This week,  jury selection started for a <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/10/06/murder-stoughton-cop-police-trial-murder-suicide-massachusetts-pregnant">federal murder case</a> involving a former Stoughton police detective. Prosecutors allege Matthew Farwell killed 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore in 2021 and staged it to look like a suicide. Also this week, Gov. Maura Healey declared a<a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/10/05/healey-heating-bills-cost-cutting-assistance-oil"> "state of energy emergency</a>" in anticipation of high heating bills this winter.  

We also check in with <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/10/06/gaza-israel-hamas-war-jaser-abumousa-massachusetts">Jaser AbuMousa.</a> He fled Gaza shortly after an Israeli airstrike  killed several members of his family. It was shortly after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. AbuMousa eventually settled in Walpole, Mass. with his two surviving, teenage children. AbuMousa spoke to WBUR's Lisa Mullins about the pull he feels to rebuild his homeland versus the push to help his children move forward in their new home.

Editor's note: a previous version of this podcast had technical problems. We apologize for the error.

This week, jury selection started for a federal murder case involving a former Stoughton police detective. Prosecutors allege Matthew Farwell killed 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore in 2021 and staged it to look like a suicide. Also this week, Gov. Maura Healey declared a "state of energy emergency" in anticipation of high heating bills this winter. We also check in with Jaser AbuMousa. He fled Gaza shortly after an Israeli airstrike killed several members of his family. It was shortly after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. AbuMousa eventually settled in Walpole, Mass. with his two surviving, teenage children. AbuMousa spoke to WBUR's Lisa Mullins about the pull he feels to rebuild his homeland versus the push to help his children move forward in their new home. Editor's note: a previous version of this podcast had technical problems. We apologize for the error.

This week,&nbsp; jury selection started for a <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/10/06/murder-stoughton-cop-police-trial-murder-suicide-massachusetts-pregnant" rel="noopener noreferrer">federal murder case</a> involving a former Stoughton police detective. Prosecutors allege Matthew Farwell killed 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore in 2021 and staged it to look like a suicide. Also this week, Gov. Maura Healey declared a<a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/10/05/healey-heating-bills-cost-cutting-assistance-oil" rel="noopener noreferrer"> "state of energy emergency</a>" in anticipation of high heating bills this winter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

We also check in with <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/10/06/gaza-israel-hamas-war-jaser-abumousa-massachusetts" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jaser AbuMousa.</a> He fled Gaza shortly after an Israeli airstrike&nbsp; killed several members of his family. It was shortly after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. AbuMousa eventually settled in Walpole, Mass. with his two surviving, teenage children. AbuMousa spoke to WBUR's Lisa Mullins about the pull he feels to rebuild his homeland versus the push to help his children move forward in their new home.

Editor's note: a previous version of this podcast had technical problems. We apologize for the error.&nbsp;

Man who settled in Mass. after fleeing Gaza reflects on what it means to move forward

WBUR's Tiziana Dearing takes us through this week's top headlines. The City of Boston released a <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/09/14/flock-boston-police-pilot-surveillance-technology-report">report</a> saying Flock Safety failed to keep its data secure during a 2025 pilot. Rep. Lori Trahan, along with other Democrats, urged congress to quickly work on guardrails for artificial intelligence. And Ed Sheeran's upcoming at Gillette stadium is at the center of a fiery debate about <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/09/17/ed-sheeran-macklemore-tour-artists-drop-out">censorship</a> - specifically about Israel-Palestine.

We also <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/09/17/boston-free-flu-covid-vaccine-fall-clinics">spoke</a> to Dr. Ashish Jha, who's the former COVID-19 response coordinator for the Biden administration. He shared the advice he gives his own family members on vaccines.

WBUR's Tiziana Dearing takes us through this week's top headlines. The City of Boston released a report saying Flock Safety failed to keep its data secure during a 2025 pilot. Rep. Lori Trahan, along with other Democrats, urged congress to quickly work on guardrails for artificial intelligence. And Ed Sheeran's upcoming at Gillette stadium is at the center of a fiery debate about censorship - specifically about Israel-Palestine. We also spoke to Dr. Ashish Jha, who's the former COVID-19 response coordinator for the Biden administration. He shared the advice he gives his own family members on vaccines.

WBUR's Tiziana Dearing takes us through this week's top headlines. The City of Boston released a <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/09/14/flock-boston-police-pilot-surveillance-technology-report" rel="noopener noreferrer">report</a> saying Flock Safety failed to keep its data secure during a 2025 pilot. Rep. Lori Trahan, along with other Democrats, urged congress to quickly work on guardrails for artificial intelligence. And Ed Sheeran's upcoming at Gillette stadium is at the center of a fiery debate about <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/09/17/ed-sheeran-macklemore-tour-artists-drop-out" rel="noopener noreferrer">censorship</a> - specifically about Israel-Palestine.

We also <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/09/17/boston-free-flu-covid-vaccine-fall-clinics" rel="noopener noreferrer">spoke</a> to Dr. Ashish Jha, who's the former COVID-19 response coordinator for the Biden administration. He shared the advice he gives his own family members on vaccines.

What you need to know for this year's flu, cold and COVID season

Twisted Fate and Redemption Rock Brewing Co.'s join to talk suds and community.

It's Mass Beer Week and two local women-owned breweries take part

Boston celebrity chef Tiffani Faison joins us for our monthly conversation. This time, we're talking about powerful women in her life, in the culinary world and beyond.

Chef Tiffani Faison on women who have inspired her in the kitchen, and beyond

Congressman Jim McGovern (D MA-2) joins us to discuss federal solutions to food insecurity.

Seeking solutions to food insecurity, as federal food benefits end

The Celtics get back on track, the Bruins keep rolling, and some big changes are coming to baseball. We'll dig into it all with WMUR sports reporter Jonathan Marshall and WBUR's Chris Citorik.

Celtics get back on track, and the Bruins keep rolling

Plus, our regular sports roundup segment.

Looking deeper at Mayor Wu's rent control proposal

Housing costs in the city are high, and supply is scarce.

Can rent control help fix Boston's housing problems?

Christine Schuster is the new chair of the MHA, and president and CEO of Emerson Health.

The new chair of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association talks challenges and opportunities

We take a look at how newsletters can deliver news and stories differently with Meagan McGinnes, assistant managing editor for newsletters, and Nik DeCosta-Klipa, newsletter editor, both with WBUR.

We take a look at how newsletters can deliver news and stories differently with Meagan McGinnes, assistant managing editor for newsletters, and Nik DeCosta-Klipa, newsletter editor, both with WBUR.

We take a look at how newsletters can deliver news and stories differently with&nbsp;Meagan McGinnes, assistant managing editor for newsletters, and Nik DeCosta-Klipa, newsletter editor, both with WBUR.

How newsletters can provide the news and stories you need, no matter what's happening in your day

A new book chronicles the fight for gender equity at MIT in the 1990s

Plus, a new book revisits a fight for workplace equity at MIT.

Digging into Gov. Healey's $750 million tax plan

Learn about the most important issues facing Massachusetts from the people in charge and the people most affected.

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