For optimal protection, health experts urge waiting until mid-September to mid-October to get a flu shot

‘We’ve always done it backwards’: State updating primary ballot colors to align with political party hues

Massachusetts will update its primary ballot colors starting Sept. 1 to align with the traditional association of blue for Democrats and red for Republicans.

Early voting begins as high-profile state and local contests heat up

Democratic and Republican voters across the region will participate in the Sept. 1 state primary, featuring key races such as the U.S. Senate contest between Ed Markey and Seth Moulton.

Private Roads Bylaw Advisory Committee reviews draft bylaw

ATHOL – The Private Roads Bylaw Advisory Committee, established to generate a bylaw detailing the town’s responsibilities relative to the maintenance of private roads, has held its first formal meeting. Select Board Vice Chair Marc Maxwell was chosen to chair the new committee, with fellow board member Russell Raymond elected vice chair. Other voting members […]

Sportsman's Corner: Mass Wildlife staff sent to fight western wildfires

Again this summer, wildfires are raging in many locations in western North America, with large blazes in both Canada and the United States. Trained firefighters from across the country are rotating in at the different fires and MassWildlife’s trained staff are among those being deployed. Members of Mass Wildlife’s prescribed fire crew are putting their […]

New law addresses library material challenges

Gov. Maura Healey signed S.3241, "An Act Regarding Free Expression," into law to establish formal processes for challenging library materials and protect librarians from harassment amid rising book censorship trends.