Debate intensifying over 'education freedom' tax credit

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 […]

Chesterfield, Williamsburg clerks urge voters to hand-deliver mail ballots ahead of Nov. 3 election

CHESTERFIELD — The office of Secretary of the Commonwealth says it has seen no unusual problems with mail ballots arriving on time, but town clerks in Chesterfield and Williamsburg are urging caution anyway. Clerks in the two towns plan to issue notices advising residents to consider hand-delivering their ballots to town offices rather than mailing them. They fear the U.S. Postal Service may not deliver them in time to be counted in the Nov. 3 election. Chesterfield Town Clerk Sandy Wickland cited a couple of instances of ballots arriving late during the Sept. 1 primary election, despite being postmarked on time. […]