Here are today's headlines:

What the Biden infrastructure bill could mean for public transportation in Mass.

BOSTON - The recently passed $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill that will bring Massachusetts up to $2.8 billion in the next five years is slated to enhance public transportation in the state, but how the money will be allocated remains up in the air.One popular idea among officials is fare-f...

Northampton's inauguration ceremony beset with COVID restrictions

NORTHAMPTON - The city's incoming mayor has ordered restrictions on the Jan. 3 inauguration ceremony at the Academy of Music Theatre for elected officials and canceled the evening celebration at the Look Park Garden House in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases both locally and statewide.Other citi...

NNE, Gazette union reach agreement on contract

NORTHAMPTON - Unionized employees at the Daily Hampshire Gazette have ratified their first contract with Newspapers of New England (NNE), the newspaper's ownership.In a statement Monday, the Pioneer Valley NewsGuild said it approved a two-year collective bargaining agreement over the weekend. The co...

Donors' toy fund gift honors couple who make memorial Christmas wreaths

NORTHAMPTON - Edgar "Ned" Judd Jr. and his wife, Carol, have been donating to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund for 40 years. As Ned recalls, he and his wife began the practice in 1981, the year his mother died, and they made a contribution in her honor.The Judds, who live in Leeds, have also donated to...

H.S. Roundup: Devin Carleton shines in net but South Hadley falls to Ludlow, 6-1 (PHOTOS)

WEST SPRINGFIELD - Austin Deren took a second to collect himself before he turned and sent a perfect saucer pass through the crease, hoping it would hit a South Hadley stick. Instead, it soared through a mass of bodies crashing to the net and skittered harmlessly to the other side of the rink. Deren...

Guest Columnist Bart Bouricius: Commercial logging in state-owned forests is not climate wise

Judging from Michael Mauri's recent opinion piece ("The question is how to manage state forests," Dec. 11), I believe that he, and perhaps others who make their livings designing logging projects, are confused about the content of House Bills 912 and 1002. These bills would protect only state-owned...

Amherst Regional High School unveils new course offerings for next fall

AMHERST - Disability justice literature, fiber arts and introduction to dance featuring hip hop, house and locking are among new courses expected to be taught at Amherst Regional High School next fall.The offerings, developed by eight teachers, were approved earlier this month in a unanimous vote by...

Women's basketball: UMass storms into holiday break with dominant win over Hartford

It's not always easy for teams to stay focused with a holiday break looming, but the UMass women's basketball team was all business on Wednesday afternoon. The Minutewomen improved their record to 12-2 after a dominant 86-40 win on the road over Hartford. The Hawks fell to 0-11 on the season with th...