Mass to Provide Free AI Training to Residents

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — At Google's office in Cambridge, Governor Maura Healey announced a new statewide partnership with Grow with Google to offer all Massachusetts residents access to artificial intelligence and career certificate training programs at no cost through the Grow with Google program. 
 
This includes the new Google AI Professional Certificate, a program designed to help learners master the AI skills most in-demand by today's employers, and the Google Career Certificates program. This initiative is designed to help provide every resident and small business with the AI and tech skills they need to succeed in today's digital economy at no cost. 
 
The Google AI training programs will be led by the Massachusetts AI Hub (MA AI Hub), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). 
 
"This partnership creates an opportunity for us to support our workers, students and small business owners across Massachusetts, making sure they have the tools they need to compete and succeed in this rapidly evolving economy," said Governor Maura Healey. "Under the management of the MA AI Hub and with the partnership of Google, this resource will strengthen our workforce, our companies and ensure that Massachusetts remains the global leader in AI-led innovation and breakthroughs." 
 
Since launching in 2017, over one million people have completed Google's Career Certificate program globally. Over 70 percent of graduates report a positive career impact such as a promotion, new job, or raise, within six months of program completion. To date, Google has trained over 250,000 Bay Staters in digital skills in collaboration with over 150 local organizations including public libraries, chambers of commerce, and community colleges.                 
 
"Massachusetts is a global leader in technology and learning, and Google is proud to have been part of its community for over twenty years," said Lisa Gevelber, Founder, Grow with Google. "By partnering with Governor Healey and the Massachusetts AI Hub to provide training like the Google AI Professional Certificate at no cost, we're ensuring that every student, employee, and small business owner across the Commonwealth can thrive in the AI economy." 
 
In addition to Google's AI Professional Certificate, additional professional certificates are available in cybersecurity, digital marketing and e-commerce, IT support, project management, and user experience design through the   Google Career Certificates program  .Those interested in securing a certificate can find more information on the  MA AI Hub website .    
 
Most recently, the MA AI Hub partnered with Holyoke-based Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC) to announce Cambridge Computer, in partnership with Dell Technologies, NVIDIA and VAST to create the Artificial Intelligence Compute Resources (AICR) environment at MGHPCC. Serving as the backbone of the MA AI Hub, AICR supports startups, businesses, researchers and educators with access to sustainable, high-performance compute resources required for AI innovation. 
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Show-Cause Hearing for Pittsfield Bar Continued Again

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Bei Tempi will have a show-cause hearing for its liquor license in May after police brought forward pictures that appear to show underage patrons drinking.  

On Monday, the Licensing Board continued a hearing for Zuke's Soups and Variety LLC, doing business as Bei Tempi, to May 18. This is the second month it was continued. In the last year, the bar has been accused of underage service by two different parents.  

Earlier this year, Police Capt. Matthew Hill received a call from an upset parent about her 19-year-old daughter patronizing Iztac Mexican Restaurant at night and being served. 

Those photos resulted in a two-week liquor license suspension for Iztac, and the same mother submitted an almost identical complaint about Bei Tempi with photos, one of them with the owner "clearly visible" in the background, Hill said. 

The owners, Richard and Elizabeth Zucco, did not show up in March, and the hearing was continued again this month. 

"This show-cause hearing was scheduled for March 23 of 2026 and the licensee did not appear at that hearing, although I understand that notice went out by way of email," Chair Thomas Campoli reported after the bar's second no-show, adding that the Zuccos' lawyer communicated they had a "planned prepaid trip" that conflicted with the meeting. 

Last year, a different mother approached the Licensing Board asking for accountability after her underage child was allegedly served at Bei Tempi. After drinking at a graduation party, she said her 18-year-old son became further intoxicated at the establishment before returning home late and becoming combative, resulting in an arrest by police. 

In March, the pictures of alleged underage drinking at Iztac were printed and presented to the Licensing Board with faces blurred; the reporting party wished to remain anonymous along with her daughter and friend, and she was unable to attend the hearing. 

Hill ran the patrons' names through police records to confirm they were not 21. This is the same underage daughter who is said to have drunk at Bei Tempi, and her mother has provided photos. 

The Health Department ordered Iztac to close on March 13 after finding "pests" in the establishment.  On Monday, a notice stating that it was closed to the public to protect public health and safety was no longer on the door but the Health Department confirmed that the closure was still in effect. 

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