racism in New England — produced by the New England News Collaborative and America Amplified.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The pandemic has been a balancing act for first-gen college students like Mikayla, who attends Brown University while worrying about her family back home. This week on NEXT, Mikayla’s audio diaries on navigating 2020 as an Ivy Leaguer and the daughter of undocumented immigrants. Plus, when a student gets COVID — what’s it like in the “isolation dorms”? And actor Luis Guzman on making Vermont his home.
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A Canadian court has determined the U.S. is no longer safe for refugees. This week on NEXT, we go to the border of Vermont and Canada to learn what this could mean for asylum seekers heading north. Plus, when a COVID-19 vaccine is approved, who will want one and who will get priority? And New Hampshire residents who commuted to Massachusetts before the pandemic are not keen on the state’s persisting income taxes as they work from home.
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College students are heading back to some New England campuses. This week on NEXT, how schools are dealing with the influx of students during a pandemic. Plus, a doctor who quit showering five years ago talks about the impact of "too much" hygiene on skin health. And a New Hampshire town considers how to honor a Black Revolutionary War hero who did not get his dues.
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Most New England schools are still fine-tuning their reopening plans. This week on NEXT, we visit a school in northern Maine that has started the year early — and hear about the lessons learned so far. Plus, two sisters re-examine the racism they experienced growing up in a predominantly white Massachusetts town. And we hear from early survivors of COVID-19 about their long recovery process.
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Following the rise of protests against police brutality, we look at what has changed, from police reforms to employee walk-outs. Also on this week’s show, we talk to an activist who says today’s call-out culture is toxic — and advocates "calling in." Plus, refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo find community in an Orthodox Armenian church in Rhode Island.
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This week on NEXT, we hear from teachers who are agonizing over going back to school and putting their families and themselves at risk — or quitting their jobs. Plus, a doctor who has experienced racism vows to stop being silent when she witnesses injustice. And we remember a Black transgender woman whose brutal murder in Boston helped spark a global movement.
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This week, in a special episode of NEXT, we listen to a collection of award-winning stories from the New England News Collaborative — from the divorced couple that was the face of marriage equality in Massachusetts, to a close look at a First Amendment dispute in New Hampshire.
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This week on NEXT, New Englanders debate the removal of controversial statues. Plus, Connecticut is refusing to reveal the cost of some taxpayer-funded coronavirus tests. And we look at how the pandemic and climate change are complicating efforts in New Hampshire to stay cool during this hot summer.
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The pandemic forced many of us into new habits. Why can’t we do that with climate change? This week on NEXT, why seismic lifestyle shifts to help the environment could be possible right now. Plus, how the business community is addressing systemic racism. And the tension over thru-hikers who resisted calls to quit the Appalachian Trail during the pandemic.
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Eviction cases are expected to soar this summer. This week on NEXT, the debate over extending an eviction moratorium. Plus, a recent night of vandalism in Providence, Rhode Island, was blamed on “outside agitators” — the story is much more complicated. And 16 ideas for investing in a green pandemic recovery.
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This week on NEXT, how to stay safe during a pandemic as reopening continues in New England. Plus, Maine has the worst racial disparity for coronavirus infections in the country — we’ll talk about why. And a tattoo artist that covers up racist tattoos for free gets an uptick in requests.
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This week on NEXT, we talk about the different ways racism has become a public health crisis. Plus, the story of recent efforts to resurface the history of Vermont's 19th century Black communities after some residents tried to cover it up. And unexpected lessons from scientific inventions that have transformed our lives.
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Racial segregation is a modern-day problem. This week on NEXT, we hear from an expert on how zoning rules continue to perpetuate segregation in New England. And an investigation into the loosely-regulated industry that’s selling medical masks during the COVID-19 crisis. Plus, how can we cut carbon emissions during and after a pandemic?
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As protests continue over racism and police violence, some professional athletes in New England are not staying on the sidelines. This week on NEXT, how protests could impact changes in pro sports. And when courts put eviction hearings on hold amid the pandemic, some landlords in Rhode Island resorted to shutting off utilities to try to push out tenants. Plus, connecting the history of "female husbands" to our modern understanding of gender and sexuality.
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This week on NEXT, as protests continue over police brutality and the death of George Floyd, we hear from an educator on how to dismantle racism in public schools. And a Rhode Island community that is threatened by sea level rise is taking action to save their town. Plus, a project that gets hair clippers to transgender people brings needed comfort during the pandemic.
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Even as restrictions loosen in New England, uncertainties remain over how to avoid spreading COVID-19. This week on NEXT, medical experts answer listener questions about staying safe in this newest reality. And immigrant workers on Vermont’s dairy farms are considered essential, but they’re not getting coronavirus aid from the government. Plus, a birder coaxes Purple Martins back to Cape Cod.
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This week on NEXT: A slow reopening is now underway in every New England state. But the uncertainty over COVID-19 is prompting some businesses on Cape Cod to scale back or not reopen at all. Plus, colleges in New England are facing lawsuits from students who allege they didn't get the education they paid for this spring. And we hear about a laughing club that is trying to bring levity to current circumstances.
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As parts of New England reopen, states are working to protect themselves from visitors. This week on NEXT, New Hampshire is wary of beachgoers from Massachusetts. And despite hiccups distributing stimulus money to small businesses, some bankers are working overtime to secure funds. Plus, Maine summer camps wonder if they can open this year.
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This week on NEXT, New England states are still competing for COVID-19 testing supplies. But researchers at Yale University are studying new saliva tests that show promise. And with so many coronavirus deaths in senior living facilities, some families are considering taking their loved ones out. Plus, we hear from a country singer in Rhode Island about this catchy lyric: “Six feet apart or six feet under."
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For a hands-on subject like science, remote learning is particularly tricky. This week on NEXT, how science teachers and students are adapting and experimenting from home. And we go inside Vermont prisons to see the response to COVID-19. Plus, celebrating Ramadan in isolation.
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Public health experts say it will take widespread testing to reopen the economy. This week on NEXT, we look at where testing capacity lags in New England. And we hear from a Dartmouth scientist on how the Trump administration's overhaul of mercury emissions rules could impact human and animal health. Plus, as the number of Yiddish speakers dwindle, one woman fights to save the language.
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Health care workers are facing moral dilemmas and complicated questions during the pandemic. This week on NEXT, we hear from hospital workers in New Hampshire who feel torn between serving their families and the public. And COVID-19 is not the great equalizer: we’ll talk about the inequities driving racial disparities in infection rates and deaths in Connecticut. Plus, how the sudden quiet outside is affecting birds.
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This week on NEXT: Loss of smell has emerged as a possible symptom of COVID-19. We delve into cases in Rhode Island and how the state is screening patients. Plus, a look at how the iconic New England fishing industry is navigating the pandemic. And we take a ride with a Boston limo driver who says this isn’t the first pandemic to touch his life.
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New England states are asking visitors to self-isolate for 14 days to slow the spread of coronavirus. This week on NEXT, we look at Rhode Island’s approach to out-of-staters as COVID-19 cases rise. And we head to Maine, where a toilet paper company is trying to meet demand for rolls of “white gold.” Plus, the unintended consequences of school choice.
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Before the coronavirus outbreak, a wife visited her husband nearly every day at the nursing home. This week on NEXT, how visitor limitations are separating the couple for the first time in 70 years of marriage. Plus, how homeless shelters are coping with the pandemic. And we talk with singer-songwriter Heather Maloney about music, meditation and how she found her voice during a silent retreat.
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This week on NEXT, elementary school teachers scramble to put together remote learning for students as schools close amid the coronavirus pandemic. Plus, the backlash in a New England town that reinstated a school mascot critics say is racist. And the resilient journey of an ESPN editor whose headline went viral for the wrong reasons.
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As the coronavirus spreads, we look at how New Englanders are preparing. And after the only black woman in Vermont’s House of Representatives was targeted by a white nationalist, state officials and community members debated racial harassment versus free speech. Plus, “The Portuguese Kids” tap their culture experiences for comic material.
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Mary's life changed drastically when she became the foster parent for four grandnieces and nephews. This week on NEXT, we explore the ways foster care is succeeding and struggling in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. And for families looking to adopt, we hear about the most affordable option — and other routes that could break the bank. Plus, bestselling author Lily King weaves parts of her life into her new novel, Writers & Lovers.
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Activists in Maine and Connecticut are fighting against mandatory vaccine rules for students in public schools. This week on NEXT, we look at the fate of religious exemptions for vaccines. And the only requirement for sex education in New Hampshire is that teens learn about HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Some teens are having conversations around inclusivity, consent and abstinence.
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White parents say they want their kids to go to integrated schools. But when they’re given the power to choose, schools tend to be more segregated. This week on NEXT, we’ll dig into a recent report on school choice. And we hear from a mother who says her son was on the losing side of school integration. Plus, a soldier exposed to secret nuclear weapons tests during the Cold War returns to college at 83.
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The economic impact of COVID-19 or the coronavirus outbreak in China is trickling down to Boston’s Chinatown. This week on NEXT, how unusually quiet restaurants indicate ignorance and possibly racism. And a Harvard study outlines the long-term health risks for gunshot survivors. Plus, we’ll recap the New Hampshire primary.
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After delays in the Iowa caucus results, we turn our attention to the New Hampshire primary on February 11. This week on NEXT, what to expect from the Granite State in the 2020 presidential election. And a political scientist shares how identity politics has impacted the race so far. Plus, a look at how candidates are addressing climate change —a top issue for New Hampshire voters.
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Connecticut has become the last New England state to include a non-binary option on its driver's licenses. This week on NEXT, we talk to the person who helped push for change in Maine — the first state in the region to include the non-binary designation. And ahead of the New Hampshire primary, we hear where Democratic presidential candidates stand on drug policies. Plus, what happened to the ESPN editor whose headline about Jeremy Lin was interpreted as a racial slur.
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The U.S. population is getting older. And in northern New England, it’s even more pronounced: Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are the oldest states in the nation, on average. This week on NEXT, stories of housing for seniors, including an investigation into inadequate care facilities and a window into alternative housing situations that work. Plus, we hear from three women named Dot who grew up together in the same town, turned 100 last year and remain friends.
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A New England town has decided to reinstate a school mascot critics say is racist. This week on NEXT, the school board in Killingly, Conn., ditched the old “Redmen” mascot — then brought it back in what may be the first reversal of its kind. We also look at the impact of college football on the rise of two Massachusetts colleges. Plus, we talk to a mother about raising an adult son with severe autism.
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2020 is a big year in politics, and New England senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are among the Democratic front-runners challenging President Trump. This week on NEXT, we look at where things stand in the presidential race and impeachment. And we hear how coal continues to play a role in New England’s electrical grid. Plus, how paid leave proposals and nursing shortages highlight cross-border economies.
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This week on NEXT, some scientists believe the Northern Star coral in New England’s cold oceans could hold valuable secrets for fighting climate change. And we look at what it would take to create an effective public transit system and cut back personal car use in Vermont. Plus, how a drummer influenced a generation of female rockers.
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This week on NEXT, we talk with singer-songwriter Heather Maloney about quitting her music degree for meditation, then becoming a songwriter during silent retreat. And the carrier pigeons of old still find a way to race across the sky. Plus, essayist Tim Clark remembers the neighbors who helped when his wife fell down the church stairs.
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In 2018, a doctor in Rhode Island discovered EMS crews misplacing breathing tubes a potentially fatal mistake. This week on NEXT, an investigation from The Public’s Radio and ProPublica into the state’s 911 emergency system. And a black activist talks about the pitfalls of the call-out culture. Plus, as fewer babies are born in the U.S, some adults are choosing to be childfree.
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Voters across the region –and political spectrum– can agree on one thing: they care about immigration. This week on NEXT, a new poll of New Hampshire voters finds the immigration policies they care about largely don’t affect them. And we hear from a historian who says U.S. cities owe their revitalization to Latino immigrants. Plus, how achieving the triple decker, immigrant dream in New England is fading.
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This week on NEXT, we talk about greenhouse gas emissions and the two sectors that are emitting the most: energy and transportation. Scientists and policy-makers agree these sectors need to transform in order to slow the pace of global warming; we look at how they’re doing. Plus, 400 years after the first slaves were brought to the United States, a jazz composer maps the history of African-Americans music.
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PFAS chemicals have contaminated sites around New England, but when a World War II-era bomber crashed at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut last month, firefighters did not hesitate to use foam containing the chemicals. This week on NEXT, we’ll talk about the ethical balance between saving lives in the moment and long-term health risks. And we look misconceptions surrounding Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims. Plus, the case for cohousing communities.
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This week on NEXT, a teenager and an officer’s “Collision Course” leads to a fatal shooting. Plus, we look at racial profiling and policing in New England. And it’s been about a year since the first legal sale of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, but cannabis sales on the black market haven’t stopped.
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This week on NEXT, a woman turns in her nephew to police after he asks to use her address to order high-capacity magazines for an AR-15-style rifle. And a new survey shows how wrong Americans are about the leading cause of gun deaths. Plus, some Maine high schools adjust to eight-person football as school populations shrink.
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A year ahead of the 2020 election, NEXT looks at what motivates people to vote –whether they participate or not. Plus, we’ll talk about why New England voters aren’t that unique anymore and break down the costs of Medicare for All for four families.
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This week on NEXT, we talk about the life and death of former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez and how his brain is helping scientists discover the long-term effects of head injuries. And fishing industry regulations can make it difficult for small-scale fishermen to make a living. Plus, a new book explores how objects in an abandoned mill building could tell the story of a town.
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Pittsfield, Massachusetts took a major hit in the ‘80s when General Electric downsized, taking thousands of jobs with it. This week on NEXT, we look at revitalization efforts there. And the story of an urban planner who helped shape some New England cities. Plus, all the ways biochar can ease climate change and pollution, and the pros and cons of wood heat.
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This week on NEXT, a teenager and officer’s “Collision Course” leads to a fatal shooting. We look at racial profiling and policing in New England. And patients forced into psychiatric treatment are suing New Hampshire for allegedly being held too long against their will. Plus, “The Portuguese Kids” tap their ethnicity for comedy material.
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This week on NEXT, a woman turns in her nephew to police after he asks to use her address to order high-capacity magazines for his AR-15-style rifle. And a new survey shows how wrong Americans are about the leading cause of gun deaths. Plus, a new rule could bring more development to the largest forested area east of the Mississippi.
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This week on NEXT, the Trump administration took away deportation deferrals for seriously ill immigrants and then gave them back. Plus, after three years of adjustment, a Syrian family is feeling settled in Vermont. And a new podcast from New Hampshire looks at how the state clinched the first-in-the-nation primary and held fast. Finally, we hear from residents of one of the easternmost U.S. towns.
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This week on NEXT, two mayors face corruption charges and not all voters seem to care. We’ll hear why a vaccine for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is not widely available. Plus, as the Gulf of Maine warms and cold-water species travel north, fishermen who adapt will thrive.
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This week, we search for New England’s most endangered species and talk to young climate activists about what motivates them. Plus, the fight to stop non-organic milk from making it into products labeled organic.
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The man known as Dr. Seuss grew up in New England...drawing inspiration from the local zoo and his German roots. This week on NEXT, from the New England News Collaborative, tall tales from Springfield’s famous son. And how another famous family, the Sununus, shaped the climate debate. In this episode, we're tracing the history of the GOP and climate. We’ll also look at what kids are—and aren’t—eating for lunch at school in Boston.
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A dialogue project brings together people from Massachusetts, South Carolina and Kentucky to talk about race and racism. In this episode of NEXT, we’ll learn how the conversation is going between these very different parts of our country.
We’ll visit a school that is working to help kids deal with hardship, and we’ll also go looking for the oldest trees.
Plus Norman Rockwell’s doubts...and the man who helped him through them.
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Hemp is big business - farmers are growing it…stores are selling its extract, CBD, and some people are even smoking it. But big expectations for the crop are being tempered by regulatory concerns.
We’ll consider the region’s market for hemp, as well as our love-hate relationship with deer.
Plus, we’ll go inside the body to understand the little bacteria that causes the big problem called Lyme Disease.
And, we’ll soak in those last few days of summer on the boardwalk...with the King of Old Orchard Beach.
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This week on NEXT:
They’re cute. Kids love ‘em, sharks really love ‘em...so, what’s the real deal with seals? We’ll wade into the controversy over seals on Cape Cod.
And, as the massive Vineyard Wind project faces new delays, we’ll look at how countries with 20 years of offshore wind experience made it happen.
Plus, the gypsy moth population is down in our region - which is good news for the trees. But the damage is lasting - and now the focus is making hiking trails safe
It's NEXT!
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This week on NEXT:
How a dam removal in Maine changed the way rivers are restored.
Plus, we’ll visit a unique library at Harvard University, and learn about the fascinating history of an interstate school district in our region.
Finally, we’ll visit two unusual holy sites.
It’s NEXT.
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This week on NEXT: When you get released from prison on parole, it’s a chance to start fresh - turn to a new chapter. But when all you get is bus fare - and there’s no support system, no job, and you’re far from anywhere...what do you do? We’ll explore what life’s like on parole.
We’ll also look at what’s causing small-town politics to boil over in one town.
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This week on NEXT:
Gun violence throughout our region, including police shootings.
How wind farms will impact fishing in the U.S.
And how to reuse old factory buildings that contain cultural importance in New England.
It’s NEXT!
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Immigration officials have traditionally honored state pardons when considering who they can deport, but that’s stopped in one state. We’ll look at legal challenges to the detention of immigrants. And, we’ll meet a family coping with a year spent apart. We’ll also go looking for the oldest trees. Plus Norman Rockwell’s doubts, and the man who helped him through them.
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This week on NEXT:
As sea levels rise, an architecture class imagines a new future for Provincetown, Massachusetts. We'll also hear from a family that is taking the climate into account with each decision.
Plus, we'll talk with a commercial fisherman turned restorative ocean farmer. And we'll listen to a group that's bringing new life to historic sea chanties.
Finally, the loggers of the northern forest who are working the old fashioned way.
It's NEXT.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on NEXT:
How a dam removal in Maine changed the way rivers are restored.
Plus, we’ll visit a unique library at Harvard University, and learn about the fascinating history of an interstate school district in our region.
Finally, we’ll visit two unusual holy sites.
It’s NEXT.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.