In the News

HOLYOKE — A hundred community health workers will get year-long training at Holyoke Community College in the fight against opioid misuse and addiction due to a $1.89 million federal grant announced Friday. And the need for the trained community workers is growing, especially with the job loss and social isolation of the coronavirus pandemic, said Jay Breines,… Read more »

Congressman Richard Neal visited Holyoke Community College today to announce the awarding of four-year, $1.89 million federal grant aimed at helping families impacted by opioid use. The funds – $399,676 in the first year – will enhance HCC's existing Community Health Worker training program with the goal of increasing the number of CHW's qualified to work on… Read more »

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Congressman Richard Neal announced a federal grant Friday at Holyoke Community College for a community health worker program aimed to help families affected by opioid use. Congressman Neal, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and HCC President Christina Royal announced the $399,676 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human… Read more »

House Democrats slammed the administration’s response to the pandemic Thursday, saying in a new report that President Donald Trump “intentionally misled the American public on every aspect of the pandemic” and it’s led to needless deaths and job losses. Led by Rep. James Clyburn, chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis,… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Thousands of residents all over western Massachusetts are now into their third night without power. Residents on Edendale Street in Springfield expressed frustration and concerns and told 22News that Eversource has been on their street for the past two days but crews were able to make repairs. A tree removal company finally got the okay to remove a… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — Local officials said Thursday they are pleased with progress in the recovery from Tropical Storm Isaias, and are assessing costs to pursue emergency aid. The officials, including Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, gathered at Forest Park, with a backdrop of downed trees and branches. They discussed and praised the ongoing cleanup… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — State Rep. Bud L. Williams led the city’s Black community and politicians Thursday in rally honoring the legacy of the late civil rights leader John Lewis and marking the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The hourlong program was on the City Hall steps where Williams recalled protesting for Civil Rights himself in his earlier years and… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Congressman Richard Neal and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno surveyed the damage from Tropical Storm Isaias in the city as crews rush to restore power to thousands of people across the region. Sarno told us that around 2,500 people in the city are now without power. On Thursday, city officials said Springfield was one of, if not the hardest hit community… Read more »

Tributes have been paid to former SDLP leader and Nobel laureate John Hume who died this morning. President Michael D Higgins said everyone who sought and worked for peace on the island of Ireland will be saddened to hear of Hume's death. "Through his words, his astute diplomacy and willingness to listen to what was often difficult to accept but was the view of the 'Other', transformed… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Congressman Richard Neal and local business leaders came together today to celebrate the success of the Paycheck Protection Program. More than 10,000 loans were given out to small businesses across western and central Massachusetts, which comes to be more than $1 billion. The data shows that businesses of all types benefited from the program, and the… Read more »