If you pay attention to the news, you've probably heard a lot about Steward Health Care System in the past couple weeks. It recently came to light that the for-profit company, which operates nine hospitals in Massachusetts, is in deep financial distress.

Long story short, it's a situation that could further exasperate health care access issues for the primarily low-income communities the company's hospitals serve, as well as jeopardize the jobs of thousands of hospital employees.

WBUR senior health reporter Priyanka Dayal McCluskey joins The Common to explain what's going on with Steward Health Care System, as well as what its financial struggles could mean for our already strained health care industry in the region.

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The pilot program that allowed rides to be free on MBTA buses 23, 28 and 29 for the past two years ends on March 1. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has pledged to find more money to keep those routes free. Meanwhile, the MBTA and the state are marching forward with a plan to create a subsidized fare system for low-income riders.

The effort to continue the pilot program is a flashpoint in the debate in Massachusetts over whether it makes sense to charge transit riders, particularly those who are financially struggling. Boston Globe transportation reporter Taylor Dolven joins The Common to discuss the future of transit fares in the city.

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The Massachusetts Department of Correction announced last week that it will close the MCI-Concord, a medium-security facility that opened in 1878. The planned closure of MCI-Concord is expected to save $16 million every year and avoid spending $190 million on improving the facility. This decision aligns with the ongoing decline in state incarceration rates, marking MCI-Concord as the second prison closure following MCI-Cedar Junction in June 2023.

Today on The Common, WBUR senior correspondent Deborah Becker joins us to discuss the impact of closing MCI-Concord. 

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Vouchers intended for homeless youth are underutilized in Mass.

In 2019, the federal government launched a housing program to help young people, aged 18 to 24 who have lived in foster care or other residential placement, pay for housing through the use of vouchers. But while Massachusetts likely has more than 1,000 young people currently living in homelessness who would be eligible for the vouchers, only 88 have been issued since the program started – and not even all of those have been put to use.

Today on The Common, Jason Laughlin of The Boston Globe joins us to explain why this program has gone so under utilized.

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Nearly 70 different books were challenged in Massachusetts public schools by parents, residents and others over the last five years, according to reporting from Boston Globe. Frequently challenged books mostly involved gender, sexuality and race. Restrictions included removing books from the classroom curriculum, re-shelving books to sections of the library toward uppergraders and requiring parental permission.

Today, Boston Globe Reporter Chris Huffaker joins The Common for a look at the factors driving some of these book-banning movements and how Massachusetts school districts and legislature respond to these book challenges.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Hospitals and health insurance companies in Mass. have agreed to stop asking doctors about their addiction and mental health history. Instead, focus will be put on current, untreated medical issues. The goal is to reduce stigmas and barriers that may keep some physicians from seeking mental health and substance abuse treatment.

WBUR senior health reporter Priyanka Dayal McCluskey joins The Common to discuss the changing approach to mental health in the medical field. 

Resources: If you or someone you care about is feeling suicidal or experiencing another mental health crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline via phone call or text. You can also be connected with a lifeline call center by calling Massachusetts 211.

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In November, Gov. Maura Healey announced that the state family shelter system had reached capacity and instituted a waitlist. There are currently three state-run overflow shelter sites in operation, which aim to provide temporary shelter to those waiting. Advocates say, it's not nearly enough.

Today, WBUR Senior Health and Science Reporter Gabrielle Emanuel joins The Common with an update on the state's at-capacity family shelter system and efforts to support families waiting for shelter.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

More than a dozen Black churches have left Boston, or shuttered completely over the last ten years, according to reporting from the Boston Globe. Issues including gentrification, the cost of real estate and declining membership are among the factors contributing to the migration of these churches from Boston proper to nearby municipalities including Brockton, Abington and Randolph.

Today, Boston Globe Reporter Tiana Woodard joins The Common for a look at the factors driving some Black churches out of the city, and how these moves are impacting faith communities.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Tomorrow is the New Hampshire primary, and developments have not slowed down in the last few days.

Just this weekend, Republican primary candidate Ron DeSantis decided to end his campaign, putting his endorsement behind the apparent frontrunner Donald Trump. This leaves New Hampshire Republican voters with two major options going into Tuesday's first-in-the-nation primary: Trump and Nikki Haley.

Today on The Common, we talk to Boston Globe politics reporter Emma Platoff for the final part of our bonus series with the Globe on undecided Republican voters in New Hampshire. In today's installment, Emma tells us where our voters have landed with their final decisions.

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Last fall, MassReconnect, a state program that helps Massachusetts residents 25 and older who do not already have a college degree attend community college for free, went into effect. The program has been popular, and all 15 state community colleges saw enrollment increase since the program started.

While community colleges report being pleased with the influx of students attending their institutions, administrators also report heavy workloads as they navigate an increasingly complex slew of state financial aid programs.

Carrie Jung, WBUR senior education reporter joins The Common with more.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.