The High Sheriff in the Valley This post is the second in a series about the end of Michael Ashe’s 42-year tenure as Hampden Sheriff. SPRINGFIELD—This year’s sheriff’s clambake may not be the last in Hampden County ever, but it is Michael Ashe’s last at
In an email to supporters last week, Governor’s Councilor Michael Albano appeared to take aim at one judicial nominee that had represented the opposing side in a legal case to which Albano was a party. The Appeals Court nominee, Peter Sacks, currently the State Solicitor
…And the World: We begin today in Ukraine, where secret ledgers maintained by the country’s former president, Viktor Yanukovych, have been uncovered. They show huge cash payments that were meant for Paul Manafort according to The New York Times. Manafort is real estate tycoon, provocateur and
SPRINGFIELD—For whatever reason, Hampden County has a number of missing people—at the polls. Data from 2012 indicates that the county, which contains the commonwealth’s third largest city, falls well below the state’s turnout level. The problem is particularly pronounced here—though not unique countywide—but efforts are
…And the World: We begin today in South Africa, where elections last week continue to roil the political status quo. While the African National Congress won a majority of the vote in municipal elections, it still represented a huge setback, it vote share dropping off
UPDATED 8/7/2016 10:24AM: For clarity and grammar. Nicholas Cocchi, the Assistant Superintendent for the Ludlow jail, scored a key and somewhat rare endorsement, adding to the intrigue and competitiveness surrounding the Democratic primary for Hampden Sheriff. Former Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan stepped back into the
PHILADELPHIA—Sixteen months ago when she pulled the trigger on one of the worst kept secrets in the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton knew, if successful, she would make history. But as she strode out onto the stage to roaring cheers in the Wells Fargo Arena
…And the World: We begin today in Japan, whose capital Tokyo has elected a woman governor for the first time. The famously patriarchal society does not allow women to ascend to the throne and has never had a female prime minister. A former newscaster and
This week Masslive reported bus line magnate Peter Picknelly had emailed Governor Charlie Baker shortly before the governor effectively vetoed a study on developing and implementing reliable rail service between Boston and Springfield. The study’s fate, a priority of Longmeadow Senator Eric Lesser, remains in
UPDATED 8:40PM: Both Houses of the legislature approved the conference report Sunday evening. The Massachusetts legislature faced a glut of work during two, rare weekend sessions following the political conventions this month. Major bills on energy, ride-hailing services and non-compete clauses in employment have still