Breaking new ground: UMass begins work on $43M ‘hub’ for School of Public Health and Health Sciences

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — As a graduate of the School of Public Health & Health Sciences Kinesiology department at the University of Massachusetts, doctoral student Petra Ypsilantis is aware of the separation and lack of cohesiveness among the school’s six...

Report flags mobility, costs as threats to Mass. competitiveness

By SAM DRYSDALE

As business leaders and Beacon Hill officials have focused more on competing with other states to keep residents in Massachusetts, a new report says that domestic outmigration may be threatening one of its key advantages.Among the state’s greatest...

PHOTO: Bullfrog in Royalston

Harris, Trump spar in Philadelphia presidential debate

By ZEKE MILLER, MICHELLE L. PRICE, JILL COLVIN and JOSH BOAK

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kamala Harris and Donald Trump showcased starkly different visions for the country Tuesday on abortion, immigration and American democracy as they met for the first time for perhaps their only debate before November’s presidential...

North Quabbin Notes, Sept. 10

September movies at the Beals Memorial Library On Saturday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m., bring the whole family to enjoy the library’s Family Movie Matinee, for a screen of Disney’s “Inside Out 2.” In this sequel to “Inside Out,” Riley is entering puberty...

Shannon O’Brien fired from top spot at Cannabis Control Commission

By COLIN A. YOUNG

Treasurer Deborah Goldberg fired Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien on Monday, her office confirmed, a removal that seems likely to kick the yearlong drama back into the courts.In a statement, Goldberg said she decided to fire O’Brien...

Paralympian talks about medal win at Athol Library

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Most area residents may be unaware that Athol is the home of a Paralympic medal winner.Lo Nigrosh was a member of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball National Team that captured the bronze medal in the 2004 Paralympic Games held in Athens,...

Mount Holyoke researchers unveil interactive archive, story map of US immigration sanctuary policies

By EMILEE KLEIN

SOUTH HADLEY — When Mount Holyoke College researchers Serin Houston and Anatasica Tucker talk about their recently completed database of migrant sanctuary policies enacted across the country, they can’t help but laugh at the sheer amount of work they...

A Page from North Quabbin History: Exploring the art of Peckham

By Carla CharterDuring a visit to the Narragansett Historical Society in early August, Folk Art Specialist Emily Esser was able to identify several of the society’s paintings, which previously were listed as by an “unattributed artist” as works done...

Local colleges see effect of Supreme Court ruling

By SCOTT MERZBACH

A steep drop in the number of Black students in the Class of 2028 at Amherst College compared to the preceding year’s incoming class, and less racial diversity in the first-year class, is likely a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against...

Athol to host regional emergency hazmat drill

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – A number of area first responders and town officials will gather next Monday at Athol Town Hall for a hazmat tabletop drill overseen by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).The drill is being facilitated by Athol Fire Chief...

Adapting together: Local support, federal funding help farms respond to climate change

By Jacob Nelson

Three people. Two businesses. One piece of farmland. Countless ways that climate change is making farming harder.And yet, plenty of hope, because these farmers have a plan. With support from peers, nonprofits and even Uncle Sam, they’re building...

Tufts Center report examines Question 2 and MCAS requirement

By SAM DRYSDALE

Students with cognitive disabilities and English language learners could stand to benefit the most from a ballot initiative that would “greatly diminish the state’s role as a gatekeeper to high school graduation,” and lower the stakes of statewide...

Developer eyes 9-acre battery energy storage system in Erving

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ERVING — The Conservation Commission heard an initial development proposal Tuesday night for a 9-acre, 100-megawatt battery energy storage system on Rose Lane.While plans are in the very early stages, Granite Source Power’s Director of Development...

UMass demonstration task force tries to balance rights, rules

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Giving the Demonstration Response and Safety Team at the University of Massachusetts an expanded role in promoting safety, education and deescalation at protests, clarifying the campus land-use policy by defining structures according to...

PHOTO: Donkey down time

Firefighters rescue two women after canoe capsizes in Lake Mattawa in Orange

ORANGE — Following the rescue of two women whose canoe capsized in Lake Mattawa on Thursday night, the Fire Department is encouraging paddlers to always wear life jackets on the water.According to the department’s Facebook page, on-duty and call-force...

Wheeler Memorial basement level still closed pending basement floor repairs

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE – The Wheeler Memorial Library’s basement level remains closed to the public following a mid-July flooding, and the director said it will stay that way until the floor is restored – a project that cannot begin until an accessibility ramp is...

Clean energy groups issue new appeal on siting reforms

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — More than a month since House and Senate Democrats failed to compromise on clean energy reforms that the industry and many advocates agree are essential to the transition the state wants to make, key trades associations have urged...