Senate Hopeful Khazei Campaigns in WMass

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Alan Khazei
BOSTON — City Year founder Alan Khazei will tour Western Massachusetts — including a stop in Pittsfield — on Wednesday before announcing his bid for the Senate on Thursday.

He's already picked up a Berkshires endorsement from state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox.

"While I won't be able to be with Alan on Wednesday because I'll be at work at the State House, I strongly support Alan's candidacy," said Pignatelli in a press release. "He's the best person to represent the needs of Western Mass." 

The Brookline resident will join the race for the Democratic nomination to fill the seat left by the death of the U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy last month. Attorney General Martha Coakley, a former North Adams resident, and U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano of Somerville have already thrown their hats into the ring.

The tour will include stops at organizations that are working to strengthen communities and empower citizens. It starts at 10 a.m. at Soldier On, 360 W. Housatonic St., Pittsfield, an organization that helps homeless veterans.

Then it's on to the Treehouse Foundation in Easthampton, a support group for foster children, at 3 p.m. and meetings with Democratic and progressive activists at the Springfield Sheraton at 6:15. In between, he'll make unscheduled swing through North Adams.


Khazei's planning a "What Works" tour, an effort to identify solutions by talking with community members about the best practices they use to solve tough problems. The tour parallels the approach he has used in his work at City Year and Be the Change Inc., both nonprofits that promote volunteerism and community service.

Former U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford of Pennsylvania will accompany Khazei to the scheduled events in Pittsfield, Northampton and Springfield.

"I look forward to traveling in the western part of the state to identify the best practices from organizations making a real difference in the lives of people," said Khazei. "This tour will give me the opportunity to witness examples of effective solutions being implemented by citizens across Massachusetts every day."

The Citizens for Alan Khazei campaign is circulating nominating papers for Khazei across the state. Khazei's formal campaign announcement is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, at the gazebo on Boston Common at noon.

A Democratic primary election will be held Dec. 8; the special election to fill Kennedy's seat is set for Jan. 19. Both houses of the General Court have passed legislation that would authorize the governor to select someone to fill the seat until the special election. Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to choose someone by Thursday.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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