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By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Backed by a federal grant, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) is in the process of developing its own Road Safety Action Plan to serve as a guide for future traffic safety investments.To inform the plan’s creation, officials with...

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – With the deadline for Community Preservation Act funding applications less than a month away, only one party has expressed interest.According to Community Preservation Committee Chair Peter Travisano, the Congregational Church is seeking...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON – U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, joined by a cohort of Massachusetts health leaders, declared Tuesday he will vote against confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary, saying Americans need a leader...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON – Attorney General Andrea Campbell plans to stay on the sidelines in the donnybrook between Auditor Diana DiZoglio and the Legislature, at least until the two sides wind up in a “legal dispute” if DiZoglio seeks to exercise her new auditing...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON – Tobacco and nicotine products would eventually become banned in Massachusetts, under a regulatory trajectory that a trio of lawmakers hope will become law next session.Sen. Jason Lewis and Reps. Tommy Vitolo and Kate Lipper-Garabedian...

By SAM DRYSDALE

After voters overwhelmingly cast their ballots to eliminate the requirement that high school students pass the MCAS exam in order to receive a diploma, the question of whether the state will pursue a new statewide standard in the exams’ place – and...

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

ATHOL — Adams Farm Slaughterhouse was recently awarded a Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) in the interest of lowering consumer costs and improving food security.Maintenance Manager Clare Barnes explained that Adams Farm received a grant of...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Town Manager Shaun Suhoski told Tuesday’s meeting of the Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee that Athol has been notified that the state intends to resurface Main Street [Route 2A] from the South Main Street Bridge to Athol High School.He...

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — Bay Staters should conserve water and avoid burning anything outdoors amid an “unprecedented” wildfire season that likely will not abate until significant rain — or seasonal frost — arrives, state and local fire officials said this...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

Massachusetts should slash its reliance on hotels and motels used as shelters, invest in rental assistance and rehousing support, offer more tailored resources for homeless families, and more clearly communicate policies, according to a draft report...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

Days after Massachusetts voters embraced Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s mission to audit the Legislature, the Methuen Democrat formally notified top Beacon Hill leaders that her office is reviving its recent probe and seeking missing information.DiZoglio,...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

In her first public remarks since Vice President Kamala Harris lost the presidential election, Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday said she will support a peaceful transfer of power and acknowledged that voters across Massachusetts and the country have...

By MAX BOWEN

Following a 2-1 victory over challenger Jeffrey Raymond, state Rep. Susannah Whipps (I-Athol) said she is “humbled” by the strong response from the 2nd Franklin District.Whipps, who won a sixth term in office, said via email that she was elated to see...

By SAM DRYSDALEand ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON – Massachusetts students will no longer have to pass the MCAS exam to earn a diploma here.Question 2, which advanced with a hard push by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, prevailed in Tuesday’s election. The measure was favored by 59% of...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Community surveys in recent years to determine what can be done to revitalize downtown Athol indicate a desire to see more restaurant options.To help answer questions on what issues may face potential restaurateurs, the Mass Downtown...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

At their first meeting last week, members of a new state panel tasked with combating the scourge of antisemitism in Massachusetts outlined priority issues, as well as the vitriol they have personally experienced over the past year.The commission,...

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – At its meeting on Oct. 16, the Selectboard accepted the resignation of Chief Administrative Officer Melanie Jackson, who will officially step down on Nov. 1.Jackson began working in Phillipston as town treasurer. After the departure of...

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — Auditor Diana DiZoglio on Monday escalated her long fight with the Legislature, publishing a report slamming lawmakers for a lack of transparency that the top House Democrat derided as “pure political self-promotion and...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – With the infusion of a new state grant, the town can complete updates to its master plan.Last year, Athol received a $49,000 Planning Assistance Grant from the state to update elements of the master plan.Two chapters in the plan – one dealing...

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE – An independent agency that prevents and detects fraud, waste and abuse of public funds and public property has informed the town it violated the law when disposing of surplus equipment and supplies and recommended ways to remedy the...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

Another significant piece of legislation is ready to spring from protracted negotiations and onto the House and Senate floors for possible votes before the Nov. 5 elections.House and Senate Democrats announced a breakthrough Thursday morning on...