SPRINGFIELD—Responding to a wave of threats and vandalism targeting Jewish institutions and facilities that had lapped into the Pioneer Valley, an interfaith crowd of hundreds representing multiple faiths rallied in solidarity with the local Jewish community and against hatred and bigotry of all kinds. Dozens
Longmeadow Daze is an occasional series reporting on and analyzing Longmeadow government and politics. LONGMEADOW—In 2013 the School Committee outflanked the Select Board and secured a budget transfer to avoid cuts to the schools. It was a resounding victory which belied the organizing needed to
UPDATED 6:55PM: To reflect a correction. McAuliffe is 25, not 24, for clarity & grammar and to include additional quotes. CHICOPEE—A deluge of candidates awaits a likely open at-large seat in Springfield and Holyoke preps for another mayoral smack down. Yet here in Chicopee, the
Leadership in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate released their committee assignments for the session that began last month. With thousands of bills to consider, committees can begin parse now that they have leaders and membership. The Western Massachusetts delegation received some plum assignments.
UPDATED 1/23/17 11:53AM: To reflect a correction. Samantha Kelly, Lesser’s Legislative Director, does not also carry the title of Legislative Aide. As Eric Lesser starts a new term in the Massachusetts Senate, some fresh faces will serve him in district and in Boston. The Longmeadow
UPDATED 2/1/2017 3:15PM: For a correction. Senator Joseph Boncore, Democrat of Winthrop, is also a Millennial was overlooked in prior versions of this post. BOSTON—Both chambers of the Massachusetts Legislature were sworn in Wednesday with the usual ceremony (and free lunch). Governor Charlie Baker did
For the City of Springfield, 2016 proved notable on multiple fronts. It briefly saw itself as the center of attention in the presidential contest. MGM evolving complexity dodged for at least another year a threat from Connecticut. A bevy of police controversies throttled City Hall
Governor Charlie Baker, an arm hoisted skyward, smiled and merrily snapped one of his famous selfies with the pols and construction workers at the CRRC railcar plant topping-out. The August scene was classic Baker, happily schmoozing and riding high on heady polling numbers that yielded,
The wreckage of this month’s national election has had a number of effects across the country. Given the continued down ballot troubles of Democrats, one immediate consequence has been pushing forward a younger generation of figures in the party. In the Pioneer Valley, this has
It is arguably the most competitive election in the Pioneer Valley, but it has not been like the national election. Apocalyptic, dark ads are not carpet-bombing television. Debates are not soaked in tension and wrath and indeed, are a bit dry. The 1st Hampden &