Western Mass Politics & Insight https://www.wmasspi.com/ Springfield...and the World... Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:31:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://wmasspi.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-wmasspilogo-32x32.jpg Western Mass Politics & Insight https://www.wmasspi.com/ 32 32 Judge Refuses Springfield’s Plea for Stay of Arbitration over MGM Sale… https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/judge-refuses-springfields-plea-for-stay-of-arbitration-over-mgm-sale.html https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/judge-refuses-springfields-plea-for-stay-of-arbitration-over-mgm-sale.html#respond Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:46:18 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25947 UPDATED 1:31PM: To include comment from the City Solicitor on the ruling for MGM. The City of Springfield suffered a setback in its bid to avoid arbitration over the planned sale of MGM’s casino to Clairvest. Earlier this year, the gaming giant initiated arbitration alleging

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]]> https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/judge-refuses-springfields-plea-for-stay-of-arbitration-over-mgm-sale.html/feed 0 Plaintiffs Aim to Breathe New Life into Noho Divestment Suit with New Complaint… https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/plaintiffs-aim-to-breath-new-life-into-noho-divestment-suit-with-new-complaint.html https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/plaintiffs-aim-to-breath-new-life-into-noho-divestment-suit-with-new-complaint.html#respond Wed, 21 Oct 2026 03:52:59 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25935 Over a month after a Hampshire Superior Court judge dismissed the case, plaintiffs seeking to void a Northampton City Council action that urged municipal divestment from Israel-connected assets are going back to court. Opponents of the Council’s September 2025 resolution hope a recent Supreme Judicial Court ruling and a new complaint will be enough to revive the suit.

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]]> https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/plaintiffs-aim-to-breath-new-life-into-noho-divestment-suit-with-new-complaint.html/feed 0 Take My Council, Please: A Head Start of Something… https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/take-my-council-please-a-head-start-of-something.html https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/take-my-council-please-a-head-start-of-something.html#respond Mon, 19 Oct 2026 03:23:40 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25928 The Springfield City Council’s October 5 meeting was brief and uncontroversial, lacking the drama a snarky blog might later mock. Indeed, a report on it—especially nearly two weeks afterward—may seem unnecessary. However, the meeting does stand out for its intergovernmental flavor. Last week, the City

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]]> https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/take-my-council-please-a-head-start-of-something.html/feed 0 Briefings: Amid Springfield Courthouse Drama, Trial Court Administrator Retires… https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/briefings-amid-springfield-courthouse-drama-trial-court-administrator-retires.html https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/briefings-amid-springfield-courthouse-drama-trial-court-administrator-retires.html#respond Sun, 11 Oct 2026 02:36:02 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25922 The battle over the courthouse in Springfield is as much a battle with the Trial Court’s administration as it is with executive branch agency that manages the Commonwealth’s real estate. Thomas Ambrosino, in his capacity as administrator for the Trial Court, had sworn out a

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]]> https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/briefings-amid-springfield-courthouse-drama-trial-court-administrator-retires.html/feed 0 Analysis: As MGM Tries to Cash out, Sarno Raises Legal Wager to Play a Risky Hand… https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/analysis-as-mgm-tries-to-cash-out-sarno-raises-legal-wager-to-play-a-risky-hand.html Tue, 06 Oct 2026 05:33:10 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25906 The mayor is pushing back on the gaming giant’s attempt to force the city into arbitration over the approval of the sale of the eight-year-old operation. Therein lies the problem.

After years of rumors, the Las Vegas company officially wants out. Contrary to what Sarno might claim, too many of the city’s eggs were in the MGM basket.

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]]> In Springfield, Personnel Is Policy; Sarno Chooses a Top Aide to Lead It… https://wmasspi.com/2026/10/in-springfield-personnel-is-policy-sarno-chooses-a-top-aide-to-lead-it.html Fri, 02 Oct 2026 02:43:14 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25899 Springfield City Hall is seeing a leadership change at the top—of the human resources department. William Mahoney, long the city’s Human Resources/Labor Relations Director, has retired. CAFO Cathy Buono named Mayor Domenic Sarno’s chief of staff William Baker HR Director.

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]]> Take My Council, Please: Ambition Should Be Made of Sterner Stuff… https://wmasspi.com/2026/09/take-my-council-please-ambition-should-be-made-of-sterner-stuff.html Mon, 28 Sep 2026 05:13:54 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25888 The September 21 meeting of the Springfield City Council concluded a lingering drama that had split the body for weeks. By a 9-2 vote, councilors finally approved a Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant for a housing subsidiary of the New North Citizens Council (NNCC).

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]]> Briefings: Lack of Standing Collapses Suit against Noho Divestment Resolution… https://wmasspi.com/2026/09/briefings-lack-of-standing-collapses-suit-against-noho-divestment-resolution.html Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:28:29 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25884 Less than two weeks after oral arguments on August 26, Hampshire Superior Court Judge Charles Groce dismissed a suit filed over the Northampton City Council’s resolution that called for the city to divest from Israel-connected assets. It was never clear what the originators of the

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]]> Take My Council, Please: For Brutus Is an Honorable Man… https://wmasspi.com/2026/09/take-my-council-please-for-brutus-is-an-honorable-man.html Mon, 14 Sep 2026 05:22:31 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25866 The September 8 Springfield City Council agenda was straightforward. There were grants. The body took initial steps on several ordinances. Things were moving along swimmingly. The only odd thing about the meeting was it was on Tuesday, thanks to Labor Day. Then an item that had been languishing in committee was summoned.

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]]> State Seeks Dismissal in Courthouse Case; Plaintiffs Revise & Extend Complaint… https://wmasspi.com/2026/09/state-seeks-dismissal-in-courthouse-case-plaintiffs-revise-extend-complaint.html Sat, 12 Sep 2026 03:45:31 +0000 https://wmasspi.com/?p=25856 Just over two weeks ago, Superior Court Judge David Hodge refused to enjoin lease negotiations between DCAMM and Liberty Junction, the winning bidder for the new courthouse in Springfield. The unsuccessful bidders who brought the suit were clear that the case was not over.

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