Beacon Hill Roll Call, Jan. 19-23

Rabbi says 'shalom' to new Northampton home

NORTHAMPTON — Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) has welcomed Rabbi Louis Polisson, a poet, musician and composer, as its new senior rabbi, a role in which he hopes to strengthen the congregation as a spiritual community. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, to a single Jewish mother, Polisson said he gravitated toward Jewish culture and rituals — […]

Head Start returns in Easthampton after five-year absence

EASTHAMPTON — Families can now enroll their preschool-aged children in a new Community Action Pioneer Valley Head Start classroom at Mountain View School, marking the program’s return to the city after five years. Marianne Bouthilette, interim director of CAPV’s Head Start and Early Learning Programs, told the Gazette that the classroom is much more than just a learning […]

Abuse survivors say laws that failed them are now on their side

BOSTON — Survivors have spent over a decade telling anyone at the State House who would listen that Massachusetts needs a law to protect children from abuse by people in their life in positions of power, and they say a provision in the fiscal 2027 state budget finally gets their pleas across the finish line.  […]

Smith College alumna Carol Hillman named the sole Franklin County recipient of 2026 Commonwealth Heroine Award

Ninety-nine-year-old New Salem resident Carol Hillman was named a 2026 Commonwealth Heroine, making her the sole recipient from Franklin County in the largest class to date.

Deerfield to hold ADU bylaw hearing

Deerfield residents will soon consider proposed changes to town bylaws regarding accessory dwelling units, following the unanimous approval of these updates by the Selectboard.