Here are today's headlines:

Triumphant return: South Hadley High's grads reflect on pandemic, remember the positive

SOUTH HADLEY - Graduation ceremonies are often filled with excitement, the buzz in the air palpable. But for graduating South Hadley High School seniors at Friday's commencement, the day was particularly special."This was our first year of normalcy," said Julia Plotniak, the National Honor Society...

Graduating in Whoville: Easthampton valedictorian touches on Dr. Seuss lore

EASTHAMPTON - A class of introverts and extroverts, scholars, artists and athletes graduated on Friday in the community that is said to have inspired children's book author Dr. Seuss to create the tiny town of "Whoville."During Easthampton High School's commencement, Valedictorian Nessrine Bentley-E...

Drug defendants splitting $14M in state lab scandal settlement

Roughly 31,000 defendants who had criminal convictions vacated in the wake of a massive state drug lab scandal are poised to split about $14 million in settlement payments under a new agreement between their lawyers and Attorney General Maura Healey.Healey's team and attorneys representing defendant...

Gateway graduates embrace close-knit class

HUNTINGTON - The small size and close-knit nature of the 44-member Class of 2022 at Gateway Regional High School was highlighted at its graduation on Friday. "Some might say that going to a small high school limits students' connections and overall experience," salutatorian Nicole Hannigan said duri...

High school state tournaments: Northampton girls tennis upsets Dartmouth to reach 2nd round

The Northampton girls tennis team pulled an upset on the South Shore in the Division 2 preliminary round to earn a trip back.The No. 33 seed Blue Devils bested No. 32 Dartmouth 4-1 on Friday in Dartmouth.Northampton (12-6) will face top overall seed Scituate (17-1) on Monday at 4 p.m.No. 28 Millis...

Best Bites with Robin Goldstein: Margaritas and Mexican food, a feast for the senses

Restaurants can serve so many different purposes in our lives: a romantic date, a business lunch, a family reunion. But even on the most ordinary Tuesday night, a great restaurant meal is a voyage, an escape from everyday life, a faraway vacation that can be conveniently located only a few minutes...

Valley Bounty: Where the soil, and farmers' well-being, is sacred

Farmers know better than most people that everything is connected. Physically, weather and elements connect to grow food. When people connect to healthier food, frequently their health improves. If farmers serve their communities with the work they do, what about the well-being of farmers?Deb Habib...

Western Mass finals: Familiar foes will contest Class B and C girls lacrosse titles

The rubber match between the East Longmeadow and Northampton girls lacrosse teams will also decide the Western Massachusetts Class B championship.The teams have split two Valley Wheel matchups this season. The second-seeded Blue Devils (11-9) prevailed at home in the season opener 14-12, but the top...