Annie Bennett

The right to vote on paper doesn't always translate to the ability to do so in practice. On this episode of Northeast Notebook, we'll explore the barriers that those with physical and intellectual disabilities face when casting a ballot. Northeast Notebook features in-depth regional reporting, bringing you the context behind what everybody’s talking about. Ten minutes a day, every weekday, ready by 5 p.m., just in time for your commute. You can subscribe to Northeast Notebook on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

The American Cancer Society says a man's average lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is 1 in 755. Jake Messier is among the fewer than 1% of American men who find themselves as that one. The social media influencer and advocate has Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. He was first diagnosed in 2023.

Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko and Republican Ralph Ambrosio faced off on the debate stage Thursday as Election Day nears. The candidates are vying to represent New York's 20th Congressional District. WAMC's Sajina Shrestha was on the panel of reporters asking the candidates questions. She joined WAMC's Sam Dingman and Annie Bennett on Northeast Notebook Live to break down the evening.

With the midterms right around the corner, we examine the barriers that unhoused people face while voting. David told us, "It's like getting cold and, you know, it's like I'm outside." In New York your registration address can be a bench where you sleep. The National Low Income Housing Coalition wrote in 2024 that only about one in 10 homeless people cast a ballot, which is five times less than the general population. Northeast Notebook features in-depth regional reporting, bringing you the context behind what everybody’s talking about. Ten minutes a day, every weekday, ready by 5 p.m., just in time for your commute. You can subscribe to Northeast Notebook on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

Sometimes having a baby is not something families can schedule in advance. Having highly skilled staff available day and night is expensive. So why are birth centers closing? According to hospital health systems, it's really all about money. Northeast Notebook features in-depth regional reporting, bringing you the context behind what everybody’s talking about. Ten minutes a day, every weekday, ready by 5 p.m., just in time for your commute. You can subscribe to Northeast Notebook on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

Google searches for "how to turn off AI" or similar phrases were up almost 500% from August 2024 to February 2026. Kiran Keshav, director of Empire AI says, "I think you would have to go to pretty great lengths to completely exclude yourself from AI in general."Northeast Notebook features in-depth regional reporting, bringing you the context behind what everybody’s talking about. Ten minutes a day, every weekday, ready by 5 p.m., just in time for your commute.You can subscribe to Northeast Notebook on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

The top candidates for Massachusetts governor — Democratic incumbent Maura Healey and Republican Mike Minogue — faced off for their first debate Thursday night at Boston television station WBZ CBS Boston. But Western Massachusetts made more than one appearance. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief James Paleologopoulos broke down the debate on Northeast Notebook Live with WAMC's Sam Dingman and Annie Bennett.

In New York, the Department of Environmental Conservation, or the D-E-C, is facing staffing shortages. The DEC's law enforcement division, which includes forest rangers and conservation officers, is being stretched thin. Listen to Northeast Notebook podcast episodes, published every weekday by 5 p.m. wherever you listen to podcasts! You can subscribe to Northeast Notebook on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

Battery Energy Storage Systems and solar energy need each other, but not everyone wants them in their neighborhoods. The risk of fires that are hard to extinguish are giving residents pause. Listen to Northeast Notebook podcast episodes, published every weekday by 5 p.m. wherever you listen to podcasts!

Spotted Lanternflies have gained widespread attention after persistent calls to squash them on sight. But is the campaign effective? And as they move into the Northeast, what risk do they actually pose? Listen to Northeast Notebook podcast episodes, published every weekday by 5 p.m. wherever you listen to podcasts!