ANALYSIS: The #11thHamden is only one of several contested primaries in the 413 this cycle. However, the number and seriousness of the candidates is somewhat unusual for a race with an incumbent seeking reelection. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/04/anal...
The path to the start of additional service between Boston and Springfield came into focus at a recent @massdot.bsky.social board of directors meeting--as did the way the region could see even more service. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/how-...
State Rep Bud Williams of the #11thHampden district does not appear to be retiring. Yet, he has attracted a significant number of challengers. There may be many reasons why, but there are rumors, too. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/04/anal...
ICYMI: The State Ethics Commission has issued a show cause order against former #Holyoke City Councilor David Bartley for alleged conflicts between his public role and his legal practice. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/stat...
The proposed hourly service to New York got the attention, but @massdot.bsky.social offered some clarity about what Boston to Springfield service will need to start up and expand further. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/how-...
LISTEN: On Friday, our editor-in-chief, @mszafranski.bsky.social joined Paul Tuthill and Liz Roman on @nepublicmedia.bsky.social's The Rundown with Carrie Saldo to talk sheriffs' budgets, the court fight for #Springfield's climate grant, and rail service. www.nepm.org/therundown/2...
Without addressing the merits of the underlying resolution, I struggle to see the legal basis for this lawsuit and, to the extent it has any legal basis, it plainly misapprehends Massachusetts municipal and quasi-public corp law. #mapoli www.wwlp.com/news/local-n...
Last week, the Massachusetts Ethics Commission initiated formal proceedings against former #Holyoke City Councilor David Bartley relating to conflicts between his role as a councilor and his legal practice. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/stat...
Full report on the hearing to come, but here was the table-setter I wrote for last week's hearing on #Springfield's climate grant at the DC Circuit. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/clim...
ICYMI: There will be a primary for the 413's governor's council seat. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/brie...
A former #Holyoke City Councilor, David Bartley, faces a formal ethics adjudication for alleged conflicts between his legal practice and his then-service to the city. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/stat...
A DC Court heard oral arguments today on whether to revive a lawsuit #Springfield joined to claw back a climate grant the EPA illegally rescinded. Read our primer on the case. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/clim...
#Springfield and its fellow one-time climate grant recipients return to federal court Monday to try to revive their lawsuit to get the money the @EPA illegally rescinded. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/clim...
Primary challenges have been popping up in the 413 this election cycle. Now that includes the region's seat on the Governor's Council. Councilor Tara Jacobs faces an old foe. wmasspi.com/2026/03/brie... #mapoli
Every now and then it happens. Western Mass's federal pols had good things to say about SCOTUS when its tariffs ruling came down. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/bay-...
The #Springfield City Council reached a denouement at its March 2 meeting. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/take...
Even the governor's councilors are getting primary challengers in Wester Mass this year! Tara Jacobs to face off against 2022 rival #Springfield City Councilor Mike Fenton. wmasspi.com/2026/03/brie...
Politico's Massachusetts Playbook has ended, but there are opportunities. The Boston Globe may be taking some of them. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/afte...
The Springfield City Council rejected a motion of no confidence in its president, Tracye Whitfield, amid the alleged ethical violations that have arisen since a street discontinuance vote last month. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/take...
Last week spelled the end of @Politico's Massachusetts Playbook. It is a loss for the Bay State media landscape, but there may be opportunities, too. One state media outlet may ready to take advantage of it. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/afte...
ICYMI: #Holyoke's #5thHampden House district shall play host to one of the many primary challenges that are bubbling up for Western Mass Democrats. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/brie...
Western Mass pols welcome tariffs ruling from SCOTUS. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/bay-...
BREAKING: Vote of no confidence in Council President Tracye Whitfield fails. #mapoli
After 10 years, @politico.com has ended its Massachusetts Playback. It could have consequences for Bay State media, but perhaps some opportunities as well--including for the state's largest newsroom. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/afte...
This month, #Holyoke's state rep district joined the list of races in Western Mass featuring a primary challenge. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/brie...
The #Springfield City Council had a motion of no confidence in the Council President on this Monday's agenda, but it was moved to next week due to snow. Read about the meeting where the motion first came to light. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/take...
Sad news day.
The end of the Politico Massachusetts newsletter after nearly 11 years comes amid changes for the company, but could have broader impacts for Bay State political media. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/afte...
The Supreme Court overturned Trump's tariffs in a ruling the 413's federal officials and @massgovernor.bsky.social hailed. However, they also lamented that consumer and small businesses were unlikely to receive recompense. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/bay-...