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Tardy Tuesday Takedown 1/22/13…

We took yesterday off for Martin Luther King Day, but it just so happens there was an Inauguration, too… …And the World: We begin today in Israel where, as the Washington Post had predicted, incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s electoral scheme has, indeed backfired.  Right-wing

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Take My Council, Please: Diligence Peacocks…

SPRINGFIELD—In a city where the mayor wields tremendous power relative to the legislative branch, it can be difficult to adequately hold the executive branch accountable.  Similarly, some councilors may show caution before premature votes, too.  However, for either effort to be effective and, just as

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Reason, Political Fear May Have Assigned Committes…

UPDATED 1/19/13: For grammar and clarity. SPRINGFIELD—Defying the low expectations of many City Council watchers, Council President and at-large Councilor Jimmy Ferrera appointed the Council’s committees, but without the inequitable and punitive air that characterized last year’s appointments.  Chairs of committees were spread among councilors,

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Manic Monday Markup 1/14/13…

…And the World: We begin today in Mali where French fighter jets have attacked Islamist fighters that were advancing on the capital Bamako.  The attack, which the US was reportedly wary about, may not have stopped the fighters, however, who had seized control of the

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Who, Not What, Should Now Go to Committee?…

UPDATED 1/11/13 4:56PM: For Clarity SPRINGFIELD—The Springfield City Council formally installed at-large Councilor Jimmy Ferrera for another year-long term as the body’s president before a chamber filled with department heads, supporters and family. The new term begins a year after Ferrera started his first term

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Manic Monday Markup 1/7/2013…

…And the World: We begin today in Israel where it still looks like incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will win another term amidst the chaos on the Israeli Center-Left, but that could change.  However, former Foreign Minister and Hatunah Party Leader Tzipi Livni and Labor

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Briefings: It’s Senator Warren, Neal’s Number 1…

UPDATED 1/4/13 4:01PM: Link to WBUR updated. Standing alongside several of her new colleagues and in front of her all, too, temporary seatmate, John Kerry, Elizabeth Warren was sworn in today as Massachusetts’s newest US Senator.  Vice-President Joseph Biden, the official presiding officer of the

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Briefings: Gentile, Vega, others Take the Oath…

SPRINGFIELD—In a brief and modest ceremony, before a large crowd, Laura Gentile, an assistant Clerk of Courts and otherwise largely politically unknown, took the oath of office to lead the office for which she has worked for well over a decade. Retired Judge Brian McDonald

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Happy New Year 2013…

Happy New Year from WMassP&I!  No Manic Monday Markup this week.  Among the ever-changing fiscal cliff nonsense, New Year’s Even on a Monday and our Sunday publication of the Year in Springfield, we decided to give ourselves a break.  We’ll be back very soon with