For-profit colleges see new day coming with Trump

By COLLIN BINKLEY

BOSTON — After nearing collapse under the Obama administration, the for-profit college industry is celebrating Donald Trump’s election as a chance for a rebound.As stock prices for some of the nation’s largest college chains have surged, industry...

Pipeline protest arrests strain ND courts

By BLAKE NICHOLSON

BISMARCK, N.D. — The hundreds of arrests during the months of protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota have created an unprecedented burden for the state’s court system, which faces huge cost overruns and doesn’t have enough...

Drought puts squeeze on Valley farmers

By JACK SUNTRUP

HADLEY — Farmer fortunes are tied to the elements. Too much rain or too little can have the same effect — a spoiled growing season.Much of New England has been snared in drought conditions since April. The National Weather Service Climate Prediction...

Regulators to inspect Pilgrim plant

PLYMOUTH (AP) — Federal regulators have returned to the state’s only nuclear power plant for three weeks of inspections.About 20 inspectors from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission arrived Monday at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in...

Missing Vt. hunter found dead in NY

ELLENBURG CENTER, N.Y. (AP) — A missing hunter from Vermont has been found dead in upstate New York.WPTZ-TV reports the body of Ira Munn Boardman was discovered on Sunday morning, about a mile from his hunting camp in the Ellenburg area.Boardman, 58,...

US stocks rise to fresh records in shortened session

By BERNARD CONDON

US stocks rise to fresh records in shortened sessionNEW YORK — Stocks hit fresh records in a shortened trading session Friday as investors continued to bet on a pickup in economic growth and rising corporate profits.The gains were modest but broad,...

Shoppers hunt for deals, hit the shops for entertainment

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO

NEW YORK — Shoppers were on the hunt for deals and were at the stores for entertainment Friday as malls opened for what is still one of the busiest days of the year, even as the start of the holiday season edges ever earlier.Julie Singewald’s Black...

Monte’s March sets record, raising $183,299 (and counting) for food bank

By Caitlin Ashworth and Jack Suntrup

Radio personality Monte Belmonte’s fight against hunger took a giant step forward Tuesday when his two-day, 43-mile march from Springfield to Greenfield raised a record $183,299 and counting.“I felt like I had the wind knocked out of me for the last...

Hundreds march in Northampton to protest Trump

By CAITLIN ASHWORTH

NORTHAMPTON — Shel Horowitz was 12 years old when he attended a demonstration for peace during the Vietnam War. But that was just the beginning of his role in activism.In the 1990s, Horowitz organized a group called “Save the Mountain” to fight the...

Former South Hadley funeral home director Ryder sentenced to year in jail

By EMILY CUTTSNORTHAMPTON —  Former South Hadley funeral director William W. Ryder pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $400,000 in prepaid funeral arrangements in Hampshire Superior Court Friday morning and was sentenced to jail, two-and-half years...

Protestors demand gender-neutral bathrooms at UMass by occupying stalls at administrative building

By CHRIS LINDAHL

AMHERST — A weeklong occupation of the restrooms in the University of Massachusetts Amherst administration building began Monday, with protesters demanding a speedy rollout of gender-neutral bathrooms across campus.Gender Liberation UMass is occupying...

Police departments relax hiring standards

By DAVE COLLINS and LISA MARIE PANE

HARTFORD, Conn. — Police departments are relaxing age-old standards for accepting recruits, from lowering educational requirements to forgiving some prior drug use, to try to attract more people to their ranks.The changes are designed to deal with...

Man assaulted Walmart customer because he was distraught over Trump win, police say

By MICHAEL MAJCHROWICZ

NORTHAMPTON — The morning after the votes were cast and the markets were sent into a frenzy and Donald Trump addressed a stunned electorate, a distraught city man wept inside a Wal-Mart.“How do I explain to my daughter that we have a sexist bully as...

Fire ravages Tamarack Drive home in Amherst

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A split-level home at 29 Tamarack Drive was severely damaged and two dogs lost their lives Wednesday after fire broke out, prompting a heavy response around noon from the Amherst Fire Department.By the time firefighters got there, the fire,...

Incumbent Lesser faces Harrington in 1st Hampden and Hampshire District

By EMILY CUTTS

For the second straight election, incumbent state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, is facing a challenge from James “Chip” Harrington in the race for the 1st Hampden and Hampshire District seat.Unlike the first go-around, however, Harrington is now...

Ex-employee files Title IX complaint over treatment during pregnancies at Smith College

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — While pregnant with her first child in 2006, former Smith College employee Lisa Newman alleges she was discriminated against by a supervisor when she arrived five minutes late for a staff meeting, and was then forced to sit in full view...

Going to North Dakota: locals to join demonstrations against pipeline

By CHRIS LINDAHL

HOLYOKE — Shortly after the sun rose over the Holyoke Mall parking lot Tuesday morning, Paki Wieland hopped out of her borrowed camper to greet an old friend, fellow activist Brian Kavanagh.“The last time I saw Brian, he was behind me in court in New...

Investigation of armed home invasion in Amherst continues

By EMILY CUTTS and SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — No new arrests were made Tuesday in connection with a violent home invasion that injured at least three men on South East Street early Sunday, according to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office.And while 25-year-old Patrick M. Bemben,...

UMass student pleads not guilty to assault charges

By EMILY CUTTS

BELCHERTOWN — A University of Massachusetts Amherst student pleaded not guilty Oct. 21 in Eastern Hampshire District Court to numerous assault charges.Dan Idhenga, 19, was charged with indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, three charges of...

Chamber to spotlight South Hadley businesses at showcase

By EMILY CUTTS

SOUTH HADLEY — Area businesses will be on display Thursday for the first Spotlight on South Hadley Businesses, a new event designed to showcase new and established companies in town.The event, hosted by Know Your Town and the South Hadley & Granby...