Massachusetts News, Weather, Photos, Events - Western Mass News - WGGB/WSHM

Sheriff: 'Ritualistic' killings may be tied to blue moon

More than a week after the gruesome deaths of an elderly Florida woman and her two adult sons - in what authorities suspect was a ritual killing - neighbors and family on Wednesday said they have many questions but few... More>>

Funeral held for teen who rescued brother's girlfriend from Westfield River

(Western Mass News photo)

A young man who is being hailed a hero by his community was laid to rest Wednesday. More>>

Experts question if Trump can go the distance

Whether you like Donald Trump or not, there's no question that his candidacy has been, to use one of his favorite adjectives, "phenomenal." But there's a long and difficult road to the Iowa Caucuses and beyond.  More>>

Police: Gunman reported dead at Nashville area theater

A suspect carrying a gun and a hatchet at the Carmike Hickory 8 Cinema in Antioch is dead, police confirmed. More>>

Eversource trimming trees to protect your electric supply

(Image Courtesy: MGN Online)

Tuesday's storm brought quite a bit of damage to the hill towns, knocking down trees and power lines in Whately, Chesterfield, and Cummington.Crews from Eversource were performing tree trimming in Agawam Wednesday - work they said has saved thousands from losing power in storms very similar to yesterday. More>>

East Longmeadow man arrested on sexual assault charges in CT

Jimmy Chang (Photo provided by Manchester CT Police)

There are shocking allegations coming out against the owner of a tutoring center who is now facing charges of sexual assault. Jimmy Chang, 32, of East Longmeadow was arrested in Manchester, CT.  He is facing 12 counts of second degree sexual assault. More>>

Obama: Critics of Iran nuclear deal 'selling a fantasy'

President Barack Obama speaks on the Iran deal at American University on Wednesday, Aug. 5. (Source: CNN)

President Barack Obama assailed critics of his Iran nuclear deal Wednesday as "selling a fantasy" to the American people, warning Congress that blocking the accord would damage the nation's credibility and increase the... More>>

Friends remember girl found dead with father in Pittsfield

Hannah and Anthony Nazareth (Facebook photo)

We are learning more about the father and daughter found dead inside their Pittsfield apartment Monday afternoon.  More>>

Man dead after being pulled from pool in Chicopee

(Western Mass News photo)

A man is dead after being pulled from a pool in Chicopee. More>>

Debris confirmed from missing Malaysia Airlines plane

The plane disappeared en route to Beijing, China, after taking off from Kuala Lumpur with 239 people on board. More>>

MA 911 operator suspected of hanging up on non-English callers

(Image Courtesy: MGN Online)

Officials say a Massachusetts 911 dispatcher is under investigation for hanging up on several callers who did not speak English. More>>

Sporting stylish sunglasses for the dog days of summer

The dog days of summer are here and no summer look is complete without a stylish pair of shades.  Stylist Debbie Wright joined Western Mass News at 12:30 p.m. to chat about sunglasses. More>>

Summer concerts scheduled at the Yellow Barn

The summer concert season is well underway and if you're a fan of classical music, Yellow Barn in Putney, VT is the perfect venue.  Over the next few weeks, dozens of talented groups and musicians will be performing at the Yellow Barn.  Catherine Stephan, executive director, joined Western Mass News at 12:30 p.m. to talk about the upcoming performances. More>>

Woman sentenced for mailing loaded gun that fired at Springfield facility

(Image Courtesy: MGN Online)

An Idaho woman who mailed a loaded handgun that discharged within the package while being handled by a U.S. Postal Service employee has been sentenced to a year of probation. More>>

Holyoke police investigating bank robbery

Police in Holyoke are investigating a report of a robbery late Wednesday morning.  Holyoke police said that officers were called to the PeoplesBank at 825 Hampden Street around 11 a.m. Wednesday. More>>

More comfortable, drier air mass returns

A drier, more comfortable air mass moves into the region. More>>

Boston mayor wants ban on chewing tobacco at ballparks

(Image Courtesy: MGN Online / Univision KXLN-TV 45)

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh wants to ban chewing tobacco in sports venues across the city. More>>

Charlton police reach out to drug dealers on Facebook

(Image courtesy: Charlton Police Dept.)

Authorities in a Massachusetts town are reaching out to drug dealers who want to eliminate their competition. More>>

Group proposing marijuana law in Massachusetts

Supporters of a proposed ballot question that would allow for the recreational use in marijuana in Massachusetts say they will file the initiative with the state attorney general's office. More>>

One suspect arrested for attack on bar owner in Chicopee

Wilmer Torres (Photo provided by Chicopee Police)

Police in Chicopee said they arrested a 34-year-old man suspected of beating the owner of Chief's Lounge last month. More>>

At least 24 killed, 300 survive after trains derail in India

Two passenger trains jumped off damaged tracks on a bridge near a rain-swollen river in central India, killing at least 24 people as two coaches hurled through mud and rested on one side at an embankment, officials said... More>>

Two airmen die after training accident

The airmen from the Air Force's 24th Special Operations Wing were fatally injured during military freefall training on Monday. More>>

Experts say pieces of missing Flight 370 may still be afloat

If a wing fragment found in the western Indian Ocean turns out to be part of missing Flight 370, experts say, there are probably other pieces of the aircraft that floated off rather than sinking to the bottom of the ocean.... More>>

Afternoon storms leave damage in Franklin, Hampshire counties

Crews from Eversource were on Long Plain Road in Whately repairing lines after Tuesday's storms (Western Mass News photo)

The storms that passed through Tuesday afternoon left a line of damage in several Franklin County towns, including Whately. More>>

Netflix to give workers with babies a year of paid leave

Netflix is giving new parents on its payroll up to a year of paid leave in a move that could pressure other technology employers to improve their baby benefits as they vie for talent. More>>

'Cultural difference' gives neighbors a scare in Greenfield

Authorities are asking Greenfield residents to be on the lookout for a man seen giving out crackers to young children. More>>

Officials continue to investigate death of Pittsfield father, daughter

Police continue to investigate what appears to be a murder-suicide in Pittsfield. More>>

Springfield joins 10,000 communities across the nation for National Night Out

Obama, Netanyahu make dueling appeals on Iran to US Jews

President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made dueling appeals to the American Jewish community Tuesday as they sought to rally support for their opposing positions on the Iranian nuclear deal. More>>

Victim's grieving dad tells Holmes jury of devastating loss

Jurors struggled to hold back tears Tuesday as a grieving father described how he returns now and then to the Colorado theater where his son was murdered. More>>

Severe storm threat over for tonight

Any leftover scattered downpours will end this evening with a quiet overnight to follow. More>>

Officials probing New Hampshire tent collapse that killed 2

It's unclear why after a widespread warning of impending severe weather a circus put on its planned show in a tent that ended up collapsing in a storm, killing a spectator and his 8-year-old daughter, the state fire... More>>

Debate field is set: Trump, Bush in; Santorum, Fiorina out

Billionaire businessman Donald Trump will be front and center in the Republican Party's leadoff presidential debate, scoring the top spot in Thursday's prime-time faceoff where he'll be joined by former Florida... More>>

Neighbors react to Holyoke resident's child pornography charges

(Image Courtesy: MGN Online)

Residents of a quiet Holyoke street are now learning more about the child pornography charges their long-time neighbor admitted to in federal court yesterday.  Edward Dupont, 73, was charged with one count of possession of material involving sexual exploitation of children. More>>

Woman accused of hitting Agawam teen appears in court

Jomaris Colon (Western Mass News photo)

Jomaris Colon, the woman accused of hitting 16-year-old Alex Scafuri of Agawam with her car six months ago, was in a Hampden County courtroom Tuesday.  Colon was in court for violating the conditions of her probation.   More>>

Opposition builds against proposed location of alcohol treatment center

A rendering of the proposed Western Mass Correctional Alcohol Center (Submitted photo)

Opposition continues to build against the proposed alcohol treatment center in Springfield’s North End.  Many residents contend this facility does not belong in their quiet neighborhood, which sits across the street from the now-vacant lot. More>>

More fights ahead on Planned Parenthood after Senate vote

After the Senate's derailing of Republican legislation halting federal dollars for Planned Parenthood, one thing seems clear: Many on both sides think they can ring up gains from the battle. More>>

Estimated Massachusetts overdose deaths top 1,200 for 2014

(Image courtesy: MGN Online)

The number of estimated opioid overdose deaths in Massachusetts continues to rise.  State health officials say an estimated 1,256 people died from opioid-related overdoses in 2014, significantly higher than an earlier confirmed total of 1,047. More>>

MGM Resorts files suit against Connecticut officials

(Image courtesy: MGM Springfield)

MGM Resorts is suing top Connecticut officials, including Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, claiming the law he signed that could lead to a third tribal casino in the state is unconstitutional because it gives Connecticut's tribes preferential treatment. More>>

Pictures from Tuesday's storms

Viewers captured these pictures as some strong storms blew through western Massachusetts Tuesday afternoon. More>>

Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival returns this weekend

The Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival is a free open-air music festival and it returns to downtown Springfield this weekend!  The event features dozens of performances, including one from the Jeff Holmes Quartet.  Jeff Holmes and Jon Ball from the quartet joined Western Mass News at 12:30 p.m. to talk about the event. More>>

Planning out your 401(k)

Having a 401(k) plan can be a cornerstone of any retirement plan, but it can also be a tool to providing benefits long before you cash it in.  Barbara Trombley of Trombley Associates in Wilbraham joined Western Mass News at 12:30 p.m. to talk about withdrawals and loans from your 401(k) plan. More>>