Independent news for western Massachusetts. We are funded by readers like you! https://theshoestring.org/
As the Trump Administration ratchets up pressure on Cuba and U.S.-based solidarity activists, organizers in western Mass are keeping the material needs of islanders at the center of their actions. By R. Nicholas: theshoestring.org/2026/07/31/o...
Organizers respond to escalating federal aggression towards CubaAs the Trump administration’s trade embargo against Cuba ramps up, local organizers spoke to The Shoestring about their solidarity efforts.theshoestring.orgDespite initial fanfare, officials now say there are no formal plans for the massive sports complex. But the city’s been busy, and some have united in resistance against a developer with close ties to the mayor. Our latest from Melissa Karen Sances, with an original illustration by Charles Forsman.
Bump, set, spike: Will Holyoke residents block developer’s proposed sports complex?Despite much initial fanfare, residents have been told that there are no formal plans for the project. But the city’s been busy, and some Holyokers have united in resistance against a developer with c...theshoestring.orgOur new series "The Brady Bunch" digs into the police misconduct records — known as Brady disclosures — that @andrewqmr.bsky.social won in a years-long transparency lawsuit against the Northwestern DA. Read the first installment here: theshoestring.org/2026/07/23/r...
Records allege Granby cop sexually harassed women, paid subordinates to do his schoolworkMisconduct records for Gary Poehler, who has agreed to permanently leave law enforcement, also allege he used his truck to intimidate an officer who filed a complaint against him. The documents were a...theshoestring.orgLast month, Massachusetts’ highest court tossed out a rent-control ballot measure, delivering a defeat to tenants who had poured their energy into the campaign. But organized renters say the setback won’t stop their work fighting against climbing rents. Our latest: theshoestring.org/2026/07/16/d...
Despite rent control defeat, tenants continue organizingLast month, Massachusetts' highest court tossed out a rent-control ballot measure. But tenant organizers say the setback won't stop their work fighting against climbing rents.theshoestring.orgIn our latest investigation, @jongerhardson.bsky.social looks into how the state's new AI "data commons" could work, who is bidding on it, and what's at stake for MA residents. theshoestring.org/2026/06/26/m...
Mass. resident data may train the next generation of AIThe state has little to say about itstheshoestring.orgAs healthcare providers preemptively roll back gender-affirming care for minors, transgender youth and their families are left scrambling for care. The first story in a two-part series by divina cordeiro follows their stories: theshoestring.org/2026/06/24/w...
Who cares for trans youth?As healthcare providers cease gender-affirming care for minors, families are left scrambling. In part one of this series, The Shoestring shares their stories.theshoestring.orgBack in 2005, a developer agreed to build Northampton a soccer field in exchange for a denser build. But after it was built, the city has punted on completing the project. Why? The Shoestring's @dustyc123.bsky.social finds out in our latest piece:
A developer built Northampton a soccer field. 20 years later, where is it?A developer promised a soccer field in exchange for a denser build. But after it was built, the city has punted on completing the project. Why?theshoestring.orgHave you taken our annual reader survey yet? It takes about 10 minutes, helps us plan for The Shoestring's future, and could win you a $50 Vegan Pizza Land gift card. Check it out here! theshoestring.typeform.com/survey26
The Shoestring Annual Audience Survey 2026The Shoestring's annual reader survey helps us to better serve our community.theshoestring.typeform.comAlmost every local law enforcement agency has left the controversial federal partnership known as a "Joint Terrorism Task Force." But as President Trump attempts to leverage those FBI-led task forces to stifle dissent, records obtained by The Shoestring show one local agency remains. Our latest:
Hampden sheriff last local holdout for controversial anti-terrorism partnershipAlmost every local agency has left an anti-terrorism partnership with the FBI. With President Trump attempting to leverage it to stifle dissent, records show one local agency remains.theshoestring.orgMaysoun Batley maintains she did not spit on a state police officer during the university’s 2024 Gaza solidarity protest crackdown. But two years of court proceedings have taken a toll. theshoestring.org/2026/05/07/j...
Judge dismisses student protestor assault charge after two yearsMaysoun Batley maintains she did not spit on a state police officer during the university’s 2024 Gaza solidarity protest crackdown. But two years of court proceedings have taken a toll.theshoestring.orgDark money is flowing into Longmeadow in advance of a Town Meeting vote that could begin construction of a municipally-owned fiber internet network. Our latest from Brian Zayatz:
“Dark money” group takes aim at Longmeadow municipal fiber voteAdvocates for the creation of a new public utility hope their message can be heard above a well-funded campaign against the network buildout.theshoestring.orgDark money is flowing into Longmeadow in advance of a town meeting vote that could begin construction of a municipally-owned fiber internet network. Brian Zayatz investigates: theshoestring.org/2026/05/02/d...
“Dark money” group takes aim at Longmeadow municipal fiber voteAdvocates for the creation of a new public utility hope their message can be heard above a well-funded campaign against the network buildout.theshoestring.orgIf you missed our long-read on the Strathmore mill complex in Turners Falls, reporter Melissa Sances joined the Fabulous 413 last week to share what she found out about the mill's closure and the few years when it might have been saved. Listen here: www.nepm.org/podcast/the-...
Amherst Sustainability Festival, Word Nerd, paper industryWe check in with the organizers of the Amherst Sustainability Festival, talk with reporter Melissa Sances about her investigation of the Strathmore Paper Mill ahead of its near-certain demolition, and...www.nepm.orgMassachusetts urinators may soon divert their excess nutrients away from waterways, where they can act as pollutants, to fertilize local farms, thanks to a partnership of two groups from opposite ends of the Connecticut River watershed. By Sarah Robertson: theshoestring.org/2026/04/23/p...
“Peecycling” program plans Franklin County launchMassachusetts urinators may soon divert their excess nutrients away from waterways, where they can act as pollutants, to fertilize local farms, instead.theshoestring.orgTwo pro-Israel legal advocacy groups are suing to block Northampton from divesting from “entities complicit in human rights violations in Israel and Palestine.” Divestment activists say the effort is a dangerous attempt to chill free speech. Colin Weinstein reports from Northampton:
Ceasefire and Divest, or Cease and Desist? Lawsuit seeks to undo Northampton’s Israel-divestment resolutionTwo legal advocacy groups are suing to block the city from divesting from “entities complicit in human rights violations in Israel and Palestine.” Divestment activists say the effort is an attempt to ...theshoestring.orgFor #LocalNewsDay, The Shoestring and allies from across the state headed to Boston to discuss the crisis in local media with state legislators — and make the pitch that it's time for lawmakers to address that crisis with legislative action. theshoestring.org/2026/04/09/e...
The ShoestringIndependent News for Western Masstheshoestring.orgINVESTIGATION: INVESTIGATION: Gov. Maura Healey drew both praise and criticism last month when she announced a new partnership to give state employees access to ChatGPT. But The Shoestring's @jongerhardson.bsky.social found that the state’s exploration of AI tools has been much more expansive:
Massachusetts’ AI program is more than meets the eyeThe Shoestring found that the state has been testing at least 40 government use cases for AI, though it remains tight-lipped about most of them.theshoestring.orgIn our latest long-read, we take an in-depth look at eight crucial years in the Strathmore mill complex's nearly 150-year history, when workers, artists, and the town government tried to steer another local episode of deindustrialization in a different direction. theshoestring.org/2026/03/27/c...
Could the Strathmore have been saved?Ahead of the historic Turners Falls paper mill’s near-certain demolition, the Montague Reporter and The Shoestring examine eight crucial years through the eyes and voices of its stewards.theshoestring.orgA class-action lawsuit alleging Baystate Health illegally shared patient data has cleared a first hurdle, with a federal judge rejecting the hospital system’s motion to dismiss. . By Joe Douglass. Read the full story: theshoestring.org/2026/03/24/j...
Judge allows class-action suit against Baystate Health to proceedCentered on patient data-sharing between Baystate and tech giants Meta and Google, the suit could expose the hospital system to hundreds of millions in liability.theshoestring.orgStudent, faculty, and staff organizers at UMass came together last week for a popular assembly focused on linking parallel struggles on campus in the face of "repression and targeting and harassment." Read Colin Weinstein's report from the scene: theshoestring.org/2026/03/20/u...
UMass organizers seek unity in latest Popular AssemblyThe fourth event of its kind in recent years brought organizers together to discuss coordinated efforts between parallel movements on campus.theshoestring.org