Western Mass Politics & Insight https://www.wmasspi.com/ Springfield...and the World... Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:18:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.3 https://wmasspi.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-wmasspilogo-32x32.jpg Western Mass Politics & Insight https://www.wmasspi.com/ 32 32 First Round of Springfield Courthouse Lawsuit Comes to a Head, but the Battlefield Has Grown… https://wmasspi.com/2026/08/first-round-of-springfield-courthouse-lawsuit-comes-to-a-head-but-the-battlefield-has-grown.html https://wmasspi.com/2026/08/first-round-of-springfield-courthouse-lawsuit-comes-to-a-head-but-the-battlefield-has-grown.html#respond Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:49:48 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25758 Since selecting the site for the new Springfield Regional Justice Center, the Commonwealth has had a fight on two fronts. In the public relations war, the Commonwealth has been releasing more information about the bid and process that led to the selected developer,

Then there is the lawsuit unsuccessful bidders USPB JV, LLC and Springfield Tower, LLC have filed. They allege Barros’ involvement tainted the bid.

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]]> https://wmasspi.com/2026/08/first-round-of-springfield-courthouse-lawsuit-comes-to-a-head-but-the-battlefield-has-grown.html/feed 0 Appeals Court Ruling Offers Hope to Climate Grants, but a Clock is Ticking… https://wmasspi.com/2026/08/appeals-court-ruling-offers-hope-to-climate-grants-but-a-clock-is-ticking.html https://wmasspi.com/2026/08/appeals-court-ruling-offers-hope-to-climate-grants-but-a-clock-is-ticking.html#respond Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:53:02 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25742 More than four months after oral arguments, a panel of federal judges have effectively revived a suit that seeks to restore the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change (ECJCC) grant program. Last year Springfield and a motley band of municipalities and nonprofits sued the Environmental Protection Agency for illegally terminating the program.

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]]> https://wmasspi.com/2026/08/appeals-court-ruling-offers-hope-to-climate-grants-but-a-clock-is-ticking.html/feed 0 Take My Council, Please: The Pauses Will Continue until Morale Improves… https://wmasspi.com/2026/08/take-my-council-please-the-pauses-will-continue-untill-morale-improves.html https://wmasspi.com/2026/08/take-my-council-please-the-pauses-will-continue-untill-morale-improves.html#respond Wed, 05 Aug 2026 02:32:10 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25736 The Springfield City Council's July 27 meeting looked back. While the procedural posture remain cloudy, the body revisit the new food truck ordinance that became law this year.

Also before councilors was an order seeking an outside ethics opinion on a Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant.

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]]> https://wmasspi.com/2026/08/take-my-council-please-the-pauses-will-continue-untill-morale-improves.html/feed 0 Former Springfield Finance Official Returns…As Holyoke City Hall Trans-Plante… https://wmasspi.com/2026/07/former-springfield-finance-official-returnsas-holyoke-city-hall-trans-plante.html https://wmasspi.com/2026/07/former-springfield-finance-official-returnsas-holyoke-city-hall-trans-plante.html#respond Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:06:10 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25726 The process of retooling Holyoke’s fiscal machinery had lumbered along for several years. Yet, it has hit its stride after the City Council elected last year took office this past January. Among the changes, the city's once diffuse financial functions are consolidating under a Chief Administrative & Financial Officer (CAFO).

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]]> https://wmasspi.com/2026/07/former-springfield-finance-official-returnsas-holyoke-city-hall-trans-plante.html/feed 0 Briefings: Hampden DA Files Appearance on behalf of Moulton and His Primary Challenge… https://wmasspi.com/2026/07/briefings-hampden-da-files-appearance-on-behalf-of-moulton-and-his-primary-challenge.html Sat, 25 Jul 2026 02:45:04 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25720 Seth Moulton, the challenger in the Democratic Senate primary, has secured some notabl support from Westside's mayor to the Sullivans of Westfield. This past Wednesday, however, Moulton added another noteworthy name to his stable of supporters: Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gullluni.

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]]> Disorder in the Courthouse Bid? Suit Challenges Process to Pick Springfield Justice Center… https://wmasspi.com/2026/07/disorder-in-the-courthouse-bid-suit-challenges-process-to-pick-springfield-justice-center.html Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:04:36 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25708 When Liberty Junction was selected as the developer for the new Springfield Regional Justice Center, it seemed likely that the unsuccessful bidders would go quietly into the night. The invective and rending of garments was a job for the pols. The choice disappointed losing bidders, but it was not expected that they would take action against the choice.

Such was not the case.

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]]> Our One Hundredth: The Senate Debates Rise in the West… https://wmasspi.com/2026/07/our-one-hundredth-the-senate-debates-rise-in-the-west.html Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:27:53 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25690 The Democratic primary for Senate came back to Western Massachusetts last Wednesday with the campaign’s first debate. Incumbent Senator Ed Markey jousted with his challenger, North Shore Congressman Seth Moulton, in a roughly hour-long debate that touched on effectiveness, healthcare and pushing back on Donald Trump.

The debate also provided a backdrop for Moulton to announce a slate of endorsements from the 413.

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]]> Calvi Retires, Quenching His Career and Sparking the Rivera Era for Springfield’s Bravest… https://wmasspi.com/2026/07/calvi-retires-quenching-his-career-and-sparking-the-rivera-era-for-springfields-bravest.html Fri, 10 Jul 2026 02:42:10 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25682 Transitions are underway at the second largest (non-school) department in the City of Springfield. Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi is hanging up his fire hat and retiring on July 24. A longtime public safety professional who initially built his firefighting career outside the city, Calvi led

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]]> Analysis: With Liberty Street Site for Courthouse, Springfield Faces Its Own Junction… https://wmasspi.com/2026/07/analysis-with-liberty-street-site-for-courthouse-springfield-faces-its-own-junction.html Fri, 03 Jul 2026 03:58:49 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25661 UPDATED 7/15/26 6:07: To clarify the ownership of property the courthouse developers are buying. The selection of Liberty Junction, the proposal for a new Springfield courthouse at 125 Liberty Street, closes a contentious chapter in state-city relations. Replacing the ailing Roderick Ireland Courthouse was a

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]]> Laying It on a Little Ethic in the 12th Hampden Primary… https://wmasspi.com/2026/06/laying-it-on-a-little-ethic-in-the-12th-hampden-primary.html Wed, 01 Jul 2026 03:58:32 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25653 The primary challenges to incumbent Democrats in Western Mass are heating up as candidates battle for attention and votes. In Springfield, however, the latest back-and-forth in one race comes amid waves of ethical finger-pointing at City Hall and discontent with many incumbent Democrats nationally.

Michael Lachenmeyer, an educator and activist, has accused his opponent, Springfield State Rep Angelo Puppolo, of failing to properly disclose information on his statement of financial interest (SFI).

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