From heart disease to diabetes, chronic illness is the leading cause of death in the United States, and chronic disease is a major reason why the nation spends more than $4 trillion on health care every year. But a growing movement believes reexamining our relationship with food is key to both improving our health and saving money. 

*This segment originally aired in 2023*

Cities across the country are dotted with vacant lots — often overgrown with weeds, full of trash or surrounded by dilapidated buildings. The unused spaces are at best an eyesore. But some community groups see those empty spaces as an opportunity for food forests: vibrant, public spaces that can also feed their community. We speak with two local experts and advocates who tell us more.

*This segment originally aired in 2023*

Despite more houses being built around Greater Boston, prospective homeowners can’t find affordable housing. Will the restructuring of the Cannabis Control Commission correct its troubles? And the Michelin Guide awards its first Boston star. It’s our local news roundtable!

Temperatures are dipping, but kitchens are heating up as we kick off the season for serious project baking and cooking for a crowd. Will you be adding Albariño -- or pumpkin spice Chardonnay -- to your Thanksgiving table? Plus, local artisan food favorites get Yankee Magazine’s seal of approval as perfect stocking stuffers for any foodie. It's our food and wine roundtable!

A new report shows that NO cities in Rhode Island contain affordable housing for people living on the median income of the state. More Cape Cod and Island towns are pushing for a “seasonal communities” designation. And how a man in Vermont ended up with Jeffrey Epstein’s address book – yes, THAT Jeffrey Epstein. It’s our regional news roundtable!

A list of banned books may signal what to keep out of classrooms, libraries, and their own bookshelves. But for founders of banned-book clubs, it’s the perfect place to find next month’s read. We speak with three people, including MS NOW'S Ali Velshi, who founded their own banned-book clubs as part of Unbound Pages, our year-long series on the anti-book banning movement in America.

It’s been 10 years since Obergefell vs. Hodges led to same-sex marriage  becoming law throughout the United States. Now, the Supreme Court may hear a case that could overturn that decision. A new study confirms higher rates of depression and anxiety in LGBTQ+ youth. And this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is breaking the internet … and breaking barriers. It’s our LGBTQ+ news roundtable!

In Angela Flournoy's new novel, "The Wilderness," four friends navigate pivotal life passages through their decades-long relationships – their bonds both sustained and tested against the backdrop of modern social and cultural events. Flournoy’s intimate storytelling adds dimension to the story of these female friendships. “The Wilderness” is our November selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club.

Nearly one year ago, voters sent President Donald Trump back to the White House. Since taking office in January, President Trump and his administration have moved rapidly to enact many of his campaign promises. So what comes next? It’s an hour of political analysis with the Mass Politics Profs!

Spooky cinema is at an all-time commercial peak, and in recent years, folk horror -- a subgenre of horror focusing on nature, isolation and paranoia -- has taken over the mainstream. Its frights are derived from the scariest villain of all: ourselves. But the genre isn’t new. So why are these stories resonating with so many horror fans right now?