One year ago this month, the New England Joint Board of UNITE HERE won the right to represent dealers at MGM Springfield. As of today, however, the NEJB and MGM are not any closer to an agreement for a simple reason. MGM declines to recognize the election the National Labor Relations Board held, certified and has upheld through its regional office twice. The post Despite Election, MGM Springfield Won’t Play a Hand with Dealers’ Union… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

SPRINGFIELD—Relatively routine school matters occupied a substantial amount of councilors’ attention at its recent Monday meeting. Generally, school matters are not within the Council’s wheelhouse, per state law. However, there are notable exceptions and a few quirky items. The post Take My Council, Please: Making An Offer No One Can Refuse… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

The Democratic party’s new chairman, Ken Martin, gave the day-to-day job of running the party to Roger Lau. The longtime political hand has worn many hats for Massachusetts Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren. The post For Executive Director, DNC Turns to Staffer Whose Career Took Root in the 413… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

Hampden Superior Court Judge James Manitsas largely rejected a motion the City of Springfield and Mayor Domenic Sarno had filed to dismiss the discrimination suit former mayoral aide Darryl Moss had brought against them. While the courts have whittled it down, the meat of Moss’s suit could now advance to a jury. The post Briefings: Judge Largely Rejects Sarno’s Bid to End His Ex-Aide’s Discrimination Suit… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

The midterm municipal election in Springfield is off to a brisk start. Several races are developing only days after ballot papers became available. Challenges to some incumbents have been incubating for some time either publicly or quietly. Since the Election Commission opened the petitioning window on Friday, it appears even more officials could face opponents. The post Petitioning Window Opens for Springfield Election; Some Surprises Are Flying in… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

Against the backdrop of its own challenges and a broader wave of upheaval in Valley media, New England Public Media has named Elizabeth Román as its next executive editor for news. Román will take over the news operations of the region’s principal public media at a time of flux. The post Briefings: NEPM Promotes from Within, Elevating Liz Román to Top News Role… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

SPRINGFIELD—Lawyers for former Springfield mayoral aide, Darryl Moss, and his old employer, Mayor Domenic Sarno were in court last month to argue over whether Moss’s discrimination lawsuit can proceed. The parties, which include the city itself as a defendant, had not been in open court for months. The post Judge Mulls Moss Suit against Sarno & If It Has Enough Disputed Facts for a Jury… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

Payton North, the now-former managing editor for The Reminder, a weekly newspaper, took over as director of communications for the Hampden DA’s office this month. North had led the hyperlocal publication’s news operations as executive editor since late 2022. The post Hampden DA Turns North for Comms; Maza Rises to Fill Her Spot at The Reminder… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

As attorney general of Massachusetts, Maura Healey essentially ran point for the commonwealth’s legal opposition to Donald Trump. Now Healey is governor, a very different role than attorney general, and Trump has returned. Her successor in the AG’s office is facing a landscape not unlike the one Healey did—and Attorney General Andrea Campbell has been busy. The post Now AG during Trump Redux, Campbell Picks up Where Healey Left off… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

SPRINGFIELD—There is plenty of precedent for police officers to fill the City Council chamber. Usually, it is to oppose or support some substantive policy. This past Monday the room was full, if not packed with cops. Ostensibly, they were there to support Superintendent Lawrence Akers’s body camera financial package. The post Take My Council, Please: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more