Guest columnist William Lambers: Lake Ontario: A symbol of peace

UMass makes $120M bet on future of food

AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts is launching a $120 million Future of Food initiative, anchored by a new 36,000-square-foot research center and five permanent endowments aimed at tackling global food security, climate resilience and food safety. The research center, set to break ground in late 2027, will house the new Paul and Diane Manning […]

AI advancements leave governors on edge

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey joined other political leaders in calling for federal oversight and guardrails to manage the rapid development of artificial intelligence.

Guest columnist William Lambers: Lake Ontario: A symbol of peace

Instead of renaming Lake Ontario,  a move rejected by most Americans, President Donald Trump should learn about the Lake’s history and be inspired to be a peacemaker. Lake Ontario, which translated means “lake of shining water” or “beautiful lake” is really a symbol of peace. A treaty negotiated by John Quincy Adams,  the Rush-Bagot Agreement […]

My Turn: Choose kindness over fear

I’ve always believed that talking to strangers is one of the last simple ways to make life better. Not in a grand, world‑saving way, but in the small, human way that actually matters. You hear someone’s need, you respond, and something good happens. It’s not complicated. It’s not dangerous. It’s not a moral puzzle. It’s […]

Eggplant’s royal air: A dip for that waterside affair

It’s eggplant time. In warmer parts of the United States, eggplants show up in farm stands in June or July. Here in chilly New England, however, they tend to appear in August or September. There’s something voluptuous about an eggplant. I love its deep purple hue, the color of royalty, and its curviness. I only recently learned why we use the name “eggplant.” According to “Fine Gardening” magazine, eggplants originated in Asia before the Christian era. They slowly made their way to Europe, and seeds were brought to this country by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was an avid gardener and gourmet who […]