Paul Tuthill

A Massachusetts state prison inmate has pleaded innocent to charges related to a hazardous materials scare at the  Hall of Justice in Springfield.   WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports.

Targeting what they claim are the largest air polluters in Massachusetts, activists announced a campaign today to shut down coal burning power plants.  WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

      Close to 50 environmental, public health, faith based and community groups make up a new state-wide coalition  called “ Coal Free Massachusetts”  The activists staged coordinated events Wednesday in the three communities where large coal-burning power plants still operate to call for each to be shut down by the end of the decade.

Life expectancy for people in Massachusetts has hit an all time high.  WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

         The Massachusett Department of Public Health report said  overall life expectancy was 80. 7 years in 2009…an improvement of more than 2 years  over a decade.. The state’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Judy Ann Bigby  credits better access to medical care and an emphasis on preventing disease.

US Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts  is pushing for a new law to punish people who make false claims of receiving military honors.   WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports.

First Lady Michelle Obama will make a one day trip to western Massachusetts next month to raise money for her husband’s re-election campaign.  WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports.

A new law was quietly approved at the Statehouse earlier this month that will make Massachusetts the last state in the county to eliminate the requirement for price stickers on each item on the shelves in grocery stores.   WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

The city of Springfield Massachusetts is going high-tech in an effort to collect more than $11 million owed it by scofflaws.   WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

      Devices mounted on traffic enforcement vehicles scan license plates on cars and trucks parked on Springfield streets and instantly alert the enforcement officials if there are  outstanding parking tickets or unpaid excise tax bills.   Springfield City Treasurer-Collector Stephen Lonergan says the vehicle will be booted or towed and impounded until the owner pays  up.

The city of Springfield Massachusetts began using new technology today in a bid to collect more than $11 million   owed it by scofflaws.  WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

      Devices mounted on traffic enforcement vehicles scan license plates on cars and trucks parked on Springfield streets and instantly alert the enforcement officials if there are  outstanding parking tickets or unpaid excise tax bills.   Springfield City Treasurer-Collector Stephen Lonergan says the vehicle will be booted or towed and impounded until the owner pays  up.

Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic candidate in the Massachusetts Senate race continues to raise impressive amounts of campaign funds.  WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports.

Information about how taxpayer’s money is being spent can be just a few mouse clicks away. There’s a growing government transparency movement that Massachusetts appears to be in front of  to give the public a clearer look at how their money is spent.  WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.