Paul Tuthill

    Public libraries in Massachusetts have been allowed to reopen since March, but it will be late summer before patrons can again browse the shelves of the libraries in Springfield.

The process of producing a Massachusetts state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st is proceeding on schedule on Beacon Hill.  Unlike last year, when financial uncertainties surrounding the pandemic delayed the final budget for months.

The largest city in western Massachusetts has put a law on the books that aims to curb wage theft in the construction industry.

   A new award has been created in memory of Tim Brennan, who led the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission for decades.

   As virus activity continues to decline in Massachusetts and more COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, Springfield lags behind.

A report released this week by two regional planning agencies makes a business case for proposed passenger rail improvements in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

     Advocates have launched a new campaign for a so-called “millionaires tax” in Massachusetts.

   After public pressure, hoops will be going back up in public parks in the birthplace of basketball.

    A study by a consumer watchdog concludes that Massachusetts motorists are vulnerable to predatory tow truck drivers.

               More financial help is available now for a sector of businesses that were among the hardest hit by the pandemic shutdowns – food service establishments. 

For the last six months, a committee in Longmeadow, Massachusetts has been researching issues of race in the predominately white Springfield suburb.

    As Massachusetts approaches a goal set by Gov. Charlie Baker to have 4.1 million residents vaccinated against COVID-19 by June, the vaccination strategy is shifting to reach the wary and hard to get. 

      Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal praised President Biden’s proposed expansion of the social safety net, but the chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee won’t commit on how to pay for it.

UMass Amherst is hosting an online conference this weekend to commemorate the 50th anniversary release of the Pentagon Papers – a top secret study that revealed a long history of government lies about U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

      The largest annual gathering of business and government leaders in western Massachusetts – the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Outlook event – was held virtually today.   The speakers touched on legislative priorities on Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill.

      The city of Springfield’s Election Office is looking to buy a new vote tabulation system and more than 70 new voting machines for local polling places.

Plans are in the works to reopen swimming pools and summer camps in Springfield, Massachusetts, but not outdoor basketball courts.

     There is a proposal in Springfield, Massachusetts to combat the problem of illegal dirt bikes by shutting off the fuel supply. 

  The city of Springfield is pushing to convince more young adults to get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

  A project will get underway later this year to monitor the air quality in Springfield, Massachusetts – once dubbed the “asthma capital” of the United States. 

      Efforts to combat climate change and to improve health equity in the largest city in western Massachusetts are getting a boost from a private philanthropy.

         Amid calls nationwide for police reforms, a court ruling could put a civilian board in charge of the Police Department in Springfield, Massachusetts.

    Coronavirus infections are rising in Springfield, Massachusetts even as vaccines become more widely available.

Business leaders in Massachusetts have launched an urgent lobbying campaign to get Beacon Hill to lower a surprise increase in their unemployment insurance tax bill.

    Even as teaching and learning was upended last year with the start of the pandemic, the largest school district in western Massachusetts continued to see a decrease in dropouts.

     Apologizing again for the Roman Catholic Church’s failures to protect children, the bishop of the Springfield Diocese is marking national Child Abuse Prevention Month.

A new program in western Massachusetts can help people who have lost their transportation due to an accident, breakdown, or expensive repair bill, not lose their job also.

    Elected officials in a western Massachusetts city say they’ve struck a blow against the inhumane breeding of dogs.   A local pet store is threatening a lawsuit. 

A group of Springfield high school students have organized the city’s first chapter of Massachusetts High School Democrats.