September 2, 2026

Bishop Byrne to be guest on Friday’s ‘Morning Drive’ show with Bill Sturgeon

REGIONAL
Staff report

(IObserve photo/Mark Dupont)

SPRINGFIELD- Bishop William D. Byrne will be the special guest on the “Morning Drive” show with Bill Sturgeon, Friday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 a.m.

Sturgeon stepped down earlier this year from his regular hosting duties, citing health problems. But he said he decided to step out of retirement, at least briefly, for the opportunity to interview Bishop Byrne.

“I have tremendous respect for the Bishop,” Sturgeon told IObserve.  “He has had a regular presence in the Berkshires and has always graciously accepted my invitations to appear on our show. I like to joke with him that he is really the Bishop of Western Massachusetts, more than the Bishop of Springfield- which is his Church title.”

Sturgeon went on to say that he had people walking up to him around Pittsfield asking for him to host the bishop one more time. Over the years, Bishop Byrne periodically joined Sturgeon on his long-time “Morning Drive” show, discussing a wide range of issues, but often with a good natured and at times humorous banter.

Their conversation this week will center on the recently announced Strategic Realignment Initiative (SRI) and the bishop’s recent Op-Ed condemning the actions of the legislature and governor in passing a major expansion and allowance of late term abortions. 

What particularly upset the bishop was the clandestine manner in which this bill, one of hundreds of pieces of legislation that were scheduled to lapse out at the close of the active legislative calendar -midnight July 31, was, with little public notice, quickly brought for votes in both the House and Senate. The Senate used a procedure that did not require a quorum and also did not require a record be kept over who voted for and against the measure.

The “Morning Drive” interview was recorded on Tuesday to air at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. You can hear this interview on WTBR FM 89.7 simulcasting on PCTV channel 1301 spectrum cable, Streaming PCTV/Select 1.