In the News

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine has obtained emergency use authorization by the FDA, making it the first COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in the U.S. Now that the COVID-19 vaccine has been approved, the public could see the first shipments of the vaccine arrive in Massachusetts by December 15. Western Mass News spoke with Congressman Richard Neal about these… Read more »

Key congressional committees have clinched a last-minute deal to protect patients from receiving “surprise” medical bills, potentially putting an end to nearly two years of infighting over an issue that’s pitted powerful health care giants against each other and frustrated Congress. Shielding insured patients from eye-popping medical bills for unexpected out-of-network… Read more »

The chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee urged the incoming administration to renew trade negotiations with the European Union, countering a pledge by President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. to postpone any new trade talks until after the United States has made significant domestic investments. The statement on Friday, from Representative Richard E. Neal, Democrat of… Read more »

HOLYOKE, MASS. (WHDH) - Congressmen Joe Kennedy III and Richard Neal are introducing a bill in response to the deadly COVID-19 outbreak that occurred at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in the springtime. The Holyoke Veteran’s Act aims to get justice for 76 veterans who died from coronavirus exposure at the home and prevent an incident like that from happening again. If passed,… Read more »

James Ryan, a history and social science teacher at the Springfield Honors Academy, says most if not all teachers are eager to get back in the classroom in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic shaking up the school year nationwide. “We miss our kids. We miss each other. We miss the school communities,” Ryan said Wednesday. “We want to go back, but as we’ve… Read more »

U.S. Reps. Joe Kennedy III and Richard Neal proposed an overhaul of federal safety standards at soldiers’ homes nationwide on Tuesday, building on a Kennedy proposal earlier this year after the COVID-19 pandemic took the lives of 76 veterans at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. The Holyoke Veteran’s Act calls for improved qualifications among… Read more »

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – A federal overhaul on the safety standards for veterans’ homes is being proposed by two Massachusetts congressmen. Congressmen Richard Neal and Joe Kennedy introduced the new bill in response to the deaths of 76 veterans at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. The Holyoke Veterans Act calls for higher and more appropriate qualifications for the… Read more »

The U.S. economy gained just 245,000 jobs in November, the smallest increase since April and the fifth consecutive month of declining gains. The unemployment rate fell to 6.7%, according to figures released Friday by the U.S. Department Labor. But one reason the unemployment rate fell was that fewer people are looking for work. U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, said the numbers… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — Train tracks stretching into the distance appear to converge just out of view. Backers of faster passenger rail service from Western Massachusetts to Boston see several factors converging now — the new Biden administration, the need to boost the economy through a national infrastructure plan, the changing nature of the workplace even after… Read more »

(WGGB/WSHM) -- Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Congressman Richard Neal joined with the Oasis Food Pantry and volunteers to help hand out the much needed food to western Massachusetts families. After recent community feedback, the Oasis Food Pantry decided to hold their meals distribution program today instead of Friday. The mayor wished everyone a safe, healthy and happy… Read more »