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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...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – At its meeting on Oct. 15, the Selectboard voted to enact an across-the-board ban on the placement of signs of any kind on town-owned property.The move comes two weeks after the board voted to prohibit political signs on municipal grounds....

By SAM DORAN

Lawmakers say they’ve got the Department of Correction’s ear after 66 representatives and senators wrote to Gov. Maura Healey this week asking for immediate action to improve prison safety in the wake of September’s attack at the Souza-Baranowski...

By ALEXA LEWIS

Voters will decide on Election Day whether to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers in Massachusetts, a controversial ballot initiative known as Question 5 that could change the landscape for the restaurant and bar industry and other jobs where...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – A proposed policy regarding political signage on public property has been put on hold to undergo further review by the Select Board.Bridget Armentrout, administrative assistant to Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, told the board at its Oct. 1...

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Ten years ago, Sara Guttierez dropped out of college because she could not make the finances work.It was a hard, stressful decision, she recalled Wednesday, one that left her feeling “lost and uncertain” about the future. But today, Guttierez is back...

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN and MADISON SCHOFIELD

Thanks to funding from the Massachusetts Office of Environmental Justice and Equity, Franklin County organizations will receive 21 of the total 213 air quality sensors being distributed statewide to help protect public health and fill in gaps in local...

By SAM DRYSDALE

As scores on statewide standardized tests rolled in Tuesday, revealing that students are still struggling from pandemic-related learning losses, education officials contemplated an overhaul of the state’s accountability system – against the backdrop...

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – After three months of searching, the town will soon have a new police chief to succeed former Phillipston Police Chief Kevin Dodge.The town’s Selectboard voted at its meeting Wednesday night to hire Templeton Police Officer Robert...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Following a discussion with legal counsel, a Request for Proposals has been issued for a building at 72 Freedom St. already being worked on to become the North Quabbin Veterans Center.The center is opening in Athol to meet better the needs of...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

Treasurer Deborah Goldberg fired Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien on Monday, her office confirmed, a removal that seems likely to kick the yearlong drama back into the courts.In a statement, Goldberg said she decided to fire O’Brien...