Area Briefs: McGovern to give Ellsberg Lecture at UMass

Easthampton Public Schools takes all online systems offline after cybersecurity incident

EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton Public Schools has taken all of its online systems offline after discovering a cybersecurity incident Monday. In a statement released early Wednesday afternoon, the district said it had identified “suspicious activity” on its network. Forensic experts are investigating and working to restore the systems. Superintendent Michelle Balch said in a phone interview that […]

Failing boilers spur energy plan at Hampshire Regional High School

WESTHAMPTON — With Hampshire Regional High School’s boilers near failure, member towns are considering a large-scale renewable energy system that officials say would be among the most ambitious such projects in the Hilltowns. Superintendent Vito Perrone and Daniel Abrahamson, a municipal energy manager for the school district, made clear at Monday’s Hampshire Regional School Committee meeting […]

PETA public records lawsuits seek identities of UMass animal research panel members

AMHERST — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has sued the University of Massachusetts in Suffolk Superior Court, seeking the names of those who serve on campus panels that review and approve laboratory experiments on animals. The lawsuits, filed Tuesday under the state public records law against UMass Amherst and UMass Chan Medical School […]

UMass men’s basketball: Frank Martin exudes confidence in revamped roster

AMHERST – If offseason practices are indication of future success, UMass men’s basketball should be in line for a successful season in year five under head coach Frank Martin. During his opening press conference ahead of the 2026-27 season on Monday, Oct. 5, Martin recognized the improvement the group made over the summer.. “At this […]

Debate intensifying over 'education freedom' tax credit

BOSTON — A statewide nonprofit group is backing the Trump administration’s controversial federal scholarship tax credit program, putting it at odds with a coalition of teachers unions, civil rights groups and public education advocates urging Gov. Maura Healey to reject Massachusetts’ participation. The Massachusetts Council of Nonprofits is calling for “strong support” for the Education […]