Area Briefs: Northampton Elks to launch 21st annual Cruise Night series

Guest columnist William Lambers: Hunger a critical election issue

Hunger is a major issue in the 2026 election as high prices have made it hard for many Americans to buy groceries. According to a recent AP-NORC poll “Forty-one percent of adults were extremely or very concerned about being able to afford groceries in the next few months.” Families are depending on food banks and […]

WMass field hockey: Belchertown upends South Hadley, 3-1, for Class B title

WEST SPRINGFIELD — After seeing No. 1 South Hadley score to tie the game in the third quarter, No. 2 Belchertown’s Kian Roy only needed 30 seconds to respond in the Western Mass. Class B field hockey championship. Following the score, Kian Roy received a pass from the center line to the left wing. He […]

UMass wide receiver Dallas Elliot out for season with rare cancer diagnosis

UMass football head coach Joe Harasymiak announced during a press conference on Friday that wide receiver Dallas Elliot will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with “a rare form of cancer.” Elliot, a Leeds native and former Williston Northampton standout, appeared in the Minutemen’s first five games this season. “He’s a fighter,” […]

Amherst begins discussion on data center ban or regulations

AMHERST — Amherst officials are considering either a prohibition on construction of data centers or regulations that would guide their development, such as limitations on their size. While a ban on all new data centers has been referred from the Town Council to the Planning Board and Community Resources Committee, the initial discussion at an […]

Smith College will keep Fort Hill childcare center open until at least summer 2029

NORTHAMPTON — Following nearly two weeks of community outcry, Smith College will keep its Center for Early Childhood Education at Fort Hill open through at least summer 2029. President Sarah Willie-LeBreton announced the decision in an email to the center’s families and staff Friday afternoon, thanking members of both the campus and larger communities for […]