Does it seem like everyone you know is getting sick these days? What's not helping is the fact that those of us living here in the New England states are contending with the worst flu season we've seen in years, and health experts say it's going to be weeks before it starts to get any better. Dr. Larry Madoff, the Medical Director of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, discusses this current wave of cases, the best ways to treat the virus, and what's helping this year's flu strain deliver that extra painful punch.

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Middle and low-income families are feeling the financial pressure when it comes to housing here in Massachusetts. With such low stock and prices skyrocketing, experts say the Commonwealth is in a housing crisis. The "Legalize Starter Homes" campaign has been pushing to get a question on the upcoming November ballot that they say will make it easier to build housing, while also making it more accessible to own. Housing policy researcher Andrew Mikula, a member of the campaign, joins Nichole this week to discuss their ideas.

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If one of your New Year's resolutions was to volunteer in your community more often, Boston Cares says it might have a great place for you to start! They're hosting a special day of service on January 19 to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with activities ranging from assembling hygiene kits to making decorations for seniors. Executive Director Sara Hamilton joins Nichole this week with all the details about the event and information for those who want to make volunteering a frequent activity!

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Recent data shows one out of every four American adults are providing some sort of unpaid caregiving for a loved one, be it a parent, child, or someone else they know with a chronic illness or disability. Caregiving can require a lot of physical, emotional and mental energy, but there's a lot of love there, too - and there is assistance out there to ensure you don't burn out. Nichole talks with Kate Granigan, CEO of Alder in Newton, about the balance that's needed to ensure caregivers can take care of themselves, and resources that can help lighten the load.

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Now that we're officially getting into the coldest months of the year, you're likely ensuring you have everything you need in place to stay warm and safe through the worst elements. That also counts for your vehicle! Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson at AAA Northeast in Providence, returns to the show to share all the information you need to make sure your vehicle can handle whatever Mother Nature decides to subject us to this winter in New England.

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In Roxbury, the team at the National Center for Afro-American Artists has been busy, pulling together this year's rendition of "Black Nativity", the iconic Christmas performance penned by Langston Hughes. The Center is also under new leadership, with Akiba Abaka taking over to bring their creativity and work into a new era. She talks with Nichole about this year's "Black Nativity" production at the Emerson Paramount Center in Boston, the history and guardians that led NCAAA to where it is today, and her vision for NCAAA's future.

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While getting an annual mammogram is pretty commonplace for many women, the testing isn't always accessible for many reasons: language barriers, a lack of insurance or being underinsured, the inability to get to a clinic, and childcare issues, just to name a few. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Mammography Van has a solution for that. The hospital has packed up a full mammography suite into a van, making stops around Greater Boston to ensure everyone can get a scan who needs it. Tia Goodman, the Program Director for the Mammography Van, joins the show this week with details.

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For years, the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts has been working out of temporary offices as they carried out their mission to support Black business owners around the Commonwealth. Now, their dream to find a special place to settle down and create a permanent home for their work has been realized, with the purchase of a new "Sustainability Hub" in Roxbury. Executive Director Nicole Obi returns to the show to talk about the importance of this move, their plans for the space, and the resources they offer Black entrepreneurs and business owners here in Massachusetts.

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