
‘Devastating’: Cuts to public broadcasting will be felt here
Federal funding cuts announced earlier this month to National Public Radio and The Public Broadcasting Service would have serious implications for public media viewers and listeners in western Massachusetts, experts in the region say.

Mother’s Day extra eventful on the diamond for Hampshire Regional softball super-mom Becky Dubay
WESTHAMPTON — Becky Dubay could never pack lunches for her four daughters without hearing some sort of complaint. Whether it was her oldest daughter, Josie, her twins, Raegan and Ryanne, or her youngest, Kalin, each of them would always let their mom know if something about their lunch wasn’t right before she shipped them off to elementary school.
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Sports

Victory Lap with Jessica Lapachinski: Breaking the silence
Sport is a powerful platform for driving social change. We have witnessed athletes stepping beyond the lines of the field to use their voices and influence to bring awareness to issues that truly matter. From calls for racial justice to advocacy for gender equality, the sports world has served as a podium for broader sociocultural conversations.



Opinion

Kurt Heidinger: Let us join columnists campaign against hate
On the same day (May 6) columnist J.M. Sorrell declared that “Anti-Zionism is antisemitism,” the Guardian reported that Zionist leader Bezalel Smotrich announced “that ‘Gaza will be entirely destroyed’ as a result of an Israeli military victory, and that its Palestinian population will ‘leave in great numbers to third countries,” raising fears of ethnic cleansing in the occupied territory.” The same day, the Times of Israel also quoted Smotrich: “The Gazan citizens will be concentrated in the south. They will be totally despairing, understanding that there is no hope and nothing to look for in Gaza, and will be looking for relocation to begin a new life in other places.”





Your Daily Puzzles

An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."

A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.

Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.

Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.

Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Business

Making News in Business, May 9
BELMONT — Mariellen Morris of Easthampton has been appointed executive director of The LSP Association (LSPA), a nonprofit volunteer-based organization representing licensed site professionals and related practitioners including attorneys, laboratory personnel and contractors, involved with hazardous waste site cleanup in Massachusetts.


Arts & Life

Block and roll: Roller Derby, the ‘sport for misfits,’ finds a home in the Valley
The floor of Interskate 91 South is often filled with young skaters teetering around the track, but the athletes on it now are sure on their skates, focused and ready to battle. Two jammers sit poised, their bodies coiled in anticipation; in front of them, two bunches of blockers gaze at them intently, trying to determine the best strategy for locking them down. For a second, there’s quiet. Then a sharp whistle slices through it and the two skaters explode forward, trying to duck and weave between a mass of bodies to escape the pack and rack up points for their team. Their teammates and fans yell and cheer from the sidelines, their voices echoing around the rink, but skater Lilith of the Valley (government name: Lisa Andras) doesn’t hear any of it.
Obituaries

Easthampton, MA - Charles Stanley Talenda age 82, a loving and devoted husband, Father and Grandfather died peacefully with family by his side on Wednesday April 30, 2025. He was a United States Airforce Veteran and a longtime employee ... remainder of obit for Charles S. Talenda

Hatfield, MA - Our hearts are heavy as we announce the unexpected passing of Frank Szawlowski, Jr., of Hatfield, on Monday, May 5, 2025. Born on July 2nd,1977, Frank was a true son of Hatfield, a place he called home throughout his life... remainder of obit for Frank Szawlowski Jr.

Amherst, MA - Priscilla Marie (Violette) Blier died peacefully in her sleep on April 6, 2025. She was 95. Born on September 8, 1929, in rural Keegan, Maine, to Severin and Marguerite (Martin) Violette, she was the youngest of nine surv... remainder of obit for Priscilla Blier

Easthampton, MA - James E. Newton, age 73, died on May 4, 2025 at home surrounded by his family. In December Jim was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease that had no cure or treatment. His loving family provided him care at h... remainder of obit for James E. Newton