New England News

By Carrie Saldo

Lenox, MA – More than a year of legal wrangling in a Federal Court over a proposal to build a large Catholic church parish center in the residential section of a Berkshire County town appears to be over. And as WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo, reports, construction on the parish center could begin as soon as tomorrow:

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – Amendments were added to the Senate immigration bill before it passed on Thursday that would further modify impending passport requirements at the nation's borders. An earlier amendment called for delaying implementation, and the new proposals would add several reforms. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Dan Bobkoff

Amherst, MA – A University of Massachusetts researcher is cautioning parents about exposing infants and young toddlers to television. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has the story.

By Dan Bobkoff

Washington, DC – A staffer for a Massachusetts Congressman was caught in the midst of the commotion today as Capitol Hill went into lockdown following reports of gunfire in the Rayburn Office building. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has more.

By Pat Bradley

Rutland, VT – Vermont Governor James Douglas signed a major health care reform bill today at a ceremony at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Dan Bobkoff

Amherst, MA – In a show of support for affordable housing in western Massachusetts, a private school for 3 to 12 year olds in Amherst, is offering a house for free. But there are conditions! WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff explains.

By Pat Bradley

South Burlington, VT – Giant retailer Lowe's Home Centers and the Conservation Law Foundation have reached an agreement over their years-long litigation over stormwater runoff from a proposed home improvement center in South Burlington. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Dan Bobkoff

Medway, ma – Medway, Massachusetts is running out of money. Now voters in the town are considering shutting down the local library. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has the story.

By Dan Bobkoff

Washington, DC – An environmental group is threatening to sue the Environmental Protection Agency, accusing the federal agency of failing to protect beach-goers from contaminated water. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has our report.

By Dan Bobkoff

Springfield, Ma – The personal records of at least 26 million U.S. Veterans' have been compromised and that has Massachusetts veterans concerned. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has more.

By Carrie Saldo

Pittsfield, MA – While debate continues on whether Massachusetts and the rest of the Northeast Region is in the midst of a nursing shortage, it is clear there are far more would-be nursing students than there are programs of study for them. However, Our Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo, spoke with partners in a new collaboration seeking to alter that;

By Carrie Saldo

Pittsfield, MA – Students from six Berkshire County middle schools are learning how to help make their schools "No Place for Hate" with the help of a Pittsfield-based cultural diversity organization.
Our Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo, attended the day-long conference Monday morning;

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – The University of Vermont recently banned alcohol in its dorms, even for students over 21. A Burlington, Vermont city councillor considered putting forth a resolution tonight chastizing the University for not considering the effects on the city. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Dan Bobkoff

Boston, MA – A contentions health care bill is making its way to the floor of the Massachusetts House of Representatives tomorrow. The nurses' union wants limits on the number of hospital patients under an individual nurse's care at any one time. The hospitals say it's dangerous and arbitrary to define a nurse to patient ratio for all nurses.

WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has the story.

By Dan Bobkoff

Westfield, MA – Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Massachusetts is getting a financial boost. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has more.

By Dan Bobkoff

Boston, MA – It's already the law in New York state, and now Massachusetts police may soon be able to ticket drivers solely for not wearing a seat-belt. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has the story.

By Dan Bobkoff

Amherst, MA – At town meetings recently, six Massachusetts towns have passed resolutions voicing their opposition to genetically engineered crops. More now from WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff.

By Carrie Saldo

Williamstown, MA – Lindsay Payne, a Williams College student who competes in the 100 and 200 meter breaststroke events, has won seven individual NCAA Division III titles, broken three records in her division, and qualified for the Olympic trials twice. And as our Berkhsire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo reports, Payne's track record is even more extraordinary when you learn what she overcame to get there;

By Dan Bobkoff

Springfield, ma – Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor and Republican candidate for governor Kerry Healey unveiled a major grant in Springfield today aimed at stemming gang activity in Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has our report.

By Carrie Saldo

Williamstown, MA – Williamstown, Massachusetts may offer excise tax relief to motorists driving fuel efficient vehicles. As WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo reports, town officials believe it is the first time such a program has been offered in the state;

By Dan Bobkoff

NEWTON, MA – New England news outlets have, of course, been covering the historic flooding extensively. But the problem with flooding is that it makes it hard for the reporters to get there too. So one TV station has asked its viewers for help in telling the story. WAMC's Dan Bobkoff reports.

By Carrie Saldo

Dalton, MA – With fuel among the issues at the forefront of national discussion, a member of the Berkshire Delegation to the state House in Boston is among lawmakers interested in bringing alternative fuels to Massachusetts. Details from WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo;

By Dan Bobkoff

Sunderland, ma – Two men are under arrest after allegedly killing hundreds of birds at
a fish hatchery in Sunderland, MA. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief
Dan Bobkoff has more.

By Pat Bradley

Middlebury, VT – Vermont's Middlebury College has created a plan that will see the institution increase its student aid, hire more faculty and diversify its student body over the next decade. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Dan Bobkoff

Northampton, ma – For parts of New England, it's being called the heaviest rains in ten years or more. The record rainfall is causing devastating flooding and closing schools. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has an update.

By Carrie Saldo

Great Barrington, MA – Nearly a dozen films at the first annual Berkshire International Film Festival played to a sold-out crowd. And our Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo has the details of its inaugural showing in downtown Great Barrington this weekend;

By Carrie Saldo

Pittsfield, MA – A number of Berkshire County religious organizations are coming together to plant a garden of hope at Sinai Academy of the Berkhsires. The school had been the victim of a hate crime last month. With More WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo;

By Pat Bradley

Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Legislature has adjourned its 2006 session. It's final action before the near-midnight end, was the adoption of a compromise college scholarship plan. North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has reaction to the Legislature's year.

By Carrie Saldo

North Adams, MA – A leading member of the Berkshire County health care community has been tapped by Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas Reilly to assist with the creation of the state's first-in-the-nation health insurance for all proposal. With more, WAMC'S Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo:

By Pat Bradley

Montpelier, VT – Late Tuesday night, the Vermont House passed a health reform initiative by an 88-to-54 vote. The vote came hours after a compromise was reached between legislative leaders and Governor Jim Douglas. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.