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The newsroom

• Local news 10 articles, newest first.
• Cars 7 articles, newest first.
• Computers 7 articles, newest first.
• Paint 6 articles, newest first.
• All articles The full index, by section.

Around the site

About

• Contact the Pioneer Valley Gazette newsroom and circulation Find phone numbers, emails, and mailing address for our newsroom desks, advertising, subscriptions, and tips.

Archive

• 2024 in review: the year's most important stories in the valley A curated selection of the Gazette's significant coverage from 2024, from winter storms to cultural milestones and economic shifts.

Arts

• Meridian sweeps Oscars with seven awards, historic wins Sarah Chen becomes the fifth woman to win Best Picture as an ambitious historical drama dominates the Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre.
• Four new albums span folk, electronic, and indie pop Violet Haze, Orbital Shift, The Willows, and Mercury Jeans deliver distinct takes on contemporary songwriting and production.
• Broadway reviews: fresh productions debut to mixed critical reception New musicals and dramatic productions bring fresh talent to Broadway stages, receiving varied reviews from theater critics.
• Historical fiction and debuts dominate this week's bestseller list Ten titles reflecting strong reader demand for immersive storytelling, place-based narratives, and literary mysteries across New England.

Breaking news

• Breaking News Desk Operations and Coverage Areas The Pioneer Valley Gazette's Breaking News desk monitors developments around the clock and publishes updates on six major topic areas.
• New Tariffs Raise Consumer Prices, Threaten Retail Jobs The Trump administration's new 15 to 25 percent tariffs on imports will increase prices for American consumers and threaten jobs across retail and manufacturing.
• Supreme Court Limits EPA Authority Over Emissions Reporting The Court ruled 6–3 that the EPA cannot require small manufacturers to file quarterly emissions reports without congressional authorization for size-based exemptions.
• Hurricane Margot Strengthens to Category 4, Makes Landfall Wednesday Charleston faces catastrophic storm surge and devastating winds as Hurricane Margot approaches, forcing the evacuation of 840,000 people from coastal areas.
• European Union Adopts Sweeping Digital Platform Moderation Rules The EU Council approved new regulations requiring social media platforms to remove flagged content within four hours and establish independent appeals boards for all users.
• U.S. and China Enter Tariff Escalation, Roiling Global Markets The Trump administration raised average tariffs on Chinese goods to 28 percent, prompting immediate retaliation and sharp declines in U.S. and Asian stock markets.
• Administration Eases Environmental Compliance Requirements for Agricultural Operations The federal government eliminated 14 reporting requirements for agricultural facilities and food processors, citing obsolete monitoring standards and advanced satellite technology alternatives.

Business

• Apple launches iPhone 16 with advanced AI, premium pricing The new iPhone models start at $799 and feature on-device artificial intelligence capabilities, faster processors, and improved cameras, signaling Apple's strategy shift.
• July inflation cools to 3.2 percent, raising Fed rate cut odds Consumer prices rose modestly last month, driven mainly by shelter costs, as energy and food deflated. Markets now price in a September rate cut.
• Stock market surges on inflation data and rate-cut expectations The S&P 500 gains 1.2 percent as Treasury yields fall sharply following a cooler consumer price index report that increases odds for Fed rate cuts.

Corrections

• How to Report an Error in Our Coverage The Gazette details its corrections policy and provides multiple ways for readers to report inaccuracies in published articles.

Explainers

• Quantum computing explained: qubits, superposition, and real applications Quantum computers use fundamentally different physics to solve certain problems exponentially faster than classical machines, but major engineering obstacles remain.
• How blockchain actually works, and what it is not Separating the genuine technical innovation from cryptocurrency hype, with practical guidance on where blockchain truly adds value.

Games

• Today's crossword: a medium-difficulty grid from Catherine Young A 15x15 puzzle with a theme linking five words via the same three-letter prefix, plus solving tips and access to the archive.

Investigations

• State consultant spending jumped 23 percent amid procurement opacity Massachusetts agencies paid $14.7 million for consulting contracts in 2025, many to firms led by ex-officials, with limited transparency or competitive bidding.
• Home Improvement Scam Fleeces 43 Western Massachusetts Families An investigation reveals how scammers posing as contractors defrauded region residents of over $1.2 million with fake repair promises.

Living

• Back-to-school checklist for parents: supplies and routines A practical guide for families navigating school preparation season covering shopping lists, daily routines, and transportation details.
• Mental wellness starts with these five practical habits Local health professionals share evidence-based guidance on sleep, exercise, and social connection for better mental health.
• Four easy weeknight recipes ready in thirty minutes Simple recipes for busy families feature lemon pasta, sheet pan fajitas, coconut curry, and black bean tacos.
• Six New England Getaways for Every Budget and Taste From Acadia's rocky trails to Cape Cod beaches and Burlington's cultural scene, here are the region's top summer destinations and where to stay.

Local

• North Carolina faces education budget stalemate with teacher pay at issue State legislators deadlock over a proposed $2.8 billion education budget increase that would raise teacher salaries significantly.
• Cary council approves mixed-use development amid traffic concerns The town council voted 5-2 to rezone and approve a 156-unit apartment building on White Deer Park Road after two hours of public objections.
• Three new restaurants bring $2M investment to Durham The Crescent, Hanoi Noodle House, and Common Ground are set to open this fall, adding Southern, Vietnamese, and farm-to-table cuisine to Durham's growing food scene.
• Raleigh Interstate Construction Pushes Commute Times to 45 Minutes A $287 million I-40 widening project and rapid regional growth have created record traffic congestion, with morning commutes now 12 minutes longer than last year.

Opinion

• Amherst must publish meeting agendas one week ahead This editorial argues that early public notice of town meetings is essential for meaningful democratic participation.
• How Tech Algorithms Are Eroding Small Town Community Bonds A software engineer argues that social media platforms optimized for engagement are replacing genuine neighborhood connection with outrage-fueled digital isolation.
• Readers weigh in on housing, zoning, and regional development Five letters offering competing perspectives on affordable housing policy, highway expansion, and agricultural preservation across the valley.

Podcasts

• Listen to our twice-daily news recap podcast Margaret Chen hosts a twice-daily news podcast that covers the most important regional and national stories in 12 to 15 minutes.
• Award-Winning Novelist Elena Vasquez on Maps, Memory, and Family Secrets National Book Award winner discusses the eight-year journey of writing her bestselling debut novel inspired by Cold War intelligence work and personal family history.

Quizzes

• Test your news knowledge with our weekly quiz Eight questions about major stories from August 18 through 25, 2026, with answers and scoring guide included.

Science

• Global climate report warns of rising temperatures and impacts A comprehensive international climate study projects significant temperature increases and forecasts dramatic regional weather changes ahead.
• Rare prothonotary warbler spotted in Massachusetts, miles from range Birdwatchers celebrate the unexpected appearance of a southern species, suggesting shifting migration patterns from climate change.
• New Immunotherapy Shows Promise in Advanced Melanoma Trial University of Massachusetts researchers report a 62 percent response rate in a 247-patient trial of experimental cancer treatment, though oncologists urge caution about early-stage results.

Sports

• Chiefs seek third straight title against Eagles in Super Bowl LIX Kansas City faces Philadelphia on February 9 in a matchup of defending champions versus the league's most complete regular-season roster.
• Barcelona wins third consecutive Champions League title Barcelona defeated Bayern Munich 3-1 in Lisbon, claiming their third straight Champions League title with a dominant possession-based performance.
• NBA playoff bracket takes shape for spring chase Defending champion Denver Nuggets lead Western Conference while Boston Celtics top the East in pursuit of championship glory.
• Red Sox Defeat Yankees 5-4 in Thrilling Opening Day at Fenway Marcus Thornton's solid pitching and a tenth-inning rally give Boston a morale-boosting victory over New York in front of a packed house.

Technology

• NASA Mars rover makes discovery in ancient mineral deposits The Perseverance rover has uncovered new evidence of ancient water activity and continues advancing toward mission timeline goals.
• AI Bias, Transparency, and Job Loss Drive Growing Ethics Debate Researchers and policymakers wrestle with how to address algorithmic discrimination, corporate opacity, and potential workforce displacement as AI systems reshape decisions affecting millions.

U.S.

• Congress divided on border security strategy and funding Democrats and Republicans clash over fourteen billion dollars in border funding, with competing visions of technology-led processing versus physical barriers and enforcement.
• Approval rating poll shows mixed opinion on economic policies A new national survey reveals demographic divides on economic approval, with notable shifts among independent and suburban voters.

Video

• Governor Whitmore on education, rail, and healthcare An exclusive sit-down with Governor Whitmore discussing education funding increases, the stalled Northeast Corridor rail project, and efforts to address rising healthcare costs.
• PVG News Briefing: Daily regional news update Today's briefing covers housing affordability trends, ongoing labor negotiations at a major manufacturer, and state infrastructure funding allocations.

Visuals

• County maps show New England voters shifting left Interactive election maps reveal 12-point Democratic gains in rural strongholds across the Northeast over four years.
• Photos of the week: community, nature, and change Our photographers capture spring's arrival across the Pioneer Valley in this week's photography selection.

Weather

• National weather forecast with regional outlook and marine hazards Heat continues through midweek before a frontal system brings thunderstorms and cooler air to the Northeast by Friday.
• Cary hourly forecast: warm with afternoon storms likely Scattered thunderstorms expected to develop after 3 p.m. with highs near 84 degrees; clearer and cooler Thursday.
• Hurricane Miranda Threatens New England With Dangerous Storm Surge A powerful hurricane moving northwestward could bring hurricane-force winds and up to 10 inches of rain to coastal New England beginning Friday evening.

World

• France heads toward pivotal national election this fall With three months until October voting, French polls show a fragmented landscape where no single party has a clear majority.
• Israel resumes Gaza operations after 48-hour humanitarian ceasefire After a two-day pause allowing aid access and hostage releases, Israeli forces resumed operations as mediators pursue extended ceasefire negotiations.