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
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📍The 413
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📍The 413
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Western Mass Politics & Insight is on Bluesky. Follow us here for News, Commentary & Analysis on #Springfield... and the world! #mapoli
Western Mass Politics & Insight is on Bluesky. Follow us here for News, Commentary & Analysis on #Springfield... and the world! #mapoli
ICYMI: #11thHampden Rep Bud Williams's 2024 challenger, Johnnie McKnight, is going to challenge the incumbent again next year. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/brie...
Briefings: All the Story of McKnight Told Over…but Now with a Stronger Hand…? — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Johnnie McKnight announced Monday he is trying to run for State Rep again, but he might get a much warmer reception this time.
wmasspi.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:03 AM
ICYMI: #11thHampden Rep Bud Williams's 2024 challenger, Johnnie McKnight, is going to challenge the incumbent again next year. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/brie...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
Last week's #Springfield City Council meeting put a spotlight on the city's CPA program and its off-cycle recommendations, however rare those are. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/take...
Take My Council, Please: A Curious George (Street) Project… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Since the Springfield City Council has been widely supportive of the CPA, but tension over an allocation on December 1 was notable.
wmasspi.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Last week's #Springfield City Council meeting put a spotlight on the city's CPA program and its off-cycle recommendations, however rare those are. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/take...
#Holyoke's election included some surprising results, particularly on the City Council. Local issues featured prominently, but it is hard to deny that the nationalization of the election contributed to the outcome--and some aquatic cameos. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/nati...
National Politics Seeped into Holyoke, Possibly Breaking a Council Stalemate… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
HOLYOKE—On the precipice of the municipal election, the Facebook page Keep Holyoke Affordable took out the knives and blasted Mimi Panitch.
wmasspi.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:51 AM
#Holyoke's election included some surprising results, particularly on the City Council. Local issues featured prominently, but it is hard to deny that the nationalization of the election contributed to the outcome--and some aquatic cameos. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/nati...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
Next year, #11thHampden State Rep Bud Williams will face a familiar candidate. Johnnie McKnight has launched a fresh primary challenge to the longtime #Springfield pol after coming close to defeating Williams in 2024. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/brie...
Briefings: All the Story of McKnight Told Over…but Now with a Stronger Hand…? — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Johnnie McKnight announced Monday he is trying to run for State Rep again, but he might get a much warmer reception this time.
wmasspi.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Next year, #11thHampden State Rep Bud Williams will face a familiar candidate. Johnnie McKnight has launched a fresh primary challenge to the longtime #Springfield pol after coming close to defeating Williams in 2024. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/brie...
The #Springfield City Council approved $300,000 to repair a fire-damaged historic home. But councilors had some questions for the Community Preservation Chair and the homeowners. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/take...
Take My Council, Please: A Curious George (Street) Project… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Since the Springfield City Council initiated the city’s adoption of the Community Preservation Act (CPA), the body has been widely supportive of it and the Community Preservation Committee created to ...
wmasspi.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:37 AM
The #Springfield City Council approved $300,000 to repair a fire-damaged historic home. But councilors had some questions for the Community Preservation Chair and the homeowners. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/take...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
Which came first? The octopus or the nationalization of #Holyoke's election this year? Yes, it's all part of the story of the Paper City's results last month. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/nati...
National Politics Seeped into Holyoke, Possibly Breaking a Council Stalemate… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
HOLYOKE—On the precipice of the municipal election, the Facebook page Keep Holyoke Affordable took out the knives and blasted Mimi Panitch.
wmasspi.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Which came first? The octopus or the nationalization of #Holyoke's election this year? Yes, it's all part of the story of the Paper City's results last month. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/nati...
The #11thHampden will have a contested Democratic primary as teacher Johnnie McKnight announces a rematch against longtime #Springfield pol and state rep Bud Williams. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/brie...
Briefings: All the Story of McKnight Told Over…but Now with a Stronger Hand…? — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Johnnie McKnight announced Monday he is trying to run for State Rep again, but he might get a much warmer reception this time.
wmasspi.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The #11thHampden will have a contested Democratic primary as teacher Johnnie McKnight announces a rematch against longtime #Springfield pol and state rep Bud Williams. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/12/brie...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
Former #Springfield Mayoral aide seeks nearly $500,000 in attorneys' fees & costs arising from his suit against Mayor Sarno. Alongside the judgment for $750k, it would put the total cost to the city at over $1 million. Story on the judgment from Oct here. wmasspi.com/2025/10/moss...
December 2, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Former #Springfield Mayoral aide seeks nearly $500,000 in attorneys' fees & costs arising from his suit against Mayor Sarno. Alongside the judgment for $750k, it would put the total cost to the city at over $1 million. Story on the judgment from Oct here. wmasspi.com/2025/10/moss...
ICYMI: #Springfield's election had some surprise results. Are the city's voters trying to send a message and who might be listening ahead of 2027? #mapoli #Spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/anal...
Analysis: Four Springfield Incumbents Lost Reelection; What Are City Voters Saying…? — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Something bigger seems to be afoot in Springfield. Two School Committee members and two councilors lost their seats in this election.
wmasspi.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:50 PM
ICYMI: #Springfield's election had some surprise results. Are the city's voters trying to send a message and who might be listening ahead of 2027? #mapoli #Spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/anal...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
Once and future candidacy? Johnnie McKnight, who came within 250 votes of State Rep @BudLWilliams iin 2024, will try again next year. #mapoli #11thHampden wmasspi.com/2025/12/brie...
Briefings: All the Story of McKnight Told Over…but Now with a Stronger Hand…? — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Johnnie McKnight announced Monday he is trying to run for State Rep again, but he might get a much warmer reception this time.
wmasspi.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Once and future candidacy? Johnnie McKnight, who came within 250 votes of State Rep @BudLWilliams iin 2024, will try again next year. #mapoli #11thHampden wmasspi.com/2025/12/brie...
Last week's #Springfield City Council meeting was something of a breather for members after a surprising election season. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/take...
Take My Council, Please: To Be Continued, a Play in Three Acts… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Returning after the somewhat stunning election results, the Springfield City Council waded through a short agenda on November 17.
wmasspi.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Last week's #Springfield City Council meeting was something of a breather for members after a surprising election season. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/take...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
This past week's #Springfield City Council meeting was quiet...perhaps too quiet, if not surprisingly so. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/take...
Take My Council, Please: To Be Continued, a Play in Three Acts… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Returning after the somewhat stunning election results, the Springfield City Council waded through a short agenda on November 21.
wmasspi.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:58 AM
This past week's #Springfield City Council meeting was quiet...perhaps too quiet, if not surprisingly so. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/take...
ANALYSIS: After what many tipped to be a quiet election in #Springfield, voters ended up turning out four incumbents across the Council and School Committee. Are voters saying something politicos should be considering ahead of 2027? #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/anal...
Analysis: Four Springfield Incumbents Lost Reelection; What Are City Voters Saying…? — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Something bigger seems to be afoot in Springfield. Two School Committee members and two councilors lost their seats in this election.
wmasspi.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:15 AM
ANALYSIS: After what many tipped to be a quiet election in #Springfield, voters ended up turning out four incumbents across the Council and School Committee. Are voters saying something politicos should be considering ahead of 2027? #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/anal...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
Before the election, I interviewed Gerry Martin, who defeated incumbent Ward 7 Councilor Tim Allen in a rout. Read up a bit on what was moving in the race and on the Councilor-elect. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/luck...
Lucky Ward 7 to Decide Springfield's Marquee Generational Contest… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
SPRINGFIELD—Of the many races for ward seats on the City Council here, Ward 7 stands out a bit as an example of generational contest.
wmasspi.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Before the election, I interviewed Gerry Martin, who defeated incumbent Ward 7 Councilor Tim Allen in a rout. Read up a bit on what was moving in the race and on the Councilor-elect. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/luck...
ICYMI: Our breakdown of the 413's big results in last week's election. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/surp...
Surprises, Upsets & History Define Election Day in the Lower Valley… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
The results in Holyoke were one of several that ripped through cities in the 413 and their elections for municipal offices.
wmasspi.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:02 PM
ICYMI: Our breakdown of the 413's big results in last week's election. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/surp...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
#Springfield's Election saw four incumbents lose across the races for City Council and School Committee. There's an anti-incumbent air out there, but is that all that's going on in Springfield? Plus, 2027 looms. #mapoli #spfldpoli
wmasspi.com/2025/11/anal...
wmasspi.com/2025/11/anal...
Analysis: Four Springfield Incumbents Lost Reelection; What Are City Voters Saying…? — Western Mass Politics & Insight
Something bigger seems to be afoot in Springfield. Two School Committee members and two councilors lost their seats in this election.
wmasspi.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:36 AM
#Springfield's Election saw four incumbents lose across the races for City Council and School Committee. There's an anti-incumbent air out there, but is that all that's going on in Springfield? Plus, 2027 looms. #mapoli #spfldpoli
wmasspi.com/2025/11/anal...
wmasspi.com/2025/11/anal...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
INBOX: @waysmeanscmte.bsky.social Ranking Member @neal.house.gov statement on government funding bill. #mapoli
November 13, 2025 at 2:28 AM
INBOX: @waysmeanscmte.bsky.social Ranking Member @neal.house.gov statement on government funding bill. #mapoli
LISTEN: Last Friday, our editor-in-chief @mszafranski.bsky.social joined Paul Tuthill and @dustyc123.bsky.social for the Rundown with Carrie Saldo on @nepublicmedia.bsky.social for some local post-election analysis. #mapoli www.nepm.org/therundown/2...
WMass election analysis
Today on The Rundown, panelists breakdown Tuesday’s elections throughout western Massachusetts, which largely favored incumbents in contested races.
www.nepm.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:35 AM
LISTEN: Last Friday, our editor-in-chief @mszafranski.bsky.social joined Paul Tuthill and @dustyc123.bsky.social for the Rundown with Carrie Saldo on @nepublicmedia.bsky.social for some local post-election analysis. #mapoli www.nepm.org/therundown/2...
READ: Our first look at Election Day in Western Massachusetts from #Holyoke to #Springfield, set against historic races across the country. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/surp...
Surprises, Upsets & History Define Election Day in the Lower Valley… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
The results in Holyoke were one of several that ripped through cities in the 413 and their elections for municipal offices.
wmasspi.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:57 AM
READ: Our first look at Election Day in Western Massachusetts from #Holyoke to #Springfield, set against historic races across the country. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/surp...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
Former #Springfield Mayoral aide Darryl Moss prevailed on one of his claims against his former boss, Domenic Sarno, last week. A jury awarded him $750,000. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/10/moss...
Moss Triumphant As Jury Finds Sarno Violated His Ex-Mayoral Aide's Rights… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
On Wednesday, a Hampden County jury delivered a significant victory to Darryl Moss, a former aide to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, that simultaneously rebuked his former boss. After a weeklong tria...
wmasspi.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Former #Springfield Mayoral aide Darryl Moss prevailed on one of his claims against his former boss, Domenic Sarno, last week. A jury awarded him $750,000. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/10/moss...
It is technically not the only example of a generational contest in #Springfield this year, but age and experience are front and center in the Ward 7 Council race in a way unlike any other election in the city this year. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/luck...
Lucky Ward 7 to Decide Springfield's Marquee Generational Contest… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
SPRINGFIELD—Of the many races for ward seats on the City Council here, Ward 7 stands out a bit as an example of generational contest.
wmasspi.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:43 PM
It is technically not the only example of a generational contest in #Springfield this year, but age and experience are front and center in the Ward 7 Council race in a way unlike any other election in the city this year. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/11/luck...
Reposted by Western Mass Politics & Insight
A summer scandal that led to lawsuit between the candidates for the Ward 1 Council seat in #Springfield might have been the end of that race. Yet it has come back to life since. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/10/ward...
Ward 1 Council Race in Springfield Still Hot despite Chill from Summer Scandal… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
For a moment in August, it seemed like the race for Springfield’s Ward 1 Council seat was over. Then he came alive again.
wmasspi.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:04 PM
A summer scandal that led to lawsuit between the candidates for the Ward 1 Council seat in #Springfield might have been the end of that race. Yet it has come back to life since. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/10/ward...
Last week, Darryl moss, a former aide to #Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, won a judgment of $750,000 as part of his suit over his termination. A jury found Sarno illegally retaliated against him under state civil rights law. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/10/moss...
Moss Triumphant As Jury Finds Sarno Violated His Ex-Mayoral Aide's Rights… — Western Mass Politics & Insight
On Wednesday, a Hampden County jury delivered a significant victory to Darryl Moss, a former aide to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, that simultaneously rebuked his former boss. After a weeklong tria...
wmasspi.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Last week, Darryl moss, a former aide to #Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, won a judgment of $750,000 as part of his suit over his termination. A jury found Sarno illegally retaliated against him under state civil rights law. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2025/10/moss...