Search Results

Keyword search: MA

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

Members of the state’s Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism held its fifth meeting this week in the western part of the commonwealth, hearing testimony from local experts and residents, including several from Northampton, on their experience dealing with antisemitism.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — In advance of a final fiscal year 2026 budget proposal for the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools being brought forward for an anticipated School Committee vote Friday, a three-member subcommittee is recommending preserving almost all student-facing positions at the high school and middle school by restoring $696,000 in possible cuts.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HATFIELD — A member of the Hatfield Housing Authority who’s been absent from every meeting since September, not up to date on mandated state training, and whose behavior has concerned colleagues could be removed from the panel by the Select Board, pending a hearing later this month.

By OLIN ROSE-BARDAWIL

In the face of chaos and deterioration at the federal level, one can very easily feel powerless. For the average citizen who is opposed to Elon Musk’s careless destruction of federal agencies or Donald Trump’s recklessness with foreign policy, there are few ways to directly effect change. Sure, they can write to their representative or hold protests — as many in the area have been doing — but these efforts, while important, can only go so far.

By JOHN PAINE

At a time when reactionary forces seek to undermine an open and inclusive society, Amherst must reaffirm its commitment to institutions that uphold our progressive values. Chief among them is the Jones Library, a vital resource for knowledge, civic participation, and cultural exchange. More than just a building filled with books, the library provides English language programs, historical archives, and shared public resources that ensure every resident, regardless of background, can fully participate in community life.

The recent onslaught of actions taken by our new administration is calling to mind the regrettably prescient quote by Martin Niemoller. With apologies to the Rev. Niemoller, I offer an update:

I read the Gazette’s coverage of the rally at Rep. Jim McGovern’s office demanding that he speak up for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine [“A call for peace talks,” Feb. 25]. In addition to the immeasurable suffering of the Ukrainian people, the specter of nuclear war keeps growing as the U.S. pours arms, money, and sanctions into escalating the war. Consider the situation in reverse: Suppose China or Russia formed an alliance with Mexico or Canada, then built up their military forces and gave them advanced weaponry. Would the U.S. have named that as a hostile threat and invaded? Of course it would have.

By Staff Report

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — What started out as a men’s gifts and grooming shop in Northampton has become a bustling barbershop in Easthampton that prides itself on its inclusive practices and atmosphere.

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

ASHFIELD — Wicked Good Café is bringing new life to the historic Elmer’s Store, with help from both new and familiar faces.

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — When Joe Harasymiak accepted the UMass football head coaching job back in early December, a handful of members on the Rutgers staff – where Harasymiak was previously the defensive coordinator – were excited for him. They also wanted to go with him based on the relationships they had built with him over the course of their time together.

By RYAN AMES

AMHERST – Survive and advance is the name of the game during playoff hockey and that’s exactly what the No. 14 UMass hockey team did in its 2-1 win against Vermont on Wednesday at the Mullins Center.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — The City Council censured Ward 3 Councilor Quaverly Rothenberg at a special meeting on Wednesday for her conduct during a dispatch call in which she tried to obtain emergency contact numbers for the city’s Department of Public Works.

A disappointing UMass men’s basketball season came to a disappointing end Wednesday.

While I appreciate Gazette columnist J.M. Sorrell’s honest look into her own roots, as well as her commitment to fighting antisemitism, her column “Jewish neshamah” [March 5] essentially endorses the idea that any criticism of Israel is tantamount to hatred of Jews.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., disrupted President Joe Biden’s 2023 and 2024 State of the Union addresses without any repercussions. On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was escorted out of the House chamber for pointing out the obvious, that Donald Trump does not have a mandate to cut Medicaid. He was swiftly censured.

I would like to commend Gazette reporter Emilee Klein for her excellent article “Fired veteran suffers through address” [March 6] focused on testimony from Springfield Vet Center receptionist and veteran Michael Slater and on the broad funding and staffing cuts in the works for the VA.

After reading Kevin Lake’s March 4 guest column [“Misinformation, personal attacks, have no place in Northampton debate”], I am starting to wonder if reading comprehension is a widespread problem in this city, and not just for kids who can’t get reading services because of the mayor’s school budget.

‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”