Pushback: Hawaii seeks American independence on our 250th birthday  

My Turn: The beautiful game

No term quite wrinkles the brain like the word “endorsement.” For those clinging on to the hope that American soccer will ever reach the levels of world football, it should be no surprise when I make the argument that this has been David Beckham’s World Cup. Whether your poison be potato chips, beer, shoes, cell […]

Massachusetts advocates condemn Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes

NORTHAMPTON — Legal experts and transgender advocates in Massachusetts denounced Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision to uphold state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams, calling it another effort to chip away at the civil rights for transgender people. “This is why we can’t afford to other trans people,” said Ali […]

Western Mass. leaders express relief after Supreme Court preserves birthright citizenship

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold the 14th Amendment, rejecting President Trump's executive order that sought to deny birthright citizenship to children born to people living in the US illegally or temporarily.

Former Athol Daily News building to house Athol-Orange Housing Authority

The Athol-Orange Housing Authority (AHA) has purchased the former offices of the Athol Daily News at 225 Exchange St. for $385,000 and will use it as its new office. The purchase will allow the AHA to relocate its offices and provide more space for housing at Morton Meadows. The renovation of the building is in the early stages of planning, and funding will be provided by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Orange funds full $5.2M Mahar assessment in Special Town Meeting

Orange voters approved an additional $200,000 to fund the town's assessment to the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District, bringing the town's FY27 budget to nearly $29.3 million, while also honoring Deborah Kent with the Shirley Page Community Pride Award for her volunteer efforts.