New England News

Gas prices have risen in all three northern New England states in the past week.

Nearly one year after diagnosing its first COVID-19 patient, the UVM Health Network is reporting a budget shortfall.

  Approaching the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus public health emergency in Massachusetts on Wednesday, there is optimism as new COVID-19 cases fall and vaccinations increase.  

On Monday, the staff of the sprawling modern art museum MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts declared their intent to form a union. A press release detailed concerns around equity, compensation, job security and a round of layoffs in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The museum employs around 130 people. The Local 2110 UAW estimates around 100 of them would be eligible to be part of the union. Staff spokesperson and Associate Director of Education Amanda Tobin – a seven-year veteran of the museum – spoke to WAMC about what led to the unionization effort.

North Adams, Massachusetts Mayor Tom Bernard is presenting a new plan to deal with broken fire hydrants to the city council Tuesday night. It comes after two  recent fires underscored safety infrastructure problems. Bernard spoke with WAMC about the plan, as well as his opposition to the state’s plan to return to in-person education this spring.

Massachusetts and the city of Pittsfield are set to announce Tuesday a step forward in redeveloping a former industrial site through the MassDevelopment Site Readiness Program.

Vermont state lawmakers are introducing for the third time a bill designed to require polluters to pay for medical monitoring expenses for residents affected by toxic contamination.

With days getting longer and the weather warming, dirt bikes are back on city streets.  Officials in Springfield, Massachusetts are making another attempt to crack down on the illegal use of these off-road vehicles.

In a WAMC News exclusive, a Pittsfield, Massachusetts city councilor is opening up about her time working for Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington – and what led to her exit.

   The police department in Springfield, Massachusetts and the city’s health department are looking to share information they hope could prevent opioid deaths. 

Vermont Governor Phil Scott is tweeting birthday wishes: to the state.

Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Berkshires native Ben Downing spoke and took questions at a meeting of the county’s NAACP chapter Wednesday night.

More than 20 Vermont communities have approved allowing retail marijuana businesses within their borders.

Town Meeting Day is traditionally when Vermonters gather to debate and decide local elections, budgets and community issues in town halls and auditoriums.  Voters assessed a number of items during non-traditional meetings this year.

The town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts is preparing its fiscal year 2022 budget ahead of a public hearing later this month.

At-large Pittsfield, Massachusetts city councilor Earl Persip says he’ll seek a third two-year term. 

    City Councilors in Springfield, Massachusetts next week will attempt to fill a vacancy among their ranks. 

Burlington, Vermont Mayor Miro Weinberger won re-election Tuesday to a fourth three-year term in his closest race yet for the city’s top seat.

Government funds have helped people in western Massachusetts stay in their homes as jobs were lost and income shrank during the pandemic. 

Last June, the city of Springfield announced a $2 million emergency housing fund to help people pay rent, mortgage, and utility bills.  All but $140,000 has now been claimed.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott held his latest COVID-19 briefing Tuesday.  The governor and administration officials discussed how the rollout of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine could impact the state's vaccination program.

An exchange in a North Adams, Massachusetts community Facebook page has led to allegations of misconduct against city council vice president and likely mayoral candidate Jason LaForest.

        The largest public school district in western Massachusetts will seek a waiver if the state orders a return next month to in-person learning five days a week.

The U.S. House is set to begin debating H.R. 1 this week. The For the People Act is intended to expand voting rights. On Monday, Vermont at-large Congressman Peter Welch held a virtual roundtable with the Green Mountain state’s election officials and civic advocates to discuss the implications of the bill.

   Reflecting the impact of the pandemic on family finances, there was a surge in complaints last year to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – the government agency set up to protect people from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices by financial companies.

Vermont’s Attorney General has released the top scams reported in the state last year.