“I think housing court is one of the places where a lawyer really can make a difference.” buff.ly/45AYgnh By masslivenews’ Greta Jochem

‘A dog pound would be better.’ Inside one of the most-fined nursing homes in Mass. Greta Jochem masslive.com/westernmass/20…

Years' worth of old articles have disappeared from the Daily Hampshire Gazette's website. The paper's publisher says the problem will be fixed, but as more media moves online, our collective vulnerability to "digital decay" grows. Melanie Duronio reports: theshoestring.org/2024/07/15/mis…

They give birth while taking meds to treat addiction and get reported to DCF. Will that change in Mass.? “How did I abuse or neglect my child for taking doctor’s orders?” said Keri McCallum, a Worcester parent of two who is in long-term recovery. masslive.com/westernmass/20…

🎧 ⤵️ Stream now! Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss the latest from the RNC, a new mobile methadone clinic in the region, grim allegations of patient maltreatment in nursing homes, and the latest on the MIFA Victory Theater restoration project. nepm.org/therundown/202…

The minimum wage for most agricultural workers in Mass. is $8 an hour. Will that change? masslive.com/westernmass/20…

From homeless to housed to leaving Mass.: How one couple struggled to navigate the housing market masslive.com/westernmass/20…

30 years after 15-year-old Tammy Lynds was found dead in Springfield, her case remains unsolved. “Somebody knows something,” Tammy's mother, Susan Brzezicki, said. “How they got away with this for 30 years is beyond me.” masslive.com/westernmass/20…

In eviction cases due to non-payment of rent, more than 96% of tenants show up without an attorney. And they're not guaranteed one. From trealavery.bsky.social masslivenews: a guide for people navigating MA's Housing Court on their own masslive.com/news/2024/10/m…

‘A huge blow’: Funds for low-income residents to buy local produce will be cut significantly masslive.com/westernmass/20…

The deeds said the homes were his. Springfield officials: 'It's shady as hell' masslive.com/westernmass/20…

For police and prosecutors, civil asset forfeiture is a tool they say helps them thwart criminal enterprises. Others say it's “little more than legalized theft.” Dusty Christensen from NEPM and Greta Jochem of The Republican teamed up to investigate: nepm.org/regional-news/…

Police departments can get thousands of dollars by seizing property they suspect is connected to a drug crime. While they spend much of it on policing, departments also used seized cash to pay for trophies, furniture, an ice cream truck and PR consulting. nepm.org/regional-news/…

In Massachusetts, it's easier for police to seize ppl's cash, cars, etc than in any other state. And they often get to keep it. For New England Public Media & masslivenews, Greta Jochem & I probed how police & prosecutors seize & spend money in western Mass. nepm.org/regional-news/…