Smith College parents left with few answers after meeting on Fort Hill childcare center closure

Lawmakers want MWRA to pull plug on water request

BOSTON — The temperature in western and north central Massachusetts is “red hot” when it comes to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s request to transfer 20 million more gallons of water per day from the Quabbin and Wachusett system, according to a lawmaker who is asking the agency to withdraw its request. Northampton Sen. Jo Comerford […]

Three college students cited for disabling smoke detectors after fire

AMHERST — Three college students living in a downtown off-campus rental will each be fined $100 for disabling the smoke detectors in their home after a fire broke out on their stove early Friday, according to Fire Chief Lindsay Stromgren. The fire started around 5:30 a.m. when an unattended pizza box caught fire, filling the […]

Center for Human Development adds primary care in Easthampton

EASTHAMPTON — Amid a nationwide shortage of primary care doctors, with some patients waiting months for an appointment, the Center for Human Development is now offering primary care at three of its locations, including Easthampton. CHD has nearly 70 locations throughout western Massachusetts and Connecticut, offering a variety of human services, primarily emotional and behavioral […]

Question 8 marijuana repeal: Risky rollback or protection for teens?

Bay State voters legalized recreational cannabis a decade ago, opening the door for a $10 billion marijuana industry to grow in Massachusetts. That industry could crumble if Question 8 passes on Election Day. A “yes” vote on Question 8 supports repealing the laws that legalize, regulate and tax recreational marijuana sales, ending those sales and […]

Columnist Bill Newman: 'Yes' on Question 4

What an opportunity! On this election day, we in Massachusetts can help secure a victory for democracy.   A democracy is a system where, at least in theory, the people, not autocrats and oligarchs, are the pillars of government. Undergirding democracy is the right to vote, which, as Thomas Paine wrote in 1795, “is the primary […]