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Massachusetts

With vaccine passports near, Mass. governor voices opposition to mandate

A day after Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said the state may "soon" deploy a digital COVID-19 vaccine passport similar to those in use in other states, his office stressed that the Republican remains opposed to requiring that businesses screen customers for proof of vaccination.

A vaccine for COVID-19 being prepared. — ALISON MONTEMAGNI/BAYSTATE MEDICAL CENTER / THE REPUBLICAN / MASSLIVE.COM

Vast majority of eligible Amherst-Pelham students will meet vaccine deadline

The head of a western Massachusetts school district said the vast majority of eligible students will meet a Wednesday deadline to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Flood mitigation fund set up for Hartford residents hampered by summer storms

In win for residents with disabilities, Boston must upgrade curb ramps across the city

Obituary

Phil Saviano in 2020. — Andrew Medichini / Associated Press

Remembering Phil Saviano, survivor of clergy abuse who refused to stay silent

An outspoken victim of clergy sexual abuse — who supported and inspired other survivors in western Massachusetts and across the country — died of gall bladder cancer on Sunday.

For AG Healey, 'better to have tried' as a couple big legal cases in western Mass. fall apart

By Carrie Healy • Nov 29, 2021

Attorney General Maura Healey and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker picutred in a file photo together taken at the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on September 21, 2016. — Office of Governor Baker / Creative Commons / flickr.com/photos/28232089@N04

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5:40

Two big western Massachusetts cases championed by Attorney General Maura Healey are falling apart.

Mass. liquor stores say they have enough signatures to advance ballot question

By Callum Borchers • Nov 29, 2021

Liquor stores say they have cleared a key hurdle to launching a ballot measure aimed at countering efforts by big chains to eliminate limits on the number of stores that can sell alcohol in Massachusetts.

Less than a year before the gubernatorial election, will Baker run again?

By Steve Brown • Nov 29, 2021

It was four years ago Sunday, political aides to Gov. Charlie Baker confirmed what had been an open secret. The Swampscott Republican was indeed going to run for a second term. The news set the 2018 gubernatorial race into motion, which culminated with Baker cruising to re-election without really breaking a sweat. He’s currently mulling whether to go for a third term in 2022.

Baker gets a bit prickly whenever he’s asked the question that’s on a lot of people’s minds. Are you going for a third term?

Vaccine hesitancy persists among Latinx community in Springfield

By Nirvani Williams • Nov 29, 2021

A sign outside South Congregational Church in Springfield, Massachusetts, with information about Pioneer Valley Project and Behavioral Health Network's pop-up vaccination clinic. — Nirvani Williams / NEPM

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2:54

Vaccine hesitancy is still prevalent in Hispanic and Latinx communities in Springfield, with COVID-19 vaccination rates trailing well behind the statewide average.

West Springfield to explore cryptocurrencies for payments and investments

By Alden Bourne • Nov 26, 2021

Will Reichelt, the mayor of West Springfield, Massachusetts, and chair of the town's Cryptocurrency Exploratory Committee. — Douglas Hook / The Republican / Masslive

Officials in West Springfield, Massachusetts, will explore whether cryptocurrencies like bitcoin should become part of how the municipality conducts business.

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COMMENTARY

Commentator Christopher Carlisle wonders whether he can do more than give lip service to this adage. — 200MoreMontrealStencils / Creative Commons

When abundance means having less

In this time of harvest, I remember the weekend I came home from divinity school to the words of a fourth century monk on my parents’ refrigerator.

World Cup ski racing returns to Killington after pandemic pause

From 2016 through 2019, Thanksgiving weekend at Killington was crowded, noisy and jubilant. Thousands of roaring fans watched the best women ski racers in the world rocket down a wall of ice and blister through slalom and giant slalom courses. The fact that Olympic champion and Burke Ski Academy alum Mikaela Shiffrin kept winning just added to the euphoria and clang of cowbells. Last year however, there were no cheering fans. The International Ski Federation canceled World Cup races in North...