Paul Tuthill

The two Democratic candidates in the special U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts argued bitterly over their Congressional voting records for much of an hour long debate Tuesday night in Springfield.

Representative Stephen Lynch and Representative Edward Markey slammed each other over votes on issues including homeland security, healthcare reform, and free trade.  At one point, Lynch called Markey a “ liar” after Markey claimed  Lynch had opposed the federal bailout of the auto industry in 2008.

With exactly one week until the party primaries in the special election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts the two Democratic candidates will participate in a debate in Springfield.

There will be no casino referendum in Springfield on June 25th , the same day voters  head to the polls in Massachusetts for the special Senate election.

Massachusetts marked one week since the Boston Marathon bombings with a statewide minute of silence.  It took place at 2:50 this afternoon coinciding with the time the first bomb exploded near the finish line. Three people were killed and scores more wounded.

The doors of Saint Michael’s Cathedral in downtown Springfield were opened for people to come in and  silently pray.  The quiet contemplation was interrupted briefly by the gentle ringing of bells marking the end of the observance of a minute of silence.

Community activists in Springfield Massachusetts say a 25 year old Middletown Connecticut man who went on trial Monday for assaulting police is actually a victim of police brutality.

Ellen Graves and other members of a group called the Community Coaltion for Justice  rallied outside the courthouse in defense of  Michael Ververis who is facing felony charges stemming from a disturbance more than 2 years ago at closing time in the city’s entertainment district.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy has endorsed ambitious goals for “greening” the flagship campus. An environmental advisory committee has released an updated Climate Action Plan.  It calls for the campus to reach what is known as carbon neutrality by 2050.   WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief  Paul Tuthill spoke with Ezra Small, the campus sustainability coordinator.

With just a week until the primaries in the Massachusetts Senate special election, the two Democrat candidates will participate in a debate Tuesday evening in Springfield. 

This debate  between Ed Markey and Stephen Lynch was rescheduled when the  candidates suspended their campaigns following the Boston Marathon bombings.  The senate race has not generated much interest and with the distractions of the past week, its hard to say what impact the debate could have, according to Western New England University Political Science professor Tim Vercellotti

The organizers of the St.Patrick’s Parade and Road Race in Holyoke Massachusetts are going to hold a walk this Sunday to show solidarity with the city of  Boston in the aftermath of the bombings.  The event, which is not a fundraiser, is being put on to honor the victims of the bombings, first responders, marathon runners,and anyone else who was affected.   WAMC’s Paul Tuthill spoke with one of the event organizers, Jim Leahy.

   The two brothers suspected of carrying out the bombings at the Boston Marathon are said to be ethnic Chechyans who moved to the Boston area about a decade ago.  To find out more about the area where the brothers came from, WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with Audrey Altstadt, a professor of history at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The lockdown of greater Boston ordered by authorities because of the manhunt for the surviving bombing suspect has halted bus and train service into and out of Boston.   WAMC"s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with Christopher Crean, who is vice president for public safety and security at Peter Pan Bus Lines.