Business Briefs: April 17, 2026

H.S. Roundup: Athol, Mahar girls soccer teams battle to a scoreless tie

ATHOL — A lot happened in the Bi-County contest between the Athol girls soccer team and Mahar Regional on Monday night. There was pushing, some shoving and multiple bodies hit the pitch due to contact from the other team. One might say things got feisty on occasion. Shots bounced off the crossbar and post for […]

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 […]