New England News

By Charlie Deitz

Massachusetts – Part of the Federal Stimulus package includes funding to get broadband internet access to rural communities. The application deadline for that funding is today (Friday), and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute has submitted their proposal. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports on the 100 million dollar request to get broadband into the western part of the state .

By Charlie Deitz

North Adams, Ma – Before heading back to Eastern Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick hosted a round table discussion on the creative economy with industry leaders in Berkshire County. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz attended the event .

By Charlie Deitz

North Adams, Ma – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced today that the state has secured over 40 million dollars in community block grant money for 75 towns across the state. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz was there in North Adams for the announcement

By Charlie Deitz

East Otis, Ma – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is pushing wind energy as part of his clean energy portfolio for the Commonwealth. This afternoon (Wednesday)Governor Patrick took a tour of a Berkshire manufacturing facility that has recently installed a single wind turbine that makes enough energy to power the whole operation. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz was there

By Charlie Deitz

Berkshire County – In order to balance the state budget, Massachusetts law makers made significant cuts to local aid in fiscal 2010. Law makers also granted towns the power to exercise a hotel motel tax to help make up the difference. In Berkshire County, municipal governments are bending to their business communities and holding off on raising the hotel motel tax for now. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports

By Charlie Deitz

Massachusetts – A total of 30 ballot proposals have been submitted to the Massachusetts Attorney general's office for consideration in the 2010 election. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz takes a look at the proposals

By Charlie Deitz

North Adams, Ma – A legal battle between Northern Berkshire Health Care and SEIU Local 1199 has dragged on for 8 months, and as our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports, the issues continue to surface

By Charlie Deitz

Pittsfield, MA – The Catholic church has been blighted by bad news over the last several years, from abuse charges, to bankruptcies to shrinking congregations. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports on a Pittsfield parish that is experiencing growth, and raising money, enough money to build a new community center in the heart of downtown

By Charlie Deitz

Berkshire County – Domestic abuse cases in Berkshire County are on the rise this year, but the county's lead agency is suffering major cutbacks in funding. A local bank has launched a challenge grant program to help fight the problem. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz has the report.

Related:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

By Charlie Deitz

Berkshire County – The disabled population has historically had much higher levels of unemployment than the rest of society. The current recession hasn't helped that trend either. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports on a 500 thousand dollar grant awarded to the Berkshire County ARC that will help disabled people get gainful employment.

Related:

Berkshire County ARC