This is the second year of the 2025-2026 legislative session. Typically, the first year of the session sees a flurry of activity, with about 7,000 bills filed. State Sen. Jake Oliveira filed more than 700 bills himself in 2025.
NORTHAMPTON — Winter magic is returning to Northampton in the form of the 15th annual Ice Art Festival on Jan. 31, turning the city’s downtown into a walkable winter art gallery.
SOUTH HADLEY — South Hadley’s Budget Task Force is inviting residents to share their priorities for town services and spending during a listening session on Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. and another listening session on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.
NORTHAMPTON — The American Farmland Trust in Northampton was awarded close to $274,000 in grants to support farmland protection in various capacities.
NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton School Committee is inviting the public to consider joining the Preliminary Superintendent Search Committee as the district seeks to hire a permanent superintendent to begin duties on July 1.
EASTHAMPTON — A dam removal study for the Manhan River Dam will be funded through the state after the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $350,000 toward supporting dam removal studies in seven municipalities.