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The Shoestring
Inter-county buses draw small-but-loyal ridership. Will they last?
The Link413 bus route’s path through the hilltowns offers a big boost in connectivity to a small — but growing — number of riders traveling between Northampton, Pittsfield, North Adams, and Greenfield.
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Question 6 has Massachusetts conservationists split
The ballot measure would divert a small portion of state taxes towards conservation, but some prominent environmentalists have declined to endorse it.
Question 9 could repeal 2024 gun regulations
The measure has pitted gun clubs and manufacturers against teachers’ unions and others in favor of stronger regulations.
Records: Hampden sheriff’s office regularly shared data with ICE
An attorney for the department said it has discontinued the practice after the PROTECT Act took effect last month, but that it will continue its partnership with Homeland Security Investigations.
Question 2 could give public defenders the right to unionize
Committee for Public Counsel Services employees say they can better help guarantee the public’s Sixth Amendment right to legal representation if allowed to collectively bargain.
National Guard deployment sent Sen. Velis to militarized southern border
The Shoestring has confirmed new details about Velis’ seven months in Texas, part of a Trump Administration effort to use military resources against people crossing the border.
ABOUT THE SHOESTRING
The Shoestring is an independent news publication in Western Massachusetts that provides in-depth and accurate journalism covering local politics, culture, and power. We bring you the stories, perspectives, and context that no one else does, from Northampton and across the Connecticut River Valley.