James Paleologopoulos

3 days ago | wamc.org | James Paleologopoulos

Voters in Belchertown, Massachusetts, packed the local high school over the weekend for the annual town meeting. On the agenda was a budget that would stave off drastic cuts at the school district. Months of speaking at meetings, canvassing the town and advocating on social media paid off for school-funding advocates Saturday as residents approved raising and appropriating $34.8 million for the school department.

1 week ago | wamc.org | James Paleologopoulos

The Massachusetts Secretary of Education was in Northampton this week — doing a lot of listening as students and teachers talked school funding. They made their case for reform as costs continue to rise and state dollars come up short in the region’s more rural districts. “Our expenses are outpacing our revenues, and we are rapidly approaching a breaking point … or perhaps, for many of us, we are already there,” said Dr. E.

1 week ago | wamc.org | James Paleologopoulos

The Springfield City Council has signed off on the mayor’s budget. Most openly approve of the roughly $1 billion plan, though some councilors point out with property taxes likely going up again, relief would go a long way. After a series of hearings and meetings with department heads, the council passed the FY26 budget with little issue Tuesday night. The latest spending plan totals $985.7 million — $670 million for schools and $315.7 million for the city-side budget.

1 week ago | wamc.org | James Paleologopoulos

Authorities in Massachusetts say dozens of arrests were made as three drug trafficking investigations came to a head this month, including one that spanned the region and part of New York. Tables covered in handguns, long guns and drug paraphernalia were laid out at the Hampden District Attorney's Office Tuesday - a fraction of what authorities say was seized as federal, state and local authorities collaborated over the past two weeks alone.

1 week ago | wamc.org | James Paleologopoulos

After serving in the interim for a year, Nicolle Cestero is officially the new president of American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Cestero replaced Hubert Benitez. She has been leading the college as it rolls out a strategy for responding to challenges being felt across higher ed — while bracing for even more at a federal level. WAMC spoke with AIC's leader about the 2,000-student campus and what role the college plays in the community.