Voters in Athol and Royalston cast ballots in general election

Nearly 1.17 million Bay Staters voted before Election Day

By the time polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday, almost 1.17 million Bay Staters had already cast their ballots — a 22.3% turnout rate for early in-person and mail-in voting in this year’s statewide contests.  Secretary of State William Galvin’s office said 1,168,590 ballots had been submitted early — 821,244 (70.3%) of them came in […]

Franklin County school districts see mixed MCAS test results

Franklin County school districts reported mixed 2026 test results, showing both gains and declines in proficiency rates following the removal of the MCAS graduation requirement.

Dale Monette will be featured speaker at Athol Bird and Nature Club’s annual dinner

ATHOL – The Athol Bird and Nature Club’s annual dinner will feature photographer and club member Dale Monette, according to club President David Small. The 63rd annual dinner will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Athol American Legion, 325 Pequoig Ave. “He’ll be explaining how he gets such great […]

GCC plans Saturday open house

Greenfield Community College is scheduled to host a fall open house on Saturday, Nov. 7, featuring campus tours and financial aid assistance for prospective students.

Western Mass. lawmakers tout state investments, warn of federal cuts at Amherst chamber breakfast

AMHERST — With federal cutbacks and rising costs squeezing the region, three western Massachusetts legislators told business and community leaders Friday that the state is working to keep the local economy resilient but cannot make up every shortfall. State Reps. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, and Aaron Saunders, D-Belchertown, and state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, spoke at […]