Paul Tuthill

New funding is being provided to help meet growing demand at community health centers in Massachusetts.  The money comes from a partnership between a large Boston- based hospital network and a non-profit health maintenance organization. 

The man in charge of administering much of the social services system in Massachusetts is trying to live for a week on a food budget equal to what is provided by a federal assistance program.  It is part of a national campaign by anti-hunger groups to highlight the importance of the program at a time when it is threatened with deep cuts.

MGM Resorts is flexing its marketing muscles in advance of the July 16th voter referendum on its Springfield casino project. 

MGM is sponsoring a free July 4th concert in Springfield by the Commodores, who had a string of hits on legendary Motown records  in the ‘70s and ‘80s.   MGM Vice President  of Public Affairs, Kelley Tucky said the company has committed to underwrite a dozen shows a year in Springfield  if it wins the competition for the lone casino license in western Massachusetts.

A three-year  project  to renovate aging school buildings in Springfield Massachusetts will be finished this summer.

   Drafty windows, doors that no longer closed tight, and leaky roofs have been replaced at 2 dozen school buildings that are more than 50 years old. Some received upgrades to heating and cooling systems, new floor tiles, carpeting and paint.   Superintendent of Schools Dan Warwick said the goal is to ensure a comfortable learning and teaching environment.

As Massachusetts nears a dramatic expansion of legal gambling  with the licensing of casinos the state has hired an internationally recognized expert on gambling addiction.

   Mark Vander Linden  was introduced on Thursday as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s first Director of Research and Problem Gambling.  His job will be to come up with ways to  prevent people from becoming addicted to gambling in the first place, and design treatment programs for those who do.

The man who administers much of  the social services system in Massachusetts is going to live for the next week on a food budget equal to what is  provided by a federal assistance program.

Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz and his wife Kathleen went shopping  at a Sav-A-Lot grocery store in Springfield  on Wednesday limited to a per person budget of $31.50 ,the average benefit under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

President Obama spoke to 5000 cheering people at a rally in Boston on Wednesday urging them to help send Democrat Edward Markey to the Senate in the June 25th special election.

   Obama did not mention Markey’s Republican opponent  Gabriel Gomez but the president blamed Republicans in Washington for blocking his initiatives.  On the eve of the president’s visit, Gomez said he was honored  Mr. Obama felt it necessary to campaign in Massachusetts on behalf of Markey

The two candidates in the special election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts stuck to familiar themes during a debate Tuesday night in Springfield.  With polls showing the race tightening, Democrat Congressman Edward Markey and Republican Gabriel Gomez appeared to be trying to play it safe and avoid missteps.

The two candidates in the special election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts stuck with familiar themes during a debate Tuesday night in Springfield.

   Republican Gabriel Gomez took every opening during the debate to portray Democratic Congressman Ed Markey’s long career as a liability.

   Markey criticized Gomez’s stands on gun control, tax reform and environmental issues, and insisted in doing so that he was not engaged in negative campaigning.

With two weeks until the special election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts the candidates meet for a debate tonight in Springfield. 

Polls have consistently shown veteran Democratic Congressman Ed Markey holding a comfortable lead over Republican political newcomer  Gabriel Gomez.   Western New England University political science professor Tim Vercellotti said debates can sometimes change the dynamics of a race.

On Wednesday, President Obama is scheduled to attend a rally for Markey in Boston.