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‘It was as if an asteroid hit’: $6M federal grant terminated for UMass energy transition program, leaving researchers in limbo
AMHERST — UMass doctoral candidate Shannon Callaham had initially planned to spend last week analyzing interview data between Holyoke community members and energy industry professionals as part of a grant-funded project that centered around environmental justice in Holyoke’s transition to renewable energy.

Memorial Day in the Valley: A rundown of ceremonies taking place in area communities
When Memorial Day was established in 1868 after the Civil War, no specific observance was prescribed or recommended other than decorating the graves of those who died in defense of the country — hence its original title of “Decoration Day.”
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Sports

Western Mass. Track: Looking at top seeds heading into Div. 1, Div. 2 championship meets
Local outdoor track and field athletes will have to brave the elements during this weekend’s Western Massachusetts Championship meets, as the cold, rainy weather is expected to stick around.


Opinion

Columnist Susan Wozniak: The life and death of a cookbook
It was 1976, an election year as well as the first year of my marriage. We were to live in an apartment complex. The apartments had two bedrooms, an overly large living room, a closet disguised as a kitchen and just enough space for a table for four adults. In other words, pretty much the opposite of what I would choose. I visited on a weekend three weeks before the wedding and suggested we look in a neighborhood established during the early years of the 20th century. “But my mother picked this out for us,” he said. “A place for the elderly,” I answered.



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

Berkshire East owner takes over Burke Mountain ski resort in Vermont
CHARLEMONT — Jon Schaefer, whose family owns Berkshire East Mountain Resort, has conquered another mountain and taken over operations of Burke Mountain Resort in northern Vermont.




Arts & Life

Speaking of Nature: Celebrating 28 years of Speaking of Nature: A new resolution for the future of my bird-watching
Last Saturday was a bit of a milestone for me. It might easily have come and gone without me realizing it, but thanks to my obsessive record keeping I happened to see a notation in the pages of my 2025 field diary and avoided an embarrassing oversight. Last Saturday marked the 28th anniversary of Speaking of Nature, an event that I don’t think I could have ever imagined back in 1997 when I sent in my first column.
Obituaries

Northampton, MA - Dr. Jeffrey M. Korff, a beloved Northampton endocrinologist, died at home on April 30, 2025 of cancer, with his wife at his side and his sons present in spirit. He was 73. Jeff was a doctor's doctor, often consulted b... remainder of obit for Dr. Jeffrey M. Korff

Pelham, MA - Christopher S. Bartlett, of Pelham, MA, passed away on April 25, 2025, in the fire that consumed his home. He was 31, just getting started on his own path and now gone; we are heartbroken at his loss. Chris graduated fr... remainder of obit for Christopher S. Bartlett

Frederick Drake Jr. Chesterfield, MA - Frederick William Drake Jr., 73, of Chesterfield, Massachusetts, formerly of Somers, Connecticut, passed away unexpectedly on May 14, 2025 in County Clare, Ireland after a wonderful trip with family... remainder of obit for Frederick William Drake Jr.

Walter ("Walt") C. Bilski Easthampton, MA - Walter ("Walt") C. Bilski, of Easthampton, MA passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical Center on May 15, 2025, at the age of 77. He was born in Springfield MA, on Jan 13, 1948, the son of Che... remainder of obit for Walter C. Bilski