News

A large apartment complex in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts has been sold to a New York City-based developer

A 280-unit complex of townhouses, one-,two-, and three-bedroom apartments known as Morgan Square has been bought by  the SilverBrick Group. The company in a press release pledged to redevelopment the apartments for “ luxury style living.”  Mayor Domenic Sarno has championed more market-rate housing downtown. Housing consultant Laurie Volk said the metro center has a lot of potential.

Images Cinema in Williamstown, Massachusetts has landed a new executive director who has worked in the film business for 30 years, most recently in Los Angeles.

Governor Cuomo confirms that the US Attorney, Preet Bharara, sent a warning letter to the lawyer representing the now disbanded Moreland Act Commission on ethics, as first reported in the New York Times. In it, the paper says, Bharara threatened to investigate the governor’s aides and maybe even Cuomo himself for “possible obstruction of justice or witness tampering.”

Colleges and universities could be held more accountable to rape victims under legislation introduced Wednesday by a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators led by New York's Kirsten Gillibrand. 

"My office has heard from many survivors about campus sexual assaults in America. These young women have been demanding that Congress help stop the endless wave of campus sexual assaults, and I share their outrage."  New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, charges America is going through an "epidemic of campus sexual assault." 

A Saratoga County village is preparing for its  annual film festival this weekend.

A federal bankruptcy court judge has approved Berkshire Medical Center’s bid to buy the former North Adams Regional Hospital which abruptly closed in March. BMC hopes to finalize the sale in August.

The Massachusetts Inspector General issued a scathing report Thursday on a former state university president’s use of school funds for personal purposes.

   Inspector General Glenn Cunha said former Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle knowingly and willingly violated school policy by spending lavishly for six years on trips and entertainment for himself, his family and friends.  Cunha called Dobelle’s behavior “outrageous”

A sales tax holiday is included in an economic development bill taken up by the Massachusetts legislature on the final day of the legislative session Thursday.

Critics say the sales tax-free shopping, which will be on Aug. 16 and 17, costs the state $20 million in lost revenue. Jeff Ciuffreda, the president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce said it increases work hours for retail employees and drives discretionary spending.

Tune in to this week's Food Friday to hear cookbook author Dina Falconi talk about foraging!

WAMC is proud to present a special edition of The Roundtable with a live broadcast from Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts on Friday, August 1st from 9 a.m. to noon.