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By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — As Greenfield Community College’s 308 graduates step out into a tumultuous world, they were urged to stay grounded in their values by a commencement speaker who one time left the world.

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Two more North Quabbin area veterans became Quilts of Valor recipients following a ceremony at the Community Church of North Orange and Tully last week.

By CHRIS LARABEE

In a letter to Congress, Gov. Maura Healey is urging lawmakers to reject changes proposed by Republicans to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would shift costs to states, which would cost, at minimum, at least $131.4 million annual and potentially up to $650 million.

By HANNAH MORIN

ATHOL — The North Quabbin Food-A-Thon, a 12-hour community fundraiser supporting local food pantries, takes place today, marking its 22nd year. The event will be broadcast live from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on AOTV Channel 1301 and WVAO 105.9 FM.

By CHRIS LARABEE

State Sen. Jo Comerford and Rep. Natalie Blais and are urging the Healey-Driscoll administration to reform the state-owned land payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) formula, which they say “shortchanges” rural counties, while rewarding those in urban and suburban areas.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – During a February visit to Athol High School, Gov. Maura Healey announced that AHS would be receiving $65,000 to expand the options available to students interested in the school’s Innovative Career Pathway program. About three dozen students are already enrolled in the manufacturing program, which currently includes classes in precision measuring instruments and robotics.

By SAMUEL GELINAS

BOSTON — Indigenous leaders took the podium in the State House this week to voice united support for five pieces of legislation filed on behalf on their communities, including bills that would say goodbye to Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples Day and bar the use of Indigenous-themed mascots in public schools.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMANand MADISON SCHOFIELD

Area arts organizations are worried about the future funding landscape after hearing about cuts the Trump administration is proposing to the National Endowment for the Arts.

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — The state is soliciting proposals from artists, historians, designers, “culture bearers” and anyone else who has an idea for a new Massachusetts state seal, flag and motto.

By CHRIS LISINKSI

BOSTON — A key piece of a federal spending cut and tax relief plan that’s on the move in Washington could result in Massachusetts losing more than $1 billion annually and hundreds of thousands of Bay Staters losing health coverage, according to the Healey administration.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — For the third consecutive year, Athol’s Water Division in the Department of Public Works has received an award for “noteworthy performance” from the state Department of Environmental Protection. The award was presented to 15 communities in the Large & Medium Community Systems category during a ceremony held in Boston on May 9.

By HANNAH MORIN

GARDNER — Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) introduced its new mascot, Monty the Mountain Lion, during a campus celebration on April 29.

By MIKE ROCHE

Occasionally, as this writer sits down each week to pen my weekly rant, there are several topics which will come to mind. This is one of those weeks and instead of going into any depth on these topics, each will be touched upon.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Athol’s Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee on Tuesday began its review of the proposed warrant for June’s annual Town Meeting. While the committee did recommend passage of most of the four dozen articles on the warrant, members decided to wait until its next meeting on May 19 to consider Town Manager Shaun Suhoski’s proposed FY26 town budget of approximately $26.5 million. FWAC chair Ken Duffy explained that Suhoski is currently working to complete negotiations with four unions representing town employees.

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey is proposing to repeal a law put in place by voters as part of a worldwide nuclear freeze movement, a bid to open the door to greater deployment of newer nuclear energy facilities as part of a push to save ratepayers $10 billion over a decade.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Work on the former Riverbend and Bigelow schools to transform the site into a 53-unit housing complex is underway.

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — One representative called it a “wonderful, reefer-smelling bag” and another worried a drug-sniffing dog might alert to him at the airport later as he passed the bundle of products down the Cannabis Policy Committee dais.

By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — The White House’s discretionary budget request for fiscal year 2026, released on May 2, proposes slashing two line items that, if approved, could significantly alter Community Action Pioneer Valley’s services.

By ALISON KUZNITZ

Municipal leaders clamoring for greater authority over the number of alcohol licenses available in their cities and towns once again urged lawmakers Monday to adopt reforms previously embraced by top Beacon Hill Democrats.

By ALEXA LEWIS

Western Massachusetts stands to “greatly benefit” from a $1.33 billion spending plan for education and transportation adopted by the state Senate last Thursday, thanks in part to lengthy debates leading up to a vote on the package that sought to reverse an initial proposal that Sen. Jo Comerford called “skewed” and “wildly unfair” to this region.