James Paleologopoulos

The mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts has named a longtime Springfield police captain as the city’s next chief of police – the lone finalist to reach the end of the city’s search process.

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By James Paleologopoulos

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By James Paleologopoulos

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By James Paleologopoulos

Massachusetts state transportation officials will be in Palmer tonight to collect feedback on plans for a potential new passenger rail station in the Hampden County town.

Transportation officials in Massachusetts have released a final report going over what passenger rail returning to northwest Massachusetts and beyond might look like – and potentially cost.The MassDOT study weighed multiple scenarios for trains traveling between North Adams, Greenfield and Boston. The report comes as state and local leaders from the Berkshires to Central Massachusetts call on the state to continue exploring the possibilities.That includes regional rail advocate groups like Trains in the Valley. WAMC sat down with its co-founder Ben Hecksher to talk about the study, east-west rail and other developments.

A public information meeting in Palmer, Massachusetts, went slightly off the rails after officials described plans for a future rail station that seemed to steer away from a popular, potential site.

The Springfield City Council has begun the process of adjusting its residency requirement, at least temporarily.

Plenty of toys, clothing and other goods are making their way through the Hilltowns of western Massachusetts. WAMC spoke with the group behind the effort, and how their mission goes well-beyond the holidays.

Springfield, Massachusetts welcomed basketball royalty over the weekend as the city and the Hall of Fame further commemorated the sport’s birthplace on “World Basketball Day”