Here are today's headlines:

Northampton health board's vaccine passport plan draws fire

NORTHAMPTON - A proposal to require everyone 5 and older to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 before entering restaurants, bars, gyms and other indoor businesses in the city drew more than 300 people to the Board of Health's emergency meeting Tuesday night. The public comment period in...

Former state senator Ben Downing exits governor's race

NORTHAMPTON - Former state senator Ben Downing has called off his campaign for governor, citing a lack of funds."Unfortunately, we simply do not have the financial resources to continue," said Downing, in a statement Tuesday. "While it's painful to admit, that reality has brought this chapter to a...

UMass requiring booster shots for students, staff

AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts system has announced that all 75,000 students and 18,000 employees across its five campuses will be required to receive a COVID-19 booster shot "in the coming months."The announcement comes after the UMass Amherst campus made a similar announcement earlier...

Frank Martínez López named executive director of Enlace de Familias in Holyoke

HOLYOKE - One of Holyoke's most prominent social service nonprofits has named a new executive director.On Tuesday, Enlace de Familias announced that on Jan. 1, Frank Martínez López will become the organization's next executive director. Martínez currently works at MassHire Holyoke but previously ser...

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 Bob Couch: Another viewpoint on climate change

For the past several years we have been bombarded with sound bites that are used to persuade and scare rather than inform, especially with regard to our changing climate. Fortunately, the Gazette has announced it is raising funds to explore the climate change theory more deeply. I hope this means th...

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...

UMass hockey notebook: Minutemen will be at full strength for Union series

The gift every UMass hockey fan wanted was waiting under the tree.All of the Minutemen's front line forwards injured during the first half of the season - sophomore Josh Lopina, senior Garrett Wait and juniors Cal Kiefiuk and Eric Faith - are "ready to roll" coach Greg Carvel said on Tuesday.Lopina...