Massachusetts politicians warn of shutdown impacts

Franklin Hampshire unemployment rate drops to 3.8% amid shrinking labor force

The Franklin Hampshire region's unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in June 2026, even as experts noted a shrinking labor force driven by an aging population and housing shortages.

The joy of cherry tomatoes

If I had to pick only one piece of summer produce to eat, it might be the cherry tomato. Cherry tomatoes are irresistible. Eating them is like eating candy. Actually, it’s better than eating candy. I like candy as much as the next person; I definitely have a sweet tooth. Nevertheless, after two or (heaven […]

Shutesbury Select Board seeks new permit conditions after solar project fire

SHUTESBURY — An April fire at a large-scale solar project on Pratt Corner Road is prompting town officials to seek changes to its special permit conditions, aimed at improving safety and offering more protections to the town. Members of the Planning Board told the Select Board Tuesday that they support the concept of reopening the […]

Greenfield Notebook: Sept. 22, 2026

Sept. 22: Greenfield to test voting equipment GREENFIELD — The City Clerk’s Office will conduct a test of the optical scan voting equipment on Tuesday, Sept. 22, in advance of the Oct. 6 election to vote on the new Franklin County Technical School building. The test will begin at 10 a.m. at the City Clerk’s […]

Retired astronaut urges voters to protect democracy at UMass

AMHERST — Five seconds after Columbia Space Shuttle STS-93 lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center, Catherine “Cady” Coleman felt her stomach lurch. The retired NASA astronaut heard her commander Eileen Collins announce that an electrical short took out two engine controls. A hydrogen leak in the main engine also slowed the shuttle’s velocity, throwing […]