Speaking of Nature: A wing and a prayer: Tracking the wondrous western spindalis in the Cayman Islands

Buckwheat growers hope new markets can help reach more tables

PENN YAN, N.Y. (AP) — Buckwheat crops sway in the breeze as bees bop between the plants’ tiny white flowers. Underneath, small seeds begin to darken, a sign that harvest nears. Paige Hansen leans down, holding between her fingers the plant whose seeds could soon turn into one of her food products. “That diversity of […]

My Turn: Block authoritarians, build trust (as in Denmark)

If someone’s bleeding, first stop the bleeding. If a house is on fire, put out the fire. In this election season, we’re facing a crisis. People are being harmed. The upcoming midterms need to at least stop that harm. What then? Scot Nakagawa (a writer on Substack) explains that we have two huge tasks to accomplish at this moment — block and build: “Block prevents the worst from happening. Build makes possible the better that comes next.” He continues: “A movement that only blocks can win the immediate fight and lose the long one. A movement that only builds cannot survive […]

Comerford renews push for state Indigenous Peoples Day

Sen. Jo Comerford is renewing her push for legislation to establish Indigenous Peoples Day as a state holiday, alongside recent local recognitions by the Holyoke and Greenfield city councils.

Leverett resident aims to bring the Pledge of Allegiance to Town Meetings

A Leverett resident plans to circulate a petition regarding whether to begin meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance.

'It makes me so happy': Ashfield Fall Festival brings tradition and reconnection

Hundreds of residents and visitors gathered in Ashfield on Oct. 10 and 11 for the annual Fall Festival, featuring traditional pumpkin games, an artisans market and improved safety measures through a new main street closure.