Franklin County Jail

Following almost 40 years of public service, Franklin County Sheriff Chris Donelan says he'll be retiring at the end of January. Donelan was first sworn in as sheriff in 2011, and has been re-elected twice - serving two, full-six year terms. He's retiring amid his third and after a career that's also included time as a police officer and state representative. As sheriff, he oversaw the county's House of Correction shift focus to offering addiction and mental health treatment to those in the system. As a lawmaker, he also had a role in the creation of the state's first sales tax holiday, among other accomplishments. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief James Paleologopoulos spoke with Donelan soon after his retirement announcement.

A researcher at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has secured a $1.5 million federal grant to implement and study opioid treatment programs in two…

A bill to address the opioid addiction crisis in Massachusetts is on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk. Passed in the final hours of the legislative session, it…