1 month ago in Local Photo: WHMP
(Undated) Northampton remains at low risk for COVID-19 transmission. The state’s latest risk map lists Northampton, Easthampton and Orange in the Green. Among the communities listed as moderate risk are Amherst, Granby, Greenfield, Holyoke, Montague and South Hadley. Springfield remains in the red zone, along with Chicopee, Hampden, Palmer and Southwick.
(Undated) Masks will still be required when the spring high school sports season begins next week. The MIAA says players, coaches and people attending events will still have to wear face coverings, even as the state relaxes its outside mask requirements. Starting today, Massachusetts residents will no longer be required to wear masks outside.
Trouble may be ahead for $600 million bond bill for new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, statewide services, after easy passage by Senate
Updated Apr 29, 2021;
Posted Apr 29, 2021
State Rep. Joseph Wagner, D-Chicopee, criticized the Senate s unanimous vote to pass a $600 million bond bill for a new Holyoke Soldiers Home and added veterans services statewide. (Hoang Leon Nguyen / The Republican file photo)
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BOSTON After an easy passage before the Senate on Thursday, a $600 million bond bill for a new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and other veterans’ services may face pushback from House leaders.
The bond bill passed 40-0 with little debate, but for some skirmishing among members over a proposed construction labor agreement that ultimately also passed easily.
Re-Open the Massachusetts State House Now [OPINION]
It s been well over a year since Governor Charlie Baker declared a COVID-19 public health crisis, and while some things are slowly returning to normal, others are not. For example, why is the Massachusetts State House still closed?
Department stores, supermarkets, liquor stores, and even marijuana shops in the Bay State have been open, pretty much without interruption since day one of the pandemic. But the Massachusetts State House remains closed. Why?
The State House News Services makes the point that The State House is a unique building in Boston: it s an office space for lawmakers and staffers, a tourism attraction for visitors, a place where legislative agents and interest groups lobby lawmakers, and an event venue for protests, advocacy functions, and ceremonies. So, why isn t it at least partially open?
‘We had to go big’: US Rep. Richard Neal, Massachusetts House Speaker Ron Mariano lay out path to recovery at Springfield Chamber event
Updated Apr 29, 2021;
SPRINGFIELD Thirteen months ago, the ill-understood threat known as COVID-19 loomed over the Springfield Regional Chamber’ annual Outlook luncheon.
The event at the MassMutual Center ballroom included hastily set-up hand sanitizing stations the first time those had been seen locally. Visitors were not yet instructed to put on face masks.
Like so many events since then, the chamber’s 2021 Outlook event was held online to avoid spreading the virus. But with vaccines available and COVID-19 cases in decline, speakers Wednesday highlighted the steps businesses and governments are taking to recover.