Massachusetts
Voting today in Massachusetts’ primary election throughout Greater Westfield
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today throughout Greater Westfield for the state primary election.
There aren’t many decisions for voters to make, however. Republicans have a three-way race for their party’s nomination for U.S. Senate, among Robert J. Antonellis of Medford, Ian Cain of Quincy and John Deaton of Swansea. Other than that one contested race, the only other names on local Republican ballots will be the incumbent state representatives running for re-election: Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) on ballots in Southwick, Montgomery and Russell; and Kelly Pease (R-Westfield) on ballots in most precincts of Westfield. Neither Boldyga nor Pease has a primary election challenger. In the small section of Westfield that shares a House district with West Springfield, there is no Republican candidate for representative.
Democratic ballots feature more candidates, but no contested races. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Cambridge) is the only person seeking nomination for that six-year seat; she will face the Republican nominee in November. Others seeking the nomination for their current seats are U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield), Governor’s Councilor Tara Jacobs (D-North Adams), Clerk of Courts Laura Gentile (D-East Longmeadow) and Register of Deeds Cheryl Coakley-Rivera (D-Springfield). The region’s two incumbent state senators are running for reelection with no opponents: John Velis (D-Westfield) on ballots in Westfield, Montgomery and Russell; and Paul Mark (D-Becket) on ballots in Southwick.
There are no candidates for any offices on the Libertarian Party ballots in Greater Westfield.
Early voting was available by mail and in person in all communities. Any registered voter who has not already voted can cast a ballot at the traditional Election Day polls today. Registered members of the Democratic, Libertarian or Republican parties can vote in their party’s primary election only. Voters who are registered but unenrolled in a party — also called “independent” — can choose any one of the three party ballots.
Residents of Southwick, Montgomery and Russell vote at their respective town halls: 454 College Highway, Southwick; 161 Main Road, Montgomery; and 65 Main St., Russell.
Polling places in Westfield are the same as in the presidential primary election earlier this year:
- Ward 1: Precinct A at Southampton Road Elementary School, 330 Southampton Road; Precinct B at Westfield High School, 177 Montgomery Road.
- Ward 2: Both precincts at Westfield Senior Center, 45 Noble St.
- Ward 3: Precinct A at Franklin Avenue Elementary School, 22 Franklin Ave. Precinct B at Westfield Technical Academy, Lower Campus, 33 Smith Ave.
- Ward 4: Precinct A at Second Congregational Church, 487 Western Ave. Precinct B at Highland Elementary School, 34 Western Ave.
- Ward 5: Both precincts at Munger Hill Elementary School, 33 Mallard Lane.
- Ward 6: Both precincts at Paper Mill Elementary School, 148 Paper Mill Road.
Westfield voters who are not sure which ward and precinct is theirs can enter their address at www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema to find their polling place. Voters from any community can enter their information at www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch to confirm that they are registered to vote.
Massachusetts
Is it really going to snow in New England tomorrow? Here’s what to expect from storm
We’re still on the good side of the forecast today. We’ll see a good supply of sun to start, then the clouds will increase and a few showers will sink down from the north in the afternoon. We still manage to make it near 70. (Yay.)
Tomorrow’s high temperatures, however, comes after midnight tonight — before falling toward Saturday morning. If you think that’s confusing, try explaining the snow that’ll be flying in the higher elevations across New England (with solid accumulation above 4k feet).
Yes, the weather is upside down for late May.
We can blame an intense, compact upper-level pool of cold air that broke loose from a larger pool near the Arctic Circle days ago.

The pattern across North America has dropped it in our laps for a day, with cold, rainy, windy consequences.
Rain, wind and… snow?
This will be a sneaky storm. Early on, there might even be a calm, bright sky (very) early Saturday morning. Then the clouds move in and the wind intensifies from the northeast. Gust will briefly peak at 50+ along the coast (40+ inland).
Rain will mix with snow in northern New England, and perhaps in the highest elevations of southern New Hampshire and central Massachusetts.
This also depends on the intensity of the precipitation. Heavier bursts of rain can drag down colder air aloft, helping the snowflakes make it from cloud base to your home place (if you live above 1k feet).
Ironically, we’re not expecting a deluge from this storm. Most spots keep near a half inch, with higher amounts near an inch in northeast Mass./southern NH.
And then just like that, it’s over. The storm pulls away Saturday evening, the skies clear and we’re back to sun Sunday. Highs recover to near 70 with the slightest chance for a shower late day.
Better chances – and cooler temps – come both Monday and Tuesday.
Will summer ever take hold? We know from past years that June can really struggle. It appears that the start of the month may not live up to expectations. Although we are at least climbing back to the 80s late next week.
Have a good weekend.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Top Cop Off the Hook for Secret Recording Program
The head of the Massachusetts State Police can’t be sued for an alleged program that secretly recorded officers’ phone conversations with civilians and used them to bring criminal charges, the First Circuit said Thursday.
A group of Massachusetts residents filed a putative class against against Superintendent Geoffrey Noble, as well as Motorola and other companies, over the secret recordings, which were used to propose criminal charges in at least 181 cases without prosecutors’ knowledge, the three judge panel said.
The opinion by Circuit Judge Seth Aframe said the residents, led by Jason Courtemanche, failed to show how they’d be directly …
Massachusetts
How Hard Health Care Hits MA Family Budgets
Massachusetts families are spending 8% of their monthly income on health care, according to a new study. That puts the Bay State toward the higher end of the scale, coming in at No. 12 in the country.
The analysis from personal finance website WalletHub examined where people are spending the most and the least on health care.
Alaska was No. 1 in the U.S., spending over 10% of their income on health care. On the other end of the scale, Utah residents spend 5% of their income on health care.
“Sharp increases in health care costs in recent years have made it difficult for some people to seek essential care,” WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo said. “Even in states with lower-than-average health care prices, residents’ incomes may not be enough to keep up with the cost, especially since virtually every part of Americans’ budgets have been impacted by inflation over the past few years.”
To determine how much families are spending, WalletHub analyzed the prices of five key health care components across all 50 states, then combined those costs and compared them with each state’s median household income.
Read more: 1 MA Town Among 250 Best Places To Live In US News Ranking
Massachusetts spends the most on health care compared to other states in the region, according to the study. Vermont is the next-highest state in the Northeast, ranking at No. 14 with residents spending 7.98% of their income on health care.
Here are the top 10 states where people are spending the most on health care:
- Alaska
- Oregon
- Maine
- Mississippi
- West Virginia
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Montana
- South Dakota
- Louisiana
Check out the full study at WalletHub.
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