Springfield City Councilor Tracye Whitfield

The head of Springfield’s city council says she is not stepping down as both she and the city solicitor wait to hear from the State Ethics Commission. Tracye Whitfield has been under fire over apparent conflict of interest cases – some of which go back to 2021.

Earlier this month, the head of Springfield’s City Council found herself at the center of a conflict of interest review/investigation, stemming from an agenda item the council voted on and approved. Because of undisclosed ties and other issues, the vote was considered “tainted,” and on Friday morning, it was rescinded.But, a new wave of alleged violations has now come to light, with some violations stretching back five years.

What started as a run-of-the-mill agenda item — one calling on the city to surrender an empty lot for effectively nothing — has become the Springfield City Council’s first controversy of the year, entangling the new council president in the process.

Springfield, Mass., has new leadership in its council chambers. Both the new president and vice president say they’re focusing on a few key issues this term, including the local economy.

For the first time in its history, Springfield’s City Council will be led by a Black woman. During its first gathering of the year, councilors officially picked Councilor at Large Tracye Whitfield to lead as president, succeeding Ward 2 Councilor Mike Fenton.

While an official selection won’t happen until January, the city council in Springfield, Mass. appears ready to be led by a Black woman for the first time in its history.

The city council for New England’s fourth biggest city convened for its organizational meeting - featuring the adoption of council rules and the formal elections of council leadership, plus some early year council business.

The new fiscal year for Massachusetts municipalities started today, and Springfield has a new budget – minus some money for its police department. The…

The planned closure of a bank branch has sparked concern about the impact on a low-income neighborhood in the largest city in western Massachusetts.…