In the News

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The founder of Wayfair engaged in a conversation with U.S. Rep. Richard Neal on Wednesday morning, covering topics of technology, entrepreneurship, immigration, taxes and trade.  Niraj Shah, a 1991 graduate of Pittsfield High School, is bringing 300 jobs to his hometown with the development of a call center for the international home decor company. He… Read more »

PITTSFIELD — Boyd Technologies of Lee recently hired a seamstress who worked at the former Country Curtains to run an ultrasonic sewing line. While that might seem like a mismatch between job skills and professional requirements, it's not. This person's previous employment history, productivity level and approach to work outweighed the lack of high-level work skills. The… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — Lonnie Chappell was a Marine serving in Vietnam in 1966 when he was blown off the back of a truck in a bomb attack. Chappell, 78, said Tuesday that his body has hurt every day since. He’s sought treatment for a bad disc in has back and uses a wheelchair to get around. But he’s about to get additional modifications to the home he and his wife, Mary, share… Read more »

A new program in Massachusetts is helping military veterans and their families stay in their homes.     Two years ago, volunteers organized by Revitalize Community Development Corporation did some yard work and other chores around the home of Lonnie and Mary Chappell.                      " I… Read more »

House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal has introduced legislation to amend the Windfall Elimination Provision, or WEP, for future retirees and provide additional benefits to current recipients. The WEP is a formula that can reduce the size of a Social Security retiree’s monthly benefit check if the retiree received a pension from a job in which they did not pay Social… Read more »

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — More than 200 area firefighters will be receiving turnout gear thanks to a nearly $600,000 federal grant made through the North Adams Fire Department.  "That's over 200 sets of personal protective equipment for firefighters and it's about safety," Fire Chief Stephen Meranti said. "You can't go into a burning building without it." The regional Assistance… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, has been tasked with bringing evidence of wrongdoing by President Donald Trump to the Judiciary Committee considering his impeachment. Neal’s role and that of five other committee chairs was touched upon by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Tuesday in a televised address, where she accused Trump of betraying his… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — The city will use a $1.1 million grant to hire eight new firefighters, allowing the Springfield Fire Department to add two firefighters to each shift. Officials announced the $1,138,310 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the Raymond M. Sullivan Public Safety Complex on Carew Street Tuesday. The grant is awarded over a three-year period under the… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Congressman Richard Neal spoke at Western New England School of Law Monday afternoon. The congressman was on campus as part of the school’s Constitution and Citizenship Day events. The day was created by Congress in 2004, and recognizes the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. The day is also about recognizing those who have… Read more »

LEE — The Lee Fire Department has received nearly $225,000 in federal money to spend on lifesaving equipment. The grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, coupled with an $11,235 local match, will help fund an upgrade and replacement of 10 aging automated external defibrillators. AED devices automatically diagnose arrhythmia of the heart and apply electricity to… Read more »