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Soldier's Home Clinic in Limbo Massachusetts lawmakers and Governor Deval Patrick are at odds over the state budget - and that includes funding that could avert the closure of an outpatient clinic at Holyoke's Soldiers Home. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Increased Population for W Mass Cities Massachusetts state officials, in conjunction with the Donahue Institute at UMass-Amherst have challenged the results of the 2008 Federal Census and found several thousand more residents living in the state than previously estimated. WFCR's Fred Bever reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Amherst MA Organization Gets Grant An Amherst Massachusetts based organization has received a major government grant to promote reconciliation among religious groups in Sri Lanka. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Deadline for Ballot Questions in Mass Today is the deadline for Massachusetts activists pushing potential ballot questions to submit signatures to local city and town clerks. As WFCR's Bob Paquette reports, it can be hard to get a voter to sign on the dotted line. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Health Insurer Data Breach Insurer Health Net reported a big private data loss this week to Connecticut's Attorney General's Office. But as WFCR's Fred Bever reports, the breach has apparently been under wraps for six months. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Smoking Link to ALS A new study just published in the journal "Neurology" says smoking increases the risk for ALS -- commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | W Mass Cancer Center Against New Guidelines A major cancer center in Western Massachusetts is coming out against new national recommendations for breast cancer screening. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Armor Ready to Play With about a week before professional basketball debuts in the city of its birth, players and coaches with the Springfield Armor say they're excited about the season beginning. WFCR's Kari Njiiri met some of the team at its practice facility at the Springfield YMCA. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Report on Immigrants Governor Deval Patrick has released a state-commissioned report with 131 recommendations to make Massachusetts a more inclusive place for the one million immigrants living here. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | High Court Justice in Springfield MA A justice on Massachusetts' highest court says the rulings that legalized same-sex marriage remain the most significant decisions since he's been on the bench. Justice Rick Ireland was in Springfield speaking to law students at Western New England College. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Department of Children and Families Report The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families has released its annual report showing improved outcomes for abused or neglected children - but at the same time, budget cuts and a union vote are raising questions about the department's future. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Shumlin Announces for Governor Vermont Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin is running for governor. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Goodspeed Musicals New "Actor's Village" Goodspeed Musicals is breaking ground on an "actor's village," next to its opera house in East Haddam, Connecticut. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Credit Union Loans for Farm Shares A local credit union is teaming up with area farmers on a new loan program to get fresh food to more families. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Guantanamo Detainee to Amherst? Activists in Western Massachusetts say they're still hoping to host a Guantanamo Bay detainee they believe will be freed, even though he's wanted by Interpol -- an international police organization. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Belchertown Library Rehab in Limbo A planned renovation of a 122 year old library building in Belchertown is up in the air. This is after residents in a special town meeting voted down a proposal to bond up to two thirds of the $9.3 million project. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Voters rights groups critical of MA Military personnel being given option to vote online A coalition of national and state voting rights groups are criticizing a measure in Massachusetts new veterans law, which gives military personnel overseas the option to vote online. WFCR's Jill Kaufman explains. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Levasseur prohibted from traveling to MA Ray Luc Levasseur, the former leader of the United Freedom Front, a violent anti government group linked to numerous bombings on U.S. soil in the 1970s, will not be speaking at UMASS Amherst tomorrow as scheduled. In a press release from the event organizers, they say Levasseur has been denied permission to live the state of Maine, by the U.S. Parole Commission. The forum will still take place with other scheduled speakers. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Levasseur Reinvited to Speak at UMass A man convicted of domestic terrorism in 1986 has been re-invited to speak at UMass-Amherst. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Funding Cuts Impact Homeless Shelters Officials at the largest provider of homeless services in Western Massachusetts say they are being disproportionately hurt by budget cuts announced last month by the Patrick Administration. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Funding Cut to Treat Compulsive Gamblers As Massachusetts lawmakers consider proposals for casinos and slot machines in the state, the non-profit agency that treats problem gamblers is facing a deep budget cut. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Levasseur Reinvited to Speak at UMass A man convicted of domestic terrorism in 1986 has been re-invited to speak at UMass-Amherst. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Latest Quinnipiac Poll The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell's approval rating has improved for the first time in months. WFCR's Helen Barrington has this report. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Cooley Dickenson Layoffs After laying off 81 employees in 2008, Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton has announced that another 20 positions are being cut. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Regional Bus Service in Jeopardy 64 Massachusetts lawmakers have asked Governor Deval Patrick to reconsider budget cuts he made in busing for regional schools. The cuts include a 50 percent reduction for regional school bus service. WFCR's Helen Barrington has the details. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Khazei Health Care Plan US Senate candidate Alan Khazei was in Springfield, where he released a five point plan on health care. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Democrats Versus Republicans Last night, Republican and Democratic candidates seeking party nominations for the US Senate seat left vacant by the death of Edward Kennedy met on a stage in Amherst, Massachusetts. WFCR's Helen Barrington has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Capuano Versus Pagliuca Last night candidates seeking the Massachusetts senate seat held for decades by the late Senator Edward Kennedy attended a forum on the UMass Amherst campus. Democrat Alan Khazei continued to criticize opponents in his party, like Attorney General Martha Coakley and Congressman Michael Capuano, for taking campaign money from lobbyists and special interests. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Khazei Versus Coakley Two Republican and three Democratic hopefuls for the senate seat held for decades by the late Edward Kennedy, squared off last night at UMass Amherst. The event was sponsored by the Massachusetts League of Women Voters before an audience of about 300. But the reported front runner - at least according to some polls - State Attorney General Martha Coakley, did not attend. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Robinson Versus Brown Last night's Massachusetts League of Women Voters forum for candidates seeking their party's nomination for the senate seat that opened after the death of Edward Kennedy marked the first time Republican hopefuls Scott Brown and Jack E. Robinson appeared on the same stage together in this truncated campaign season. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Funding for Rape Assistance in Jeopardy Advocates for child and adult rape victims say a model assistance program in Massachusetts will be decimated if some state budget cuts are not reversed. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Levasseur Lecture Canceled UMass Amherst has canceled a lecture by a former radical convicted of domestic terrorism. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Dana Automotive Goes All VW US automakers' troubles are limiting car buyers' options in the area. After 17 years of selling Chevrolet cars and trucks, Dana Automotive in Northampton says it is pulling the plug on the brand to concentrate as a stand alone Volkswagen dealer. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mass Governor Works for W MA Broadband in DC Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick has traveled to Washington to meet with various officials in the administration of President Barack Obama. As WFCR's Fred Bever reports, that included a sit-down with the Secretary of Commerce, where Patrick made a pitch for expanding broadband services in Western Massachusetts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Amherst Mulls Taking Guantanamo Detainees Voters in Amherst, Massachusetts are calling on the US Congress to allow detainees from the Guantanamo Bay prison to relocate to the US, and even to their own community. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Mayor Looks Ahead Springfield mayor Domenic Sarno says he's humbled after fending off challenger Bud Williams with nearly 70 percent of the vote in Tuesday's mayoral race. And he says his administration is looking forward to working with a newly expanded -- and diverse -- city council created by ward representation. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Debate Over Turbine Projects Massachusetts officials and some environmental activists are at odds over the siting of commercial wind energy projects. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Changes at a Worcester Homeless Shelter Advocates for the homeless hope a change in the way a shelter admits people will provide help to those who have substance abuse problems or mental health issues -- and reduce homelessness in the city. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Western Massachusetts Election Results There were a number of contested mayoral races around Western Massachusetts on Tuesday, as well as some contentious ballot measures. WFCR's Helen Barrington has this round up. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mount Holyoke's New President A new president has been chosen for Mount Holyoke College - and she is an alumna of the school. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Non Profits and Berkshire County Economy Non-profits in Berkshire County in Massachusetts generate nearly $2 billion in local economic activity. That's according to a study commissioned by the Berkshire county Chamber of Commerce and conducted by Williams College economics professor Stephen Sheppard. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Solar Power Plans in Pownal, Vermont The former Green Mountain Race Track in Pownal, Vermont -- just over the border from Williamstown, Massachusetts -- may soon be the site of a ten-acre solar generation facility that could create 2.2 megawatts of electricity -- enough to power more than 2-thousand homes. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Real Pickles Expands A small Greenfield food company is bucking the economic trend - and expanding into a new building. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Wilbrham Turbine Company Receives 8.3M Award The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded 8.3 mllion dollars to a Wilbraham, Massachusetts company that is developing a wind turbine shaped like a jet engine. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Veterans Residence Breaks Ground In Pittsfield, the group Soldier On has celebrated the groundbreaking of an affordable housing development for formerly homeless veterans. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Amherst School Re-Districting Plan Amherst, Massachusetts families are re-grouping now that a controversial redistricting plan has been finalized by the school committee. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Home Health Care Cuts Massachusetts companies that provide home care for seniors are bracing for more budget cuts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Complaint filed against Baystate A national group has filed a federal complaint with the US Department of Agriculture against Springfield's Baystate Medical Center, in an attempt to stop its use of live pigs in a trauma training program. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | WNEC Poll on Casinos in Massachusetts A majority of Massachusetts residents support establishing casinos in their state - as long as they're not in their own backyard. That's one of the findings in a new poll by Western New England College. WFCR's Fred Bever reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | H1N1 Swine Flu at Northfield Mount Hermon Swine flu cases continue to be reported at public -- and private -- schools around the region. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Ceiling Falls at Dickinson House The 19th century home of Amherst poet Emily Dickinson is closed to the public, following the collapse of the ceiling in the front parlor last Sunday. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Smart Grid Technologies President Barack Obama has announced that the government would invest some $3.4 billion in so-called "smart grid" technologies for the nation's electricity grids. One project, in Holyoke, will enhance the delivery of electricity throughout New England. WFCR's Fred Bever reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Poll Says Coakley Leads Race to Succeed Senator Kennedy With six weeks to go before the primary election, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley leads the four-way Democratic race to succeed the late Senator Ted Kennedy... That's according to a newly released poll from Western New England College. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Biomass Studies and Opposition Several studies commissioned by the Mayor of Greenfield, Massachusetts have turned out a positive review for a proposed biomass power plant in the Franklin County seat. But, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, the plant's opponents say a new international study adds fuel to their concerns. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Violence One day after Springfield police arrested 3 suspected gang leaders, and the same week that 3 people were shot in a span of 4 days, the department is investigating a new double shooting. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Holyoke Hospital to Sue Holyoke Hospital is among 6 safety net hospitals planning to sue Massachusetts for failing to pay enough to care for poor patients. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Ladybugs in the Region Sunny, autumn days in the northeast are perfect conditions for the arrival of Halloween ladybugs by the thousands. WFCR's Jill Kaufman explains. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Governor Patrick in Western Mass Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick took a tour through the western part of the state. WFCR's Fred Bever reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Boating Instructors Criticize Kayak Safety Legislation The Massachusetts Senate passed a bill last week aimed at beefing up safety requirements for kayakers. But some kayak instructors say the legislation could actually discourage boaters from getting safety instruction. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | First Western Students of Tibetan Medicine Graduate In Amherst Graduates of what is believed to be the first school of Tibetan Medicine in the Western world will receive their diplomas in Amherst on Saturday. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Experts Warn of Scams and Viruses During Cyber Security Awareness Month October is National Cyber Security Awareness month... Though IT experts say cyber safety is something computer users should be aware of every day. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | H1N1 Shots arrive in Masschusettts Health care providers in Massachusetts started receiving shipments of the shot-vaccine for H1N1 flu this week. WFCR's Jill Kaufman has an update. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Tobacco Crop Damage and Loss Tobacco farmers in Western Massachusetts say this year's crop was among the worst they've ever seen... and just-approved federal assistance is only so much help. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Priority Habitat Bill Discussed Massachusetts lawmakers have taken a first look at an effort to end a state program which designates protected "priority habitat" for rare species. And, as WFCR's Fred Bever reports, after a 5 hour statehouse hearing on the issue, one key lawmaker says a "mend it, don't end it" approach appears likely. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UConn Project Brings Criticism to CT's Rell Democratic lawmakers in Connecticut are criticizing Governor Jodi Rell's administration for funding a project at the University of Connecticut that provided her with political advice about her budget message and re-election campaign. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Registry Outsourcing Renewal Reminders Massachusetts' Registry of Motor Vehicles is restoring its license renewal reminder service. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports the work is being outsourced. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | State Money for Laid Off Firefighters Laid off firefighters in some Massachusetts communities will be hired back, thanks to $8.1 million in federal stimulus funds, Governor Deval Patrick has announced. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Boosting Energy Efficiency in MA Massachusetts officials have announced a billion dollar program to boost energy efficiency. Observers say the plan would put the Bay State ahead of all others in efficiency efforts -- but just what it might cost ordinary consumers has yet to be worked through. WFCR's Fred Bever reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Q Microbe Update Another phase in the effort to bring the so-called Q microbe to market is being launched this week. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New President for Williams College Adam Falk has been chosen as Williams College's next president. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Battle over Mass Habitat Rules A battle is brewing over Massachusetts habitat protection rules. WFCR's Fred Bever reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Connecticut Ensured Seasonal Flu Vaccine Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has announced an agreement with a major flu vaccine manufacturer. It ensures that Connecticut will receive its full supply of seasonal flu vaccine. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Sentencing in Hornsby Case The lone suspect charged with the shooting death of a Springfield High School basketball star last year has been sentenced. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Record Attendance at the Big E The Big E Exposition closed on Sunday after drawing a record 1.26 million visits during its 17-day run this year. WFCR's Fred Bever reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Amherst Professor to Head State Effort An Amherst College expert on Latino issues will head an effort to document and make recommendations on educational opportunities in the Hispanic community in Massachusetts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Holyoke Charter Commission Holyoke Massachusetts voters will choose a new mayor next month. Voters will also decide whether a Charter Commission should be set up to study possible changes to the city's form of government. WFCR's Helen Barrington has the story. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Holyoke to be the Home of Computing Center Holyoke, Massachusetts officials are feeling optimistic about a computing center coming to the city. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Changes Considered in MA Banking Rules A Massachusetts legislative committee is considering a proposal that would protect consumers from high bank fees when their accounts are overdrawn. WFCRs Fred Bever reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Federal Reserve Touts Western Mass The head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston is touting the Western Massachusetts labor market as an alternative for businesses thinking of shipping work overseas. WFCR's Fred Bever reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Westover C5 Investigation Results A rare human error caused two military jet wheels to fall on Belchertown, Massachusetts in July. WFCR's Helen Barrington has the details. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Some Seasonal Flu Shot Shortages UMass-Amherst held a clinic for the seasonal flu vaccine - although many other providers are reporting shortages. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Symphony Opens New Season The Springfield Symphony Orchestra launches its 66th season this weekend. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Some Women Support Coakley for Senate A group of prominent Massachusetts women have announced they would endorse Attorney General Martha Coakley for the US Senate. She is one of 4 Democrats in a primary contest for the seat left vacant when Senator Edward Kennedy died last month. But as WFCR's Fred Bever reports, not all of the state's female leaders are lining up behind the only woman in the race. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Swine Flu Vaccine Distributed to UMass for the Region The UMass Amherst campus is preparing for the arrival of vaccine for H1N1 swine flu. WFCR's Helen Barrington has the story. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Business Electric Rates to Rise Electricity prices for many Western Massachusetts businesses will rise by more than 10% next month. That's a stiff hike, but as WFCR's Fred Bever reports, it could be worse. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Budget Problems Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick will have September tax revenue figures in hand by early next week. And state officials will use those numbers to decide whether emergency spending cuts to the state budget are needed. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Money to Renovate Springfield Schools Springfield officials have announced that the city is the first recipient of a new state agency grant to renovate public school buildings. As WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports, the $20 million grant will extend the lives of more than a dozen city schools. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Historic House Restoration in Pittsfield A historic home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts - that's long been in need of repair - will get some sprucing up soon. WFCR'S Bob Paquette has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Gets Federal Stimulus Money to Prevent Homelessness Two Springfield agencies are sharing in nearly 2 million dollars in federal stimulus money to help prevent homelessness in the city. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Large Gift Given to Springfield Museums The Springfield Museums has announced one of the largest gifts in its history. The private non-profit organization says it received the $4.3 million gift this week from a donor who will remain anonymous for now. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Election Results in Western MA Cities On Tuesday, there were mayoral elections throughout the Bay State. Three of those races took place in Western Massachusetts cities. WFCR's Helen Barrington has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mass Governor's Popularity Waning A new poll suggests Governor Deval Patrick's popularity is waning. WFCR's Helen Barrington reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mayors and the N-R-A Several Western Massachusetts mayors are targets of the National Rifle Association for their involvement with a group opposed to illegal guns. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Gift for Northampton's Survival Center Northampton, Massachusetts' Survival Center has received a gift of 200-thousand dollars. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Protections for Mass Old Growth Forests After years of effort to gain new protections for old growth forests, a Western Massachusetts lawmaker says he believes he will finally reach the goal this year. WFCR's Helen Barrington has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Preliminary Vote in 3 Western Mass Cities Three Western Massachusetts cities hold preliminary elections September 22nd, and there are plenty of candidates to choose from. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Swine Flu coming soon to a college campus near you Mindful of the widespread outbreak of Swine Flu at Washington State University -- colleges around western New England are preparing for what public health officials say is inevitable. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Teen Survey shows decline in substance abuse Substance abuse is declining among some western Massachusetts teens, according to a new survey of more than 2000 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. Schools are playing a large role in the results. But researchers are concerned that parents are not as involved as they could be. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | More State Budget Cuts are Possible The Patrick Administration may be making more cuts to Massachusetts' state budget. Administration and Finance Secretary Leslie Kirwan says a final decision will be made after October 15th, when September's tax revenues are totaled. But while Kirwan has told heads of state agencies to prepare for the possibility of cuts, she says there are no plans to further reduce local aid or education aid to cities and towns. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Waiting List Forms For Senior Home Care in Massachusetts Senior citizens in Massachusetts who want to get home care services may have to wait, starting this week. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Street Closures in Springfield for Enshrinement As Springfield prepares for Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremonies, city officials are getting ready to shut down some busy downtown streets to vehicular traffic. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Asks for Federal Disaster Relief for Farms Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is asking federal officials to declare the wet summer a disaster for most farms in the state, making growers eligible for up to 500-thousand dollars in low-interest government loans. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Pondering the future of the Monson Developmental Center Local and state officials are considering the future of the Monson Developmental Center, one of four in Massachusetts targeted for closure by Governor Deval Patrick. As WFCR's Bob Paquette reports, one lawmaker says the state must do a better job planning the fate of the campus than it has in the past for similar projects. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Federal Agents Make Arrests In Springfield Church Fire Federal agents have arrested three men in connection with the fire that destroyed a Springfield, Massachusetts church the day after Barack Obama's presidential victory.WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Secretary Galvin Calls for Extension of Moratorium on Utility Shut-offs Massachusetts residents who are behind on paying their utility bills and facing shut-offs may get a one month reprieve. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Indie Booksellers Low on the List A new survey is confirming the changing buying habits of book readers in the U.S. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Some War Veterans Will See Fees Waived at UMass A U-Mass trustee committee has unanimously voted to approve a fee waiver for Massachusetts residents who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan since September 11th, 2001. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Recent Immigrants to Massachusetts Celebrate Inauguration Millions across the world watched Tuesday's inauguration when Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States... And, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, President Obama's election brought new hope to some recent immigrants to this country who were viewing it. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Libraries Popular in Tight Times Librarians around the region are reporting an increase in library use. But as the economy sours, library funding is in question. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Local Housing Advocates Hail Obama Administration Plan Housing advocates in Western New England are hailing President Obama's 275 billion dollar plan to address the foreclosure crisis. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Legislature Closes in on Life Sciences Bill The Massachusetts House and Senate appear close to a deal on a one billion dollar life sciences bill. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Western Mass Catholics Consider Appealing Church Closures Western Massachusetts Catholics are holding meetings in Springfield and Chicopee this week... They're trying to figure out their next steps, since the Diocese of Springfield announced a list of 19 churches to be closed. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Church Closings in Western Mass It's been a difficult few days for Catholics in Western Massachusetts. Officials from the Springfield Diocese spoke publicly today after announcing the closure of 19 Western Massachusetts churches over the weekend. WFCR's Helen Barrington has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Cuts Rebates for Commercial Solar Installations Massachusetts businesses installing solar panels on their roofs won't be getting as much help from the state. That's because a state rebate is being cut back. But as WFCRs Tina Antolini reports, some officials say that could actually be good news. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Job Losses Mount in Springfield, Holyoke Unemployment in Springfield and Holyoke jumped significantly in July, as construction, manufacturing and government employers continued to shed jobs. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Amherst Adds Legal Protections for Transgender People The University of Massachusetts Amherst announced Thursday that transgender students, faculty and staff will now be included as a protected group in its non-discrimination policies. As WFCRs Tina Antolini reports, that's a contrast to state non-discrimination policies which do not include transgender citizens. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Quabbin reopens to boats Fears have abated that zebra mussels could clog up water pipes in the Quabbin Reservoir in Western Massachusetts, which supplies drinking water to Boston. The Quabbin reopened to recreational boaters on Monday. WFCR's Adam Alfandary was there. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Career Center Sees Some Glimmers of Hope in the Springfield Job Market The latest unemployment numbers show the national rate has fallen. But at a Springfield, Massachusetts career center, the news is mixed. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Phoenix bear rises from pond Public Works employees in Easthampton Massachusetts spotted what appeared to be a winged bear in Nashawannuck pond early on Thursday morning. WFCR's Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Solar Power Plants Announced for Massachusetts Last week the Western Massachusetts Electric Company announced it would build several large-scale solar-power plants over the next year. But as WFCR's Adam Alfandary reports, even though sunshine comes free, solar power is not cheap. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Federal money for brownfield sites Four organizations in Western New England have been granted a combined $2.3 million by the Environmental Protection Agency, to reclaim so-called brownfield sites. WFCR's Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Energy park planned for Green Mountain Race Track The owners of the Green Mountain Race Track in Pownal Vermont want to turn the site into what they are billing as an energy park. Exactly what kind of energy generation might be in the works has yet to be revealed. WFCR's Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | East Equine Encephalitis Prevention The Massachusetts Department of Agriculture is asking residents to take steps now to help prevent any outbreak of Equine Encephalitis among livestock. WFCR's Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northeast Utilities "Smart Grid" Northeast Utilities has announced the company is seeking more than $100 million from the federal government to support new electric "smart-grid" technology in the region. WFCR's David Murray reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Candidates for Office Up in Pittsfield Politicking appears to be growing more popular in the region. Election officials in Pittsfield, Massachusetts are the latest to report an unusually high number of candidates running for office in this year's local elections. WFCR's Kari Njiiri has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Online Gaming Ballot Initiative Online poker players from Massachusetts could see the state take a cut of their winnings under a ballot proposal submitted to the attorney general. In addition, online poker sites would pay a licensing fee to the state. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Turnpike Suit in Court Lawyers and toll payers suing Massachusetts over the Turnpike Authority's use of tolls to pay for the Big Dig will be in court. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Neal Talks about Health Care As the US Senate prepares to adjourn for its August recess, one Massachusetts lawmaker is predicting Congress will come out with a comprehensive package to reform the nation's health care system and it will include a public insurance option. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Possible Compensation for Power Outage Some Springfield area residents hit by a power outage could get some compensation for food that spoiled as a result. WFCR's Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | SBA Stimulus Money for Western Mass Massachusetts Congressman Richie Neal is pushing back against arguments that the federal stimulus package has been slow to produce results and he called a press conference in Ludlow to highlight areas where he says its paying dividends. WFCR's Kari Njiiri has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Jordan Exhibit Opens As the newest class of players prepares to be inducted next month into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, a new display has opened at the museum showcasing probably the best known member of the class of 2009: Michael Jordan. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Financial Aid for Veterans A federal initiative to give veterans significant financial aid for higher education goes into effect this month and it's gathering steam in Western New England. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | STCC to Develop Green Jobs Training Program The Patrick Administration has chosen Springfield Technical Community College to develop a green jobs training effort for all of the state's community colleges. WFCR's Helen Barrington reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Record Number of Candidates to Run in Springfield Springfield's top elections official says a record number of candidates have been certified to run for a seat on the City Council in this year's election - evidence that a new election system there may be on the way to achieving its goals. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Liquor Tax in Massachusetts Liquor sellers around Massachusetts want voters to repeal the new liquor tax just enacted by the legislature. WFCR's Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Transgender Beauty Pageant Coming to Northampton A transgender beauty pageant is set to break new ground in Northampton, Massachusetts. WFCR's David Murray reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Building Authority Authorizes Millions for Voc Ed The Massachusetts School Building Authority has authorized 100 million dollars for vocational education across the state. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Rail Meeting in Vermont Transportation leaders from the six New England states are getting together today in Vermont to talk about train service - and how to get the federal government to help pay for it. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Cash for Clunkers in the Region Local car dealerships are moving ahead with the federal "Cash for Clunkers" program -- a nationwide effort to improve fuel efficiency. That's amid reports that the government money is all but spent. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Armor Names Coach Former Boston Celtics captain Dee Brown was introduced as the first head coach of Springfield's NBA development league franchise, the Armor. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Merce Cunninham Dies The region's dance community is mourning the death Sunday of modern dance pioneer Merce Cunningham. A dance innovator, Cunningham was known for changing the way dance steps are ordered and the way dancers relate to the music. Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Survey says: Governor Patrick's popularity is down A poll conducted last week for the Boston Globe found a sharp drop in Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's approval rating. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Giving jazz a marketing boost in Massachusetts There's a new marketing effort in Massachusetts to promote the state as a haven for jazz. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | YWCA Groundbreaking The YWCA of Springfield -- a human services organization -- held a ground-breaking ceremony today for a 5.5 million dollar housing complex for battered women and children. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Gender Identity Protection for Umass Students UMASS-Amherst has developed a system to protect the gender identity of its students. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Stimulus Money for Food and Shelter Stimulus money from the Federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program has arrived in Western Massachusetts. WFCR Intern David Murray reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New CT Farmer's Market Focusses on Health A community health center in Hartford, Connecticut has started a farmer's market to encourage its patients to eat more healthfully. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MassDevelopment to Buy Federal Building Massachusetts' development agency has put down a quarter million dollar deposit to buy the Federal building in Springfield. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Biomass Plant Opposed An industrial company in Greenfield, Massachusetts is planning to fight a proposal to build a biomass plant in town. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Horace Boyer Dies A renowned scholar of gospel music and professor emeritus at Umass Amherst has died. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Health costs tied to local aid Lawmakers are using the carrot and stick approach to encourage municipalities to keep down their health insurance costs. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Dog's Dinner A Deerfield, Massachusetts restaurant is cooking dinner for its human guests and their dogs this week. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Arts Organizations Get Grants Two arts organizations in Western Massachusetts have each received five thousand dollar grants. WFCR Intern David Murray reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | College Tuition Plans with Local Banks A Western Massachusetts lawmaker has filed a bill that would allow local banks to handle college tuition savings plans. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Institute Convenes A new think tank in Springfield is trying to inspire a group of community activists and residents. They met at the South End Community Center to talk about how to help the city transition to its next form of government. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Meals Tax The Springfield City Council is scheduled to vote on a proposal to repeal an increase in the local meals tax, which could take effect as early as August 1. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Pepper Spray Several Massachusetts lawmakers are hoping to push through a bill that would make it easier to buy and use pepper spray or mace -- non-lethal self-defense items that temporarily sting the eyes of those on the receiving end. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Growth in Green-Collar Jobs Interest in energy efficiency has led to job growth at the Center for Ecological Technology. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Connecticut businesses closing at a record pace Connecticut's Secretary of the State says a record number of businesses have shut down in that state in the first half of 2009. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Possible changes to the Franklin Regional Transit Authority The Franklin Regional Transit Authority holds public hearings this week to consider possible fare and schedule changes. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | A suggested change in school vacations Massachusetts education officials are calling on school districts to merge their February and April vacation weeks into a single week off in March. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | CNN Rates Connecticut Towns Six towns in Connecticut were ranked in the top 100 small towns in America, according to a CNN Money report. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Curb Appeal Springfield-based Mass Mutual is launching a new program to improve the exterior appearances of homes along the city's State Street corridor. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Surprising Research on Dog Barking A UMass Amherst doctoral candidate's research suggests dogs bark for different reasons than you might think. WFCR Intern David Murray reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Pre-pay Electricity Program Raises Concerns A pilot program that would have some low-income households in Massachusetts pay for electricity in advance, is drawing criticism from some state officials and community advocates. WFCR's Kari Njiiri has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Smoking Ban Near Public Buildings Smoking near any public building, including restaurants and bars, could be outlawed under a proposed state law. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Eviction Counsel Projects Three groups representing lawyers in Massachusetts have launched two pilot projects to determine how legal counsel can best help tenants facing eviction and possible homelessness. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Rattlesnake Bite in Massachusetts A wildlife researcher is recovering from a rattlesnake bite he got in Sheffield, Massachusetts over the weekend. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Tomato Blight A late blight is threatening tomato plants throughout Massachusetts. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Women's Fund Grants Nearly two dozen non-profit groups are the latest recipients of grants from the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts. The fund's mission is to improve the lives of women and girls. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports that the organization has increased its charitable support this year, despite a bad economy. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Storm School An area electric utility wants to remind customers to be prepared for upcoming summer storms and possible outages. WFCR's Kari Njiiri attended a so-called "storm school" to see how to prepare for the season. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Community Colleges and Corporate Job Training Community colleges across Massachusetts are taking on corporate job training, in collaboration with the state's largest employers' association. WFCR's Kari Njiiri has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Number of Homeless Female Vets on the Rise The number of female veterans who are homeless in Massachusetts is on the rise. WFCR intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Leadership School Finds Home New Leadership Charter School in Springfield will move into the former Holy Name School. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Open Pantry director leavning After 20 years, Kevin Noonan is leaving his position as Executive Director of Open Pantry. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mental Health program for Gays and Lesbians The newest inpatient mental health and addiction program at the Brattleboro Retreat is the first in New England designed exclusively for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Zebra Mussels Endanger Local Lakes and Rivers Officials in the Berkshires are alarmed by the first area appearance of zebra mussels. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Change in Online Approach As newspapers across the country scale back -- and in some cases go out of business -- one paper in Western Massachusetts is switching its online content to a paid subscription service. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Making Washington D-C's historic buildings green An expert panel -- including a UMass-Amherst professor -- is studying ways to make some of Washington D.C.'s buildings more energy efficient. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Bond Buyers Flock to Baystate Medical Despite the lingering recession, Baystate Medical Center in Springfield is moving forward on a giant expansion of its flagship hospital... WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Potential Impact of New Local Taxes Despite the soon-to-be-implemented increase in the Massachusetts sales tax, some cities and towns are considering raising local taxes even higher. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Two Buildings in Franklin County Win Green Awards Two homes in Franklin County, Massachusetts have won prizes in a statewide energy efficiency competition. WFCR Intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Merrill Lynch Pays Massachusetts Another $300,000 Over Risky Investments Merrill Lynch is paying the state of Massachusetts 300-thousand dollars, in the latest part of a settlement over risky securities it sold to the city of Springfield. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA's Repeal of the Tax Exemption for Alcohol Sales Makes Some Cheer, Others Jeer There will be some celebration and some consternation on August first, when the Massachusetts' sales tax will be added to retail sales of beer, wine and liquor. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Meals Tax in Springfield Debated A Springfield City Councilor is calling for the council not to accept a proposed meals tax in Mayor Domenic Sarno's 528 million dollar budget for Fiscal Year 2010. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Recording Studio for Mental Health A local mental health agency is launching a recording studio for clients who want to express themselves through music, poetry or stories. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield after the Finance Control Board Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno says the city is in solid financial shape as the state-imposed Finance Control Board prepares to go out of business at the end of this month. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Chemical Nose Developed A research team at UMass Amherst has developed a new technique which could revolutionize the detection of cancer. WFCR intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Greenfield Renovates Greenfield, Massachusetts is slated to begin a major downtown restoration project on rundown, but historic buildings. It promises to attract new business and create a cultural district. WFCR's Susan Kaplan has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Asian Long Horned Beetle Battle Efforts to eradicate the Asian long horned beetle -- which is a serious threat to hardwood trees -- has been underway in central Massachusetts since it was discovered last August. Now the battle is ramping up again, as evidence of the insect's spread continues to be found. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Cuts at Berkshire Health Systems Like many other hospitals in Massachusetts and the region facing shrinking revenues, Berkshire Health Systems is cutting staff. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Lawsuit Against Domino's Pizza The parents of a delivery driver in Springfield who was murdered in 2007 have filed a 15 million dollar wrongful death suit against Domino's Pizza. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Readings of Douglass' 1852 Address This Independence Day weekend, there will be a statewide campaign to encourage community readings of Frederick Douglass' 1852 Fourth of July address. WFCR intern Adam Alfandary reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield's Asylum Building Springfield officials say they're buying a major downtown building as part of a plan to redevelop the area. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Area Colleges Brace for Tough Budgets, as New Fiscal Year Draws Near As the start of the next fiscal year draws near, area colleges are preparing their communities for the cuts ahead. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Motorcycles and Photo Ops A Springfield bank hopes to connect with motorcyclists coming downtown during the city's summer concert series to help local non-profits. WFCR's Kari Njiiri has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Arts Programs on the Cuts Lists at Area Schools The competition for scarce resources in public schools across Massachusetts is leading to arts and other programs frequently showing up on the list of cuts. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Two Catholic Schools to Become Public Two schools the Springfield Diocese plans to close will be the sites for two new public schools with Finance Control Board approval. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Retaining College Graduates A new report from the New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve in Boston shows Massachusetts isn't doing a very good job of retaining its college graduates. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | A New Effort to Highlight Manufacturing A coalition of business, community and political leaders met in Springfield to address the state of manufacturing in the region. The event highlighted ways to recruit a new generation of skilled workers. The keynote speaker was actor John Ratzenberger, best known for his roles as Cliff Claven in "Cheers" and in Pixar animated movies. Razenberger is a Connecticut native and former carpenter. He has a new foundation on the web at nutsandboltsfoundation.org Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Study says higher fuel standards would benefit New England A University of New Hampshire analysis shows New England would benefit under the new fuel economy standards for cars and light-duty trucks announced last month by President Obama. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Autoparts Business is Doing Well Amid bad news about automakers and car sales, there's one segment of the automotive sector that appears to be thriving in Western New England -- parts and accessories. WFCR's Kari Njiiri has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Patients Creatively Manage Prescriptions Area physicians say many patients are becoming creative with health care cost-savings -- some of it safe, some of it not. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northfield Mount Hermon Gift The Northfield Mount Hermon School has received a million dollar gift from one of its oldest living alumni. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mass Health program helps smokers kick the habit Thousands of smokers have been able to quit, thanks to a program offered through the Mass Health. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mass Democrats to gather in Springfield Massachusetts Democrats hold an issues convention in Springfield this Saturday. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Regional businesses are optimistic about the future Hundreds of Massachusetts and Connecticut business owners are feeling good about their prospects. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | A peregrine falcon family at UMass-Amherst There are four peregrine falcon chicks atop the W.E.B. DuBois Library at UMass-Amherst. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Economic Recovery on the Way An economic recovery is within sight for Western Massachusetts, but it won't be quick. That's the prediction from the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, who was in Springfield. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Charlemont ski area seeks to harness the power of the wind Berkshire East in Charlemont is making plans to build a wind turbine for its power needs. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | North Adams City Councilor runs for Mayor A three-term City Councilor is challenging North Adams' mayor this fall. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Boston Real Estate Developer Will Head Springfield's Economic Development Efforts A Boston real estate developer is Springfield's new Chief Development Officer. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Residents to Sue State Over Environmental Impact of Proposed Greenfield Biomass Plant A group of Franklin County residents are planning to sue the state, over its failure to require a proposed biomass plant in Greenfield to file an environmental impact report. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Improved Broadband Access Roundtable Better and faster internet access brought federal, state, and local officials to Western Massachusetts recently. WFCR's Jill Kaufman has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Vision for Holyoke The second in a series of three public forums on the future of Holyoke is being held this week. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports that Thursday's meeting is part of a state-funded plan to revitalize the city's urban core. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Florence Savings Bank Customers Targeted in Phishing Scam Officials with Florence Savings Bank are alerting customers to be on guard against a scam aimed at stealing their account information. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | A Marine honors fellow soldiers with a statue A Marine veteran from West Springfield has built a statue to honor the soldiers he served with. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mass Mutual Layoffs One of Springfield's largest employers, Mass Mutual Financial Group, has announced a new round of lay-offs this week. WFCR Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Foreclosure Numbers A new report shows foreclosures in Massachusetts dropping sharply last month. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports the number is the lowest for a single month in more than a year. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Art project grows in downtown North Adams Plans are underway to double a downtown art project in North Adams, Massachusetts. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Budget cuts threaten Senior Farm Care program A program that provides area seniors with fresh fruits and vegetables faces the state budget axe. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Buy Springfield Now A new campaign has been launched to attract potential home buyers to Springfield. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Holyoke Community Dialogue As Holyoke gears up for municipal elections in the fall, some residents are trying a novel approach to increasing voter turnout and identifying concerns they want potential candidates to address. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Massachusetts Census Figures New figures from the US Census Bureau show Massachusetts has fewer people leaving than earlier in the decade. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Study finds more Massachusetts land saved than developed A major preservation group says Massachusetts is protecting land at about twice the rate as land lost to development. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | North Adams Mayor Describes Budget Pain Spring is budget-writing season for Massachusetts communities. But with state revenues dropping, and legislators planning cuts, most municipalities are delaying budget-making decisions for the next fiscal year. This week, Springfield city councilors tabled discussion of the mayor's budget. Many smaller towns have postponed town meeting until mid-June, hoping to have more information. John Barrett has been mayor of North Adams for twenty-six years and he's never seen a time quite like thi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Barber Licenses Springfield's City Council is considering an ordinance requiring owners of barbershops and beauty salons to pay a license fee to register their businesses. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | EPA Clean-Up funds for Massachusetts EPA officials have announced clean-up funds for more than a dozen sites across Massachusetts. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | General Dynamics in Pittsfield General Dynamics has been chosen to work on a new combat ship that is considered a key element in the US Navy's 21st century defense efforts. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports that the company's division in Pittsfield is developing the ship's engineering electronics. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Save the Children Reports on New England In a new report that looks at how the US prepares young children for school, Massachusetts and Connecticut rank in the top five. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Reeds Landing Sale A senior living community in Springfield has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It's part of a deal enabling the facility to continue operating with a new owner. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Power Lines to Put Out More Power Power lines in parts of Western Massachusetts and Connecticut may triple their output. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | School Bus Contracts in Dispute Three transportation companies have filed a lawsuit against the city of Springfield claiming the public schools breached a contract to bus special needs and homeless students. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Gifts for Guns Baystate Children's Hospital in Springfield is teaming up with law enforcement officials on a gun buyback program. This Saturday(May 9), working firearms can be traded for gift cards valued at up to 50 dollars. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | SBA Honors Area Bank for work with Women Entrepreneurs A Western Massachusetts bank has been honored by the Small Business Administration for its efforts to provide business loans to women. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Deemed Ready for Biotech The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council has announced that Springfield is on its list of the state's best bio-ready communities. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts has Bad Air A new report from the American Lung Association says 175 million people in the United States live in areas where the air is, at times, not healthy. That includes nearly everyone in New England. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Governor's Springfield Office May Close The Governor's Western Massachusetts office may again fall victim to the state's fiscal crisis. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Elite 8 to Continue to be played in Springfield NCAA officials have announced that Springfield will continue to host their Division 2 men's basketball championship for the next two years. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Car Dealers Reacts to Increase in Sales Tax Lawmakers in the Massachusetts house say their vote to increase the state sales tax from 5 to 6.25 percent could bring some 900 million dollars in badly needed revenue. But as WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports, the tax increase could exacerbate problems for the state's automobile dealers. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Qteros Plans A Massachusetts-based bio-fuels company using microbe technology to convert plant material into ethanol held a briefing for business, political and community leaders in Springfield. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Quinn Bill funding in doubt A program that boosts the pay of police officers who get college degrees may be cut during budget debate in the Massachusetts House. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Focus Western New England Zooms in on Springfield This month Focus Western New England is zooming in on Springfield... We take a close look at the end of the state-appointed Finance Control Board that's been governing the city's finances since it was on the brink of bankruptcy in 2004... We visit an Italian market in the city's South End, and meet it's owner who's on a mission to bring the game of bocce to the masses... And we hear from some Springfield poets who love their city, and want the world to know. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Westfield Downtown Planning The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has set its sights on helping Westfield revitalize it's downtown. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Scientists Help Sequence First Full Cow Genome A team of researchers-- some at UMass Amherst-- announced Thursday they've sequenced the first full cow genome. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Turning Cardboard to Compost A Western Massachusetts farmer and a shopping mall are teaming up to get rid of used cardboard, by composting it. WFCR's Kari Njiiri has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Inaugurates New Heating Plant UMASS Amherst is now home to one of the country's most energy efficient heating plants. WFCR's Susan Kaplan was at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Fleitman to run for Congress Congressman Richie Neal will have a challenger in next year's election. WFCR's Helen Barrington reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Old Sturbridge Village marks Earth Day Old Sturbridge Village is marking Earth Day, in its own way. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Keeping an eye on the Connecticut River Volunteers will be helping to keep an eye on water quality in the Connecticut River this spring and summer. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Science Museum has a new arrival Springfield's Science Museum has a new offspring -- a poison dart frog. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Rally for Springfield Shriners Hospital A rally was held in Springfield this past Sunday in support of the Shriners Hospital for Children. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Americans Place 3rd in Boston Marathon African runners were the first across the finish line in the 113th Boston Marathon today. Deriba Merga of Ethiopia won the men's race and Salina Kosgei of Kenya won the women's. The top American contenders both came in third. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more from Boston. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Students who move often struggle with MCAS exam Holyoke, Massachusetts has some of the highest numbers of school children in the state without a permanent home. That's according to the results of a new study conducted by the city's School Department. It shows that these kids are doing far worse on the MCAS test than students who come from stable homes. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Public Safety Program Cuts Could Cause Rise in Crime Among the millions of dollars in cuts -- proposed by the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee's budget this week -- are reductions in public safety programs police officers say are crucial... especially in struggling urban centers like Springfield and Holyoke. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mayors Lash Out at Lawmakers Over House Budget Mayors and selectmen from around Massachusetts lashed out at members of the legislature Thursday for proposing a budget that they say will force them to make deep cuts in their own budgets and lay off thousands of municipal workers. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts has unspent bike path money Massachusetts is last in the nation when it comes to spending federal money on bike paths and rail trails. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | House Budget Cuts More Than a Billion The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee released a budget Wednesday that contains one point eight billion dollars in cuts. It's hundreds of millions of dollars less than what Governor Deval Patrick asked for when he filed his budget request in January. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Palmer wants Amtrak service Palmer, Massachusetts officials want their town to have full Amtrak service. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Library considers change in investing endowment funds Trustees of Amherst, Massachusetts' Jones Library are considering a change in investment strategy. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Road salt seeps into water wells A new study finds road salt is seeping into more than forty percent of the private wells in Westfield and Southampton, Massachusetts. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Remembering lawyer Jonathan Souweine Friends and associates are remembering attorney Jonathan Souweine, who died Tuesday at age 61. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Beware of mortgage scams Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is warning homeowners to beware of foreclosure assistance scams. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Kids' Body Mass Indexes to be Sent Home to Parents Massachusetts' Public Health Council yesterday voted unanimously to approve regulations that require sending children's Body Mass Index measurements home to parents. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Resolving disputes at Hadley's Golden Court Massachusetts officials have gotten involved in disputes between Hadley officials and residents of the Golden Court complex. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Keeping UMass in gear University of Massachusetts President Jack Wilson is working to craft ways to keep the institution moving forward, despite the continuing recession. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Protest Vigil Continues at Adams Catholic Church The vigil continues at the closed Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church in Adams, Massachusetts... And there may be at least several more months in store, as parishioners wait for the Vatican's decision on their appeal of the closure. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Digitizing the papers of W.E.B. DuBois The papers of Massachusetts native W.E.B. DuBois, one of the most prominent intellectual leaders and political activists of the 20th century, are going to be digitized. The announcement was made at UMass-Amherst's W.E.B. DuBois' library, where the collection is housed. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Cautions about pesticide use in public housing Some Springfield young people will soon lead workshops warning about the hazards of pesticide use in public housing developments. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass-Amherst cuts ski teams The University of Massachusetts has cut its men's and women's ski teams amid a shortfall in its athletic budget. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MASS-MOCA proposes solar project The Massachusetts Museum of Modern Contemporary Art is seeking federal stimulus money for a major solar power project. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield targets gang and youth violence Springfield officials are planning a series of "neighborhood deployments" to combat gang and youth violence. As WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports, the effort is being paid for with 1.4 Million dollars in state money. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts House may release a budget without earmarks The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee may release a budget plan without earmarks. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Stimulus Funds to Help Rural Residents Become Homeowners The White House has released millions of dollars in economic stimulus funds to help rural Massachusetts residents become homeowners. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Schools Anticipate Restrictions Attached to Economic Stimulus Funds Massachusetts school officials are eager for the federal economic stimulus dollars pledged to them last month by Governor Patrick . But, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, that money may be complicated by a list of requirements and a still unknown timeline... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | D-League basketball coming to Springfield The birthplace of basketball is getting a pro team. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Renovations planned at Springfield's Symphony Hall Bids will be open soon for renovations to Springfield's Symphony Hall. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Basketball Hall of Fame seeks to stabilize finances Officials with Springfield's Basketball Hall of Fame say the Hall is not in danger of shutting down, nor is it on the verge of filing for bankruptcy. WFCR's Kari Njiiri has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Using high-tech methods to track storm damage Gardner, Massachusetts is seeking money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with the clean-up from last December's ice storm. And, as WFCR's Bob Paquette reports, the city is using a high-tech approach to assess the damage that was done. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Legal Hurdles May Complicate Greenfield and Mohawk Schools Sharing Superintendent Like many rural school districts wrestling with budget deficits, Greenfield and Mohawk trail regional have been looking at sharing various services to run more efficiently. But, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, there may be legal hurdles facing Greenfield if they choose to share a superintendent with the Mohawk district... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | A Meltdown in Goshen A pond in a small Western Massachusetts hilltown is getting worldwide attention, all for a good cause. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Possible change in rail service in the Pioneer Valley Regional planners are considering seeking stimulus money to alter an Amtrak route in Western Massachusetts. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Revises Changes to Homeless Shelter Regulations Massachusetts officials have revised some proposed changes to regulations that govern homeless families seeking state shelter beds. The move comes after outcry from advocates, who said the changes might deny shelter to some needy families. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Amherst Dims Lights for Earth Hour On Saturday night, thousands of cities and towns in eighty-four countries will turn off many non-essential lights for an hour to heighten awareness about global climate change. One of the towns is Amherst, Massachusetts. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Amherst considers a regional emergency dispatch center Amherst is asking surrounding towns if there's interest in establish a regional emergency dispatch center. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Residents Asked to Check Trees for Asian Longhorned Beetle Damage Massachusetts agricultural officials are asking residents to be check their trees for signs of the Asian longhorned beetle. As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, they're trying to prevent devastation of the state's hardwood forests. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | A river in the Berkshires gets a special state designation Massachusetts officials are granting a special state designation to a stretch of the Housatonic River. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Building this summer at Greenfield Community College Greenfield Community College will soon start work on a major building project. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Ultimate Frisbee as Tool of Peace in Mideast? Ultimate Frisbee enthusiasts in the region are among those introducing Young Israelis and Palestinians to the game in Tel Aviv. The event is being organized by the Ultimate Peace Initiative and will focus on some of the sport's unusual qualities: like not using referees. Fans of Ultimate say that pushes athletes to develop conflict mediation skills. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Delays Toll Hike The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority has agreed to delay a toll hike -- that was supposed to go into effect on sunday -- until July first. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Old Sturbridge Village Attendance Up Old Sturbridge Village is bucking the bad economy. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Six Flags May File for Bankruptcy The parent company of Six Flags New England is considering filing for bankruptcy, saying it won't be able to pay debts coming due this summer. But, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, officials say that won't effect the upcoming summer season at the Six Flags theme park in Agawam. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Clearinghouse Will Help Turn Foreclosed Properties Into Affordable Housing Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Congressman Barney Frank have announced a new program aimed at converting foreclosed properties into affordable housing. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Future Healthcare Jobs the Focus of Pioneer Valley Program Even while many sectors are shedding jobs in the current economy, there are some that continue to grow... like healthcare. And, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, one program in the pioneer valley is aimed at training the next generation of workers for jobs in that expanding field. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Waits for Stimulus Funds Many school districts, universities and municipalities are crafting budgets without knowing specifically how much money they'll receive from the federal stimulus plan. While some dollar amounts are trickling in, for most the bottom line remains up in the air. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Opens Regional Transit Center UMass Amherst opened its new Transit and Regional Traveler Information Center on Monday. The Center's cost was five million dollars. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northampton Asks for Community Input on Budget Deficit Northampton, Massachusetts Mayor Clare Higgins will hold the first in a series of community meetings tonight on the city's budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July first. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | U.S. Geological Survey to Study Uranium in Massachusetts Wells In the coming weeks, 1,600 randomly selected households in Worcester county and parts of eastern Massachusetts will receive some bottles in the mail and a letter asking that they be filled with tap water... It's part of a U.S. Geological Survey effort to understand where both uranium and arsenic are a problem in private wells. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Governor Patrick and Western Mass Residents Testify on Gas Tax Hike The Legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation heard from both Governor Patrick and western Massachusetts residents at a hearing in Springfield Wednesday on the administration's proposed transportation reform package. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Gateway Cities Bill Aims to Help Massachusetts' Older Urban Centers A bill making its way through the Massachusetts legislature would give an economic helping hand to the state's older urban centers... many of which have a high proportion of poor households. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Smith College Reduces Ada Comstock Scholars Program Smith College is reducing its program for non-traditional students, as the Northampton, Massachusetts-based women's college works to cut millions of dollars from next year's budget... WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Judge Gives Vassell's Lawyers Access to Files A judge has granted a request from defense lawyers for a former UMass student accused of two felonies in a racially charged incident last year. But, at a hearing Monday,the prosecution said it might appeal that ruling. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Students Upset By UMass Fee Hike The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees has approved a 1,500-dollar-per-student fee hike, though they say the increase could be rebated if the university system receives federal stimulus money. But, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, that's not satisfying some students' worries... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Board of Trustees Approves Fee Hike The UMass Board of Trustees has given final approval to a 1500 dollar-per student fee hike for the next academic year. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | FEMA Earkmarks Aid For Communities Hit By December Ice Storm Nearly 3 months after the damaging ice story of December 11th hit parts of Western New England, FEMA -- the Federal Emergency Management Agency -- has earmarked its first 2 million dollars in recovery aid ... a figure that could still go much higher. WFCR's Jill Kaufman reports: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | State Employees Overwhelmed By Food Stamp Applications Employees at the state Department of Transitional Assistance -- which handles food stamp applications in Massachusetts -- are overwhelmed. The state is reporting 20-thousand new applications are coming in every month... WFCR's Jill Kaufman reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Franklin County Technical Completes Renovation Franklin County Technical School in Turners Falls, Massachusetts is about to complete a multi-million dollar energy efficiency renovation on its 32 year old building. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Homes Prices and Sales Dropped in January There was some sobering news in the Massachusetts real estate market today: home prices dropped more than 20 percent in January, as compared with a year ago. And, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, analysts aren't expecting much improvement anytime soon. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Students Walk to Dartmouth To Protest Fee Hike A group of UMass students will start a 115 mile walk Monday to protest the increase in fees being considered by the university's board of trustees. They're trying to close a budget gap created by a 102 million dollar reduction in state funding for the next fiscal year. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Transgender Civil Rights Bill Refiled in MA Legislature Massachusetts legislators have re-filed a bill that would add protections for transgender residents--people who identify with a gender other than the one on their birth certificate. As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, it's identical to a bill that died in committee in the last legislative session. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Greenfield Police Warn of Budget Cut's Impact on Public Safety Services Greenfield, Massachusetts police say midyear budget cuts will delay some services... And they warn of the impact of future cuts on employees and public safety. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Car Dealers Look to President's Day for Sales Bump The President's Day holiday is traditionally a big day for car sales... But, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, local dealers say this year, they'll be happy with even a little bump in business. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Milk Prices Down Again The price per hundred pounds of milk has dropped more than $5. from January and is the the lowest its been since 2003. Some New England farmers may be buffered from the drop. To a point. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Grantmaker Able to Increase Funding An anonymous donor has allowed the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts to significantly increase its financial support to community programs in the region. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Faces 4.6 Million Dollar Deficit Springfield, Massachusetts is facing a 4.6 million dollar budget deficit, because of local aid cuts made by Governor Patrick this week. But, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, Mayor Dominic Sarno is pledging not to lay off any police or firefighters this year. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Cities and Towns Address Budget Cuts Cities and towns across Massachusetts are contemplating lay-offs, program cuts and other measures to deal with 128 million dollars in mid-year cuts to local aid made official Wednesday by Governor Deval Patrick. He also announced further cuts in his plan for the next fiscal year, which begins July first. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Legislators Comment on DiMasi Resignation A spokesman for Sal DiMasi says the speaker of the Massachusetts House decided to resign just three weeks after being re-elected to the post because he didn't want to finish his term and felt it was better to quit before the legislature started an important budget debate. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Closed Adams Catholic Church Featured In Calendar An Adams, Massachusetts Catholic church that closed in December and has been the subject of an extended protest is now being celebrated in a new calendar. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Restaurant Owners Opposed to Proposed Meals Tax Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has said he will seek a one percent increase in the state meals and hotels tax, to help cities and towns offset cuts to local aid he'll be making this week. An additional local meals tax municipalities could choose to implement is also being discussed. But, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, restaurant owners are hoping for another option. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | After the inauguration The Inauguration of the 44th American president may have been a notable day in US history but as WFCR's Jill Kaufman reports, on the day the country's first African American president was sworn in, some people were just going about their business as usual. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Govt Settles With Belchertown Family of Iraq Vet Who Killed Himself The U.S. government has agreed to pay 350-thousand dollars to the family of a Belchertown marine who committed suicide after returning from Iraq. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | "Data Mining" prevention underway in MA legislature Massachusetts lawmakers have filed a bill they say would prevent "data mining" by pharmaceutical companies. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Legislature Gives Governor 9-C Authority Members of the Massachusetts House and Senate have voted to give Governor Deval Patrick expanded 9-C powers which will allow him to cut additional things from the budget the state is now operating on--including financial aid to the state's cities and towns. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports on the debate before Wednesday's vote: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Crime Down, But Police Commissioner Announces New Public Safety Measures While crime was down in Springfield, Massachusetts last year, the city's police commissioner says his department is stepping up anti-crime initiatives in the new year. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mental Health Advocates Decry State Case Manager Lay-Offs Advocates for the mentally ill in western Massachusetts are worried about the loss of 100 case managers, who were laid off this week from the state department of mental health. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | More Western Mass Families Turn to Domestic Violence Shelters The Massachusetts House and Senate have given final approval to a bill establishing criminal penalties for assault and battery on a family member. This comes at time when some domestic-violence shelters in western Massachusetts are reporting an increase in the number of families they're housing... As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, the increase could be a result of the the economic downturn. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Ice Storm Disaster Declaration Provides MA Communities With Aid Communities in western and central Massachusetts will receive millions of federal dollars to help them clean up from last month's ice storm, as a result of a new disaster declaration. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | The Five Favorite Words Of Congress A website reveals the most popular words among elected officials in Congress in 2008. And just like legislators all over the United States, members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation have their most-oft said words, too. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Western Massachusetts Mayors Brace for State Cuts When Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick cut the state budget in October, he pledged local aid to cities and towns would remain untouched. But this week's announcement of a possible billion dollars in cuts that may include slashing local aid has some mayors preparing for the worst. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Governor Says More State Budget Cuts Are Coming Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says he will have to cut the state budget even more deeply than expected, as tax collections fall below revised estimates. WFCR's Jill Kaufman reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Maple Syrup Producers Struggle in Ice Storm's Aftermath Maple syrup producers are among those still dealing with the fall-out from the severe ice storm that hit New England earlier this month. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Unemployed Massachusetts Residents Look to State for Help with Health Insurance As the number of unemployed Massachusetts residents has swelled, an increasing number are turning to the state for a hand in paying for health insurance premiums. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Haleigh Poutre's stepfather sentenced A Springfield judge sentenced Jason Stickland to up to 15 years in prison for allowing the abuse of his stepdaughter Haleigh Poutre in 2005. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Battling the Asian Long Horn Beetle in the snow As heavy snow fall hits the region again, crews in Worcester, Massachusetts are still cleaning up from last week's ice storm and tree debris remains an ongoing problem. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Lottery is also hit by snow and ice State officials say numerous early winter storms in Massachusetts are effecting more than those who lost power and heat... The state's Lottery is taking a hit, too. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Professor Reviews School Lunch Nutrition Standards A UMass professor is part of the National Academy of Sciences' new review of nutrition and meal standards for school lunch and breakfast programs. WFCR's Susan Kaplan has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Storm Slicks Roads, As Clean Up Continues New snow and ice have slowed clean-up efforts in many New England communities still reeling from last week's ice storm. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mass Mutual Acknowledges Funds Lost in Ponzi Scheme Mass Mutual is acknowledging that investors in a hedge fund owned by the Springfield, Massachusetts -based financial services giant may have lost more than three billion dollars in the alleged ponzi scheme of Wall Street trader Bernard Madoff. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Thousands Still Without Power, As Ice Storm Clean-Up Continues While the clean up from last week's storm continued through the weekend, many homes and businesses in central and western Massachusetts are still with out power Monday morning... WFCR's Jill Kaufman reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | A Busy Week Ahead for Massachusetts Lawmakers The week before a major holiday looks like a busy one for state lawmakers in Boston. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has this report from beacon hill... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Thousands in Worcester Wait for Power After Ice Storm Thousands of residents in Worcester, Massachusetts are still waiting to have their power restored in the wake of last week's ice storm.WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | SPED in Springfield Improves, according to feds After monitoring Springfield Public Schools for more than 10 years, US Department of Education officials say the district's special education services are vastly improved. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Clergy Abuse Victims Say Settlement Is Not Enough Men and women who allege they were sexually abused by clergy throughout the Springfield Catholic Diocese say last month's 4.5 million dollar settlement is insufficient. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | State Sets Budget for Gill-Montague School District This week the Massachusetts Department of Education imposed a budget on the Gill-Montague regional school district. The move follows months of financial wrangling between the school committee and the district's member towns. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | D-A Indicts Gun Club and Police Chief in Boy's Death The Hampden County District Attorney Thursday indicted a gun club in Western Massachusetts and several individuals in the October 26th death of an eight-year old Connecticut boy.WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Survey Finds College Less Affordable in Massachusetts Higher education in Massachusetts is becoming less affordable, according to a new national survey. And, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, the economic downturn is threatening to make college tuition an even heavier financial burden. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Foundations Target Hunger With Surprise Donation Western Massachusetts residents struggling to feed their families got a boost Tuesday with a surprise donation from several foundations in the eastern part of the state. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Advocates for the Mentally Ill Protest Cuts Advocates for the mentally ill were at the Massachusetts statehouse Tuesday, asking Governor Deval Patrick to restore funding he cut earlier this year to keep the state's operating budget in balance. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Greenfield Veterans Clinic Lauded The U-S Department of Veterans Affairs, for the second year in a row is recognizing an outpatient clinic in Greenfield, Massachusetts. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mumbai Natives in Western New England Track Attacks Western New England residents who have roots in Mumbai, India are anxiously waiting for updates on the attacks that city has seen in recent days. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Economic Downturn Puts Thanksgiving in New Light Thanksgiving is a holiday that celebrates bounty-- the dining room table groaning under the weight of a turkey, bowls of mashed potatoes, squash-- not to mention the pies... But this year, Thanksgiving comes during a time of economic uncertainty the like of which this country hasn't felt in decades. And, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, that's changing what some are giving thanks for... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts, Connecticut governors announce joint land preservation effort Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick and Connecticut governor Jodi Rell have announced the preservation of a 450 acre parcel of land straddling their respective borders. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northampton City Council to consider controversial panhandling ordinance At a meeting tonight in Northampton, Massachusetts, members of the City Council will consider an ordinance that limits how people can ask for money on city streets. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Former Easthampton factory to be auctioned A public auction in January has been scheduled for a vacant factory building in Easthampton, Massachusetts that had been slated for a condominium project. TD Banknorth says it is foreclosing on the former Easthampton Dye Works mill after its owner defaulted on a two-million dollar mortgage. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Local alternative fuel company changing name and location A UMass-Amherst spinoff - formerly known as SunEthanol- is moving into its next phase. The company, which is developing technology to produce ethanol from plant matter, has raised twenty-five million dollars in financing and is changing its name to Qteros. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Hundreds rally to support Jason Vassell This afternoon hundreds of people are in downtown Northampton to rally in support of former UMass-Amherst student Jason Vassell, who stands accused of assault and battery . WFCR's Susan Kaplan has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Church Bells Ring To Highlight Climate Change Church bells will be ringing across Western New England Sunday and in upcoming weeks-- but not just to call worshippers to service. As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, they're ringing to call attention to climate change. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Atkins Donuts Named Best in Nation The cider doughnuts at Atkins Farms in South Amherst, Massachusetts have been named some of the best in the nation. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Church Sees Outpouring of Support After Fire Donations are pouring in from around the country in support of a Springfield, Massachusetts church which caught fire in the early morning hours after election day. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Study Shows High Cost of "Defensive Medicine" The Massachusetts Medical Society - a trade organization for physicians - is releasing a study that shows the high cost of what's called "defensive medicine." WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Price of Oil Drops, But Heating Bills Still a Worry Despite a significant drop in the cost of gas and oil, New Englanders are still lining up for heat assistance for the coming winter. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Toll Talk on Beacon Hill While the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority has signed off on Governor Patrick's proposal to eliminate most tolls West of Route 128 in the next 12 to 18 months, a more immediate toll increase in the Boston area may generate some head on beacon hill. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Speculation mounts on cabinet posts for Kerry, Patrick This week we may find out whether Massachusetts senator John Kerry will become President-elect Barack Obama's Secretary of State. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | North Quabbin women hold final peace vigil If you've been through Orange, Massachusetts on a Saturday afternoon over the past seven years, you've possibly seen a group of women dressed in black. They stand silently and hold peace signs in Veterans Memorial Park. Last Saturday marked their last vigil. WFCR's Tina Antolini explains. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Female veterans honored in Statehouse ceremony On Tuesday, November 11th, the nation will observe Veterans Day. Many events were held around Massachusetts this past weekend leading up to Veterans Day, which is both a state and federal holiday. At the Statehouse in Boston, the Massachusetts Women Veterans' Network held a special ceremony in the Hall of Flags to honor two female veterans from different generations. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield, MA church fire remains under investigation An early morning fire in Springfield, Massachusetts that destroyed a church under construction remains under investigation. WFCR's Tina Antolini was at the Macedonia Church of God in Christ this afternoon and says fire officials don't have much to report yet: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | CPA money in MA off limits to parks Massachusetts' highest court has ruled that towns can't use money raised under the Community Preservation Act to improve parks. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Budget Cuts Hit Massachusetts' Colleges State college and university administrators in Massachusetts are among those digesting the sweeping budget cuts announced Wednesday by Governor Deval Patrick.... WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Economists Mull State Budget Cuts What do economists make of Governor Patrick's budget cuts? WFCR's Susan Kaplan spoke with David Teurk.. The Executive Director of the Beacon Hill Institute... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Budget and 9 C cuts Of the more than $1-billion dollars in budget cuts announced by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick this week, only about $341 million requires approval of the legislature. The rest of the reductions are referred to as "9 C" which means they're unilateral cuts the governor is allowed by law to make in times of financial crisis. Noah Berger is executive director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, in Boston. He says Patrick is exercising his 9 C authority across the board. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Great Barrington theater named as historic place A century-old theater in Berkshire County has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New England celebrates 250th birthday of Noah Webster The 250th anniversary of Noah Webster's birth will be marked this week with events in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Webster, the father of the first American dictionary, also helped in the founding of Amherst College. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Report shows benefits of public transit projects With Massachusetts officials warning of dire economic news to come, a new report highlights the potential economic benefits of planned public transportation projects in the state, including several in the Pioneer Valley. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Yiddish Book Center reviving language through students The National Yiddish Book Center, based in western Massachusetts, is using college students to spread its mission of reviving the Yiddish language and culture. WFCR's Susan Kaplan has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Judge Shortage in Western Mass to be Addressed A shortage of judges in Western Massachusetts courts should be addressed in the next few months, despite budget cuts being announced by Governor Deval Patrick. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Governor Patrick Previews Budget Cuts Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says he will announce plans to cut the state budget by hundreds of millions of dollars Wednesday, in order to keep state expenditures in line with declining tax revenue. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Colleges' Financial Aid Departments Prepare For Tough Economic Times Among those preparing for the rough economic times ahead are private colleges. As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, some financial aid directors in the Pioneer Valley are expecting an increase in those needing assistance to pay for school. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | An honor from the Dalai Lama A longtime peace activist from Leverett, Massachusetts is being honored by the Dalai Lama. WFCR's Bob Paquette has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Unveils New Economic Growth Initiative Residents, and city and business leader have been trying to revitalize Springfield, Massachusetts for years... A new project continues those efforts-- designed to create long-term job growth and industry development. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Boston political events focus on bailout, Question One The financial bailout of Wall Street and the potential ramifications of ballot Question One will be the focus of two events in Boston today. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Greenfield company switches to solar power The largest installation of solar panels in Western Massachusetts to date went live last Friday. The 100 kilowatt solar system should provide it's owner, the Small Corporation in Greenfield, nearly 80 percent of its energy. But the company has yet to see some of the financial benefits of the panels promised by the state. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Ceremony marks anniversary of hospital's closure A ceremony was held last Thursday to mark the anniversary of Northampton State Hospital's closure. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Young Holyoke entrepeneur makes magazine cover A young Holyoke businessman is on the cover of a national business publication this month. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Congressman Neal (MA) explains bailout bill In a 2nd vote this week the US House of Representatives passed a $700- billion financial rescue package aimed at rejuvenating credit markets and allaying investor fears. Congressman Richard Neal of Springfield, Massachusetts, voted in favor of the bill both times. He told WFCR's Tina Antolini about the new version of the bill, and why some of his colleagues changed their minds. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Bailout bill passes The majority of western New England's Congressional delegation voted in favor of the $700 billion financial rescue package passed by the US House of Representatives. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Defense says Haleigh Poutre Could Still Be Called to Testify There is still a chance Haleigh Poutre could be called to testify in the case against her stepfather and alleged abuser, Jason Strickland. As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, hearings Wednesday centered on the potential testimony of the Westfield, Massachusetts girl whose case led to a restructuring of the state's child protection laws. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Prosecutors Drop Plan to Call Haleigh Poutre as Witness A brain-damaged Westfield, Massachusetts girl whose case led to an overhaul of child protection laws in the state will not be called to testify at her alleged abuser's trial. As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, the prosecution has dropped its efforts to call Haleigh Poutre as a witness. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Presidential Debate Parties Held Across Western New England People across Western New England will get together to watch the presidential debate tonight, especially now that Republican John McCain has said he'll participate...WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Congress to Clarify Farm Bill to Keep Small Farmers in the Loop The U-S House has passed legislation clarifying language in the 2008 Farm Bill that will allow thousands of small farmers to become eligible for crop subsidies, disaster relief, and other programs. It's something some farmers in Western New England almost lost out on. WFCR's Tina Antolini explains. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | CT Municipalities on budget alert Facing a state budget deficit now double earlier estimates, Connecticut town and city officials are worried they'll take the hit. This comes as two of Connecticut's biggest cities have announced dozens of layoffs. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA secreatry of education looks to potential budget cuts Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville says he is spending most of his time looking at what he might have to cut from the current operating budget if state revenues go into a free fall because of the economic crisis. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Rosenberg grand jury testimony released, sheds new light for family and historians Michael Meerepol reacts to new information realeased by the US government, about his parents, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg,who were convicted of passing secrets about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union, and were executed in 1953. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | VT Yankee Finds More Problems in Cooling Tower Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant is still operating at reduced power, after inspections turned up more problems in one of the plant's cooling towers. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Bush Releases Funds for Fuel Assistance, But More May Be Needed The Bush Administration is releasing 121 million dollars in emergency relief funds to help low-income people keep their homes warm this winter. But as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, it may not be enough. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | The race for Springfield's 11th Hampden District With no Republicans in the running, the 2008 Massachusetts Democratic Primary will decide who represents Springfield's 11th Hampden District. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA primary results - Nov. 4 next stop for Kerry and Olver With only one statewide election Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin predicted a low voter turnout in the state primary. But while some contests garnered predictable results not all the outcomes favored incumbants. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Democrats vie for Second Hampden District seat In tomorrow's primary, Democrats Kateri Walsh and Brian Ashe are running for Massachusetts' Second Hampden District seat, where current Republican State Reprentative Mary Rogeness is not seeking a tenth term.The district includes Longmeadow, Monson, Hampden, and two precincts each in East Longmeadow and Springfield. WFCR's Susan Kaplan reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Former General Electric CEO Talks Wall Street in Amherst Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch was in Amherst, Massachusetts Monday... He shared some thoughts on the recent upheaval in the financial sector. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | The week ahead in MA politics -- 9/15/08 The big political story in Massachusetts this week is Tuesday's primary. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports from Beacon Hill on the week ahead. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Trustess Rescind Mugabe's Honorary Degree Trustees of the University of Massachusetts Thursday voted unanimously to rescind an honorary degree awarded to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Voters to Decide Fate of Income Tax, Again Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray is warning of devastating consequences if voters approve a proposal on the November ballot that would do away with the state income tax. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield, MA Planners Cancel Puerto Rican Festival Organizers of Springfield, Massachusetts' long running Puerto Rican festival have cancelled plans to host the event this summer. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Final Life Sciences Bond Bill Moves to MA Senate The Massachusetts house Thursday approved and sent to the Senate a final version of Governor Patrick's life sciences bond bill. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Education Commissioner Considers Charter School Funding Massachusetts' new education commissioner Mitchell Chester says he's weighing concerns he's heard from some town and city officials around the state about the funding formula for charter schools. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Dairy Farm Bill Passes Senate, Without Tax Credit The Massachusetts Senate has approved a bill aimed at helping the state's dairy farmers. But as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, a key provision remains up in the air, pending the passage of the state budget. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Proposed Longer School Year Raises Concerns Among the measures being considered by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's Readiness Project, a statewide initiative focusing on education reform, is a longer school year. But as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, this week's heat wave is raising some questions from school administrators about the proposal. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Holyoke Will Pursue Back Taxes on Mill Destroyed by Fire Holyoke fire department officials say the blaze that destroyed the former Parsons Paper Company building last night looks like arson. Even as the nature of the fire remains under investigation, Mayor Michael Sullivan says the city will continue to pursue recovering nearly two million dollars in back taxes it's owed on the historic mill. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Study on Children and Psychiatric Drugs A Massachusetts advocacy organization for child mental health has released a study to counter what it calls misperceptions about children and psychiatric drugs. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Transgender Rally for Equal Rights A growing number of people don't identify with the gender that's on their birth certificate. They describe themselves as transgender, and they're looking for equal rights. Hundreds of people rallied to support the transgender community this past weekend in Northampton, Massachusetts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Fishing Industry Gets Federal Relief Massachusetts' fishing industry will receive more than $13 million in Federal disaster relief. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | A Regional Approach to Dairy Farming Representatives from 10 northeastern State Departments of Agriculture met in Norwich, CT to discuss farm issues important to the region. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Dr. Susan Windham Bannister Voted CEO of MA Life Sciences Center The Massachusetts life sciences center has a new president and C-E-O. The center's board voted unanimously Wednesday to hire Dr. Susan Windham Bannister, who currently works for Abt-Bio Pharma Solutions. She replaces the board's former executive director Aaron d' Elia who stepped down last June. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Smith College Donates $100,000 to Northampton Schools Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts has announced a donation of $100,000 to the city's struggling school department. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Patrick Signs Oceans Act of 2008 Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has signed a landmark bill that aims to better protect and manage the state's ocean resources. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports the Oceans Act of 2008 is the first legislation of its kind in the nation. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Prepares for Digital TV Switch A briefing was held for Massachusetts lawmakers Tuesday on the congressionally mandated plan for television stations to stop broadcasting analog signals early next year. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports there is concern at the state house and elsewhere that not everyone understands that some t-v sets now in use will go dark. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Transportation and Climate Change Symposium This Week at UMass Scientists, regional planners and engineers will gather at UMass Amherst this week for a major symposium on transportation and climate change. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Obama Addresses Wesleyan Grads Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama addressed the 2008 graduates of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Cconnecticut this weekend. WFCR's Tina Antolini was there. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Student Designs "Portable Hug" A UMass engineering student is developing a therapeutic device designed to help people with developmental and mental illness. WFCR's Ron Otero has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Audits Show Faulty Bookeeping in Greenfield Schools The first of a series of audits looking into the Greenfield, Massachusetts school system shows faulty record keeping at the department. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Patrick Proposes Borrowing $3 Billion for Deficient Bridges Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Tuesday unveiled a bill to borrow nearly $3 billion to speed repairs for 250 to 300 bridges that are designated as structurally deficient. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Holyoke Principal Retires After 35 Years of Service A renowned school principal in Holyoke, Massachusetts is retiring after 35 years of service to the city. Christine Zajac, who was a teacher and vice-principal before becoming the head of the Sullivan Elementary school, will step down next month. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Lawmakers Hear Testimony Regarding Pharmaceuticals & Water Supply Lawmakers on Beacon Hill heard testimony Tuesday on steps Massachusetts is taking to protect its drinking water supply from pharmaceuticals. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Medical Professionals Exchange Loan Repayments for Work in Health Centers In exchange for school-loan repayments, dozens of new Massachusetts physicians and nurse practitioners have committed to working in community health centers. WFCR's Jill Kaufman reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA House Speaker DiMasi Outraged by Allegations Massachusetts House Speaker Sal Dimasi says he's outraged by allegations he violated state ethics laws and has no plans to step down. From WBUR -Boston, Martha Bebinger reports: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield, MA Police Recruiting New Officers Springfield, Massachusetts will be holding another civil service exam next month in an effort to recruit more police officers. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Pres. Proposes Revoking Mugabe's Honorary Degree University of Massachusetts President Jack Wilson says he will recommend to trustees that the school revoke an honorary degree awarded to Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, something the university has never done before. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Domestic Violence Shelter Reopens in Westfield A Westfield, Massachusetts shelter for victims of domestic violence will reopen this week, for the first time since 2006. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Encourages New Bicycle Commuters Bicyclists from around the region could be out in force this week for the 9th annual Pioneer Valley bike commute week. Springfield is stepping up its efforts to get residents to consider biking instead of driving to work. Catherine Miller, regional coordinator for bike commute week says the city has huge potential for bicycling. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Worcester City Councilor Proposes City Lotto to Help Fund Schools A Worcester, Massachusetts city councilor is suggesting that the city launch its own lottery game to raise money for cash-strapped public schools. District 1 councilor Joffrey Smith wants a scratch ticket game that would be sold only in Worcester. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Ingram is Springfield's Pick The Springfield, MA, School Committee and Finance Control Board have named the city's new superintendent of schools. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Zoning in Shutesbury a First for Massachusetts The town of Shutesbury, Massachusetts has adopted a new zoning law that may be a first for the state. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Housing Authority Eyes Assets Members of the Springfield Housing Authority are looking forward to restitution from the corruption probe plaguing the city, but they're not yet counting the money. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Greenfield Considers School Closures Greenfield is the latest among several Western Massachusetts communities considering the closure of a school, to close a budget gap. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | VT Yankee Disputes Allegations Over Trust Fund Use Officials at Vermont Yankee are disputing reports that the plant wants to raid a trust fund set aside to pay for its eventual dismantling, and to use it instead to pay for storing spent nuclear fuel. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Pandemic Certain, according to Influenza Expert A flu pandemic is 100% certain, according to a nationally known disaster preparedness expert. He told memebers of the Massachusetts legisilative Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security that it will occur in their life time. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Activist Expected to Challenge Rep. Swan for His Seat A 31-year old anti-gang worker in Springfield, massachusetts has taken out election papers to challenge State Representative Ben Swan for his seat in the legislature. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Governor comes to UMASS Founders Day Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick was in Amherst to celebrate the founding of the University of Massachusetts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Gas Prices Could Be Good News for Berkshires Record high gas prices may be causing budget problems for Massachusetts residents and businesses alike. But tourism officials say they could be good news for some... WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Old First Church Artifacts To Be Auctioned One of the artifacts from Springfield, Massachusetts' Old First Church that is set to go to auction on Friday may not be as valuable as first thought. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Southampton's Water Voted "Best Tasting" If you happen to be passing through the small Western Massachusetts town of Southampton, you may want to stop for a drink -- a drink of water, that is. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Scientist Makes Green Gasoline A UMass Amherst scientist says he's found one way to get cheaper gasoline: make it from wood or other plants, instead of oil. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New MA Commission To Study Veterans' Mental Health Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill today creating a new commission to study the effects of war on returning service members from Massachusetts. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Swears in New Police Commissioner Springfield, Massachusetts has sworn in its new police commissioner - William Fitchet - a 33-year-veteran of the city's police force who's been acting commissioner for the last four months. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Holyoke Schools Face Budget Crisis The school department in Holyoke, Massachusetts is still facing millions of dollars in cuts, even with three schools scheduled to close in the fall. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | The Gefilte Fish Chronicles Several years ago the Barer family began filming their preparations for the Passover seder. The home movie turned into a documentary called "The Gefilte Fish chronicles." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Bus Service Not Enough in Franklin County A survey of residents in nine Franklin County, MA, towns shows dissatisfaction with the region's bus service. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Burke to Leave at End of Contract Springfield, Massachusetts School Superintendent Joe Burke says, after 7 years on the job, he will no longer fight for a contract extension. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA House Ways and Means Budget Coming The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled Wednesday to release its version of a budget for the coming fiscal year. State Treasurer Tim Cahill met with House members Tuesday, who will soon begin their annual budget debate. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Library Caucus As the Massachusetts House Ways and Means committee prepares to release its budget plan Wednesdsay, a group of legislators has formed a caucus focusing on the needs of libraries. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Lawmakers Include More Money in Budget to End Homelessness The Massachusetts House Wednesday presents its state budget, which includes $10 million dollars to fund a new approach to end homelessness. It's called Housing First. Supporters of Housing First in western Massachusetts are hoping to see some of that money if it gets into the final budget. WFCR's Karen Brown explains. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Pittsfield City Councilors Oppose G-E proposal City councilors in Pittsfield, Massachusetts want General Electric to alter its proposal for cleaning up another part of the the Housatonic River... and they're calling upon the E-P-A to step in. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMASS Amherst Chancellor Finalists Announced The search committee for a new chancellor at UMASS Amherst has announced its finalists for the position. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Society of Ethnomusicologists Meets in Amherst Amherst College will be host to a conference of researchers this weekend to discuss music of every variety. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Municipal Partnerships THE PATRICK ADMINISTRATION IS LOOKING AT WAYS MASSACHUSETTS CITIES AND TOWNS CAN SAVE MONEY BY WORKING JOINTLY TO PAY FOR, among other things, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS. WFCR'S BOB PAQUETTE REPORTS: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Local Officials Reassured by Governor's Economic Address Western Massachusetts officials say they were reassured by Governor Patrick's speech Wednesday, laying out an economic plan to get through a possible recession. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Governor Patrick Delivers Major Economic Address Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick delivered a major address on the state of the state's economy Wednesday. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Housing Advocates Applaud Governor's Announcement of Loan Fund Fair housing advocates in Western Massachusetts are applauding Governor Deval Patrick's announcement Wednesday of a revolving loan fund to rehabilitate foreclosed homes. WFCRs Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | No More Money for Early Childhood Ed? Massachusetts House Speaker Sal Dimasi says the state cannot afford to expand early childhood education programs as called for by Governor Patrick. WFCR's Kevin Mcnicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New State Money Goes Toward Homeownership The state of Massachusetts is setting aside $150,000 to help workers at four major employers in the western part of the state. The funds are to help them buy homes in Springfield. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Twists in Montague's Effort to Redevelop Strathmore Paper Mill There are new developments in the town of Montague's bid to turn the Strathmore paper mill into an economic engine for Turner's Falls. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Red Wine and Green Tea May Help Diabetics Red wine might be just what the doctor ordered... According to a new study from researchers at UMass Amherst. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Agencies Push to Increase Applications for Food Stamps With just more than half of Massachusetts residents eligible for food stamps receiving them, local agencies are making a push to sign people up. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | More Requested for Foster Care Foster parents from around western Massachusetts are ugning lawmakers to boost foster care pay. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | 40th Anniversary of MLK's Assassination The 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King is a notable day around the world, and for many in western Massachsuetts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northampton Residents Urge Delay in School Closing Decision As Northampton, Massachusetts officials struggle to deal with an 800-thousand dollar budget shortfall, more than 500 residents have signed a letter protesting a proposal to close a city elementary school in order to save money. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Montague Center School to Close The Gill-Montague School Committee has voted to reject plans offered by parents to save the Montague Center School. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Gives Environmental Approval to Russell BioMass The state of Massachusetts has given final environmental approval for a proposed 50-megawatt wood-fueled power plant in Russell. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Governor Patrick To Make Address on Economy Governor Deval Patrick says Massachusetts is better positioned than most states to ride out the troubles in the national economy, which is threatening to slip into a recession. Patrick spoke with reporters after a leadership meeting with Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Environmental Officials Monitor CT River After Truck Crash Both South and Northbound lanes of Interstate 91 in Chicopee are now open again, but Massachusetts environmental officials are monitoring the Connecticut River in the wake of tanker truck crash today. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Tanker Truck Fire Shuts Down I-91 Interstate 91 was shut down for several hours today near Chicopee, Massachusetts today, after an accident caused a tanker truck to burst into flames. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Borrows $400 Million to Cover Operational Costs The state of Massachusetts is in a cash-crunch. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield City Councilors Propose Ethics Bylaw Two Springfield, Massachusetts city councilors have proposed a bylaw aimed at making government decision-making more transparent. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Same Day MA Voter Registration Could Lead to Higher Turnout A study commissioned by the non-partisan voting rights group Mass Vote says same-day registration could lead to a sharp jump in turnout on election day. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Decade Old Class Action Lawsuit Finds for Developmentally Disabled Advocates for the mentally retarded are heralding a new legal settlement with the state of Massachusetts. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Casino Bill Dead The Massachusetts House voted 108-46 to kill Governor Deval Patrick's casino gambling bill,by sending it to a study committee. Kevin Mcnicholas has this report from Boston. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northampton Parents Appeal to Smith College For Funding Help Northampton, Massachusetts residents are banding together to deal with a school district budget shortfall that's threatening to close one of the city's elementary schools. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Level of Pharmaceutical Drugs in Drinking Water Under Review Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst are about to undertake a major study to determine the level of pharmaceutical drugs in New England's drinking water supply. The year-long study will test unfiltered water entering over a dozen wastewater treatment plants in the region. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Students, Faculty Rally for UMASS Student About 200 students and faculty at UMASS Amherst gathered in front of the student union Wednesday for a rally organized by the Committee for Justice for Jason Vassell. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Pacemaker Hackers? A new report from UMASS researchers finds that a patient's private medical information can be extracted from their medical devices. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Chamber of Commerce Looks at Casino Numbers A new study by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce examines the economic assumptions outlined by Governor Deval Patrick in his proposal to legalize casinos in Massachusetts. WFCR's Kevin Mcnicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Dairy Farmers Laud State Report Massachusetts dairy farmers are lauding a report just released by a state panel charged with helping the ailing industry. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Casino Wars on Beacon Hill Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and House Speaker Sal DiMasi have spent much of this week criticizing each other's position on casino gambling. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northampton Schools Face Big Cuts Northampton's School Department is considering broad cuts, as it faces a $1.4 million budget shortfall in the next fiscal year. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | A Push for More School-Based Health Center Funding Advocates for school-based health centers rallied Monday the Statehouse in Boston. WFCR's Karen Brown has the details. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Gov's Casino Proposal All Its Cracked Up To Be? Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says he senses legislative support building for his casino gambling plan, even if there is some dispute about the number of construction jobs it will create. His comments Monday came after the House Speaker questioned the credibility of Patrick's plan, following a Boston Globe article over the weekend challenging the number of construction jobs the proposal would create. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Ending Homelessness in the Region An estimated 5000 people from around the Pioneer Valley are homeless at some point during the year. Most of them end up at shelters in Springfield or Holyoke. But regional leaders say it's time to share the burden. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | State Bill and Verizon Bring Broadband to Rural Western Mass A Massachusetts legislative committee is about to take action on a bond bill filed by Governor Patrick that will provide broadband internet to Western Massachusetts communities currently without high-speed access. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Broadband Forum Planned Officials from the Federal Communications Commission, along with Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and Congressman John Olver were scheduled to be in Northampton this weekend to talk about bringing broadband internet to unserved parts of Western Massachusetts. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | DiMasi Declines Golf Invite with Casino Mogul Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi says he declined a invitation to play golf with casino mogul Donald Trump in Florida, as lawmakers are preparing to debate legalizing casinos in Massachusetts. But DiMasi did meet briefly with Trump at the developer's Palm Beach estate. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Legislation would Mandate Minimum Sentences for Child Rapists in MA Convicted child rapists in Massachusetts would see longer sentences, if a bill moving through the legislature is passed. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Edith Wharton's Berkshire Estate Threatened with Foreclosure The Lenox, Massachusetts estate of 20th century author Edith Wharton is in danger of being put into foreclosure. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Music Professor Dies A UMass Professor Emeritus of music and founder of a summer music festival in the Pioneer Valley has died. WFCR's Tina Antolini brings us this remembrance of Leopold Teraspulsky. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Greenfield Town Councilors Consider State Help In School Budget Woes With the Greenfield, Massachusetts school department trying to make up a surprise mid-school year budget deficit , several town councilors want Greenfield to consider help from the state. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Launches New Auto Insurance Website for Consumers Massachusetts' Division of Insurance has launched a new website aimed at helping consumers find the best deal on auto insurance under the state's newly deregulated system... WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Casino opponents gear up An anti-casino group in Massachusetts has hired a strategist whose track record includes defeating casino expansion plans in Maine. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Storm Floods Western MA Roads Twenty-four hours of snow and heavy rain in Western New England made for flooded streets and high rivers ... As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, flood warnings have been issued for much of the region. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA House Speaker Annouces Spending Plan Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi is proposing to raise the state's cigarette tax in order to balance the new state budget. In announcing his spending plan Tuesday, DiMasi says he now supports Governor Patrick's proposal to close corporate tax loopholes, an idea that he's rejected in the past. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Greenfield School Officials Meet to Discuss Staff Cuts School officials in Greenfield, Massachusetts will be meeting later this week to discuss a proposed plan that would decrease mid-year staff cuts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Tax Penalties For Uninsured MA Residents To Go Up in 2008 As Massachusetts residents file their taxes this year, those without health insurance are facing penalties for the first time.. But as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, the state's health insurance mandate isn't complicating this year's taxes as much as it might next year. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Romney's Campaign Staff Devastated by Decision to end Campaign Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is suspending his presidential campaign, effectively ceding the republican nomination to John Mccain. WFCR's Kevin Mcnicholas spent most of the day Thursday outside Romney's campaign headquarters in Boston for reaction to the decision. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | WRTA Shake-up Facing a budget deficit of more than a million dollars, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority plans to cut some bus routes and end service on holidays. But Worcester's City Manager says those cuts won't solve the problem. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Number of Homeless in Springfield Counted, Questioned The city of Springfield, Massachsuetts has announced a 39% decline in the number of people living on the street. The city considers that a substantial shift, but not everyone agrees the numbers have changed all that much. WFCR's Jill Kaufman reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Romney Ends his Campaign for President In the wake of disappointing Super Tuesday returns, Mitt Romney has decided to suspend his presidential campaign. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Is There a Doctor in the County? Two Franklin County legislators are pushing a measure they hope will increase the number of doctors in Massachusetts' rural areas. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass prepares for the Super Bowl With another regional sports team playing for a league championship, officials at UMass-Amherst are again preparing for rowdy behavior. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Delegate Count When Massachusetts voters choose among Presidential candidates in next Tuesday's Primary, they're actually deciding on delegates to the Democratic and Republican Party Conventions. As WFCR's Bob Paquette reports, the process is not as simple as one person, one vote. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Governor Urges Education Overhaul Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick told a legislative committee hearing Tuesday that the state's education bureaucracy needs to be overhauled. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Large Water Valve Leaves Orange, MA A very large water valve is on its way from Massachusetts to Texas. WFCR's Bob Paquette has details Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Daily Hampshire Gazette Ends Policy on Endorsements The Northampton, Massachusetts-based Daily Hampshire Gazette has ended it's long-standing policy of not endorsing political candidates. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Center for Complexity and Conflict Analysis at the University of Hartford The University of Hartford has received a two million dollar gift to establish a enter to study the Theory of Complexity and Conflict Analysis. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Geologist Studies Natural Gas Formed By Bacteria Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have discovered a link between bacteria and some rocks in Michigan that may make natural gas a renewable energy resource. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Keeping State Contracts Local Two Berkshire County lawmakers want the state to favor Massachusetts businesses when it comes to awarding state contracts. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Homes Sales Drop in MA During 2007 Sales of single-family homes in Massachusetts dropped more than 8 percent in 2007, according to a new report from The Warren Group, a Boston-based provider of real estate data. As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, the continuing downward spiral of home sales may be scaring off prospective home buyers. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Economists Examine Food Production Economists at UMass Amherst are taking a a close look at the chain of food production in America. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Clinton Campaigns in Springfield Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was in Springfield, Massachusetts today in advance of next week's Super Tuesday primary election. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Immigrants Wait, as Feds Face a Backlog in Citizenship Applications As November's presidential election approaches, immigrants in Massachusetts who were trying to become citizens in time to vote may not get the opportunity... WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Study Examines Fuel Efficiency Engine Developed in Western Mass The Scuderi Group of West Springfield has been developing a "Split-Cycle engine" since 2002. A new independent study, performed on a computer model of the engine, found that it's more powerful and fuel efficient that a conventional gas-powered engine. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Amherst College Collaborates with Town of Amherst on Economic Development Amherst is known as a college town-- but those colleges own a large amount of property and they don't pay taxes. Now, the town is working with Amherst College and the campus' resources to bring more income into town. WFCR's Tina Antolini explains. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Officials Work on "Climate Roadmap" The Patrick Administration is at work on a plan aimed at helping Massachusetts meet it's mandated goal of greenhouse gas reductions. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | The Great Principal Search The "help wanted" sign is up in four schools in Amherst, Massachusetts. WFCR's Bob Paquette has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Bill Would Limit Use of Shock Therapy A key sponsor of a bill that would restrict the use of shock therapy treatments in Massachusetts, says his measure contains strong safeguards to ensure that such procedures are used only as a last resort. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Kennedy Says $27 Million in Fuel Assistance is Insufficient A day after President Bush released $450 million from the low income home energy assistance program, Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy was in Boston Thursday heading a Senate committee hearing on economic security. Kennedy says Massachusetts, which stands to receive $27 million in heating aid, should have gotten more. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Residents Want to Keep Renaissance School Intact Students and parents from the Renaissance School in Springfield, Massachusetts urged the city's Finance Control Board Thursday to help keep their campus intact. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Control Board Won't Sue Merrill Lynch The Springfield Finance Control Board has decided not to file a lawsuit - at least not yet -- in the case of 13 million dollars in potentially lost investment money. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield May Privatize Parking Authority The Springfield Finance Control Board is considering privatizing the city's parking authority. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northampton's Water Treatment Plant Up and Running Northampton, Massachusetts residents may notice cleaner, tastier water now that the city's new water treatment plant is online. WFCR's Karen Brown has details. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northampton's Water Tx Plant Up and Running Northampton, Massachusetts residents may notice cleaner, tastier water now that the city's new water treatment plant is online. WFCR's Karen Brown has details. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Gov's Satellite Office Opens in Springfield Governor Deval Patrick has named Elizabeth Cardona as Director of his recently re-opened western Massachusetts office. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Voters Weigh in on Poll A new presidential primary poll in Massachusetts shows republican John McCain the favorite over former Governor Mitt Romney. WFCR's Bob Paquette has the details. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Vermont Senate President wants independent review of Vermont Yankee The President of the Vermont Senate is calling for an independent safety inspection of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Mass Voter Registration Deadline Massachusetts residents have just a couple of days to register to vote in the February Fifth Presidential Primary. WFCR's Bob Paquette has details: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Future of Renewable Energy Discussed in Northampton Faced with rising energy costs, Western Massachusetts legislative and business leaders gathered in Northampton today, to discuss the future of renewable energy. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Amhesrt Survival Center Offers Free Medical Advice Visitors to the Survival Center in Amherst will be able to get free medical advice, starting this week. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | CT 32nd District Elects New Senator Today Connecticut's Secretary of the State is reminding residents in the 32nd senatorial district to vote Tuesday. The winner will fill the seat once held by former State Senator Lou Deluca. From WNPR in Hartford, Lucy Nalpathanchil reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | 1972 Unsolved Murder Sees New Evidence The parents of a 13-year-old altar boy from Springfield, Massachusetts whose murder in 1972 remains unsolved say they hope the release of thousands of pages of investigative documents could finally bring their son's killer to justice. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Proposed Wind Farm Nonthreatening to Wildlife The developer of a proposed wind farm off Nantucket Sound is claiming victory after the release of a report by the U-S minerals management service that says the farm would not pose a threat to navigation or wildlife. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | 40 Deploy from Westover, Bound for the Middle East Forty Air Force Reservists deployed from Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts today, bound for the Middle East. WFCR's Tina Antolini was there, as they said goodbye to their families. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Southampton Considers New Method to Pass Property Tax Override The town of Southampton, Massachusetts is considering a new campaign to pass a proposition two and half property tax override.... One that other Massachusetts towns have used successfully. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield City Councilor supports Control Board As Springfield's new mayor calls for a return to local governmental control, the city's newest council member says -- not so fast. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Sarno Inaugurated as Mayor of Springfield Domenic Sarno was sworn in this week as the 54th mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts. WFCR's Tina Antolini was there. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Bay State Gas Examines New Pipeline Bay State Gas wants to explore the possibility of running a new natural gas pipeline between Granby and Easthampton, Massachusetts. The company is set to go before the South Hadley Conservation Commission Monday about the matter. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | To Stay Competitive, MA May Need to Reduce Energy Costs Some key business leaders say that unless Massachusetts takes concrete action to reduce energy costs, manufacturing companies based in central and western Massachusetts will continue to leave the state for cheaper markets. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Casino Licenses May Cover Budget Shortfall Massachusetts faces a deficit of $1.3 billion dollars in the coming fiscal year. Governor Deval Patrick's budget proposal may seek to cover half that amount with money from selling casino licenses. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Bissonnette Defends Participation in Pro-Casino Endorsement Chicopee, Massachusetts Mayor Michael Bissonnette is defending his participation in a pro-casino pamphlet, paid for by Suffolk Downs, the race track outside of Boston. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Environmental Officials Hold Hearing on Proposed Westfield Power Plant State environmental officials will be in Westfield, Massachusetts Thursday for a public hearing on a proposed gas-fired power plant in the city. As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, the project has already gained the support of several local officials. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | New Fines for Uninsured Massachusetts Residents If you're a Massachusetts resident, the cost of not having health insurance is going up. As the new year begins, most residents who remain uninsured will begin facing monthly fines. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Homelessness Report Almost Ready A Massachusetts commission seeking ways to end homelessness is expected to release a report later this month to Governor Patrick. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports: Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Pediatricians Screen Youth for Mental Health Issues Starting Monday, December 31st, pediatricians in Massachusetts will have to screen all their young Medicaid patients for mental health issues. It's the first step in a court-ordered remedy for the state's alleged failure to address the needs of troubled children. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Mayor Elect Says City Will Monitor Investments Merrill Lynch issued a statement late last week saying that investments the firm made for the city of Springfield, Massachusetts were reviewed and approved by city officials. The city lost more than 11 million dollars of its 14 million dollar fund. Springfield's mayor elect says he won't let this happen again. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Details of Palmer Casino Plan Released The developers of a proposed casino in Palmer, Massachusetts have released details of their plan should the state approve an expansion of gambling. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts May Lose a Congressional Seat A new analysis of population data indicates that Massachusetts may have one less representative on Capitol Hill after the 2010 federal census. The study by "Poli-Data" says that while the state's population is projected to rise by 2 percent, that will not keep pace with average growth rate around the nation of more than ten percent. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Massachusetts Pakistani-Americans Mourn Bhutto Area Pakistani-Americans are reacting with shock and grief to the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. WFCR's Kari Njiiri has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Connecticut Pakistani-Americans React to Bhutto's Death Pakistani Americans in Connecticut are reacting with shock and anger to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. WFCR's Av Harris reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Acquires Old First Church Springfield, Massachusetts officials have announced that the city will acquire Old First Church, one of the oldest buildings in Springfield. WFCR's Tina Antolini Reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northampton Gets Solar-Powered Trash Compactors Northampton, Massachusetts is getting some state help to deal with trash -- in an energy-efficient way. WFCR's Bob Paquette reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Health Deadline Nears Monday, Dec. 31 is the last day to sign up for health insurance under Massachusetts new health reform law, in order to avoid a penalty.WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Sullivan Hopes to Fix Holyoke's Finacial Problems The Mayor of Holyoke says he's hoping to work closely with the city council and the city treasurer to fix financial problems revealed in a highly critical report from the Massachusetts department of revenue. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Vigil Held in Honor of Homeless As part of a national day to remember homeless people who died this year, a candlelight vigil was held in Springfield, Massachusetts. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | 5 Banks Contribute to Mortgage Relief Fund Five banks announced at the Federal Reserve in Boston Thursday that they have committed a total of $125 million to a mortgage relief fund. WFCR's Kevin McNicholas reports the fund is designed to help some borrowers in New England avoid foreclosure on their homes. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Half of "First Night" Proceeds to Benefit Pleasant Street Theater Northampton Center for the Arts will donate half the proceeds from this year's "First Night" celebration to keep the Pleasant Street Theater open. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Ryan Attends His Last Control Board Meeting The Springfield, Massachusetts finance control board Thursday took up such issues as the city's tax rate and funding for a new homeless resource center. It was the last meeting attended by outgoing Mayor Charlie Ryan, who was praised and thanked for his service to the city. WFCR's Karen Brown reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Northampton Adopts Comprehensive Growth Plan Northampton, Massachusetts' planning board has adopted the city's first comprehensive plan in more than 30 years, aimed at maintaining and improving what its members call the social equity, economic vitality and environmental security of Northampton. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Western Mass Film on Deaf Culture Wins Award A Western Massachusetts team of filmmakers has won a prestigious award for a documentary on deaf culture. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Pleasant Street Theater Could Have New Operators The new owner of the building housing the Pleasant Street Theater in Northampton says there's only one group he's courting to take over the independent cinema. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Thousands Sign Up For Health Insurance as Deadline Nears As the end of the year deadline approaches for adult residents of Massachusetts to carry required health insurance, the head of the agency which administer's the state's health insurance law says the rush is on to make sure everyone is signed up. WFCR's Kari Njiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Rise in Wheat Prices Felt in Region's Bakeries The price for wheat on the American market rose above ten dollars a bushel this week, setting a new record. As WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, that increase is being felt in bakeries around the region. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MA Commission Debates Corporate Taxes As a special commission on corporate taxes prepares to make its final recommendations, Massachusetts' largest employers group claims state and local taxes on Baystate businesses increased 45-percent between fiscal 2002 and 2007. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Funding Affordable Housing up for Congressional Debate Some affordable housing units in western Massachusetts may be at risk, as Congress debates a spending plan for the next fiscal year. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Lieberman Backs McCain for President Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman has crossed party lines again, this time to back Republican John McCain for President. Lieberman made his endorsement Monday in New Hampshire. WFCR's Av Harris reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Rising Sun Real Estate Deal Falls Through in Berkshires A real estate transaction that was expected to turn a recently closed Berkshire county paper mill into luxury condominiums has reportedly fallen through. WFCR's Kari Njiri reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | "Arts Need Preservation" in Northampton A longtime arts supporter in Northampton, Massachusetts is exploring ways to preserve city spaces for cultural events. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | UMass Trustees Elect New Chairman The UMass Board of Trustees has elected a new Chairman. Robert Manning, a businessman from Swampscott, will replace outgoing Chairman Stephen Tocco. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Montague Center School will be Consolidated A group of parents and community members have been given several months to come up with a plan to keep the Montague Center School open. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | MADD Starts Red Ribbon Car Campaign If you see a car with a red ribbon tied to it, it may be a message from the group 'Mothers Against Drunk Driving.' WFCR's Kevin McNicholas has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Western MA Covered in Snow Fall The storm responsible for causing hundreds of thousands of midwesterners to lose power over the last few days is now battering the northeast with snow. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Shelburne Falls Fire Seems Suspicious The Sunday night fire that destroyed a 100 year old building in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts has been deemed suspicious. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Life Science Industry Leaders Push for Tax Incentives A survey released this week says 75% of life science industry leaders in Massachusetts would consider relocating if state funding doesn't keep pace with incentives offered by other states and countries. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | DoE Takes Over Berkshire Regional School District The State Department of Education has taken over the southern Berkshire regional school district, a move state officials say is a first in Massachusetts history. WFCR's Tina Antolini has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Wooly Adelgid Strikes Local Hemlocks Scientists trying to save local hemlock trees from a deadly pest say they're hopeful about new treatments, but warn that it will be a while before they even know whether those solutions are effective. WFCR's Karen Brown has more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | CT Pushes for Serious Ethics Reform Recent improprieties involving two state senators are shining a brighter light on the need for Connecticut lawmakers to enact serious ethics reform. WFCR's Av Harris reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Small Farmers Concerned about Animal Registration A group representing small farmers in Massachusetts is calling on the state's new agriculture commissioner to opt out of or delay implementing a federal program to identify and register animal livestock. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | College Students Maybe Drinking Less UMass Amherst officials and local community leaders Friday celebrated what they say is a sucessful campaign against dangerous drinking. A recent survey found a 25% reduction in heavy drinking on the Amherst campus. Martha Nelson Patrick is the University's director of community relations. She's also part of a group that's been distributing information around the campus about the risks of drinking too much alcohol. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Springfield Police Supervisors Union Agrees to Settlement Following 3 years of often bitter negotiations, the last municipal union in Springfield, Massachusetts has agreed to a contract settlement with the city, just weeks before a change in the Mayoral administration. WFCR's Karen Brown explains. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache |