New England News

By Dan Bobkoff

Northampton, ma – The average cost of gas nationally is inching closer to $3 dollars a gallon. But are those high prices really having an effect on the average consumer? WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff takes a look.

By Pat Bradley

Montpelier, VT – Vermont lawmakers will return to Montpelier tomorrow to try to finish the Legislative session. Lawmakers had hoped to finish work this past weekend, but House Speaker Gaye Symington decided last Friday that her colleagues were too tired to work into the weekend, and had too much work left to do. The Speaker hopes work can be wrapped up tomorrow. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Carrie Saldo

Great Barrington, MA – The Big Dig, $14.6 billion conversion of Boston's Interstate 93 into an underground highway, has long-been plagued by criticism, cost overruns and scandals. Now, Democratic hopeful for governor Deval Patrick says it needs an independent monitor. A report from WAMC's Carrie Saldo:

By Carrie Saldo

Pittsfield, MA – Another act of anti-semitic vandalism in Pittsfield, Massachusetts was discovered this weekend, the second hate crime within the past month. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo, has the story;

By Dan Bobkoff

Amherst, mA – A graduate student at the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has successfully defended a thesis that was rather...revealing. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff spoke with Elad Granot about his research on Victoria's Secret.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – During an immigration rally in Burlington, Vermont last week, Progressive Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss said his city should become a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. In a area known for quirky and unique trends, his idea is being met with considerable skepticism. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Dan Bobkoff

Northampton, ma – There's something of a youth movement among candidates for state offices in Massachusetts this year. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff explains.

By Dan Bobkoff

Northampton, ma – For nearly twenty years, the Pioneer Valley was home to a commune. Now a former member and current University of Massachusetts at Amherst professor has made a documentary about it. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff takes a look at the film, which is debuting in Northampton this weekend.

More info: Free Spirits will be shown at the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton May 6 and 7th at 4:15 and 6:15 both days.

By Pat Bradley

By Carrie Saldo

Pittsfield, MA – The city of Pittsfield, Massachusetts has stepped up its efforts to snuff out underage cigarette smoking. And as our Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo, reports the efforts are proving effective;

By Dan Bobkoff

AMHERST, MA – Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts is still mulling a run for the presidency. But before he can, he may have to answer some questions about his religion. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has more.

By Carrie Saldo

North Adams, MA – HOST LEDE: The country's largest contemporary arts museum, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, wants to make history by putting it on display. Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo, has the details on this and the rest of its upcoming season;

By Dan Bobkoff

BOSTON, MA – Attorneys General in Massachusetts and Connecticut are cracking down on MySpace.com for not acting fast enough to protect the popular site's users from internet predators. More now from WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff.

By Dan Bobkoff

Waltham, MA – An art exhibit at Brandeis University has caused quite a bit of controversy on the Waltham, Massachusetts campus. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has our story.

By Carrie Saldo

Pittsfield, MA – A dozen pediatricians in Pittsfield, Massachusetts say they are grateful for some progress that's been made surrounding the PCB clean-up in their community. However, they are urging community involvement and education in order to advance the issue. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo, has the details;

By Carrie Saldo

North Adams, MA – Education and some cultural attractions in the Berkshires are among the initiatives that could receive a shot in the arm following budget approval by the Massachusetts House. With More, WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo

By Dan Bobkoff

Boston, ma – Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts is warning of potential bumps in the road for the state's new health care law. He is also launching a crackdown on Medicaid fraud. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has the story.

By Dan Bobkoff

NORTHAMPTON, MA – After a mild winter, experts are worried there could be in increase in Lyme Disease this summer in New York state and New England. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff has the story.

By Carrie Saldo

Egremont, MA – A small Berkshire County community wants to put the brakes on big development but the proposal has some local business owners concerned. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Carrie Saldohas the details.

By Carrie Saldo

Pittsfield, MA – Manos Unidas, Hands United, a social justice action group that works with Berkshire County immigrants, organized a rally at Park Square in the heart of the city Monday afternoon.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – Vermont builders are feeling the effects of soaring gas prices, a construction spurt in China and hurricane damage in the Gulf Coast. Those are just three of the factors driving up the cost of building materials in Vermont. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Dan Bobkoff

amherst, ma – Hundreds attended an immigration reform rally on the town green in Amherst. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff was there.

By Carrie Saldo

Great Barrington, MA – The average family now spends about one-third of its income to educate a child at a private four year college, that's according to a report from the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth, known as Mass Inc. That same study found a family whose child is educated at a public, four-year, college spends 21 percent of its income to educate that child. With more, WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo;

By Dan Bobkoff

Washington, DC – Democratic U.S. Representatives James McGovern of Worcester and John Olver of Amherst were among five congress members willingly arrested Friday outside the Sudanese embassy in Washington. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff reports.

By Dan Bobkoff

HOLYOKE, MA – It's getting warmer out and that means the air conditioners will soon be cranking up. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff takes a look at the forecast for energy use in New England this summer.

By Carrie Saldo

Pownal, VT – History isn't something that tops many young students' list of favorite subjects.
And Karol Holmcomb's south western Vermont elementary school class was no different. But WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo, spoke with her students to learn how she got their attention.

By Carrie Saldo

Boston, MA – A task force that would combat gang activity in a Western Massachusetts county could be one step closer to being realized. With More WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo;

By Pat Bradley

Montpelier, VT – On Monday, Vermont becomes the second state in the nation to mandate that cigarettes sold within its borders be self-extinguishing. Vermont is following New York's lead in requiring such fire-safe cigarettes. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Pat Bradley

Vernon, VT – The Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant has received two key regulatory approvals. The state Public Service Board approved the plant's plan to store highly radioactive waste in concrete and steel canisters on the plant's grounds in Vernon. The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, meanwhile, has granted permission for Vermont Yankee to take the last step in its effort to increase power output by twenty percent. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.