THE MASS STATE POLICE HAS SPENT TWO DECADES SPIRALING TOWARDS BOUNDLESS CORRUPTION
An unearthed report reveals two decades of turmoil in the state's most powerful police agency.
CHRIS FARAONE
OCTOBER 13, 2019
BUS OR BUST
Can the valley weather climate change despite underfunded public transit?
CHARLOTTE MURTISHAW
OCTOBER 6, 2019
IMAGINING A JUST TRANSITION IN WESTERN MASS PART V
Part V: Work, Education, and Conclusion
SARAH FIELD
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
IMAGINING A JUST TRANSITION IN WESTERN MASS PART III
Part III: Energy
SARAH FIELD
SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
IMAGINING A JUST TRANSITION IN WESTERN MASS PART II
Part II: Transportation
SARAH FIELD
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
IMAGINING A JUST TRANSITION IN WESTERN MASS
Part I: Intro, Housing, Zoning, and Land Use
SARAH FIELD
SEPTEMBER 16, 2019
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FISH DEAD AFTER SULFURIC ACID LEAK FROM BARNHARDT CO.
No public notification made by state or local officials after sulfuric acid leak.
SARAH ROBERTSON
SEPTEMBER 15, 2019
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #11
Media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
THE REVOLVING DOOR OF EMPTY STOREFRONTS
How small business owners in Northampton are misplacing blame as they’re forced to close their stores.
MOD BEHRENS
SEPTEMBER 8, 2019
FOR OCEAN VUONG, ENGLISH IS A LANGUAGE OF VIOLENCE
The UMass professor’s widely acclaimed book interrogates power, belonging, and family through the distance of English.
SIERRA DICKEY
AUGUST 25, 2019
A REVIEW OF EIGHT: GRAPPLING WITH THE REALITIES OF MAKING ART IN NORTHAMPTON
A REVIEW OF EIGHT: GRAPPLING WITH THE REALITIES OF MAKING ART IN NORTHAMPTON
KATE NADEL
AUGUST 18, 2019
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #10
Media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
AUGUST 7, 2019
I GO TO NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS # 22
A resolution to support the right to counsel in eviction cases, beefed up security for the parking ticket and collections office, HRC receives a whopping $1,000
JULES MARSH
AUGUST 4, 2019
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #9
Media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
JULY 21, 2019
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THERE WAS NOTHING?
Shelf Life writer Liz Walber on everything.
CHARLOTTE MURTISHAW and LIZ WALBER
JULY 14, 2019
INDIA'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS BHUTANESE REFUGEES
A Puzzle in Geopolitical Context
Bhuwan Gautam
JUNE 24, 2019
HOLYOKE STUDENTS ARE RESISTING THE DISMISSAL OF ONE OF THEIR MOST BELOVED TEACHERS OF COLOR
CELINA DELLA CROCE
JUNE 13, 2019
HAMPDEN COUNTY’S PEPPER SPRAY PROBLEM
Reports from the Hampden County Corrections reveal disproportionate use of chemical force against prisoners with psychiatric disabilities.
SETH KERSHNER
JUNE 18, 2019
THE CENSORSHIP OF PRO PALESTINIAN VOICES
A Q+A with attorney Rachel Weber with a photo gallery by Jen Patrice.
WILL MEYER & RACHEL WEBER
JUNE 10, 2019
ATTORNEY GENERAL REVIEWS MAYOR’S PANHANDLING WORK GROUP FOR ALLEGED OPEN MEETING LAW VIOLATIONS
THE SHOESTRING
JUNE 6, 2019
PRIDE, PROSPERITY AND PRISON INVESTMENTS
We went to a pre-Pride mixer at TD Bank hosted by the LGBT Chamber of Commerce
MOD BEHRENS & WILL MEYER
MAY 14, 2019
BHUTAN’S GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS IS HIGHLY OVERRATED
A local author reflects on how a Harvard conference praised Bhutan’s “gross national happiness” but omitted ethnic cleansing.
Bhuwan Gautam
MAY 11, 2019
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #8
Media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
APRIL 30, 2019
EXPENSIVE ROBOTS, LONGER LINES, AND PENSION CUTS
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union calls for Stop & Shop workers to strike across New England for better pay and better benefits.
MOD BEHRENS
APRIL 16, 2019
“I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.”
Hadley Select Boardman David J. Fill II responds to Mieczkowski comments and Instagram posts.
WILL MEYER
MARCH 26, 2019
THE SHOCKING RISE OF TASERS IN MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT JOURNALISM
March 22, 2019
IF THE FUTURE OF THIS WORLD CAN’T BE DEPENDED ON, I’LL MAKE MY OWN
Fantasy Spaces in the 21st Century
KATE NADEL
MARCH 19, 2019
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #7
Weekly media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
March 14, 2019
HOLYOKE CITY COUNCIL NOTES #3
New hospital, renewed Medicare for all campaign on the way in Holyoke
DAVID T.
MARCH 13, 2019
THE FIGHT FOR AN IDEAL
Can Hampshire College Survive its “Manufactured” Crisis?
BRIAN ZAYATZ
MARCH 7, 2019
RIGHTS, CAMERAS, EXTRACTIONS
Hampshire County has the most violent small jail in the state, and one of the least transparent
Seth Kershner
MARCH 4, 2019
SO BE IT. SEE TO IT. INVITES VIEWERS TO IMAGINE POSSIBLE FUTURES
Candace Hunter creates collages inspired by the works of Octavia Butler
KATE NADEL
MARCH 1, 2019
COPS AND CORPORATIONS TRAUMATIZED US
“What Really Happened” to the Berkshires
KATLYN ANDERSON
February 25, 2019
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #6
Weekly media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
February 21, 2019
NORTHAMPTON RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT AGAINST US INTERVENTION IN VENEZUELA
Celina della Croce
February 20, 2019
I GO TO NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #20
Northampton Weed Money, an Airbnb Tax, the City Charter Review, 27 new parking spaces and more.
JULES MARSH
February 19, 2019
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #5
Weekly media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
February 4, 2019
EDUARDO’S PROLONGED CAMPAIGN TO STAY IN THE U.S.
Eduardo Samaniego was deported today after three months of fighting for his freedom.
BRIAN ZAYATZ
February 1, 2019
A STEP TOWARD DECRIMINALIZATION
New Massachusetts house bills seek to decriminalize the selling of sex
JULES MARSH
JANUARY 23, 2019
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #19
The council gets shamed for requesting more information from the NPD and Walmart
JULES MARSH
JANUARY 17, 2019
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #4
Weekly media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
JANUARY 8, 2019
I GO TO NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #18
The Council debates a gift of ammunition from Walmart, upsetting the Mayor
JULES MARSH
January 3, 2019
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #3
Weekly media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
December 30, 2018
I GO TO NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #17
Democracy Hypocrisy, Bathtubs, and Taxes
JULES MARSH
December 21, 2018
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING #2
Weekly media criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
DECEMBER 23, 2018
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
Weekly Media Criticism from the The Shoestring
THE SHOESTRING
DECEMBER 14, 2018
AFTER 48 YEARS, HUGO’S TO CLOSE ITS DOORS, MARKING CHANGES IN NORTHAMPTON
BECCA ABRAMS
DECEMBER 8, 2018
BIRTHRIGHT FOR COPS
Activist pressure persuades Mayor Narkewicz to cancel Chief Kasper’s trip to train with the Israeli army.
WILL MEYER & JASON KOTOCH
NOVEMBER 30, 2018
WHATEVER IT TAKES
Gazette employees say they’re forming a union “one way or another.” Management says a union will “erode” the paper lol.
WILL MEYER
NOVEMBER 15, 2018
HOW THE HOSPITAL INDUSTRY TORCHED SAFE STAFFING LIMITS
The hospital industry spent over $30 million to sew confusion and defeat the union-backed Question 1.
CHRIS BROOKS
NOVEMBER 9, 2018
HOLYOKE CITY COUNCIL NOTES 2: A MODEST PROPOSAL
Holyoke City Councilor Rebecca Lisi urges new rent control rules
DAVID T.
NOVEMBER 9, 2018
I GO TO NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #16
The Council passes a Resolution protecting gender identity and expression and financial director reports city revenues are on track
JULES MARSH
NOVEMBER 1, 2018
I AM A TRANSGENDER NURSE IN MASSACHUSETTS RIGHT NOW
Thoughts, Feelings and Experiences
LOCAL NURSE
OCTOBER 30, 2018
BOMBS AND BIPARTISANSHIP
Reaching across the aisle to support Massachusetts' commitment to militarism
LYDIA WOOD
OCTOBER 26, 2018
I GO TO NORTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #15
Community members pack Council chambers to support resolution to stop the expansion of natural gas. And: Form-Based Coding and a PILOT agreement with Northampton Solar
JULES MARSH
OCTOBER 18, 2018
NANCY STENBERG SAYS YES ON 1
A Q+A with an organizer for the Yes on 1 campaign.
WILL MEYER & NANCY STENBERG
OCTOBER 18, 2018
HOLYOKE CITY COUNCIL NOTES #1
City Council approves exercises more hindsight than foresight with Lynch School rezoning approval
DAVID T.
OCTOBER 16, 2018
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #14
A PILOT program for Northampton Solar, financial aid for classes at the Senior Center, and a “gift” from Eversource
JULES MARSH
OCTOBER 2, 2018
FIRE SALE PT. 1
Even for weapons dealers who have flouted state laws, there is major money to be made by selling munitions to police in Massachusetts
CHRIS FARAONE AND CURTIS WALTMAN
OCTOBER 1, 2018
ONE YEAR AND STILL NO ANSWERS
Springfield Residents Demand Justice for the Murder of Community Leader Jafet Robles
ANDREA SCHMID
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
READING BETWEEN THE "THIN BLUE LINES"
A look at the pro-police flag proliferating in Southeastern Massachusetts
Brian Zayatz
SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #13
Mayor Narkewicz declares Sept 6th Usher Syndrome Awareness Day and requests funding for two local parks
JULES MARSH
SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
WHAT DOES MAYOR NARKEWICZ’S TWEET EVEN MEAN?
Is it just a bad joke?
WILL MEYER & JULES MARSH
September 11, 2018
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #12
Financial reports, an order to strengthen democracy in public housing, and empty cans of iced tea
JULES MARSH
SEPTEMBER 3, 2018
IT HAS TO GO WAY BEYOND THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF SEX WORK
An interview with Caty Simon
FEY MARROW
AUGUST 13, 2018
IF PIGS COULD FLY
How the Northampton Police Dept got drones and nobody even bothered to shrug
WILL MEYER
JULY 18, 2018
PA’LANTE RJ CONDUCTS STUDENT-LED RESEARCH ON THE ROLE OF RACISM AT HOLYOKE HIGH SCHOOL
Pa'lante Restorative Justice
JULY 11, 2018
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #10
A Resolution to end separation of immigrant children from their families & confusing property rights dialogue
JULES MARSH
JUNE 28, 2018
ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAYS POLICE WITNESSES ARE “NOT TRUSTWORTHY.”
JULES MARSH & WILL MEYER
JUNE 21, 2018
MAYOR NARKEWICZ’S STANCE ON COP LINK - A POLICE DATABASE - CONTRADICTS ITSELF
The Shoestring spoke to immigrant workers about how Narkewicz is playing both sides
WILL MEYER
JUNE 4, 2018
LA POSICIÓN SOBRE COP LINK - UNA BASE DE DATOS - DEL ALCALDE NARKEWICZ SE CONTRADICE
The Shoestring habla con trabajadores inmigrantes de cómo el alcalde Narkewicz está jugando a los dos bandos
WILL MEYER
JUNE 4, 2018
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #9
The City Budget, a Weed Cap, and the Grateful Dead
JULES MARSH
MAY 21, 2018
I GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS #8
Leaf Blowers, the role of Newspapers, Teenage Voting, and a new director of Senior Services
JULES MARSH
MAY 4, 2018
ICE HAS ACCESS TO LOCAL POLICE DATABASES, INCLUDING NORTHAMPTON
A new report reveals how sanctuary cities share data with federal law enforcement
WILL MEYER
APRIL 30, 2018
WHICH SIDE ARE THE POLICE ON?
Baystate management paid the police to manage the strike
KATE NADEL
APRIL 30, 2018
A VIGIL FOR GAZA
Northampton gathers in solidarity with the people of Palestine during the Great Return March
JULES MARSH
APRIL 25, 2018
LET THEM EAT COOKIES!
Northampton Connects and The Privatization of Public Dialogue
HARRISON GREENE AND WILL MEYER
APRIL 19, 2018
THE POLICE CAN'T FIX THAT
An interview with Alex Vitale, author of The End of Policing
WILL MEYER
APRIL 17, 2018
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER SURVEY ABOUT 'PANHANDLING' FROM OUR PROGRESSIVE MAYOR NARKEWICZ
THE SHOESTRING
APRIL 12, 2018
MAYOR’S ‘WORK GROUP’ STUDIES 'PANHANDLING ISSUE' IN SECRET
We asked houseless people what they thought of the Mayor’s confidential “survey on panhandling.”
THE SHOESTRING
APRIL 9, 2018
INSIDE THE KOCH MACHINE
How extreme right-wing forces use front groups to shape Massachusetts politics
JULES MARSH & WILL MEYER
APRIL 3, 2018
THE RIGHT TO BEAR INFLUENCE
How the President of Massachusetts’ NRA affiliate Walked Through Charlie Baker's Revolving Door
WILL MEYER
MARCH 19, 2018
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GET SLASHED
Baker’s budget will cut funding for the PVTA—disproportionately impacting the poor and non-white, while he coddles corporations with incentives
ROJAS OLIVA
MARCH 12, 2018
THE POLITICAL NATURE OF 'OBJECTIVEITY'
On reading last Wednesday’s Daily Hampshire Gazette
MARCH 12, 2018
LES MACK
FACT CHECKING JODY KASPER
Chief Kasper’s exaggerated claims don’t make people safe, they amplify fear
February 17, 2018
WILL MEYER
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLICE CAPITAL REQUEST
Despite NPD's transparency efforts, we'd still like to know more
MARCH 5, 2018
THE SHOESTRING
UNDERSTANDING THE SAFE COMMUNITIES ACT
It’s a huge step forward, but still could be better
February 17, 2018
LES MACK
ORGANICALLY PRODUCED LOCAL AUSTERITY
The petit bourgeoisie begs for spare change
JULES MARSH
February 10, 2018
MOVIE NIGHT!
A new local film designed to recruit future police officers isn’t very good
February 10, 2018
WILL MEYER
LES MACK
WHO WILL TONE POLICE THE TONE POLICE?
A new amendment to Northampton City Council rules could chill dissent in The Chamber
JULES MARSH & WILL MEYER
January 30, 2018
WHAT 1683 CAN TEACH US ABOUT 2018
On the history of a Hadley witch hunt in the age of Donald Trump
Sarah Jane Young
January 19, 2018
MAYOR NARKEWICZ'S "DISAPPROVAL" OF THE ANTI-SURVEILLANCE ORDINANCE DOESN'T MAKE SENSE
Will Meyer
December 28, 2017
PLEASING EVERYONE AND REVEALING NOTHING
The fallacy of objective journalism on the Baystate nurses' strike
Rojas Oliva
December 8, 2017
FIREARMS OF FEAR, CROSSES OF INCREDULITY, CONSTITUTIONAL CREATIONS
Reflections on a 2nd Amendment Rally
Les Mack
November 26, 2017
© the shoestring 2017