Hours after the Massachusetts House of Representatives delivered a rare rebuke to Governor Charlie Baker on abortion rights, news broke that House Speaker Robert DeLeo would retire. The exact circumstances remain hazy, but multiple sources have said retirement chatter has grown throughout the week. He
by Adam Bass Correspondent-Intern Much to the frustration of Democratic Lawmakers and pro-choice organizations, Governor Charlie Baker, rejected a proposal in the commonwealth’s budget bill last Friday that would have allowed the expansion of abortion access in Massachusetts. The proposed amendment was Baker’s second punch
BOSTON—In any other year, the voting of the Electoral College in Massachusetts would be a ho-hum occasion. With no question of the commonwealth’s presidential result outside the darkest corners of the Internet, the vote was still not dramatic. But with Donald Trump insisting it is
SPRINGFIELD—The City Council approved a multimillion settlement to conclude ongoing litigation that stemmed from a wrongful imprisonment dating back decades. Mark Schand had claimed that four city officers, in effect, framed him for a crime 30 years ago, resulting in a prison sentence. Upon his
SPRINGFIELD—As the hoped-for vaccines to guard against COVID-19 appear on the horizon, officials here are preparing for their role in distribution. Supplies will be extremely limited in December if, as expected, the Food and Drug Administration authorizes emergency use. Hospitals like Mercy and Baystate Health
Not two months after announcing the idling of its presses and outsourcing printing to Springfield, the Hartford Courant is closing its offices in the world’s insurance capital. The paper’s Hartford offices will close on December 27 which its parent company called a COVID-era real estate
UPDATED 4:38PM: To include comment from Marcos Marrero on speculation about his running for mayor. The announcement that Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse would not seek another term shocked few in the Paper City. Open talk of his retirement—well before the Congressional primary—began circulating early this
A history-making era in the Paper City is about to end. On Tuesday Morning, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse announced he would not seek another term. His statement indicated he intended to serve out the remainder of his term, capping his mayoralty at 10 years. Such
UPDATED 12/7/2020 8:07PM: A previous version of this post incorrectly identified Williams as vice-president this year. He was vice-president in 2019. The conclusion of the 7th Hampden House race means an end to the 2020 cycle in the Pioneer Valley. However, part of that district,
The last outstanding race in Western Massachusetts is over. James “Chip” Harrington, the Republican nominee for the 7th Hampden House district, ended his campaign Thursday evening following the recount in Belchertown earlier in the day. He had sought the fresh count after the town reported