UMass Amherst Students Receive $8.3 Million in Emergency Federal Financial Aid

Emergency federal financial-aid grants totaling $8.3 million were distributed to more than 7,700 undergraduate students this week by UMass Amherst, the latest in a number of steps the campus has taken to support students experiencing economic distress due to the coronavirus pandemic. The funds were allocated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES)…

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MGM Resorts Releases Health And Safety Plan for Reopening Properties

MGM Resorts International released a report outlining the comprehensive health and safety protocols the company is implementing prior to reopening its domestic properties and resorts that were temporarily closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including MGM Springfield. The report details MGM Resorts’ “Seven-Point Safety Plan,” a multi-layered set of protocols and procedures designed…

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Baker-Polito Administration Authorizes $1 Billion in COVID-19 Spending

The Baker-Polito administration filed a supplemental budget bill for FY20 that will authorize $1 billion in spending necessary to cover incurred and expected costs during the COVID-19 public-health crisis. It is expected that this spending will result in no net cost to the Commonwealth, after anticipated federal reimbursement and other federal funding sources. These expenses…

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MASSACHUSETTS PHASED REOPENING ANNOUNCED

Today, Governor Baker announced a four-phased approach to reopening the Massachusetts economy, and published Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards that will apply universally to all workplaces that are open in Phase 1, and are designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission to employees and customers. As the Lt. Governor and I have mentioned on our…

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‘This has become a huge community service project’: Northfield Drive-In booking more graduations, ceremonies, concerts than movies

NORTHFIELD — The new owners of the Northfield Drive-In are fielding inquiries from more than a dozen schools and organizations looking to have car-bound, no-contact graduations and other ceremonies. “This has become a huge community service project,” said new owner Julia Wiggin. They have also heard from folks who want to host comedy performances or…

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Northampton using $125K in federal funds to aid small businesses

Mayor David Narkewicz said the city is allocating $125,000 in federal block grants to help keep afloat nearly two dozen small businesses impacted by COVID-19 public health restrictions. “We need to support our small businesses during this incredibly challenging time,” Narkewicz said in a statement on Tuesday. “I’m proud of our collaboration with Valley CDC…

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