Latest News
Columnist Carrie N. Baker with Andrea Moore: In defense of higher education and critical thinking
Connecticut River Conservancy grapples with millions in frozen federal funds
Leverett leaders look to trim 5.3% budget increase
Hampshire Regional district’s $18.2M budget up slightly, will lead to elimination of 3 positions
Falls Farm fined by MassDEP for erosion, wetlands issues
Area briefs: Easthampton woman wins lottery; Magic for Maddie 3v3 tourney; Free screening of ‘Recovery City’; Home & Garden Show kicks off Thursday
Tax amendment could safeguard state’s small farms
Guest columnist Jim Palermo: Government in society’s best interests
Federal workers, supporters demonstrate to save US Fish and Wildlife’s Northeast headquarters
WMass legislative delegation urges Healey to speed up judge nominations
NORTHAMPTON — Vacancies for more than a third of the seats on the western Massachusetts Superior Court, causing some court sessions to be canceled and recall judges to be used to cover the workload, is prompting area legislators to appeal to Gov. Maura Healey for expediting the nomination of new judges.
Declutter your mind, with some help: Local author offers 201 prompts of ‘Fierce Encouragement’ to aspiring writers
Author Margaret Atwood supposedly once said, “If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.” With a new book, “Fierce Encouragement: 201 Writing Prompts for Staying Grounded in Fragile Times,” author and writing coach Jena Schwartz wants to inspire writers to build their own creative practices, no matter if the result isn’t entirely perfect.
Most Read
Irate Valley farmers sound off over ag cuts at ‘Attack on Small Farms’ rally
Legislators: State’s school funding formula has ‘left us out,’ call for changes at hearing held at UMass
Beacon Hill Roll Call, Dec. 23-27
1,000 Amherst regional students greet education officials, legislators in advance of legislative hearing on school funding
Booster group aims to ease disruptions during Northampton’s downtown makeover
A memorable run: Smith continues run of success in reaching another national title game
Editors Picks
A Look Back, March 26
Photo: Thinking spring
Arts Briefs: Opportunities for local creatives, All Hamptons Read, Jewish Film Fest, and more
‘Let’s be vulnerable together’: K and E Theater Group finds light in the darkness with ‘Spring Awakening’ performances in Northampton
Sports
The Real Score with Steve McKelvey: Looking at UMass pipeline to MLB front offices
As the 2025 baseball season opens, it will again reveal what is likely one of the strongest pipelines of any sport management program in the country. That pipeline, into what is one of the hardest segment of the sport industry to break into, leads to Major League Baseball’s 30 teams, and specifically into their “front office.” The McCormack Department of Sport Management will count 48 alums currently employed in the front office of MLB teams. You read that right: 48 alums.
A memorable run: Smith continues run of success in reaching another national title game
NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Ice Hockey: UMass to face Minnesota in first round of NCAA tournament on Thursday
NCAA Div. 3 Women’s Ice Hockey: Amherst College defeats Colby, 4-1, heads to Final Four
NCAA Div. 3 Women’s Basketball: Smith College falls to NYU in title game, 77-49Opinion
Barry De Jasu: Becoming Vichy officials
Our Democratic experiment is under a full blitzkrieg. And too many Democrats really believe that remaining calm and quiet is the best tactic in defense. Sen. Chuck Schumer and others really believe that we should not challenge this blitzkrieg because these anti-democratic corrupt forces will just destroy themselves before they completely undo the American government and decency.
Rachel Markowitz: The alternative news I needed
Guest columnist Sarena Neyman: Political sadism and defying the power of cruelty
Joseph Twarog: Praise for city dispatchers
Elisa K. Campbell: Thoughts on driving through Northampton
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
State pilot program puts restaurant takeout meals on food aid menus around region
NORTHAMPTON — More than a half-dozen restaurants in Hampshire County are partnering with survival centers in Northampton and Amherst to provide free meals to those facing food insecurity in the region as part of a larger initiative taking place statewide.
Mill River Music jams: Northampton guitar shop relocates to larger digs on King Street
Area property deed transfers, March 21
Making News in Business, March 21
The Roost set to close in Northampton after 14 years
e-Edition
Arts & Life
Earth Matters: Do plants know math? Three Valley plants share a surprising secret
Asparagus, strawberries and sunflowers are, to my mind, three of the best reasons to live in western Massachusetts.
Speaking of Nature: Survival of the cautious?: An argument for slowing down just a little bit
‘Apologizing is a courageous act’: Forbes Library to host an apology installation and workshop
Fight like a girl: Professional boxer launches women-only, all-level classes in Greenfield
There is a Season with Molly Parr: The secret’s in the sauce: Gluten-free, dairy-free Fried Tofu with Sweet and Sour NoodlesObituaries
Joseph Sharp
Northampton, MA - Joseph G. Sharp, 81, of Northampton, passed away on February 18 at Baystate Medical Center. He was born on December 1, 1943, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Enid and Garland Sharp. He graduated from Michigan State Un... remainder of obit for Joseph Sharp
Walter S. Dragon
Florence, MA - Walter Dragon of Deerfield Drive in Florence, Ma is now resting in peace at the age of 99, after a life well lived. Walter died on Saturday morning, March 22, 2025, with his loving wife at his bedside. Walter attended... remainder of obit for Walter S. Dragon
Nicholas Xenos
Amherst, MA - Nicholas Xenos died on Wednesday, March 12th after a brief and acute illness. He died in the company of his beloved wife Lynn Peterfreund, and sons Ezra and Sam. Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn in 1948 into the Greek immigran... remainder of obit for Nicholas Xenos
Anne Shaffer
Brea, CA - Anne E. Shaffer died unexpectedly on March 17, 2025 at St. Jude's Hospital in Fullerton, CA. Anne was predeceased by her parents Edward and Mary Parrow and by her sister-in-law Tracy Tracum. Anne was born June 10, 1962 at Co... remainder of obit for Anne Shaffer
