Western Mass Politics & Insight
@wmasspi.com
Western Mass Politics & Insight provides news, commentary & analysis on the greater #Springfield area and the world. Mngd by @mszafranski.bsky.social RT≠ anything more. 📍The 413
#Springfield's HR and Labor Relations chief retired on September 30. The mayor appears to have arranged to slot his chief of staff into the role. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/10/in-s...
In Springfield, Personnel Is Policy; Sarno Chooses a Top Aide to Lead It… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
William Mahoney, long Springfield's HR/Labor Relations Director, has retired. A top mayoral aide shall replace him as HR director.
wmasspi.com
Mass. Trial court administrator Thomas Ambrosino retired. He has had a small(ish?) role in the #Springfield courthouse drama. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/10/brie...
Briefings: Amid Springfield Courthouse Drama, Trial Court Administrator Retires… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
The battle over the courthouse in Springfield is as much a battle with the Trial Court’s administration as it is with executive branch agency that manages the Commonwealth’s real estate. Thomas Ambros...
wmasspi.com
For many, MGM's decision to pack up and leave #Springfield is not a surprise. The litigation #Springfield over the sale of MGM Springfield, meanwhile, is the result of political failures the mayor has perpetuated. It may cost the city. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/10/anal...
Analysis: As MGM Tries to Cash out, Sarno Raises Legal Wager to Play a Risky Hand… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
After years of rumors, MGM officially wants out. Contrary to what Sarno might claim, too many of the city’s eggs were in the MGM basket.
wmasspi.com
#Springfield HR/Labor Relations Director Bill Mahoney retired last week with little to no fanfare. The mayor's chief of staff Bill Baker has replaced Mahoney, which may be be part of a new pattern at City Hall. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/10/in-s...
In Springfield, Personnel Is Policy; Sarno Chooses a Top Aide to Lead It… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
William Mahoney, long Springfield's HR/Labor Relations Director, has retired. A top mayoral aide shall replace him as HR director.
wmasspi.com
I joined the Rundown on @nepublicmedia last week talking the Catholic abuse report, nursing homes and investments in technical education. #mapoli www.nepm.org/therundown/2...
Abuse in Catholic dioceses, nursing home exploitation & more
Today we discuss a newly released report on sexual abuse in the Mass. Catholic dioceses, profit squeezes on nursing homes that result in a decline in care, upcoming voting in Franklin County on fundin...
nepm.org
The September 21 #Springfield City Council was something of a denouement over one grant and possibly the charges against the City Clerk. But the larger story if far from over as one councilor revealed. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/take...
Take My Council, Please: Ambition Should Be Made of Sterner Stuff… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
The September 21 meeting of the Springfield City Council concluded a lingering drama that had split the body for weeks.
wmasspi.com
#Springfield's longtime human resources & labor relations director Bill Mahoney has retired. The mayor's top aide will be the new head of personnel for the City fo Springfield. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/10/in-s...
In Springfield, Personnel Is Policy; Sarno Chooses a Top Aide to Lead It… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
William Mahoney, long Springfield's HR/Labor Relations Director, has retired. A top mayoral aide shall replace him as HR director.
wmasspi.com
The #Springfield City Council's September 21 meeting concluded a drama over a CPA grant for housing in the North End. The larger story around it appears to be far from over. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/take...
Take My Council, Please: Ambition Should Be Made of Sterner Stuff… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
The September 21 meeting of the Springfield City Council concluded a lingering drama that had split the body for weeks.
wmasspi.com
ICYMI: A judge dismissed the lawsuit against #Northampton over the Council's nonbinding divestment resolution. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/brie...
Briefings: Lack of Standing Collapses Suit against Noho Divestment Resolution… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Less than two weeks after oral arguments on August 26, Hampshire Superior Court Judge Charles Groce dismissed a suit filed over the Northampton City Council’s resolution that called for the city to di...
wmasspi.com
A bit late, but just under two weeks, a lawsuit against @cityofnorthampton.bsky.social and the divestment resolution the City Council passed collapsed due to a lack of standing. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/brie...
Briefings: Lack of Standing Collapses Suit against Noho Divestment Resolution… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Less than two weeks after oral arguments on August 26, Hampshire Superior Court Judge Charles Groce dismissed a suit filed over the Northampton City Council’s resolution that called for the city to divest from Israel-connected assets. It was never clear what the originators of the
wmasspi.com
Where things stand in the #Springfield courthouse lawsuit: the state is moving to dismiss, but the plaintiffs are amending their complaint. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/stat...
State Seeks Dismissal in Courthouse Case; Plaintiffs Revise & Extend Complaint… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
A judge refused to enjoin the selection of Liberty Junction to build the new courthouse. Since then, plaintiffs have revised their complaint.
wmasspi.com
The #Springfield City Council's post-Labor Day meeting had a basic agenda with routine items. The wheels came off the wagon when an item that had been wilting in committee was recalled unexpectedly. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/take...
Take My Council, Please: For Brutus Is an Honorable Man… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
The September 8 Springfield City Council agenda was straightforward. Then an item that had been languishing in committee was summoned.
wmasspi.com
ICYMI: Incumbents rule in Western Mass's Democratic primary. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/in-t...
In the 413's Democratic Primary, Now Arriving at Incumbent Land… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
SPRINGFIELD—The Democratic primary in Massachusetts left the federal delegation’s deans in place. Incumbents also prevailed elsewhere.
wmasspi.com
Last time, on courthouse drama! A judge had refused to enjoin #Springfield's new courthouse. Now, @DCAMM_MA seeks dismissal and plaintiffs are back with a new complaint that has new counts and allegations. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/stat...
State Seeks Dismissal in Courthouse Case; Plaintiffs Revise & Extend Complaint… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
A judge refused to enjoin the selection of Liberty Junction to build the new courthouse. Since then, plaintiffs have revised their complaint.
wmasspi.com
A judge is weighing motions to enjoin a #Northampton resolution on divesting from Israel-related assets. The city has filed its own motion questioning whether there is even any reason to be in court. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/noho...
Noho Divestment Resolution Reaches Judge, but Is Anything Actually in Court…? — Western Mass Politics & Insight
NORTHAMPTON—Last Wednesday, a judge in Northampton heard dueling motions in a rather strange case about divestment from Israel.
wmasspi.com
DC Appeals Court sent the lawsuit over #Springfield's climate grant back to the district court. However, it has not resurfaced at District Court yet. Here's WMP&I's report on where things stood last month. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/08/appe...
Appeals Court Ruling Offers Hope to Climate Grants, but a Clock is Ticking… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
A panel of judges have effectively revived a suit that seeks to restore the climate program under which the EPA gave Springfield $20 million.
wmasspi.com
READ: Our editor-in-chief @mszafranski.bsky.social spoke to @dustyc123.bsky.social at @theshoestring.bsky.social about this week's results as part of their overview of what happened in Western Mass this past Tuesday. #mapoli theshoestring.org/2026/09/03/w...
Western Massachusetts incumbents sweep primary elections
Incumbency topped fundraising and political alignment as the best predictor of success for local Democrats on Tuesday, despite a leftward swing seen elsewhere in the country.
theshoestring.org
Last week, a judge heard arguments on motions for an injunction and to dismiss in a lawsuit filed over a nonbinding resolution calling for #Northampton to divest from Israel. The city has taken no action on it. Is there a basis for the suit? #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/noho...
Noho Divestment Resolution Reaches Judge, but Is Anything Actually in Court…? — Western Mass Politics & Insight
NORTHAMPTON—Last Wednesday, a judge in Northampton heard dueling motions in a rather strange case about divestment from Israel.
wmasspi.com
LISTEN: Our editor @mszafranski.bsky.social spoke to @wamc.org New's @jpaleolo.bsky.social about the primary election results up and down the ballot this past Tuesday. #mapoli www.wamc.org/news/2026-09...
Pioneer Valley primary round-up with WMP&I’s Matt Szafranski
Amid statewide contests, like Sen. Ed Markey besting Congressman Seth Moulton in the Democratic Senate primary, western Mass. was home to a number of primaries over seats on Beacon Hill.WAMC kept trac...
wamc.org
My first look at the results in Western Mass with emphasis on Rep. @neal.house.gov successful renomination. (UPDATED to include Wondolowski's victory in #1stFranklin.) #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/in-t...
In the 413's Democratic Primary, Now Arriving at Incumbent Land… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
SPRINGFIELD—The Democratic primary in Massachusetts left the federal delegation’s deans in place. Incumbents also prevailed elsewhere.
wmasspi.com
For @wamc.org: I had a long LONG conversation w/ Matt Szafranski of @wmasspi.com this morning about last night's primaries - specifically, the state house races (and Neal and Whalen). We talked generational dynamics, incumbent strengths and a lot more. www.wamc.org/news/2026-09...
Pioneer Valley primary round-up with WMP&I’s Matt Szafranski
Amid statewide contests, like Sen. Ed Markey besting Congressman Seth Moulton in the Democratic Senate primary, western Mass. was home to a number of primaries over seats on Beacon Hill.WAMC kept trac...
wamc.org
Our first take on yesterday's incumbent-friendly primary in Western Massachusetts. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/in-t...
In the 413's Democratic Primary, Now Arriving at Incumbent Land… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
SPRINGFIELD—The Democratic primary in Massachusetts left/upended the federal delegation’s deans in place. Congressman Richard Neal and US Senator Ed Markey, both facing primary challenges, beat back t...
wmasspi.com
The polls close in less than an hour. Read up about the one and only debate in the First Congressional race. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/08/sing...
Singular Debate between Neal and Whalen Arrives at Campaign's Pique… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
CHICOPEE—The first and only face-to-face debate in the 1st District’s Democratic primary saw some heat and a bevy of accusations.
wmasspi.com
ICYMI: A judge declined to halt the lease for the new courthouse in #Springfield. Since the ruling, the Commonwealth has moved to dismiss and the plaintiffs filed their notice of appeal. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/08/cour...
Court Won't Halt Courthouse Selection, but Leaves Case with Plenty of Oxygen… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
DCAMM and Liberty Junction, the developer selected to build the new courthouse in Springfield, can keep talking—and negotiating.
wmasspi.com
As #MASEN 2026 comes to a close, the candidates made their final rounds and while there is some enthusiasm, it's hard not to compare it to six years ago, pandemic and all. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/09/anal...
Analysis: In a Burning World, Bay State Electorate Lacks Fire of Past Cycles… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
WEST SPRINGFIELD—In a swing through the 413, Salem Congressman Seth Moulton exhorted supporters to work the phones and, above all, to vote.
wmasspi.com
The money race in the #11thHampden is closer than the candidates' campaign bank accounts would suggest. That, and a debate among one key constituency, could power the result on Tuesday. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/08/the-...
The Money and the Meditations within the 11th Hampden Dem Primary… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Records show Mass Teachers have dropped at least $30K on one candidate in the 11th Hampden primary. They are among many players in the race.
wmasspi.com
A judge declined to halt the selection process for #Springfield's new courthouse. The state has filed a motion to dismiss. Read WMP&I's analysis of the decision not to halt the process. That ruling may influence the motion to dismiss. wmasspi.com/2026/08/cour...
Court Won't Halt Courthouse Selection, but Leaves Case with Plenty of Oxygen… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
DCAMM and Liberty Junction, the developer selected to build the new courthouse in Springfield, can keep talking—and negotiating.
wmasspi.com
The only debate between Richard Neal and Jeromie Whalen discussed some issues at their one and only debate, but also endeavored to define each other #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/08/sing...
Singular Debate between Neal and Whalen Arrives at Campaign's Pique… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
CHICOPEE—The first and only face-to-face debate in the 1st District’s Democratic primary saw some heat and a bevy of accusations.
wmasspi.com
Outside money has rained into the #11thHampden primary in #Springfield. But a lot is going on below the surface among one of the district's most critical constituencies. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/08/the-...
The Money and the Meditations within the 11th Hampden Dem Primary… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Records show Mass Teachers have dropped at least $30K on one candidate in the 11th Hampden primary. They are among many players in the race.
wmasspi.com
The candidates for the First Congressional District have debated, but how much money do they have? We looked at the available campaign finance reports earlier this month. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/08/insi...
Inside the 413's Congressional Primary Finances, from Accounts to Airwaves… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Second campaign quarter reports became available on July 15. Candidates for the Dem nomination in the 1st district have hit the airwaves
wmasspi.com