Podcasts
Listen to our twice-daily news recap podcast
Margaret Chen hosts a twice-daily news podcast that covers the most important regional and national stories in 12 to 15 minutes.
The Pioneer Valley Gazette's Daily News Recap is a twice-daily podcast that brings you the most important stories shaping our region and the nation. Hosted by veteran journalist Margaret Chen, each episode distills hours of reporting into a concise, conversational 12 to 15 minutes. Whether you're commuting, exercising, or catching up over breakfast, the Daily News Recap ensures you're always informed.
What You'll Hear
Every episode covers four to six stories selected by our editorial team for newsworthiness and impact. Topics range from local city council votes and school board decisions to regional business developments and national policy shifts that affect New England. We focus on original reporting and analysis rather than rehashing wire stories; nearly every segment includes at least one interview with a source directly involved in the story. Recent episodes have covered the Springfield school bond referendum, a federal investigation into healthcare billing practices at Valley Medical Center, and a major announcement by Northampton's tech corridor development authority.
"We're trying to answer the question people ask in the morning: what do I actually need to know today?" said Chen, who previously hosted morning news programs in Boston and Hartford. "Our listeners tell us they appreciate that we cut through the noise and explain why a story matters, not just what happened."
Where to Listen
New episodes launch every weekday at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. Transcripts of each episode are available on our website within four hours of release. For listeners who prefer the written word, we also publish a weekly summary every Friday that compiles the full text of Monday through Friday recaps.
The podcast is produced by our newsroom's digital team and edited by sound engineer David Kim. New listeners often become regular subscribers within two weeks—according to our listener survey from March 2026, 73% of new subscribers reported that the Daily News Recap had become their primary news source for regional stories.
Behind the Scenes
Our guest list includes state legislators, university professors, nonprofit leaders, business executives, and local historians. We aim for a balanced mix of voices across the political spectrum and ensure that we're representing the diversity of opinions in our community. If you work or volunteer in the Pioneer Valley region and have expertise in an issue we're covering, we'd love to hear from you. Pitch stories and suggest guests by emailing podcast@pioneervalleygazette.com.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available for regional businesses. All promotional content is clearly marked and never influences editorial decisions. For advertising inquiries, contact our sales team at ads@pioneervalleygazette.com. The show is free for all listeners and supported by subscriptions to the Pioneer Valley Gazette, member donations, and targeted advertising.