SPRINGFIELD—History is not without a sense of irony. Two hundred plus years ago, George Washington sited the national armory here, spurring a weapons industry. Today, though much retrenched, gunmaker still employ hundreds. But Springfield-made firearms are not just mowing down Redcoats, Confederates, Imperial and Nazi
Former Springfield City Councilor Amaad Rivera has reentered the electoral arena, challenging West Springfield Senator James Welch. Rivera, who has mostly worked as a political aide since leaving office, is Welch’s second Democratic primary opponent. Springfield Ward 1 Councilor Adam Gomez announced in January. Taking
On Friday, nomination papers for state offices became available, prompting an early salvo of pols’ intentions. For example, despite an investigation into his husband, Amherst Senator Stanley Rosenberg picked up nomination papers last week. However, that was not the only Senate news. Springfield Ward 1
Donald Trump’s planned rollback of progressives and Democratic priorities has prompted one Springfield political figure to return to government service. Former City Councilor Amaad Rivera, a noted and outspoken activist, has rejoined the staff of United States Senator Ed Markey after a year in the
SPRINGFIELD—The battle over charter schools dominated Monday City Council meeting, injecting the body into the fraught battle over the ballot question that would raise the charter cap in Massachusetts. But that issue did not monopolize councilors’ attention, as the body also spent a considerable amount
Five years ago, cheers broke out in the Springfield City Council chamber after councilors unanimously approved the city’s foreclosure ordinance. Ravaged by the foreclosure crisis and subsequent recession, Springfield had taken a notably bold step toward curbing the deterioration of neighborhoods littered with vacant, bank-owned
SPRINGFIELD—At an small, impromptu gathering on the steps of City Hall, some of the region’s most visible LGBT activists gathered to celebrate the US Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. Although the mood was definitely upbeat members of the LGBT community were cognizant
SPRINGFIELD—As she arrived at her June 11 kickoff in the heart of the Forest Park Historic District, almost everything about Kim Rivera seemed to befit the office she was seeking. Dressed sharply in a dark jacket and skirt, focusing on hyper-local issues and meeting supporters in a
Next week the State Ballot Commission is expected to take up ballot challenges ahead of the Fall races. Among the things on its plate is the objection to Eric Lesser’s eligibility for the 1st Hampden & Hampshire Senate seat. One of Lesser’s opponents, Springfield City
UPDATED 4/22/14 10:00am: For grammar and clarity. AGAWAM—Almost every candidate will feature or get questions about their family. It is standard politics. Shawn Allyn, one of the Democrats running for Hampden County district attorney, often has his law partner, Lisa Ball, at his side. She