James Paleologopoulos

In Massachusetts, incumbent Sen. Ed Markey is once again facing a stiff primary challenge, with Congressman Seth Moulton looking to unseat his fellow Democrat.Touting his progressive roots, Markey has said if he wins, his next term will be his last. Moulton, meanwhile, says he’s looking to bring fresh ideas to the senate.On Wednesday, The two faced one another in western Mass. for their first Democratic primary debate.

Whether it’s the World Cup, Gold Cup or the Olympics, a devoted group of fans has been crowding a bar in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for years – all to cheer on the United States national soccer teams.WAMC paid them a visit during last night’s match – a Round of 32 showdown between the USMNT and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

After months collecting signatures, mobilizing and rallying, supporters of a rent control ballot question in Massachusetts suffered a decisive blow. Last week, the state’s highest court ruled the question can’t move forward due to language regarding religious exemptions.Advocates tell WAMC, their fight for fairer rents continues nevertheless.

Following protests and lengthy debates, Holyoke’s city council approved sweeping changes to the city's zoning rules this week, aimed at barring new data centers from coming to town for the foreseeable future.

The debate over data centers is ramping up in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where the City Council is weighing a ban just as a developer eyes a particular parcel.

Primary contests big and small have been shaping up across Massachusetts – but, come Sept. 1st, one in particular will appear on ballots in all four of the state's westernmost counties, plus some of Central Mass.

After residents passed one of the largest budget gap-filling overrides of its kind in western Massachusetts this year, the mayor of Easthampton says the city has its work cut out for it – including actual cuts.

https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-04-14/hampshire-college-to-close-after-fall-semester

In eastern Massachusetts, the bog-standard cranberry holds the mantle of “state fruit” (technically, “state berry”).But in western Mass., a third grade class and several lawmakers have been the tip of the spear in calls to make asparagus the state vegetable.

Calling out a rise in “youth disturbances” at Union Station, the mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts, is also now calling for an end to free busing in the city – a move that’s attracting criticism from riders and local leaders.