  Paul Mark Set to Move to State SenateA six-term representative of the 2nd Berkshire District, the Democrat was leading his Republican opponent Brendan Phair of Pittsfield by nearly 60 percent with more than a third of precincts reporting on Tuesday night.  High Turnout in Berkshires Helps Elect New Slate of OfficialsMore locally, Democrats Paul Mark was elected to the state Senate and state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli to another term in the State House in the new 3rd District. North Adams' own Tara Jacobs was on track to be the first Berkshire resident elected to the Governor's Council.  Three Candidates Vying for Two Seats on the Mount Greylock School CommitteeVoters in the Mount Greylock Regional School District will be selecting their representatives for the next term at the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8.  Tara Jacobs Wins Nomination for Governor's CouncilThe School Committee member stunned the powers that be with an upset win over three attorneys for the Democratic nomination for the 8th District.  Healey, Diehl to Face Off for Governor in NovemberBoth candidates had been the expected victors on Tuesday night: Healey was the only Democrat left in the primary after Sonia Chang-Diaz dropped out last month and Republican Diehl handily beat businessman Chris Doughty.  Shugrue Cruises to Victory in District Attorney PrimaryBut an unhappy electorate voted against giving her another term on Tuesday, boosting defense attorney Timothy Shugrue as the county's top prosecutor.  Pittsfield Having a Quiet, Rainy Election DayCity Clerk Michele Benjamin reported that as of noon, there was only a 12 percent voter turnout. She hopes to see more votes cast later in the day and that the gloomy weather conditions don't deter too many people.  Shannon Liss-Riordan Touts Experience in Attorney General CampaignAs a labor attorney, she has spent the last 23 years fighting for working people and winning huge cases, she said. The candidate has taken on companies such as FedEx, Amazon, Uber, and IBM and has been victorious against them in court.  Q&A: Bowler Thinks Experience Sets Him Apart in Sheriff RaceBowler has served in the position since 2010 and has 37 years of law enforcement experience. Before becoming sheriff, he had spent 24 years working in the Pittsfield Police Department.  Barbalunga, Harrington Talk Racial Justice at South County ForumDistrict Attorney candidate Andrea Harrington and Sheriff candidate Alf Barbalunga discussed racial justice at a forum held by the Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups through Education, known as BRIDGE.  Q&A: Mark Hopes to Move from House to SenateAs he campaigns for a seat in the state Senate, Mark works his life experience, which includes time as a lineman for the phone company, into a variety of contexts.  Q&A: Templeton Makes Run for Senate to 'Step Up and Make a Change'As the former owner of a business on Williamstown's Spring Street, the co-author of landmark resolutions passed at its town meeting and a frequent participant from the floor of committee meetings, Huff Templeton is well known in his hometown.  DA Candidates Tout Experience, Results at Primary DebateIncumbent Andrea Harrington touted the systemic changes she's made in the office during her 3 1/2 years in office while challenger Timothy Shugrue stressed his decades of experience on both sides in the courtroom during the sometimes heated debate.  Bowler and Barbulunga Trade Jabs in Primary Sheriff DebateThe candidates answered 12 questions with an option for rebuttal, were able to ask each other one question, and gave opening and closing statements. Topics ranged from participation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the Western Mass Regional Women's Corrections Center and the office's budget.  Sheriff Candidates Discuss Incarcerated Women, Operations in DebateThe two candidates, incumbent Thomas Bowler and challenger Alf Barbalunga, questioned each other on incarcerated women, operations and more.  DA Candidates Discuss County Issues in NAACP ForumIncumbent Andrea Harrington and challenger Timothy Shugrue spoke on the role of the district attorney, equity, and drug prosecution during a forum on Wednesday.  State Auditor Candidate Diana DiZoglio Urges PILOT ReformDiana DiZoglio says the state's payment in lieu of taxes program, or PILOT, should be fully funded, especially with the Bay State having a 2023 budget surplus totaling about $3.6 billion.  Lt. Governor Candidate Lesser: Government Needs to Work for PeopleEric Lesser says the next gubernatorial administration needs to focus on the cost of living, affordable child care, affordable housing for people, and transportation because they are all tied together.  Jacobs Looks to Bring Berkshires Representation to Governor's CouncilShe's the only woman running in the Democratic primary, she's the only candidate from Berkshire County and she's the only candidate without a law degree. Those differences, she says, will help her bring a singular perspective to a state body that few voters think about.  Healey Pledges Berkshires Investment During Gubernatorial Campaign SwingHealey, who now has a clear field as the Democratic nominee, received a warm welcome from local supporters who cheered and applauded at several points during her speech.  Harrington Looks to Continue Progressive Work in DA Re-Election BidAndrea Harrington wants to continue the work she began during her first term as district attorney.  Sheriff Candidates Answer Community's Questions at ForumIncumbent Thomas Bowler and his challenger Alf Barbalunga were queried on the interworkings of the office and their stances on national issues related to the position during the Zoom event. ACLU, NAACP Host 'Know Your Sheriff' Zoom Forum"Know Your Sheriff" is a public education campaign by the ACLU of Massachusetts to build voter awareness about the life-changing decisions that sheriffs can make. Lieutenant Governor Candidate Driscoll Talks Cities & Towns at Campaign StopThe mayor of Salem stressed the need for "thriving and vibrant communities" and highlighted her own experience working at the municipal level to collaborate and work on social and economic issues.  Barbalunga Launches Bid for Berkshire County SheriffThe driving force behind candidate Alfred E. Barbalunga's bid for Berkshire County sheriff is to make the region a safe place to live, work and play. |
| MORE STORIES |
| Archives |