New England News

Targeting what they claim are the largest air polluters in Massachusetts, activists announced a campaign today to shut down coal burning power plants.  WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

      Close to 50 environmental, public health, faith based and community groups make up a new state-wide coalition  called “ Coal Free Massachusetts”  The activists staged coordinated events Wednesday in the three communities where large coal-burning power plants still operate to call for each to be shut down by the end of the decade.

The three Democratic candidates in the race for a seat in Congress representing Massachusetts’ 1st District have agreed to a series of debates. WAMC’s Lucas Willard has more…

Congressional candidate and former state senator Andrea Nuciforo recently issued a challenge to his rivals to four regional debates across the new Western Massachusetts district. Mr. Nuciforo mentioned the need for the debates as essential for voters to learn the distinctions between himself and fellow candidate current 2nd District Congressman Richard Neal.

The head of the Vermont Health Department was publically tested for HIV Tuesday.  It’s part of the Department’s effort to encourage individual HIV testing across the state

Vermont Health Commissioner Harry Chen was at  Fletcher Allen Health Care Tuesday to get some blood drawn, while State Epidemiologist for Infectious Diseases Patsy Kelso accompanied him to have a swab test taken.  Kelso says she and Dr. Chen wanted to show how simple and straightforward it is to be tested for HIV.

Steps towards improving the area’s airports are underway. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard gives us an update on the progress of two regional transportation hubs.

Life expectancy for people in Massachusetts has hit an all time high.  WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

         The Massachusett Department of Public Health report said  overall life expectancy was 80. 7 years in 2009…an improvement of more than 2 years  over a decade.. The state’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Judy Ann Bigby  credits better access to medical care and an emphasis on preventing disease.