In the News

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - With the casino grand opening just weeks away, Springfield Police continue to prepare for the influx of visitors  sure to make their way to the city.  Today, officials gathered at Union Station to announce a new collaboration geared toward keeping them safe.  Union Station has 250 different cameras and thanks to a new partnership, all of… Read more »

Law enforcement is increasing its video surveillance footprint across the largest city in western Massachusetts as preparations continue for a large influx of daily visitors. The Springfield Police Department’s Real-Time Analysis Center is now connected to 250 cameras located in and around Union Station.  Crime analysts can look at any of the cameras live or review recordings… Read more »

EAST LONGMEADOW – A fire station never stops, not even when your congressman comes to bestow a prestigious grant. Chief Paul Morrissette and his station crew had just finished preparing for Congressman Richard Neal’s July 30 visit – the podium was staged with the department’s most impressive engine in the background – when the alarm rang out for a fire call… Read more »

Massachusetts state and congressional lawmakers praised a Seattle federal judge Wednesday for blocking a Trump administration settlement, which would have allowed 3D printable firearm blueprints to be posted online, but stressed more must be done to ensure the agreement never takes effect.  Hours before Defense Distributed was set to publish instructions on how to… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD -- With hundreds of "multiemployer" pension plans expected to fall short in paying what they owe retirees, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, on Monday highlighted steps Congress is taking to avert such a crisis. Neal, who was named to a joint panel tasked with addressing pension plan insolvency, told reporters he's optimistic that lawmakers will… Read more »

  Labor leaders from across Massachusetts met in Springfield Monday to discuss a national problem that could prevent millions of workers from collecting pensions they’re counting on in retirement.     About 35 labor leaders participated in an hour-long discussion with Massachusetts Democratic Congressman Richard Neal focused on legislation he has introduced… Read more »

A western Massachusetts fire department is receiving a big federal grant to upgrade their equipment. The more than $130,000 will make a huge difference at the East Longmeadow Fire Department. Right now, the department is using self-contained breathing apparatuses that are more than 12 years old. However, thanks to a federal grant, they will be able to upgrade this life-saving… Read more »

PITTSFIELD — Mayor Thomas Bernard thinks of North Adams' airport as a "gem." The federal government just delivered some polish, both to the Harriman-and-West Airport in his city and to Pittsfield Municipal Airport.  Both cities won grants they sought from the federal Department of Transportation — $315,000 for Pittsfield and $90,000 for North Adams.  While… Read more »

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The airports in both North Adams and  Pittsfield has seen a significant number of capital improvements in recent years. And now, officials in both cities are looking to the future.  "When you reach your potential, your potential expands. We never want to give to what we were. We are trying all the time to upgrade," U.S. Rep. Richard Neal said on… Read more »

A Western Massachusetts air reserve base is poised to receive millions in federal funding to construct a regional ISO maintenance hangar under a $716 billion national defense bill compromise that cleared the U.S. House Thursday.  The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which now awaits Senate approval, includes funding for an array of Pentagon initiatives and priorities across… Read more »