https://www.wamc.org/massachusetts-news Massachusetts News en-US Copyright Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:36:32 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-04-06/former-pittsfield-boarding-school-teacher-has-arraignment-date-set-for-rape-charges The arraignment date for a former teacher charged with raping students at a Pittsfield, Massachusetts, boarding school is set. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:36:32 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-04-06/former-pittsfield-boarding-school-teacher-has-arraignment-date-set-for-rape-charges Josh Landes https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-04-06/this-loophole-needs-to-die-mass-legislature-continues-to-work-on-law-protecting-students-from-sexual-abuse In March, a former teacher at a Pittsfield, Massachusetts, all-girls boarding school was indicted on three counts of rape two years after his accusers took their allegations public. The situation has highlighted loopholes in state laws around age of consent that can shield adults in positions of authority from facing legal consequences for sexual misconduct with students in their care. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:26:01 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-04-06/this-loophole-needs-to-die-mass-legislature-continues-to-work-on-law-protecting-students-from-sexual-abuse Josh Landes https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-04-01/unionized-registered-nurses-accept-new-contract-with-berkshire-health-systems Union nurses at Berkshire County’s largest hospital in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, have voted to ratify a new contract with the region’s largest employer and health care provider. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:59:02 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-04-01/unionized-registered-nurses-accept-new-contract-with-berkshire-health-systems Josh Landes https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-31/union-teachers-say-mass-schools-face-fiscal-crisis An interview with public school teacher and union member Amy Foley of South Hadley, Massachusetts. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:32:41 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-31/union-teachers-say-mass-schools-face-fiscal-crisis Josh Landes https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-30/questions-remain-as-berkshire-da-misses-self-imposed-deadline-for-hinsdale-police-killing-report Exactly a month ago today, the Berkshire district attorney said that resolving an investigation into a January police killing in Hinsdale, Massachusetts, was a priority, and that he expected final reports into the matter within weeks. The self-imposed timeline has now come and gone. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:47:22 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-30/questions-remain-as-berkshire-da-misses-self-imposed-deadline-for-hinsdale-police-killing-report Josh Landes https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-27/pittsfield-hearing-aims-to-bring-experiences-of-berkshire-women-and-girls-to-state-federal-policymakers On Saturday, the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women is holding a hearing in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to connect the concerns and experiences of local women and girls to broader, statewide policy decisions. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:39:56 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-27/pittsfield-hearing-aims-to-bring-experiences-of-berkshire-women-and-girls-to-state-federal-policymakers Josh Landes https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-27/morning-headlines-with-kevin-moran-executive-editor-of-the-berkshire-eagle WAMC's David Guistina in conversation with Kevin Moran, Executive Editor of The Berkshire Eagle, about news that the Boston Symphony Orchestra is pushing out Music Direct Andris Nelsons. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:15:23 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-27/morning-headlines-with-kevin-moran-executive-editor-of-the-berkshire-eagle David Guistina https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-26/massachusetts-auditor-attorney-general-continue-public-feud-about-ongoing-legislative-audit-controversy For years, the State Auditor of Massachusetts has pursued a legislative audit that’s spurred a furious back-and-forth among the Democratic establishment that dominates state leadership in Boston. This week, a radio appearance from the commonwealth’s attorney general has led to a new chapter of the long-running battle over the auditor’s right to open State House books. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 19:03:04 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-26/massachusetts-auditor-attorney-general-continue-public-feud-about-ongoing-legislative-audit-controversy Josh Landes https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-26/famed-author-tracy-kidder-who-died-this-week-at-80-had-deep-ties-to-western-mass The acclaimed writer Tracy Kidder – a longtime resident of Western Massachusetts – died in Boston on Tuesday at 80. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:19:03 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-26/famed-author-tracy-kidder-who-died-this-week-at-80-had-deep-ties-to-western-mass Josh Landes https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-26/neche-hampshire-college-must-show-cause-to-avoid-possible-probation-accreditation-loss Higher education regulators are calling on Hampshire College to "show cause" and prove why it shouldn't be "placed on probation" or have its accreditation withdrawn. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:15:00 GMT https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-03-26/neche-hampshire-college-must-show-cause-to-avoid-possible-probation-accreditation-loss James Paleologopoulos