Kari Njiiri

Sep 27, 2024 | nhpr.org | Kari Njiiri

Students of Springfield history may know the name Joseph Budd as the first African American in the city's police department to achieve the rank of sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Less well known was Budd's service in the U.S. military. He served during World War II in a racially segregated unit called the Montford Point Marines. Cpl. Budd was among 20,000 Black men who served in the unit, now known today as the "Forgotten Warriors" due to their long-delayed recognition of their service.

Sep 27, 2024 | ctpublic.org | Kari Njiiri

Students of Springfield history may know the name Joseph Budd as the first African American in the city's police department to achieve the rank of sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Less well known was Budd's service in the U.S. military. He served during World War II in a racially segregated unit called the Montford Point Marines. Cpl. Budd was among 20,000 Black men who served in the unit, now known today as the "Forgotten Warriors" due to their long-delayed recognition of their service.

Aug 22, 2024 | nhpr.org | Kari Njiiri

Clean up is underway in parts of Connecticut following severe storms and flooding recently that resulted in at least two deaths. It's the latest in a series of catastrophic weather events that have hit New England. Most recently, last month in Vermont, and last summer in Massachusetts and again in Vermont. Such weather events will become increasingly common, according to Dartmouth College Professor Jonathan Winter.

May 7, 2024 | nhpr.org | Kari Njiiri

The legalization of cannabis in Massachusetts and other states has added to a shortage of drivers licensed to operate snowplows, tractor-trailers and other heavy equipment. That's the gist of a recent article in The Republican newspaper. The Springfield paper looked at how the lack of operators with commercial drivers licenses — or CDLs — hampered snow removals efforts in Springfield this past winter.

Mar 5, 2024 | nhpr.org | Nancy Eve Cohen |Kari Njiiri

Despite the rain, there has been a steady stream of voters at some polling places in western Massachusetts for the presidential primary. Massachusetts is among the 15 states voting on Super Tuesday. Polls in the Bay State are open from 7 a.m to 8 p.m.According to the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office, 10.9% of voters cast ballots before Tuesday — either through early in-person voting or vote-by-mail.