Athol Daily News
Federal legislation targets teen tobacco workers
The proposed federal legislation, the Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act, would ban anyone under the age of 18 from working in tobacco fields, potentially ending a rite of passage for many…
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5mNational Grid's multi-year project to enhance transmission line capacity
National Grid has started a $470 million project to upgrade a high-voltage transmission line from Vermont to Massachusetts, which will involve replacing structures and foundations, adding new conductors and improving right-of-way access. The infrastructure in place is approaching the end of its useful life, and the work will be reflected in consumers' utility bills over the next several years.
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7mMassachusetts lawmakers push for strict data center rules
State lawmakers have proposed a legislative change that would hold data centers responsible for their environmental and financial impact on communities, requiring them to use their own sources of clean energy, pay their own gas infrastructure costs, meet water protection and cumulative impact standards, and forfeit the state tax exemption if not in compliance.
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8mReflecting on the ‘fight for freedom’: Declaration of Independence readings held
State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Susannah Whipps joined the Massachusetts Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution in delivering commemorative copies of the Declaration of Independence to cities and towns across Massachusetts, accompanied by Revolutionary War reenactors, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the document's first public reading.
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7mHealey signs $63.4B budget with no vetoes
BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey signed the $63.4 billion annual budget Thursday, coming nine days into the new fiscal year that’s poised to inflict major financial turmoil as a federal law reshapes public benefit programs. The signed fiscal year 2027 budget was delivered to Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office just before 2 p.m., a […]
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8mMarkey, Moulton trade jabs in western Mass primary debate
In a western Massachusetts primary debate, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and Congressman Seth Moulton discussed a range of topics, including Markey's age, Moulton's stance on trans athletes, and regional issues, while both candidates criticized President Donald Trump, congressional Republicans and the MAGA movement.