See Something, Say Something #25: Petitioners call on the Daily Hampshire Gazette to curb the transphobic rhetoric in its opinion pages

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 ot...

The plaintiffs have amassed evidence of specific use of published material to train flagship products like ChatGPT.

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.

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 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 fro...

The ruling is likely to have implications for other communities, like Easthampton, that are considering similar measures.

Peter Banko lands on such insights as “You will have to fire your Spongebob” as workers argue the healthcare company’s staffing shortages endanger patients.

Incumbency topped fundraising and political alignment as the best predictor of success for local Democrats on Tuesday, despite a leftward swing seen elsewhere in the country.

See Something, Say Something #24: Axon representatives appeared alongside Chicopee's acting police chief at the Globe's

Incumbency topped fundraising and political alignment as the best predictor of success for local Democrats on Tuesday, despite a leftward swing seen elsewhere in the country.

Voters will decide in the Sept. 1 primary whether they'll opt for Lachenmeyer's progressive vision or stick with Puppolo's decades of experience.

Tara Jacobs, a progressive who has made her mark on the Governor's Council over the last four years, faces a rematch from Michael Fenton, Springfield's former City Council President.

Tara Jacobs, a progressive who has made her mark on the Governor's Council over the last four years, faces a rematch from Michael Fenton, Springfield's former City Council President.

In Massachusetts and across the country, a movement is growing around the demand to kick Flock — and other license plate readers — out of town.

At least 15 police departments in the Connecticut River Valley have used the company Flock Safety’s controversial surveillance tech, records show. But it’s not the only company selling them to local p...

As the Trump administration’s trade embargo against Cuba ramps up, local organizers spoke to The Shoestring about their solidarity efforts.

Despite much initial fanfare, residents have been told that there are no formal plans for the project. But the city’s been busy, and some Holyokers have united in resistance against a developer with c...

Misconduct records for Gary Poehler, who has agreed to permanently leave law enforcement, also allege he used his truck to intimidate an officer who filed a complaint against him. The documents were a...

Misconduct records for Gary Poehler, who has agreed to permanently leave law enforcement, also allege he used his truck to intimidate an officer who filed a complaint against him. The documents were a...

Last month, Massachusetts' highest court tossed out a rent-control ballot measure. But tenant organizers say the setback won't stop their work fighting against climbing rents.

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

The state has little to say about its

The state has little to say about its

As healthcare providers cease gender-affirming care for minors, families are left scrambling. In part one of this series, The Shoestring shares their stories.

A developer promised a soccer field in exchange for a denser build. But after it was built, the city has punted on completing the project. Why?

Joanna Detz of ecoRI News joins Jason Pramas of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism and Brian Zayatz of The Shoestring (Western Mass.) in criticizi...

The Shoestring's annual reader survey helps us to better serve our community.

Almost every local agency has left an anti-terrorism partnership with the FBI. With President Trump attempting to leverage it to stifle dissent, records show one local agency remains.

Maysoun Batley maintains she did not spit on a state police officer during the university’s 2024 Gaza solidarity protest crackdown. But two years of court proceedings have taken a toll.

Advocates for the creation of a new public utility hope their message can be heard above a well-funded campaign against the network buildout.

Advocates for the creation of a new public utility hope their message can be heard above a well-funded campaign against the network buildout.

We check in with the organizers of the Amherst Sustainability Festival, talk with reporter Melissa Sances about her investigation of the Strathmore Paper Mill ahead of its near-certain demolition, and...

Massachusetts urinators may soon divert their excess nutrients away from waterways, where they can act as pollutants, to fertilize local farms, instead.

Two legal advocacy groups are suing to block the city from divesting from “entities complicit in human rights violations in Israel and Palestine.” Divestment activists say the effort is an attempt to ...

Independent News for Western Mass

The Shoestring found that the state has been testing at least 40 government use cases for AI, though it remains tight-lipped about most of them.

The Shoestring found that the state has been testing at least 40 government use cases for AI, though it remains tight-lipped about most of them.

Ahead of the historic Turners Falls paper mill’s near-certain demolition, the Montague Reporter and The Shoestring examine eight crucial years through the eyes and voices of its stewards.

Centered on patient data-sharing between Baystate and tech giants Meta and Google, the suit could expose the hospital system to hundreds of millions in liability.

The fourth event of its kind in recent years brought organizers together to discuss coordinated efforts between parallel movements on campus.

Organizers of a week of action believe state intervention can help prevent financial “death spirals” in shrinking districts

Citywide tenants unions are rare. But they’re starting to pop up nationwide, including in Easthampton, where neighbors are building power by fighting for cheaper rent, building maintenance, and more.

Landlords and developers are organizing to oppose a grassroots ballot measure for statewide rent control, and they’re counting on elected officials to help them spread the word.

Landlords and developers are organizing to oppose a grassroots ballot measure for statewide rent control, and they’re counting on elected officials to help them spread the word.

Earlier this month, the internet went dark for customers of Greenfield's GCET. The resulting mess revealed broader power struggles between the municipally owned internet provider and city officials.