New England News

By Charlie Deitz

Massachusetts – Lawmakers in the Massachusetts House are getting ready to take up a debate on expanded gaming that could last the whole week. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports that Massachusetts isn't the only state looking at gambling as a way to fix its financial woes

By Paul Tuthill

Northampton, MA – Almost thirty years ago, a lawyer from Northampton Massachusetts wrote a proposed state law to tax and regulate marijuana. It went no where in the Massachusetts Legislature. But now, 66 year old Dick Evans is trying again. He believes the climate in the state is more receptive to his idea given the voter approval two years ago to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.. WAMC"s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with Evans...

By Charlie Deitz

Great Barrington, Ma – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick made a campaign stop in Great Barrington Sunday morning, our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports that Patrick also took time to answer questions from the public and the press regarding library funding, health care and education spending

By Charlie Deitz

Pittsfield, MA – The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families reports that over 40 thousand children were confirmed as abused or neglected in 2008, enough kids to fill Fenway Park, and double the national average. Officials and prevention specialists held a demonstration on the steps of Pittsfield City Hall this morning to draw attention to the issue, WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz was there...

By Charlie Deitz

Pittsfield, MA – Even though health care reform has already passed in Washington DC, Massachusetts Congressman John Olver was in Pittsfield today pitching the benefits to a group of senior citizens. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz was there

By Charlie Deitz

Stockbridge, MA – This weekend, Catholics from all over the country will gather in the small Berkshire town of Stockbridge for the annual Shrine of the Divine Mercy Celebration. The event has been noted as one of the largest Catholic gatherings outside of Rome. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz has the preview

By Charlie Deitz

Massachusetts – The latest unemployment numbers show Berkshire County and the State of Massachusetts are slowly creating jobs, but they still remain above the national unemployment rate. Our Berkshire bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports that thousands of people in the Commonwealth are running out of unemployment benefits while lawmakers on Capitol Hill lock horns on extending coverage

By Charlie Deitz

Massachusetts – As the Massachusetts house gets ready to unveil its 2011 budget, people from all over the state are wondering how next year's budget will affect their lives. A non-profit think tank is launching a tool this week that they hope will help citizens to understand exactly how the state spends its money. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports on the Massachusetts Budget Browser

By Charlie Deitz

North Adams, Ma – The Super Walmart project in North Adams is on ice until the developers bring the site up to environmental code. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports that one contractor has been accused of dumping asbestos into the neighboring wetlands

By Charlie Deitz

Massachusetts – The Massachusetts House passed legislation last week making almost 10 million dollars in workforce training grants available through the end of the year. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports that the future of the state's workforce training fund is still in jeopardy .