Latest News
Celebrating King’s legacy at UMass: National journalist Yamiche Alcindor urges US to live up to its promises
AMHERST — Yamiche Alcindor’s “ah-ha” moment came when she was in high school and heard the story of Emmett Till, a Black teen from Chicago who was abducted and lynched in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of offending a white woman.
‘The road to hell starts with good intentions’: New opera tells the story of Northampton’s notorious revivalist preacher, Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards, one of Northampton’s most famous residents, was a revolutionary preacher whose legacy has endured through centuries. He was the first minister in Northampton to baptize African Americans, yet he did not free those he enslaved. He was a loving husband, yet he supported complementarianism, a theological belief that gender roles are ordained by God. And his work inspired several suicides.
Sports
UMass men’s basketball: Minutemen extend win streak to three following 74-61 triumph over George Washington
AMHERST — For the early portion of the first half, anxious murmurs spread through the Mullins Center as the UMass men’s basketball team racked up as many turnovers (6) as points nearly 10 minutes into the game. The 2,772 fans that showed up were wondering if the Minutemen would too. But as he did on Sunday against La Salle, Minutemen sophomore Jaylen Curry changed the trajectory of Wednesday night’s contest with George Washington.
Opinion
Lawrence Pareles: Reject nominations of Patel, Kennedy, Hegseth for vital cabinet positions
The recent cabinet nominations by President Donald Trump — Kash Patel for FBI director, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary, and Pete Hegseth for secretary of Defense are not just poor choices — they are dangerous. These appointments could jeopardize our nation’s safety, health and security at a time when we need strong, competent leadership the most.
Your Daily Puzzles
An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Business
Area property deed transfers, Jan. 17
Amherst
Arts & Life
Speaking of Nature: Reflected in a blue jay’s eye: A curious opportunity to try something a little artsy
Anyone who has ever dabbled in the art of photography will understand that you find yourself at the mercy of your environment. Of course, I am speaking of outdoor photography in this case. Studio photography is an entirely different organism because in that particular endeavor the art lies in manufacturing an environment. If you are outdoors, however, you have to find ways to make due with what you’ve got on any particular day.
Obituaries
Northampton, MA - The family of Mitchell W. Lenkowski, Jr. sadly announces his passing on December 9, 2024 at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital after an extended illness, with family by his side. Mitch was born minutes after his twin siste... remainder of obit for Mitchell W. Lenkowski Jr.
Westhampton, MA - Bernice W. Florek, of Westhampton MA and well known for her love of Cardinals & Family, died peacefully at the age of 84 with family by her side at Baystate Medical Center on 1-16-25. Bernie was born in Northampton MA... remainder of obit for Bernice W. Florek
West Springfield, MA - Gary Arnold passed on January 18, 2025 in West Springfield, MA. He was born in Northampton, MA to Kenneth and Helen (Ryan) Arnold on October 30, 1943. Gary worked at AT&T for 30 years, was a member of the Nationa... remainder of obit for Gary Arnold
Amherst, MA - Robert N. (Robin) Brooks of Amherst, MA, formerly of North Easton, MA, passed away on January 3, 2025. Mr. Brooks was the son of the late Atty. and Mrs. Abraham Brooks of North Easton. He was a 1953 graduate of Oliver Ame... remainder of obit for Robert Brooks