Athol Daily News · Franklin, MA
Most of the 11 public school districts and supervisory unions in Franklin County saw students in class a little more often in the 2025-26 school year than the year before. According to data from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, only two local districts, Hawlemont and Ralph C. Mahar, saw attendance rates drop. However, the changes were minor, and all 11 public school districts and supervisory unions are within two percentage points of the state average attendance rate of 93.6%. The data also highlights rates of chronic absenteeism. For a student to be considered chronically absent, they must miss more than 10% of school days. For a traditional 180-day school year, that equates to 18 days of school. Statewide, the average rate of chronically absent students is 17.1%. A narrow majority of local school districts have worse rates of chronic absenteeism than the state average, but show improvement from 2025-26.
thecarrollnews.com · Framingham, MA
Nearby: Framingham, MAPeter Salem shooting British Royal Marine officer Major Pitcairn at Bunker Hill Courtesy image British soldiers advanced toward the American defenses at Breed’s Hill on June 17, 1775. The fighting was fierce, and the colonial defenders were running low on ammunition. Among the men standing their ground was a young African American patriot named Peter Salem. Born into slavery, he had never known the full meaning of freedom. Yet on this day, he was fighting for the freedom of a nation that had not yet been born.Peter Salem was born in 1750 in Framingham, Massachusetts. His early life was spent in slavery. He was originally owned by Captain Jeremiah Belknap, who later sold him to Major Lawson Buckminster. As the conflict between Great Britain and the American colonies grew, Buckminster agreed to free Salem so that he could join the colonial militia.On April 19, 1775, Salem joined Captain Simon Edgell’s company of Framingham Minutemen.
The Grafton News · Grafton, MA
Nearby: Grafton, MAStaff Report Grafton dodged a potential hit to school funding, a forced zoning overhaul and a cut to its budget this election, and voters made… Login to continue reading Login Sign up for complimentary access Sign Up Now Close
The Grafton News · Grafton, MA
Nearby: Grafton, MABy Melissa McKeon, Correspondent The select board approved the suggestion from Grafton Recreation Director Adam Lapointe to raise fees at Silver Lake and for the… Login to continue reading Login Sign up for complimentary access Sign Up Now Close
The Grafton News · Grafton, MA
Nearby: Grafton, MABoth the town’s state officials ran unopposed. State Representative, 9th Worcester District: David Muradian Jr., Republican incumbent, unopposed State senator, 2nd Worcester District: Michael Moore,… Login to continue reading Login Sign up for complimentary access Sign Up Now Close
Cortez Journal · Providence, RI
Nearby: Providence, RIColorado Buffaloes (2-1) at Providence Friars (2-1) Providence, Rhode Island; Saturday, 6 p.m. EST LINE: Friars -9.5; over/under is 153.5 BOTTOM LINE: Providence takes on Colorado after Devin Vanterpool scored 21 points in Providence’s 78-55 victory over the Bryant Bulldogs. Providence finished 15-18 overall last season while going 10-6 at home. The Friars averaged 14.0 assists per game on 29.5 made field goals last season. Colorado went 7-12 in Big 12 action and 2-8 on the road last season. The Buffaloes averaged 80.2 points per game while shooting 46.7% from the field and 35.2% from 3-point distance last season. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Anchor Newspaper · Providence, RI
Nearby: Providence, RITim YeanManaging Editor (PROVIDENCE, R.I.) – David Morales can make many comparisons between being a wrestler and a politician, namely being responsive to fans, and perhaps as mayor, to whole constituencies. After his September primary victory, he now looks to win by pin in Nov. 3’s upcoming election for mayor of Providence.Morales, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, faces Republican Dave Talan, who shares many policy agreements with current Providence mayor Brett Smiley.Morales, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated the incumbent Smiley in Sept. 9’s primary election, earning 52% of the vote. Despite the two being in the same party, Smiley did not endorse Morales, citing vast differences in their political stances.David Morales on Anchor TV Interviews. (screenshot via Anchor TV YouTube, watch here!)“I pay no mind to any of the rhetoric that we might hear from Brett Smiley in relation to not endorsing,” Morales told Anchor TV Interviews.
The Oberlin Review · Waltham, MA
Nearby: Waltham, MAOn Nov. 9, Oberlin College and the University of Pennsylvania formally announced the launch of the new 4+1 Accelerated Master’s in Engineering program. In the five-year course of study, students will spend four years at Oberlin and receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, then matriculate at the University of Pennsylvania to earn a Master’s of Science in Engineering degree. While the program ultimately builds toward an engineering degree, the designers of the program at Oberlin and Penn hope students will take advantage of the interdisciplinary opportunities offered by a four-year liberal arts undergraduate experience. “Students spend all four undergraduate years at Oberlin, allowing them the deep research and critical learning opportunities that will serve them at Penn Engineering and beyond,” Senior Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor of English Laura Baudot wrote in an email to the Review.
BGodInspired · Cambridge, MA
Nearby: Cambridge, MARead Time:12 Minute, 56 Second It happens in a shop. You are holding a basket, half thinking about dinner, and a Christmas song comes on over the speakers. Nothing happens for a few bars. Then your throat closes, your eyes sting, and you have to study a shelf of tins until it passes. If you have ever typed “why do Christmas songs make me sad” into a search bar, you already know the usual answers. Nostalgia. Minor keys. The gap between what the songs promise and what your year actually was. Those answers are true as far as they go. But there is one they all miss, and it is hiding in plain sight inside one of the carols itself. One of the best-loved Christmas carols was written by a man in the worst years of his life. It has a verse about despair that most people sing without noticing. And the two verses that explain the despair were cut. Why Do Christmas Songs Make Me Sad? The Ordinary Answers First Start with the honest, unglamorous reasons, because they are real.
Daily Hampshire Gazette · Cambridge, MA
Nearby: Cambridge, MAAhead of the UMass field hockey team’s first round NCAA Tournament game against No. 6 Yale on Friday, Minutewomen head coach Barb Weinberg knew her team would have to get an early goal if they were to have a chance at advancing. With the Bulldogs having a strong goalie in Amelie Schwarzkopf, a deficit would be difficult to come back from. Midfielder Elani Sherwood executed Weinberg’s game plan by netting a back-handed goal in the second period that turned into the game-winning goal for UMass in its 1-0 upset over Yale in Cambridge. Friday was the second straight game Sherwood scored. The All-MAC First Team player scored UMass’ only goal in the conference championship loss to Miami (Ohio). MAC Goalkeeper of the Year Rozárie Mrázová stopped all eight shots in net for UMass. The win sets up a rematch with No. 3 Harvard in the quarterfinals. UMass beat the Crimson in the 3-1 in Cambridge during the regular season.
Washington City Paper · Cambridge, MA
Nearby: Cambridge, MAAfter nearly two years since the release of their self-titled sophomore EP, Strutman Lane are gearing up to release their third EP, Made Up, on Friday. In December, the local eight-piece band will take their show on the road with performances in D.C., Philadelphia, and Boston. Since forming as a funk-pop band in late 2019, Strutman Lane have evolved in sound and genre. At least when it comes to making studio recordings, the band has moved from what drummer Henry Godfrey describes as a “jammier” process toward a “more ruthless” editing and mixing style. “We still jam live and we still love doing that, but the focus is shifting more toward the storytelling of the songs,” Godfrey says. Strutman Lane returned to the studio last November, and spent the year crafting Made Up.
Rockland Review News · Rockland, MA
Nearby: Rockland, MAThe Scottish Government has opened an online questionnaire asking members of the public what they think about local governance reform — how councils are organised, what matters most in any reshaping, and what concerns or opportunities they see. Responses are open until Friday, 11 December, according to The NEN - North Edinburgh News. The survey is part of a three-month programme of engagement. Alongside it, ministers are holding discussions with Scotland's 32 local councils, the local government organisation COSLA, and trade unions, exploring how local governance can be reshaped to support improved public services. For readers in Rockland County, where towns, villages and the county each run their own boards and budgets, the exercise is a useful window into how a government tests a major structural change before committing to one. Readers following this should also see Government shutdown explained: What a government shutdown means for local towns.
Rockland County Times · Rockland, MA
Nearby: Rockland, MADear Editor, I’ve struggled to find the words to express how devastated I am by last night’s election results, especially the loss of Congressman Mike Lawler and so many incredible public servants across Rockland County and the Hudson Valley. Growing up in Rockland County, raised by a single mother, I never could have imagined the opportunities I would one day have to serve the community I call home. Congressman Lawler gave me one of those opportunities, and it changed my life. Having the privilege of working alongside him, witnessing his dedication to our community, and learning from his leadership is something I will cherish forever. He believed in me, encouraged me, and showed me what true public service looks like. I had hoped to continue serving our district alongside him, which makes this loss especially heartbreaking. My heart also goes out to Supervisor George Hoehmann and the many local Republican officials and candidates who dedicated themselves to serving our communities.
Rockland Review News · Rockland, MA
Nearby: Rockland, MAFebruary break asks a lot of Rockland County parents. Five weekdays, kids home, cold outside, and a budget already tired from the holidays. The good news: a full week of family events near me does not require tickets to anything expensive. It requires a plan that mixes free library programs, low-cost town recreation, and one or two paid outings spaced out so no single day carries the whole week. The trick is treating the break like a small budget line, not a scramble. Families who decide the week's shape before it starts spend less and hear less complaining. That is not a slogan; it is how the county's own event calendar works. Most towns, libraries and the mall publish their schedules weeks ahead, and the parents who read them early get the free slots before they fill. This guide explains how to build that plan: what counts as a family outing, where the free options hide, how to space the paid ones, and what to do when the weather refuses to cooperate.