New England News

Senator Patrick Leahy Discusses Washington Issues

Pat Bradley — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:30:00 +0000

Vermont’s senior U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy met with reporters from the region at his office in Montpelier Friday morning to talk about issues facing Congress.

Bill On Gun Violence Expected To Be Debated On Beacon Hill This Fall

Paul Tuthill — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:15:00 +0000

New York and Connecticut have already enacted new gun laws in the wake of December’s Newtown school shooting. The Massachusetts legislature is expected to take up a bill before the end of the 2013 legislative session.

The point person for gun issues in the Massachusetts House says he hopes to recommend a comprehensive bill by September. Democratic State Representative Harold Naughton of Clinton , who co-chairs the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security said the goal is to update the state’s already strict gun ownership laws.

Pittsfield Mayor Will Run For Second Term

Lucas Willard — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:35:22 +0000

Dan Bianchi announced Friday that he has taken out nomination papers to run for a second term as mayor of Pittsfield.

In a statement Bianchi said that in his next term he intends to continue building his economic development program for the city. He also said that he plans to continue his work on improving the city’s schools, including strengthening career vocational programs at Taconic High School.

Hundreds Attend Funeral Service For Dalton Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

Lucas Willard — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:30:29 +0000

A funeral service with full military honors today for a Western Massachusetts soldier killed earlier this month by an attack in Afghanistan included family, friends, and U.S. and state officials.

Under a grey sky and drizzling rains in Dalton, American flags lining Main Street welcomed the arrival of the body of 24-year old Specialist Mitchell Daehling, a Dalton native who was killed, along with two of his fellow soldiers, earlier this month in an attack while serving in Afghanistan.

Local Activists To Join Global Protest Against Biotech Giant

Paul Tuthill — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Protest marches are scheduled to take place on Saturday in close to 50 countries and more than 200 locations here in the United States. Called “ March Against Monsanto”, the events will highlight what organizers see as a threat to the world’s food chain. Monsanto is a leading producer of genetically modified plant organisms, or GMOs. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with a local organizer of tomorrow’s march, Michaelann Bewsee, director of Arise For Social Justice in Springfield Massachusetts.

Holiday Travel Forecast To Be Average

Paul Tuthill — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:07:00 +0000

The still somewhat sluggish economy is expected to hold down holiday travel this holiday weekend.

Project Would Carry NY Power to Massachusetts Via Vermont

Pat Bradley — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:45:00 +0000

A Massachusetts developer is hoping to carry renewable electricity from northern New York to the New England power grid via a power line that would run under Lake Champlain.

States Tell NRC Better Nuclear Waste Rules Needed

Pat Bradley — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:30:00 +0000

Vermont, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut are petitioning the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a more thorough review of issues connected with storage of highly radioactive nuclear waste at plant sites.

Mayor Appoints Interim Airport Manager to Permanent Position

Pat Bradley — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:30:00 +0000

Burlington, Vermont Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the permanent appointment of Gene Richards as Director of Aviation at the Burlington International Airport. Essentially the airport manager, Richards moves into the position after 10 months as interim director.

Mass. Governor's STEM Advisory Council Meets In Pittsfield

Lucas Willard — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

At a meeting of the Massachusetts Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council in Pittsfield today, resigning Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray said that the collaborative work done between the public and private sector to strengthen students’ opportunities in the STEM fields must continue in his absence.