January 1, 2020 In 2019, we welcomed a new co-editor and expanded our writing crew, working with many first time contributors to publish a total of 55 pieces! We had the pleasure of collaborating with the Montague Reporter, the Boston Institute of Nonprofit Journalism, and Covering Climate Now, a global journalism initiative of over 250 … Continue reading Year in Review 2019 →

Regular Media Criticism from The Shoestring In a media column, The Shoestring will reflect on recent local news. “Struck by the Compassionate Tone”   On November 8th, the Gazette published an editorial titled “Northampton’s panhandling study is compassionate, if imperfect.” The set up juxtaposed a tweet by neoliberal-think-tank-flack-cum-Politico-columnist Bill Scher with a tweet from The Shoestring. … Continue reading See Something, Say Something #12 →

Another strike against local journalism in Western Mass. By Sarah Robertson This article initially ran in the Montague Reporter. ATHOL – Two years after acquiring the Athol Daily News, the regional newspaper chain Newspapers of New England announced on Tuesday that it is closing the paper’s downtown office and laying off more staff members at … Continue reading Athol Daily News Shuts Down Athol Office →

Northampton rushes to enact the strictest smoking policy east of Berkeley. But will it produce cleaner air? By Brian Z. Zayatz & Harrison Greene For over a year now, the Northampton Board of Health has been busy quietly determining the future of the city’s tobacco policies. The saga has been marked by loose ends, lack … Continue reading Smoke And Mirrors →