UMass-Amherst Archives — Western Mass Politics & Insight

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STCC’s Outgoing President Will Start Cooking at UMass Later This Month…

Nearing the end of his at times controversial tenure as STCC’s president, Cook told affiliates he was “honored” to share an update. He forwarded a message Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst had sent campus affiliates. The provost announced that Cook would be taking on the role of Vice Provost for Lifelong, Interdisciplinary, and Digital Programming.

West & East of Local Public Media, NEPM & GBH, to Formally Join Hands…

Seven years after New England Public Radio and WGBY merged to become New England Public Media, the nonprofit media landscape is shifting again. Last Friday, the GBH Foundation, which oversees NEPM now, announced that it would formally absorb the 413’s largest public broadcaster.

A Rural Resignation, the 413’s First Open 2026 Race…and Perhaps an Long Vacancy…

Western Mass appears to have its first open legislative contest of the 2026 cycle. Deerfield Rep Natalie Blais announced last week that she would be resigning on January 19 to take a job with UMass-Amherst. It is unclear whether there will actually be a special election for the seat. Either way, a large field could easily bubble up from the 18 communities the sprawling 1st Franklin District.

Briefings: Noho Teacher Raises His Hand to Challenge Neal…

After a two-cycle reprieve, Springfield Congressman Richard Neal, the top Dem on one of Congress’s most powerful committees, will face a primary. Teacher Jeromie Whalen made the local media rounds this past week, confirming speculation that had been percolating at least since spring.

Briefings: NEPM Promotes from Within, Elevating Liz Román to Top News Role…

Against the backdrop of its own challenges and a broader wave of upheaval in Valley media, New England Public Media has named Elizabeth Román as its next executive editor for news. Román will take over the news operations of the region’s principal public media at a time of flux.

Caballero-Roca, as Mayor Would Help Holyoke Focus on People Again…

HOLYOKE—Gloria Caballero-Roca has been around the world and her academic research has taken even further. But after a life crisscrossing the globe and the humanities, her next task is running for mayor of Hampden County’s fourth largest city.

Briefings: Another Sullivan Wants to Be Mayor in Holyoke…

UPDATED: 3/14/21 8:58PM: To clarify a building program Sullivan worked on was a proposal. By Adam Bass Correspondent-intern Holyoke at-large City Councilor Michael Sullivan is all but certain to run for mayor. Though he has not formally announced his candidacy, the three-term city councilor filed

Massachusetts Democrats Look Forward and Back…

UPDATED 9:53PM: Gus Bickford won reelection as chair. Four years ago, Massachusetts Democrats, somewhat discombobulated after Donald Trump won the presidential election, had a task before them. Then-Senator Thomas McGee, was not seeking another term as chair and the Democratic State Committee had to replace

Analysis: A Congressional Race Shaken, but Has It Stirred?…

When Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse launched his bid for Congress, he had high ambitions for fundraising: $3 million. For months that effort fell flat. Challenging an incumbent with seniority—and popularity—like Richard Neal did not open a lot of big wallets. The only option was to

College Dems to Morse: Stay Away! Claims of Inappropriateness Surface…

UPDATED 8/9/20 10:38PM: To include UMass-Amherst’s response to this news, a new statement from Mass College Dems and a new statement from Morse. Massachusetts College Democrats and their affiliates at Amherst College and the UMass-Amherst have barred congressional candidate and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse from

Springfield…and the World…

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