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A black F-35 fighter jet faces ahead while a crew chief, dressed in camouflage, stands in front motioning.

Just how loud are Westfield’s new fighter jets? We measured.

A fleet of new F-35 jets will soon begin roaring over western Massachusetts. But it will take much longer for noise-mitigation funding to arrive.
The Shoestring, other news publishers sue OpenAI and Microsoft

The Shoestring, other news publishers sue OpenAI and Microsoft

The plaintiffs have amassed evidence of specific use of published material to train flagship products like ChatGPT.
Students walk through the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus on Sept. 10, 2026. The campus pond is visible on the left, with three fountains spraying water into the air. On the right, the W.E.B. Du Bois Library towers over campus. Students are walking in the foreground.

As budget woes linger in Hampshire County, some look to the colleges

The Five Colleges’ tax-exempt property holdings can be a sore spot when municipal budget season rolls around. Some residents and officials think the time is right to push for greater contributions from the wealthy institutions.
Northampton Apartheid Divest organizer Eve Glazier — wearing a black-and-white keffiyah and a red t-shirt — speaks into a microphone at a rally in downtown Northampton on Aug. 26, 2026. In the background banners read "Divest from Apartheid Free Palestine" and "Apartheid Divest Northampton." A crowd is gathered around.

Judge rejects challenge to Northampton’s Israel-divestment resolution

The ruling is likely to have implications for other communities, like Easthampton, that are considering similar measures.
Large block letters spell out "The Necessary Goodbye" on a blue background. A drawing of an emu stands atop the letter A.

BOOK REVIEW: Baystate Health CEO’s guide on how to fire people

Peter Banko lands on such insights as “You will have to fire your Spongebob” as workers argue the healthcare company’s staffing shortages endanger patients.

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