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The Shoestring
Records reveal alleged misconduct in western Mass sheriffs’ offices
Despite recent transparency reforms, sheriffs in Massachusetts are still able to keep officer misconduct hidden from scrutiny. But newly uncovered documents reveal allegations against five sheriffs’ employees in Franklin and Hampshire counties.
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Can Question 7’s zoning reform ease the housing crisis in Mass.?
The ballot initiative would allow single-family homes to be built on residential lots as small as 5,000 square feet. Developers and some progressive groups say that will help first-time buyers. But others aren’t convinced.
As ridership rebounds, FRTA takes tentative steps towards expansion
In rural Franklin County, on-demand rides are as important as fixed-route bus service, and FRTA’s budget reflects that. But leadership and riders alike hope new routes and more frequency can better connect 42 member towns.
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 plaintiffs have amassed evidence of specific use of published material to train flagship products like ChatGPT.
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.
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.