Tristan O'Neill

Springfield officials say they've finished designing a plan to rebuild the city after tornado touchdowns that wreaked havoc last June.  WAMC’s Tristan O’Neill reports…

They'll release details of the rebuilding plan in a 3 p.m. meeting today at Springfield City Hall.

Plan manager Kevin Sweeney says the initiative was based in part on input from 3,000 residents.

It combines rebuilding with economic development ideas.

Sweeney says they'd "like to see Springfield not just where it was on the day of the tornado, but in a better place."

Well the defending Stanley Cup champions can no longer defend their title…

On the ice last night in Boston, Joel Ward stuffed a rebound past Tim Thomas at 2:57 of overtime, as the Capitals eliminated the Bruins, winning Game 7 2-1.  Sound courtesy of the NHL.  Washington won’t know its second round matchup until the conclusion of tonight’s games.  Two more Game 7s in the Eastern Conference:  The Rangers will host the Senators in New York, and the Devils will skate against the Panthers in Florida.    

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is all but conceding that his White House campaign is over.

He said Wednesday that he expects Mitt Romney will be the GOP nominee and called on the party to unite behind the former Massachusetts governor.

Gingrich did not formally withdraw from the race but said he is now campaigning as a "citizen." He did not explain what he meant.

Gingrich spoke at a civic club in suburban Charlotte, N.C., the morning after Romney swept primary contests in five states.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.

More than a third of Massachusetts residents live in a county with failing air quality, according to a new study. WAMC’s Tristan O’Neill has more…

A report by the American Lung Association found that of the 12 Massachusetts' counties with air quality monitors, five have improved their grades for ozone pollution while six received an F.

Those counties that improved the ozone grade include Berkshire, Barnstable, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk,

Those counties receiving an "F'' for ozone pollution include Hampden, Hampshire, Worcester, Essex, Dukes and Bristol.

A hearing is scheduled in the case against ex-state Treasurer Timothy Cahill and two of his former aides.  WAMC's Tristan O'Neill reports...

Cahill is accused of airing taxpayer-funded ads for the state lottery as a means of promoting his own unsuccessful campaign for governor in 2010. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Scott Campbell, Cahill's former top aide, and Alfred Grazioso, the lottery's former chief of staff, have also pleaded not guilty.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Wednesday in Suffolk Superior Court. It wasn't known if Cahill would attend.

Well the Devils have forced a Game 7…

On the ice last night in New Jersey, Travis Zajac tallied the game-winning goal nearly six minutes into overtime, as the Devils skated past the Panthers 3-2.  Sound courtesy of TSN.  The two will tangle in Game 7 tomorrow night in Florida.

To the NBA, Utah clinched the final playoff berth in the West by beating Phoenix 100-88, Oklahoma City rumbled past Sacramento 118-110, Boston bounced Miami 78-66, Atlanta knocked off the Clippers 109-102, and New Orleans got by Golden State 83-81.

Members of Connecticut's largest teachers' union will be rallying in support overhauling the state's education system and urging lawmakers to include voices from educators in the debate over Governor Dannel P. Malloy's education proposals.  WAMC's Tristan O'Neill reports...

Teachers from the Connecticut Education Association will gather outside the state Capitol today and Wednesday night to urge the legislature to continue moving in what they say is the right direction with the governor's education bill.

Vermont is planning to expand a program that connects schools to local farms.  WAMC's Tristan O'Neill reports...

Since 2006, the Vermont Farm to School program has provided nearly 50 Vermont schools with funding to get more nutritious food into cafeterias and nutrition and agriculture education into classrooms.

Well the Rangers have forced a Game 7…

Last night in Ottawa, Boston College rookie Chris Kreider scored that goal on the power play, capping a three-goal second period, as the Rangers staved off elimination with a 3-2 win over the Senators.  Sound courtesy of MSG.  The series returns to Madison Square Garden for Game 7 Thursday night. 

In Chicago, Mike Smith made 39 saves and the Coyotes scored three times in the final period to finish off the Blackhawks 4-zip.  Phoenix advances to take on Nashville in the second round. 

Vermont is embroiled in a debate over ending the philosophical exemption that allows parents to have their kids skip childhood immunizations required for attending school.  WAMC's Tristan O'Neill reports...

The state Senate voted 25-4 recently to end the exemption, while the House has voted 93-36 to preserve it.

Vermont is among the highest states in the number of parents who exempt their children from immunizations. State health officials say Vermont had 102 pertussis cases between January and the first week of April, more than were reported in the state all last year.