News List

Reactions are pouring in from around western Massachusetts to the possibility of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade . We sat down with a local attorney who explains what this means for the country, and more specifically, what this means for women in our state. “That changes a whole spectrum of how women can make choices on their own bodies. I hope it’s reconsidered,” said… Read more »

(As prepared for delivery) Our next order of business is the hearing on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. Secretary Becerra, I want to extend you a warm welcome back to the Ways and Means Committee.  We meet today at an inflection point. We are shifting our focus from the urgency of the COVID public health crisis to confronting the virus as an enduring epidemic, while also… Read more »

A proposal to expand passenger rail service between western Massachusetts and Boston gained support from Gov. Charlie Baker Tuesday. During a press conference at Springfield's Union Station, Baker, and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal announced the agreement. The deal calls for a new authority to oversee the project. Neal, a Democrat who chairs the House Ways and Means committee, said that panel… Read more »

Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Congressman Richard Neal, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, and MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera were joined by state and local officials at Westover Air Reserve Base to celebrate the opening of the UMass Transportation Center’s Aviation Research and Training Facility, which is equipped with the technology that creates… Read more »

Gov. Charlie Baker and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal called Tuesday for a Western Massachusetts passenger rail authority that would apply for federal funds and evenly administer expanded east-west commuter rail. “This is an agreement on a path forward here,” Baker said. Amtrak, which has been vocal about its plans to expand in the Northeast, would run the trains, Baker said in a news… Read more »

Federal and state officials Tuesday agreed on a path forward to extend passenger rail service west of Worcester to the cities of Springfield and Pittsfield, an effort designed to finally connect the eastern and western parts of the state by rail. Speaking with reporters after a meeting at Springfield’s Union Station, Governor Charlie Baker and Congressman Richard Neal described plans… Read more »

State and federal leaders agree the development of a Passenger Rail Authority to oversee the East-West Rail project will be important to transportation in Central and Western Massachusetts. On Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker and Rep. Richard Neal addressed the media at Union Station in Springfield to discuss the project to extend passenger rail service into Springfield and… Read more »

Governor Charlie Baker spent his day in western Massachusetts Tuesday and stopped by Union Station in Springfield to meet up with local leaders pushing for the East-West Rail Line connecting western Massachusetts with Boston. This is a project we’ve been following for years now. Governor Baker and Congressman Richard Neal joined state legislators Tuesday to discuss a plan forward for… Read more »

Amtrak has restored its Hartford Line service to pre-COVID levels, the passenger railroad announced this week. Seven total trains will return, including two weekday trains, one Saturday train and four Sunday trains. Amtrak said it anticipates increased demand on the line, one also served by the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s CTrail Hartford Line. “With the help of our… Read more »

Can one person direct planes to fly into three different airports from a remote location? What is the best way to fill the shortage of air traffic controllers? What steps can be taken to improve safety at civilian and military airports nationwide? The University of Massachusetts Amherst is hoping to answer those questions and many more with the official opening of its Aviation Research… Read more »