In the News

(WWLP) – More than 7,000 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the United States as of Wednesday.  In Massachusetts, 256 cases have been confirmed statewide and over 20 patients were hospitalized. Congressman Richard Neal visited our 22News studio in Chicopee to discuss what’s being done to protect citizens across the… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Residents in western Massachusetts got a chance to share their coronavirus concerns with Congressman Richard Neal and Dr. Mark Keroack, the CEO of Baystate Medical Center today. The two opened the phone lines for people to call in. Western Mass News also took part in that phone conference on what is on the minds of residents and the questions ranged from… Read more »

Days after Gov. Charlie Baker submitted economic relief loans through the Small Business Administration, the Massachusetts congressional delegation sent a letter to the agency on Wednesday backing his call for emergency assistance as result of the coronavirus. Both U.S. senators and all nine U.S. representatives signed the letter to the Small Business Administration that could provide… Read more »

Congressional Democrats unveiled a measure for a legislative stimulus package aimed at mitigating the economic damage stemming from the coronavirus. The House legislation, which was released shortly after 11 p.m. on Wednesday, provides short-term benefits including expanded unemployment reimbursement for states, additional funding for food security for low-income children and federally… Read more »

US President Donald Trump has announced that his acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney is to become the US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. The role has been vacant since Mr Trump took office. Mr Mulvaney is an Irish-American with family roots in Co Mayo. He has been the acting White House Chief of Staff since December 2018 and will be replaced in the role by Republican Congressman… Read more »

As of Saturday, Massachusetts officials say there are 13 confirmed or presumed cases of COVID-19 in the state – including the first from western Mass. The state's public health department confirmed a man from Berkshire County was among the newest cases. Hospitals around western Massachusetts said Friday they are busy preparing – and flagging potential weak spots in their… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) – More than 500 lawmakers were in Springfield on Friday to provide a local, state, and federal outlook to the business community. Congressman Richard Neal, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Assistant Majority Leader Joseph Wagner, MassMutual CEO Roger Crandall, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, and Springfield Chamber President Nancy Creed all spoke at the… Read more »

Nexstar Media Group and Charter Communications said they reached an agreement that will create a special feed of local news from Nexstar’s WWLP-TV in Springfield, Mass., for Charter subscribers in nearby Berkshire County, Mass. Charter removed WWLP from its channel lineup in 2017 and Massachusetts lawmakers had been pushing for it to return. Charter provides Berkshire County… Read more »

There exists a “grand opportunity” for Congress and the administration to come together and pass a $1 trillion-plus infrastructure package to counter the economic impacts of the coronavirus disease that has killed several people in the U.S., House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal said Tuesday. Neal and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appeared to be in agreement on… Read more »

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Nexstar Media Group, the parent company of WWLP-22News, and Charter Communications announced Friday that they have agreed to provide a special feed of 22News to Charter subscribers in Berkshire County. WWLP-TV 22News is extremely pleased that Nexstar’s work with Charter, Congressman Neal and Senators Markey and Warren resulted in WWLP-TV’s… Read more »