Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

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. 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.

Economy

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...

4 days ago
Protesters stand outside Holyoke City Hall on June 11, 2026, with signs in protest of AI data centers. They read: "Ban AI," "Ban! Ban! Ban!", "Ban Data Ceners." One says "Data center," which is crossed out in red ink.

Economy

“Ban! Ban! Ban!”: Data-center discontent reaches western Massachusetts

Last month, amid protests from city residents, Holyoke became the first in the state to ban new data centers. Two days later, Westfield moved...

July 2, 2026
Easthampton residents rally on Tuesday, June 9, ahead of polls closing for a closely watched tax-override vote. Some hold signs that say "Vote Yes, Together for Easthampton" and "Vote yes today!" while others hold signs saying "vote no on tax override." The sun is dipping below the tree line. (Photo: Dusty Christensen).

Economy

Healthcare costs squeeze municipal budgets, prompting exodus from regional insurer

As rising healthcare costs bear down on local governments, teachers are losing their jobs, cities and towns are cutting services, and the cash-strapped Hampshire...

June 11, 2026
New England Public Media's Springfield Office. A brick building with the orange NEPM logo at the top.

Economy

“Loss of local autonomy”: With GBH, NEPM merger looming, what’s next for local public media?

The organizations have billed their merger as building a "more sustainable future" amid federal funding cuts. But what comes next remains unclear.

May 30, 2026

Copyright © 2022 The Shoestring. Theme by MVP Themes.