In the News

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said that the U.S. will be terminating its relationship with the World Health Organization, saying it had failed to adequately respond to the coronavirus because China has “total control” over the global organization. He said Chinese officials “ignored” their reporting obligations to the WHO… Read more »

EASTHAMPTON — U.S. Sen. Ed Markey has announced new legislation that he says would help expand passenger rail service across western Massachusetts. In an online press conference Friday, Markey said the bill would bring $5 billion in yearly investment — a total of $25 billion over five years — to build intercity rail. In an effort to give the bill a catchy acronym, the… Read more »

Massachusetts U.S. Senator Ed Markey has announced a new $25 billion bill to expand passenger rail across the state and country. The Building Rail Across Intercity Networks To Ride Around Interior of the Nation or “BRAIN TRAIN” Act calls for $5 billion dollars to be invested on railways between cities ever year for five years. “Studies consistently show that expanding… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — Dependent on state aid for about half its $58 million annual budget and on even more unreliable fare revenue and advertising proceeds for the rest, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority on Friday welcomed $36 million in federal coronavirus response money. U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, announced the funding at a news conference at Union Station with Mayor… Read more »

A proposal from Sen. Ed Markey to invest $5 billion annually over the next five years in intercity passenger rail expansion could gain bipartisan support as lawmakers gear up to work on a new infrastructure package, Rep. Richard Neal said on Friday. Markey, in a video conference Friday morning, announced the Building Rail Across Intercity Networks To Ride Around… Read more »

President Donald Trump on Friday said the U.S., where the coronavirus pandemic has taken the lives of 100,000 people, will sever ties with the World Health Organization. Trump announced the move, along with a series of actions targeting China, in a news conference in the Rose Garden outside the White House. The president took no questions, with several reporters… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WHSM) -- Efforts are underway on Capitol Hill to get a second round of stimulus checks out to Americans across the country. The HEROES act just needs approval by the Senate. Western Mass News has been following developments with this latest coronavirus relief package, which passed in the House, and right now negotiations are underway to get it to the Senate. Its… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD – Mayor Domenic Sarno described standing on a nearly deserted City Hall steps on the day the city commemorated Memorial Day as “surreal.” Normally the steps would be filled with participants of the annual event, but with the pandemic a handful of people gathered to speak and to lay wreaths at the city’s war memorials. The event was streamed and… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Throughout western Massachusetts, Memorial Day salutes to America’s war dead will be shared from afar. There normally would have been many hundreds attending Springfield’s salute to fallen heroes at Court Square. This was a small contingent led by Mayor Domenic Sarno and Congressman Richard Neal. The city’s Director of Veteran… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- While Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, it's also a somber holiday, as we honor those who have given their lives for our country. Many ceremonies are going virtual this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the City of Springfield held theirs today. "In your way, take the time to honor these veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice,"… Read more »