Beacon Hill Roll Call: Aug. 10 to Aug. 14, 2026

My Turn: Unions make UMass better

After 14 years employed by UMass Amherst, I can tell you one thing for certain: UMass is a good place to work, thanks to the unions. Here is a partial list of benefits that professional staff get at UMass Amherst, thanks only to the Professional Staff Union (PSU): These benefits were won at the bargaining […]

UMass football strives to respond against Miami (OH)

The UMass football team has reached an inflection point. Saturday’s 38-14 loss against Eastern Michigan was the first loss of the season and first time through five games in 2026 where an opponent outmatched the Minutemen at seemingly every facet of the game. UMass won its previous four games quite comfortably, yet the Eagles flew […]

Frances M. Lapinski

<html><head></head><body>Frances M. Lapinski<br /><br />Montague, MA - Frances M. (Dodge) Lapinski, 96, of Meadow Road, died Wednesday September 30th, 2026, at RegalCare of Greenfield. She was born in Montague on September 14, 1930, the daughter of My ...

Debra L. Dirth

<html><head></head><body>Debra L. Dirth<br /><br />Punta Gorda, FL - Debra "Debbi" Lynn Dirth, 76, died on October 1, 2026, in Florida, surrounded by family. Debbi was born on September 26, 1950, in Geneva, Illinois, to Jacqueline Iris Bahnf ...

Environmental groups sue Trump administration over eased vehicle fuel economy rules

DETROIT (AP) — A group of environmental organizations sued the Trump administration on Friday over its recent relaxation of key vehicle fuel economy rules, a decision that the group says will make vehicles less efficient, contribute to more pollution and increase gas consumption. On Monday, the Trump administration lowered Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, [&hellip;]