Friends of Quabbin to celebrate stabilization of Keystone Bridge

Proposed census rules would exclude noncitizens and snowbirds, experts say

BOSTON – U.S. Census Bureau proposals would exclude a large noncitizen population in Massachusetts, change whether the state’s “snowbird” population is counted, and cause “severe inaccuracies” in population data in 2030, a local research expert told lawmakers Wednesday.  One lawmaker said the thought of the impact that would have on the state was “flabbergasting.” The bureau […]

New charges for former Healey aide fuel benefit fraud fight

BOSTON – Less than three weeks out from Election Day, Gov. Maura Healey faced renewed questions about a former aide who was arrested and charged with public benefit fraud Wednesday. LaMar Cook, who was deputy director of Healey’s western Mass. office until his firing last year, has pleaded not guilty to state drug trafficking and gun charges […]

Eight ‘No Kings’ events push to get the early vote out in Franklin County

More than 2,000 No Kings: Vote Early events are scheduled to take place across the country to encourage citizens to cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

Ribbon cut at 53-unit Residences at the Park housing project in Athol

ATHOL – Ten years ago, the town of Athol sought proposals for what to do with two vacant town-owned school buildings that had once been home to the Riverbend and Ellen Bigelow elementary schools. A proposal from NewVue Communities to transform the schools into mixed-income housing was accepted, and on Tuesday, Oct. 14, a ribbon-cutting […]

Municipalities consider lifting water bans as drought declaration ends in Connecticut River Valley

Following Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tipper's announcement that the Connecticut River Valley is no longer in a drought, local municipalities like Belchertown and Amherst are considering lifting their seasonal water restrictions.