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 locals in need.

Plus, the iconic Shakespeare & Company in the Berkshires was on the brink of insolvency, but now puts its financial drama to rest.

We’re running down all of that and more with this week’s panel, Berkshire Eagle reporter Clarence Fanto;  Eric Lesser, senior counsel at WilmerHale; Elizabeth Román, NEPM executive news editor and special guest Kaliis Smith, co-host of NEPM’s The Fabulous 413.