Good morning, Springfield.

A local church organized a surprise tribute for a World War II veteran over the weekend and he remains in awe of the honor he received — the event marked a heartfelt moment for Springfield.

Michael Biakis, a World War II veteran who flew 37 Air Force missions and participated in D-Day, was honored at Sunday's mass organized by his church over the weekend.

The surprise tribute recalled his local roots in Springfield and left him in awe of his celebrated past.

The Columbus Day parade returned to Springfield, running through downtown to the Christopher Columbus statue at the gates of the South End — marking the event's renewal as a local tradition.

A nor’easter brought heavy rain on Columbus Day and many Springfield families chose indoor fun at the Basketball Hall of Fame to enjoy sports displays and family time.

Museum staff added extra help to manage the crowd — the busiest period since enshrinement weekend as they prepared for upcoming busy breaks.

Rock 102 will host the third annual Mayflower Marathon Comedy Night at MGM Springfield on October 16 to benefit Springfield’s Open Pantry.

Nationally acclaimed comedian Tom Cotter will headline the event with special guests Steve Nagle and Corey Gee—while a silent auction with items from local sponsors takes place and the Mayflower Marathon will start at 6:00 a.m. on November 24.

Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin P.C., a law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, has been recognized by Best Lawyers as a Best Law Firm in Springfield for 2026; eight of its attorneys have earned honors in specialties like banking & finance law and corporate law, with Carol Cioe Klyman and Steven Weiss named Lawyer of the Year.

On Oct.10, Kate Weir from Rays of Hope talked about the foundation’s work to support breast cancer patients on the episode of So That Reminds Me—she detailed plans for the 32nd annual walk on Oct.19 at Temple Beth El in Springfield that is expected to draw thousands and fund local research.

Springfield topped the nation’s hottest housing markets for the fifth month in a row as home prices rose and buyers came in numbers three times higher than the national average — Realtor.com showed strong demand, and local realtor Peter Ruffini said buyers needed to learn the process and sellers should price homes carefully. This market trend has fueled a steady increase in home prices and longer days on market.

Springfield has topped the nation's hottest housing markets for several months—home prices have surged according to recent reports.

The Springfield Thunderbirds will host a special game on Saturday, October 25 at 6:05 p.m. at the Thunderdome, offering dog tickets that let pet owners and their dogs enjoy special seating while supporting the Foundation for TJO Animals—each purchase helps benefit the foundation.

G&LW Gem Show - West Springfield

9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Eastern States Exposition — Wholesale only — Explore stunning gems and jewelry from various exhibitors in a charming New England setting.

ROAR! Comedy Featuring Neema Naz

8-11 p.m. — MGM Springfield — Check for ticket prices — Enjoy an evening of laughter with Iranian-Canadian stand-up comedian Neema Naz.

Plantella: A Houseplant Expo

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. — MassMutual Center — VIP Tickets: $20 | General Admission: $10 — Explore the best of houseplants and related businesses from the Northeast.

MVMA Fall Continuing Education Conference

Earn 12 hours of CE — 2 days — MGM Springfield — Entry Fee Required — Enhance your professional expertise at this informative veterinary conference.

Halloween Paint & Sip

2-4 p.m. — White Lion Brewing Company — Ticket required — Enjoy a fun Halloween-themed painting experience while sipping your favorite drink.

BCI’s Sensory-Friendly Trunk-or-Treat

9:30-10:30 p.m. — Springfield Learning Center — Free entry — Enjoy a spooktacular sensory-friendly trunk-or-treat experience for families.

John Caparulo Comedy Show

8-9:30 p.m. — MGM Springfield — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy sharp wit and hilarious anecdotes from seasoned comedian John Caparulo.

Comedy Night with John Caparulo

8-11 p.m. — MGM Springfield — Ticketed event — Experience sharp wit and dry humor from the seasoned comedian John Caparulo.

Massachusetts Equine Affaire

9 a.m.-7 p.m. (Thurs-Sat), 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sun) — Eastern States Exposition — Ticket prices vary — Experience four days of equine excitement, education, and entertainment with top trainers and breed showcases.

Laval Rocket vs. Springfield Thunderbirds

10:35 AM — MassMutual Center — Ticketed event — Experience the excitement of AHL hockey as the Thunderbirds host their rivals, the Laval Rocket.