Lucas Willard

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick says the specialty pharmacy linked to a deadly meningitis outbreak may have misled regulators and done work beyond the scope of its state license.

The New England Compounding Center in Framingham made a steroid that was used in contaminated injections that have sickened more than 130 people in 10 states. Twelve have died.

Patrick told reporters Wednesday that state and federal agencies "may have been misled by some of the information we were given."

The Governor of Massachusetts has announced an updated five-year strategic investment plan that includes funding for infrastructure improvement to encourage economic growth. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

Governor Deval Patrick’s FY 2013 to 2017 Capital Investment Plan calls for billions of public dollars to be invested in transportation, housing, higher education, and infrastructure to boost long-term economic development.

Republican Senator Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren have sharp differences when it comes to taxes, with both claiming their policies would lower taxes for the middle class.

Brown and Warren both support extending Bush-era tax cuts for families earning less than $250,000 per year. Warren, however, wants the cuts to expire after December 31 for those above that income level, while Brown would extend cuts for Americans in all tax brackets.

A recent report released by the Massachusetts Medical Society highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the physician workforce in the Commonwealth, which includes a lack of trained specialists and primary care physicians.

The Massachusetts Medical Society’s annual Physician Workforce Study takes a comprehensive look at the working doctors in the state, physician recruitment rates, profession satisfaction, and more. One of the key observations in the report is a lack of primary care doctors and specialists across Massachusetts.

Authorities say a career criminal whose bail on drug charges was reduced because of allegations of mishandling of drug samples by a Massachusetts chemist has failed to show up for court and is now a fugitive.

Marcus Pixley's bail was originally $5,000 cash after he was charged with possession and intent to distribute crack cocaine.

His bail was reduced to $1,000 because the drugs were tested by Annie Dookhan, a state chemist charged in a scandal that has potentially put thousands of drug cases in jeopardy.

Local leaders in Berkshire County submitted their comments to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation yesterday in North Adams. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports that officials made it clear to the board that funding to the county’s public transportation is inadequate.

At the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s monthly board meeting, held in North Adams yesterday afternoon, local officials brought their complaints with them to the 7-member board.

Workers at Connecticut's largest utility may inch closer to a strike when they vote today and Friday on a contract offer that the union's leadership has recommended be rejected.

Union negotiators say workers and Connecticut Light & Power are still far apart on staffing and overtime issues.

If workers reject the proposed four-year contract, they will automatically authorize a strike. A work stoppage is by no means certain.

During tonight’s presidential debate, citizen groups are calling for the issue of campaign financing to be raised to candidates Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

State and federal officials have announced $120 million in federal funding to build part of a high-speed rail project between New Haven, Conn. and Springfield, Mass.

The 62-mile project calls for service every 30 minutes during peak periods and every 60 minutes at other times. Speeds would reach up to 110 miles an hour.

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office projects 1.26 million riders annually by 2030.

With the recent signing of legislation by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to help close the achievement gap in young students, a campaign to improve childhood literacy in the Berkshires is preparing for an official launch. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard has more…

Last week Governor Patrick signed a bill that would form a statewide task force to improve and organize literacy programs across Massachusetts.