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By KATE MCINTOSH

The holidays are over and the long trudge to spring is here. For many, the gray skies, cold weather, and shorter days are a drag. For people with anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses, winter can make their struggles even harder.January and...

By SYDNEY KO

BOSTON — The number of students choosing to attend post-secondary education in Massachusetts has dropped significantly, a trend that started nearly a decade ago and has only been exacerbated during the pandemic.“The pandemic’s impact and the rising...

By MICHAEL P. NORTON

Coyotes are present in every Massachusetts city and town, according to state wildlife officials, who are out Tuesday with new tips to prevent rare “negative coyote encounters” during their ongoing mating season.“Whenever you see a coyote in your yard,...

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — As educators and policymakers alike are learning to navigate a world in which artificial intelligence can write both high school essays and legislation, some in Massachusetts have embraced the new, controversial technology with open arms.But...

By JIM and LISA MCGOVERN

You have cancer. Words nobody ever wants to hear — but each year, nearly two million of our fellow Americans hear them. More than 600,000 die annually after battling these diseases, including over 12,000 people in Massachusetts alone.But it does not...

By CHRIS LISINSKI and SAM DORAN

BOSTON — The biennial increases in legislator pay always generate a hearty share of public attention and inevitable criticism of the automatic, inflation-adjusted raises required by state law. But it’s the supplemental pay on top of that where the...

By EMILY THURLOW

SPRINGFIELD — Mayor Domenic Sarno made history at 10 o’clock Tuesday morning when he put $50 on the Philadelphia Eagles as they square off Feb. 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 57 in Glendale, Arizona.The Springfield mayor’s wager at...

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Of the more than 7,000 bills lawmakers filed in the last month, anti-poverty advocates are pushing to ensure increases in direct cash assistance to low-income families is one of the few hundred that will cross the finish line this...

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

Massachusetts could become the third state in the country to decriminalize the use of several psychedelic plant-based substances, such as psilocybin mushrooms, should lawmakers approve bills recently introduced in the Senate and House.The bills were...

By SAM DORAN

The Legislature’s Food System Caucus is getting ready to “fight like hell” for its priorities, Co-Chair Sen. Jo Comerford said Wednesday, and another caucus leader said money to combat hunger can be realized by the savings it will create elsewhere in...

GREENFIELD — A Vermont man and two juveniles were arrested on drug and firearms charges following a State Police traffic stop on Instate 91 on Jan. 16.Richard Meinzer, 32, of Killington, Vermont, pleaded not guilty in Greenfield District Court to...

By MICHAEL P. NORTON

BOSTON — Citing progress in addressing children’s behavioral health as well as a need for further improvement, a new report suggests the potential for schools and pediatric primary care providers to play a more significant role in addressing a...

By Sam Drysdale

BOSTON — In her first appearance before Massachusetts’ municipal leaders, Gov. Maura Healey said she would fully fund the Student Opportunity Act, seek supplemental funding to cover costs associated with serving migrant children in the state’s public...

By KATE LINDROOS CONLIN

The Massachusetts-based Partnership for Policy Integrity has been a vocal opponent of wood harvesting on public lands. They believe that ceasing to harvest wood would “expand our natural forests’ ability to store carbon.” This, of course, assumes that...

WHATELY — A Springfield man faces narcotics, firearm and motor vehicle charges after State Police stopped him on Interstate 91 early Tuesday morning for driving an unregistered vehicle.Kadar St. Phard, 29, pleaded not guilty in Greenfield District...

By HENRY KUCZYNSKI

BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey said she will “absolutely” work with advocates and labor representatives to strengthen Massachusetts’ Personal Care Attendant Program by addressing a “crisis-level” workforce shortage.The MassHealth program provides funds...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — A new state law that was approved last week will expand and codify rights for foster parents, and better protect a child’s welfare, according to a state advocacy group.The Children’s League of Massachusetts said the Foster Parents Bill...

By MELISSA ELLIN 

Health care leaders are trying to find new ways to retain and recruit employees as the workforce shortage, which started in 2020, worsens nationwide. There are no clear answers to the labor shortage, and in Massachusetts, health care professionals say...

By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — Inmates and formerly incarcerated people will have a chance to get involved in food production while building entrepreneurial skills at the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (CDC), thanks to a $94,000 state grant.The...

GREENFIELD — A Connecticut man facing a charge of attempted sexual assault was arrested on Route 2 last week after a state trooper learned the vehicle he was riding in was unregistered.Carlos Davila, 20, of New London, Connecticut, pleaded not guilty...