Voters defend gun law, and sponsor says it’s a model for other states

Who coaches the kids? State plan to license youth coaches could cost Amherst its volunteers, rec director says

Amherst’s youth sports teams are coached by volunteers, often parents who began stepping up when their kids’ fourth-grade team needed someone. None are paid, whether on rec teams or travel teams. To Recreation Director Rey Harp, that is the problem with a state plan to license every youth coach in Massachusetts. A state working group […]

Northampton City Council keeps single property tax rate amid debate over L3Harris

NORTHAMPTON — In discussions leading to the City Council’s vote to set a single tax rate on Thursday, councilors discussed the defense contractor L3Harris’ presence in the city as both a taxpayer and a source of controversy. Although the city has long maintained a single tax rate, meaning residential properties and commercial businesses are taxed […]

Let’s get ready to rumble!: Pioneer Valley Pro Wrestling slams into western Mass. for two shows

Oh, you didn’t know? Well, Pioneer Valley Pro Wrestling is wrapping up its 2026 season with a pair of events, at the Northampton Elks Lodge No. 997 on Nov. 14 and at Franklin County’s YMCA in Greenfield on Dec. 12. The first of the two shows is the promotion’s final regular event of the year, […]

Victory Lap with Jessica Lapachinski: The most dangerous mindset in sports

As a young athlete, I avoided big moments. I always wanted to win, but I wanted someone else to make the play. I wanted the reward without the risk of losing it all. I remember playing a state championship game and hoping I got hit by a pitch when I was up to bat. Yikes. […]

Columnist Dr. David Gottsegen: Hunger in America

Hardly a day went by in my pediatric practice that I did not care for a child who suffered from food insecurity. The term food insecurity, “a limited or uncertain availability of adequate and safe foods,” has an unfortunate technical ring to it. It’s perhaps better simply to use the word “hunger.” And when people […]