Western Massachusetts legislators are reacting to Gov. Maura Healey's call to spend an additional $100 million on public education in the commonwealth this fiscal year.

In the Hilltowns of Massachusetts, one community is spending the summer spotlighting how it ended up in the national spotlight – showcasing the refugees it took in during World War II. As WAMC reports, while “The Cummington Story” is more complicated than a wartime film made it out to be – the truer story is just as much a point of pride.

Authorities have identified the Boston man who died following a skydiving accident in Franklin County.

A new Springfield shopping plaza is hitting the market. As WAMC reports, it's so new, one of its biggest anchor stores is still getting ready to open.

This month, director John Sayles will present a screening of his 1987 film Matewan in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Members of the cast and production team – including Oscar-winning actor Chris Cooper – will be in attendance.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed the state legislature’s $63.4 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 into law. WAMC spoke with lawmakers about what the spending means for Western Massachusetts.

Residents across the Pioneer Valley continue to rally against data centers, raising concerns about potential power bills, water usage and more. It’s leading to bans in some cities – both permanent and temporary. All the while, Massachusetts has been rolling out its own reforms.

For years, one of the largest, unfiltered water supplies in the country has been keeping much of the Boston area wet – a 412 billion gallon reservoir found in western Massachusetts.But, while one side of the state has reaped plenty of benefits, calls for regional equity have been getting louder on the side of the hosts. On Friday, state water resource officials sat in to hear local concerns.

On Saturday, singer-songwriter Buck Meek takes his solo act and new band Kisser to the stage at Assembly in Kingston. It’s the first of two opportunities to catch the Big Thief guitarist in the WAMC listening area this summer.

In Massachusetts, incumbent Sen. Ed Markey is once again facing a stiff primary challenge, with Congressman Seth Moulton looking to unseat his fellow Democrat.Touting his progressive roots, Markey has said if he wins, his next term will be his last. Moulton, meanwhile, says he’s looking to bring fresh ideas to the senate.On Wednesday, The two faced one another in western Mass. for their first Democratic primary debate.