Photo: Perfect pose

Bombyx, others who maintain cultural spaces in region secure significant grants from state

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — A sprinkler system, renovated bathrooms and a freshly painted exterior at the Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity in Florence, a rebuilt outdoor performing arts venue at Buttery Brook Park in South Hadley and theatrical lighting and sound equipment for the Northampton Community Arts Trust’s Hawley Street building are projects being supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

A Look Back, May 10

John & Christopher Clarke, agents to Messrs. P. & G. Lorrillard, have reduced the price of Maccoboy Snuff to 25 cents per lb. by the jar, and Scotch Snuff to 16 cents by the bladder. A fresh supply of tobacco & snuff can be purchased at their shop in Northampton.

Northampton school union votes for work-to-rule over stalled contract talks

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Association of School Employees union has voted to go work-to-rule starting Monday, the latest sign of ongoing strain over the status of the school district in the city.

Community Action could see significant service loss under Trump cuts

By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — The White House’s discretionary budget request for fiscal year 2026, released on May 2, proposes slashing two line items that, if approved, could significantly alter Community Action Pioneer Valley’s services.

Rekindling White Rose resistance: Rally draws some 100 to steps of Northampton City Hall

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — Strong rains fell down on City Hall on Friday, but that didn’t stop around 100 protesters from gathering around its steps. In fact, the somber weather made for a fitting analogy for John Paradis, who helped organize the rally.

‘Blessing from heaven’: A day after the election of first pope from US, local Catholics react with joy, tears

By SAMUEL GELINAS

HOLYOKE — Terry Keeler was sweeping the polished wood floor of the sanctuary at Our Lady of the Cross parish in Holyoke early Friday morning ahead of Mass. The lights weren’t even on yet as devotees dotted the pews of the immense cross-shaped Gothic church and prayed the rosary together.

Northampton florist sends message to robbers: ‘Karma is coming’

By EMILEE KLEIN

NORTHAMPTON — People picking up their Mother’s Day flowers from longtime Northampton business Nuttelman’s Florist will notice a different type of community message greeting them on the shop’s outdoor sign that faces Prospect Street: “Whoever robbed our shop last night, karma is coming.”

South Hadley TM to consider welcoming community ordinance, lower speed limits, 1st historic district

By EMILEE KLEIN

SOUTH HADLEY — On Wednesday, Town Meeting members will contemplate approval of the town’s first historic district, reduction of speed limits on thickly settled roads and a citizen petitioned ordinance declaring South Hadley a welcoming community.

Chesterfield TM to consider $5.1M budget that boosts employee salaries

By SAMUEL GELINAS

CHESTERFIELD — At annual Town Meeting Monday, the town’s electorate will be asked to approve a 3% budget increase that calls for boosting salaries of town employees, among other measures.

Granby to convene for 1st of two TM’s on Monday

By EMILEE KLEIN

GRANBY — The first half of Town Meeting on Monday will ask voters to approve routine municipal operations, such as tuition payments for students attending vocational schools, operating funds for the ambulance, sewer and solid waste departments and capital purchases.

Congestion concerns raised over plans for drive-thru coffee shop at Mountain Farms Mall in Hadley

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Plans for bringing a 7 Brew Coffee drive-thru shop to the edge of the Mountain Farms Mall parking lot continues to move forward, with a main worry from Planning Board members centered on the possible impacts on the shopping center’s perimeter road.

Six in line to win seats at Pelham town election, 10 positions to be filled by write-in candidates

Staff Report

PELHAM — Six residents who are on the town election ballot appear poised to win seats for various elective offices at town election Tuesday, with the remaining 10 positions to be filled by write-in candidates.

Guest columnist Donald Joralemon: Factories of leftist ideology?

By DONALD JORALEMON

Among the most unscrupulous lies repeated by the right wing is that universities and colleges are “factories of leftist ideology.” The distortions began decades ago and gained force during the 1960s as American students joined in protests against the Vietnam War and participated in the civil rights movements. In recent years conservatives have focused their attacks on diversity programs, affirmative action and “WOKE” culture to support their assault on institutions of higher education. They have pretended to be outraged by protests against the war in Gaza, claiming that universities have allowed antisemitism to run rampant. The Trump administration’s threats to cut federal research funding in an attempt to extort compliance to its demands for a governmental takeover of universities’ curricula, hiring and admissions policies is the most egregious assault on the independence of universities.

Around Amherst: Officials renew appeal to residents to fill vacant board seats

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst officials are renewing appeals to residents to step up to fill numerous vacancies on municipal boards and committees.

A Look Back, May 9

‘Amazing’ selection for pope surprises Bishop Byrne of the Diocese of Springfield

By SAMUEL GELINAS

SPRINGFIELD — Bishop William Byrne was just as caught off-guard as everyone else Thursday when white smoke marked the election of Pope Leo XIV, who will reign as the next pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

Through their eyes: Granby documentarian highlights missing, murdered Indigenous women with new film, ‘1200+’

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — In 2013, Canadian police estimated that there were 1,181 unresolved cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. The number today is closer to 4,000.

National Endowment for the Arts strips grants from Restless Books, Amherst Cinema

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The National Endowment for the Arts has stripped funding for two well-known Amherst organizations — Amherst Cinema and Restless Books — saying that the mission of those nonprofits is out of alignment with Trump administration priorities.

Amherst contractor eyes move to Hatfield; planners also hear plans for new day care for dogs

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HATFIELD — A general contractor that handles residential and commercial construction could move its offices from downtown Amherst to a new building on a commercial parcel on Church Avenue.