A Look Back, July 14

Massachusetts bill to stop changing clocks clears first Senate vote as sunsets get earlier

BOSTON — As Bay Staters begin facing late-afternoon sunsets after turning the clocks back over the weekend, the Senate gave initial approval Thursday to legislation to eliminate the twice-annual clock changes. The five Democrats on the Senate Rules Committee voted to advance legislation (S 2157) that seeks to move Massachusetts to Atlantic Standard Time — […]

At a crossroads: Pioneer Valley Democrats debate party's future ahead of midterm elections

If Democrats make major gains in Tuesday’s midterm elections, one longtime organizer says they may have President Donald Trump to thank. Many Democratic voters interviewed across the region say their party’s messaging has gone stale and needs to change before the 2028 presidential election. Where they split is on direction: Should the party move toward […]

Western Mass. lawmakers tout state investments, warn of federal cuts at Amherst chamber breakfast

AMHERST — With federal cutbacks and rising costs squeezing the region, three western Massachusetts legislators told business and community leaders Friday that the state is working to keep the local economy resilient but cannot make up every shortfall. State Reps. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, and Aaron Saunders, D-Belchertown, and state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, spoke at […]

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 […]