Pittsfield Named One of Nation's 'Digital Inclusion Trailblazers'

10:45AM / Thursday, January 23, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) named the City of Pittsfield as a 2024 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, recognizing the city's efforts to close the digital divide.

This is the second time Pittsfield is being recognized with this designation. Recognizing the array of interests and unique barriers of its community members, Pittsfield joins a record number of Digital Inclusion Trailblazers this year. NDIA awarded a total of 60 awardees representing municipal, county, and regional governments, paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the US.

In an increasingly connected society, digital inclusion—access to affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills training—is essential not only to participate in today's world but also to finding greater opportunities to thrive using tools to navigate the internet confidently and independently, stated a press release.

"The City of Pittsfield is honored to be recognized as a Digital Equity Trailblazer for the second consecutive year," said Michael Obasohan, chief diversity officer. "This acknowledgment underscores our city departments' commitment to ensuring equitable access to digital resources for all residents. We remain dedicated to closing the digital divide and fostering inclusive digital opportunities that empower our entire community."

"In the past decade, we've seen local governments step into the important role of building digital inclusion ecosystems, where organizations that provide services can connect and thrive," said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. "NDIA's Digital Inclusion Trailblazers celebrates these critical efforts to bring digital opportunities to all residents."

Trailblazers provide models for other local governments to aspire to as communities build digital inclusion ecosystems. Pittsfield achieved Trailblazer status by prioritizing digital inclusion for residents of their communities through:

Awarded implementation grant to start first phase of our Digital Equity Plan
Tech Talks with the Council on Aging
Technology Resource Fair at Berkshire Athenaeum

NDIA advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with more than 1,900 digital inclusion practitioners, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

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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