Radio Worcester’s Talk of the Commonwealth

Mark Henderson, the016.com, and Tom Marino, thisweekinworcester.com, join Hank and Ben is looking at the biggest stories of the week.A lot of discussion in Worcester right now over petitions coming before the city council and if they should go through a councilor or not. 

Congressman Jim McGovern says Trump and his allies have been pushing conspiracy theories for years when it comes to Jeffery Epstein and that has come back to bite them.He is also highly critical of the Big, Beautiful Bill and argues that it provides unnecessary tax cuts for the wealthy while cutting important social programs like Medicaid and SNAP.

In a wide-ranging interview, Worcester Mayor Joe Petty discusses the proposed changes to the petition process, housing priorities, and the city's future cultural programming—including hopes for the return of the Latin American Festival.

The popular kids character "Bluey" will make an appearance Sunday during the WooSox game at Polar Park. Dr. Charles Steinberg also tells us that the WooSox want to do what they can to make a hotel or office building a reality next to the park. 

State Senator Michael Moore runs down the money flowing back to Central MA from the state budget.

Following up the tremendous success of The Van Gough Immersive Experience in Worcester, Craig Morrison of Exhibition Hub, announced the company will be bringing The Monet Immersive Experience to Worcester in September. Morrison appeared on The Podcast of Discover Central MA along with Don Porcaro of The Worcester Bravehearts talking about the upcoming All-Star game.

Dr. Charles also said the team is actively working with developers to drive the progress of the projects around Polar Park, with the goal of creating a thriving community around the stadium. That includes working on having a hotel or other building being built in left field. Plus, alert the kids "Bluey" will be at the park on Sunday.

The Political Roundtable on the Talk of the Commonwealth features Robert Amorello and Randy Feldman looking at the top political stories from the right and the left. This week Birthright Citizenship, the Big Beautiful Bill and Biden's Doctor takes the fifth.

Lisa Swanson is the new President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central New England. She is no stranger to Central New England Businesses, having been with the Hanover Theatre since its start almost 18 years ago. Swanson discusses the BBB's mission, its accreditation standards for businesses and charities, and her plans to reinvigorate the organization's President's Club and more.

The Radio Roundtable, Matt Wally, Guillermo Creamer, and Randy Feldman look at a plan put forward by Worcester Mayor Joe Petty and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on a tax incentive for local landlords to keep their rents below market rate. Wally applauds the idea but Creamer and Feldman are more skeptical on how much good it will due. Feldman questions the timing and wonders if it is just a feel-good election press release without any real teeth.