<description>Tuesday was preliminary election day in a few western Massachusetts communities. In the race for Holyoke mayor, City Councilor Michael Sullivan and Joshua Garcia, who's the town administrator in Blandford, advanced to November's general election.</description>

Tuesday was preliminary election day in a few western Massachusetts…

Tuesday was preliminary election day in a few western Massachusetts communities. In the race for Holyoke mayor, City Councilor Michael Sullivan and Joshua Garcia, who's the town administrator in Blandford, advanced to November's general election.

'Abysmal' Turnout In Holyoke, But 'Very Good Set Of Options' For Voters In November

<description>Calling the spike "alarming and scary," Mayor Domenic Sarno said there were more then 250 new cases of COVID-19 in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Tuesday and Wednesday combined.</description>

Calling the spike "alarming and scary," Mayor Domenic Sarno said there were…

Calling the spike "alarming and scary," Mayor Domenic Sarno said there were more then 250 new cases of COVID-19 in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Tuesday and Wednesday combined.

An 'Alarming And Scary' COVID Rise, And A Huge 'Gap' In Hospital Staffing

<description>Despite what officials have called extensive mold cleanup and environmental testing at the Roderick Ireland Courthouse in Springfield, Massachusetts, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi this week said he believes the courthouse still isn't safe. He's refusing to send people in his department's custody there.</description>

Despite what officials have called extensive mold cleanup and environmental…

Despite what officials have called extensive mold cleanup and environmental testing at the Roderick Ireland Courthouse in Springfield, Massachusetts, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi this week said he believes the courthouse still isn't safe. He's refusing to send people in his department's custody there.

'Probably The Right Call' For Sheriff To Keep Incarcerated People From Troubled Courthouse

<description>This week, some health officials in western Massachusetts issued mask mandates or advisories amid rising COVID-19 rates.</description>

This week, some health officials in western Massachusetts issued mask mandates…

This week, some health officials in western Massachusetts issued mask mandates or advisories amid rising COVID-19 rates.

A Call For 'Clarity' On Mask Rules, And A Plea For The Unvaccinated To Get The Shots

<description>This week, the Centers for Disease Control recommended people go back to wearing masks indoors in places where the delta variant of COVID-19 is surging — including those who have been vaccinated.</description>

This week, the Centers for Disease Control recommended people go back to…

This week, the Centers for Disease Control recommended people go back to wearing masks indoors in places where the delta variant of COVID-19 is surging — including those who have been vaccinated.

'The Governor Has To Be The One To Step Up' As Massachusetts Shifts Mask Guidelines

From New England Public Media, a rotating panel of journalists from western New England discuss on Fridays the big stories of the week.

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