‘Lorna’s Law’ gets an airing: Mother whose daughter died in Holyoke marijuana facility backs bill for better worker safety

By SAMUEL GELINAS

BOSTON — Eight months after she started working in a Holyoke marijuana cultivation facility in 2021, 27-year-old Lorna McMurrey died from an asthma attack after inhaling ground cannabis dust while on the job — a death that drew national attention as it was the first to be traced to dust and mold deposits found within marijuana workspaces.

Jobless benefits ride on rosy jobs picture

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Stress over the prospect of an economic downturn appears to have ticked higher due to dramatic trade and tariff machinations, but the Healey administration last week slightly upgraded its already-strained forecast for the state’s unemployment insurance system.

Mini Game Con this weekend at Athol Library

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – From the classic to the contemporary, gaming fans will have plenty to choose from at Mini Game Con 2025, this Friday and Saturday at Athol Public Library.

‘A pope of hope’: Local Catholic community remembers Pope Francis

By ALEXA LEWIS and SAMUEL GELINAS

A wave of mourning rolled through the local Catholic community on Monday following the news of Pope Francis’ death at the age of 88.

PHOTOS: Fishing at the Quabbin

Reported cuts to Head Start program have Community Action worried about consequences

By ALEXA LEWIS

Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Head Start services could be facing setbacks if the Trump administration does not allocate money to the federal program next fiscal year — a very real possibility that advocates say would be catastrophic for vulnerable young children and their families.

AG pledges to help fight opioid crisis in visit to Greenfield

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell promised local officials during a visit to Greenfield on Tuesday that she intends to prioritize efforts to curb the opioid crisis in Massachusetts amid cuts and freezing of federal funding.

Athol School Committee reviews budget proposal

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – A review of the proposed budget for the Athol Royalston Regional School District on Wednesday shows that a few changes could have significant impacts.

Massachusetts health benefits agency running out of money

By MICHAEL P. NORTON

BOSTON – The state agency that oversees health insurance for 460,000 public employees, retirees and their dependents is on track to run out of money to pay claims on May 12, a full seven weeks before the end of the fiscal year.

Catholic Charities loses funding for refugee programs, shifting focus under new leader

By SAMUEL GELINAS

SPRINGFIELD — Bishop William Byrne not only introduced the Diocese of Springfield’s new executive director for its Catholic Charities Agency this week but also laid out the evolution that the agency will see now that protection of immigrants is no longer part of its agenda in the wake of federal cuts.

North Quabbin Notes, April 20

WINCHENDON – During the week of April school vacation, the Beals Memorial Library will be offering several fun programs and activities to keep kids busy.

‘Courage, not acquiescence’: McGovern encourages increased engagement during Trump administration

By CHRIS LARABEE

WHATELY — More than 120 area residents packed into Town Hall on Wednesday for a conversation with U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern to voice their ongoing concerns with the Trump administration.

Spring and summer classes at Petersham Art Center

PETERSHAM – Petersham Art Center is sponsoring several classes to brighten up spring and introduce summertime projects.

Bill would allow Chapter 61A exception for renewable energy at farms

By COLIN A. YOUNG

A recommendation from a task force the Legislature created a decade ago resurfaced last week before the Revenue Committee, which took testimony related to the machinations involved when a farm wants to use a portion of its land to generate both renewable electricity and supplemental income.

Athol Royalston recognizes Students of the Month

At its meeting on Wednesday, April 17, the Athol Royalston School Committee recognized those students named as Student of the Month at each of the schools. Students were nominated by their teachers, who provided comments on why they felt these students should receive this recognition. Pictured Dylan Wornham, Kaitlyn Rossi, Bentley Irene, Elliot Nartowicz and Dante Morneault. Not pictured are AleyshaCuevas Velez, Jacob Butler and Beverly Mattson. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Sportsman's Corner: Catch and release turkey hunting

By Mike Roche

Local officials advocate for more state highway money

By SCOTT MERZBACH

For a town like Hatfield, annual road maintenance has become increasingly challenging over the past 12 years, as state Chapter 90 money declines even as the price of hot mix asphalt rises substantially.

Massachusetts bill bans cooperation with federal health care investigations

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Senate Democrats announced a bill Monday morning intended to shield reproductive and transgender care in Massachusetts from out-of-state threats, saying it was part of the response effort to the Trump administration.

Athol, Royalston review cost increases for wastewater agreement

By GREG VINE

Royalston’s Selectboard Tuesday night decided town officials should meet with Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski to discuss the terms of the intermunicipal agreement under which Athol public works employees oversee operation of Royalston’s wastewater treatment plant.

New chief administrative officer hired in Phillipston

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – Following his departure from Templeton as its town administrator, Adam Lamontagne recently started work in a similar position for the neighboring town of Phillipston.