School districts around the Commonwealth, especially in rural areas, are struggling with budget cuts, classrooms that aren't fully stocked, and teachers reaching into their own pockets to pay for much-needed supplies. Many rural schools are facing significant funding challenges, and while there's some help from Beacon Hill, State Senator Jo Comerford (D-Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester) says it's not enough. She joins the show this week to talk about her efforts to convince her fellow lawmakers to increase state funding and support for those communities.

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Classrooms these days look far different than they did even just 10 years ago. Instead of pencils, overhead projectors and chalkboards, you'll find tablets, interactive whiteboards and laptops. Tech experts say innovative technologies in the classroom are here to say, including artificial intelligence. Dr. Sarah Kyriazis, Principal of the Wawecus Road School in Worcester, joins the show this week to talk about their new "Spark Academy" program, which hopes to create a "future-ready hub of innovation" at the school.

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The Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry in Waltham got an eviction notice recently - and it's forcing them to leave their long-time quarters very quickly. Trouble is, they don't have anywhere to go yet, and the Middlesex Human Service Agency needs your help to find a space for them to set up shop so they can keep serving people in need all over the Boston area. CEO Robert Mills joins Nichole this week to talk about the eviction, the services they provide, and how you can help the soup kitchen and food pantry find a new home.

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COVID's back on the scene, as more and more people start to test positive while we make our way out of the summer months. There are so many questions out there about where we go from here with the virus: do we get a new booster or wait? Should we be masking? What's going on with long COVID? Dr. Shira Doron, Chief Infection Control Officer over at Tufts Medical Center, joins Nichole this week to answer questions and offer her insight.

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In the new state budget Governor Maura Healey recently signed into law, there is a new program offering up some hope for adults here in Massachusetts who either want to go to college for the first time or finish a degree they may have had to leave behind. WBZ's Laurie Kirby spoke with Ray DePasquale, President of Massasoit Community College in Brockton, about this new program and the benefits of returning to get a degree, no matter your age.

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Jaws has become a classic New England-centric movie over the years, but it turns out, behind the scenes, it was anything but easy to put together. In fact, it was so chaotic that a new comedy on the stage highlights all the production maladies. It's called "The Shark is Broken", and New England theater owner Bill Hanney is lending his talents to the show to make sure it's a resounding success. He returns to the show this week to talk about the show's journey to Broadway, along with what's happening these days at the North Shore Music Theatre.

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Women and BIPOC representation in business boardrooms is better than it's ever been, but there is still quite a lot of work to do. That's the story in a new report from Deloitte and the Alliance for Board Diversity called "Missing Pieces". It takes a closer look at diversity at Fortune 500 companies, specifically in their leadership, on both a state and national level. Nichole speaks with Jess Ackerman, an Audit Readiness Leader at Deloitte, about the survey and its findings.

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Working families around New England and the country are struggling to find balance when it comes to child care. Not only is it more expensive than ever, but it's becoming more and more difficult to find a space for children in programs. Centers closing during the height of the pandemic made the problem that much worse, forcing parents out of the workforce. Politicians on both sides of the aisle say it's time to find a solution to this growing crisis. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) spoke with Nichole recently to share her thoughts on the situation.

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Long-time residents of the South Coast of Massachusetts, especially New Bedford, grew up with Silmo syrup in their milkshakes, frappes and other treats. Decades ago, the business closed down, but New Bedford City Councilor Ian Abreu is bringing it back to life, while keeping it all in the family. He talks with Nichole on this week's show about how he's re-introducing his grandfather's recipes to a new generation, and what's coming down the pipeline from Silmo.

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A coalition of businesses, activist groups, lawmakers and others around Massachusetts are teaming up to support a bill on Beacon Hill called "I AM", which hopes to expand free access to menstrual products in public places around the Commonwealth, including schools and prisons. Mass NOW is one of the advocacy groups that's part of the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition, and Executive Director Sasha Goodfriend joins Nichole on the show this week to talk about what the bill entails. She also dives into the prevalence of "period poverty" here in Massachusetts and the impact it can have on someone's life.

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