Latest news with #JakeOliveira
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Job Corps Center in Chicopee to close as part of federal cuts
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The U.S. Department of Labor and the Trump administration announced that they will pause operations at Job Corps centers nationwide, including in Chicopee. Chicopee electrical fire prompts reminder of smoke detector importance This comes after major cuts to the federal government. The Department of Labor said in a press release that the pause of all centers will happen by June 30th. The program has been operating at a $140 million deficit since fiscal year 2024. The deficit is projected to reach $213 million in fiscal year 2025. The Department of Labor states that they are collaborating with state and local workforce partners to assist current students in advancing their training and connecting them with education and employment opportunities. 'As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, I am deeply troubled by the Trump Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor's decision to close Job Corps centers across the country, including the vital site in Chicopee. This abrupt move not only jeopardizes the futures of students who depend on Job Corps for hands-on career training and economic opportunity but also threatens the livelihoods of dedicated staff who support their success. At a time when Massachusetts and the nation face a growing need for skilled workers, closing these centers is a step in the wrong direction. It undermines efforts to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce and leaves vulnerable communities behind. My office is actively assessing the full impact of this decision and remains in close contact with state and federal partners to demand answers and advocate for all those affected.' State Senator Jake Oliveira 'Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training, and community, however, a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve. We remain committed to ensuring all participants are supported through this transition and connected with the resources they need to succeed as we evaluate the program's possibilities.' Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Urgent Care facility now open in Longmeadow
LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – A new Urgent Care is now open in Hampden County. Longmeadow police seeking public's help in finding driver involved in incident with student The community got together to celebrate the opening of a new facility in Longmeadow. Local lawmakers and health experts gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Longmeadow Shops on Bliss Road. They told 22News that there's a need for more medical resources in our area, as three local Urgent Care Centers closed more than two years ago. Baystate Health Urgent Care Centers in Longmeadow, Feeding Hills, and Westfield shut their doors in 2023. 'We have a shortage of primary care doctors here in western Massachusetts. So, having an Urgent Care facility like this in Longmeadow can help to bridge that gap,' said State Senator Jake Oliveira. 'I think one of the big things that separates us is that everyone who works for us has a background in working in the emergency department. We think that skill set, ability to help others gives us that upper hand to manage patients appropriately,' said Michael Cobill, CEO, Pioneer Health MSO. This new location will also create new jobs, helping to benefit the economy. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wilbraham honors fallen soldiers at Memorial Day ceremony
WILBRAHAM, Mass. (WWLP) – Ceremonies are taking place across western Massachusetts this Memorial Day weekend. The town of Wilbraham gathered on Sunday to remember, honor, and show respect for fallen soldiers ahead of Memorial Day. 'We have days in which we honor our veterans, we have days in which we honor other servicemen and women,' said State Senator Jake Oliveira. 'But on this day, we honor those who made their sacrifice with their own lives.' LIST: Community events to honor fallen veterans on Memorial Day The 2024 Wilbraham Veteran of the Year, U.S. Air Force Veteran Kathleen Kennedy, helped to lay the wreath at this year's event. She told 22News what it means as a veteran to feel the support of the community. 'It is impressive, because unfortunately, if you look around the country, you don't find it everywhere,' Kennedy said. 'And it seems every year it just gets larger and larger, it just swells. I think it says a lot about the people of Wilbraham.' Senator Oliveira makes sure the community remembers the true meaning of Memorial Day, sharing what this day means for him through a story of a childhood friend. Oliveira's friend, Sergeant Josh Desforges, gave his life for his country in Afghanistan in 2010. 'Josh always wanted to be a Marine, even when we were growing up,' Oliveira said. 'He was a member of the Young Marines at Westover Air Force Base. He was someone that always wanted to serve his nation, and on his fourth tour of duty, he gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and for our freedom.' Oliveira helped to pass recent state legislation ensuring that Gold Star families and spouses are supported for the sacrifice their loved one made. 'Prior to the passage of this law, Gold Star spouses were not eligible for the annuity benefit if they remarried after they lost their spouse,' Oliveira said. 'We closed that loophole last week in the legislature.' Part of Sunday's ceremony also recognized the Prisoners of War, displayed with a table set for one. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Granby resident honored during Military Appreciation Day at the State House in Boston
GRANBY, Mass. (WWLP) – Military Appreciation Day was held for the first time at the State House in Boston on Thursday. The state's highest lawmakers and military members, and their families, gathered in the House Chambers to be recognized. To show the state's appreciation, 135 veterans received governor's citations after being nominated by local legislators, including retired United States Army Staff Sergeant Michael Joseph Slater of Granby. First-ever Military Appreciation Day at the State House Staff Sergeant Slater was honored by State Senator Jake Oliveira from the Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester District. In a news release sent to 22News from the Office of State Senator Jake Oliveira, Staff Sergeant Slater served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Combat Engineer with the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Combat Action Badge. Tasked with route clearance—identifying and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to protect U.S. and allied forces—he routinely faced combat conditions that tested both skill and resolve. For his service, he earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Combat Action Badge. Since Slater's military retirement, he has developed outreach programs and expanded access to vital resources for local veterans. He continues this work at the Springfield Vet Center, providing one-on-one support to those who have served. 'It was a moving ceremony and an important reminder that service doesn't end when the uniform comes off,' said Senator Oliveira. 'Staff Sergeant Slater represents the very best of our military community—not only through his heroism in combat, but also through his deep, ongoing commitment to veterans across Western Massachusetts.' 'I was proud to stand alongside Staff Sergeant Slater at the State House as we paid tribute not just to his service, but to his continued leadership and care for others,' Senator Oliveira said. 'This event reminded us that our military heroes walk among us every day, in our neighborhoods, our town halls, and our veterans' centers, and that they continue to serve long after their tours of duty end.' Military celebrations and ceremonies will continue across the state through the weekend, and on Monday's Memorial Day. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Real rules debate happens after meeting adjourns
BOSTON (WWLP) – House and Senate leaders met to try to reach joint rules on Thursday afternoon, a benchmark they have not met since 2019. The committee meeting itself was uneventful, and the real drama came after adjournment as lawmakers debated a rule regarding remote participation in hearings in real time in front of a gaggle of reporters. The disagreement made 22News headlines earlier this week, as Ludlow Senator Jake Oliveira was barred from testifying remotely on his own bill while at a meeting in Springfield with his constituents. The House chair of the committee says the idea behind their proposed attendance requirements is to ensure Bay State residents are heard by their lawmakers. 'I don't know how you can have a deliberative process where people are having dialogue and have no one show up at a hearing to hear anybody speak,' said House Chair Representative Mike Moran. The issue is more complicated for senators, whose districts are four times as large and who are in many more committees, which often meet at the same time. Senators are looking for more guidance from the House on what they want to see as a result of these rules, considering their busy schedules. 'Obviously, I don't even know what attendance means. Does it mean 5 minutes? 10 minutes? Do you come at the beginning? Do you come at the end? I don't even know what it means,' said Senate Chair Senator Cynthia Creem. The House says they are willing to budge on enshrining remote participation into law, but did not fully define what their standard of attendance would be, or how remote testifying would factor in. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
