3 weeks ago in Features

Fat Bear Week opens for Alaska’s heavyweight crown. Can Chunk, the 1,200-pound champ, win again?

After a summer spent packing away sockeye salmon, Alaska's heftiest brown bears are ready to throw their weight around. Online voting began Tuesday for Fat Bear Week, the annual contest that pits the rotund residents of Katmai National Park and Preserve against each other for the title of most oversized ursine.

3 weeks ago in National

California farmers are struggling to sell grapes as demand for wine drops

It's harvest time in California wine country, but many growers are struggling to sell their grapes as changing drinking habits have caused demand to plunge. The decline is forcing some growers to tear out vineyards that their families have grown for generations.

3 weeks ago in Sports

Jaxson Dart injures his knee as several Giants stars get banged up in loss to Rams

If there were a list of most important New York Giants, seemingly all those key players got hurt at some point during a 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, starting with quarterback Jaxson Dart injuring his left knee during his team's first series.

3 weeks ago in World

Polo strengthens to a Category 5 hurricane off Mexico’s Pacific coast

Hurricane Polo grew into a Category 5 storm Tuesday in the eastern Pacific off southwestern Mexico and was forecast to bring heavy rain to southwestern Mexico but remain offshore.

4 weeks ago in World

World leaders in New York to grapple with climate. Fuel prices, AI and disasters complicate things

World and business leaders gathering this week in New York are being forced to grapple with the increasingly urgent costs of climate change, soaring energy prices and the human toll from this summer's oppressive heat waves, prolific wildfires and catastrophic Nepal flood.

4 weeks ago in Entertainment

Presley Gerber, son of Cindy Crawford, dies at 27, family representative says

Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died on Sunday at age 27, a family representative said. Gerber died at a rehab facility, according to online records of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

4 weeks ago in Sports

Justin Verlander is retiring. With a work stoppage on the horizon, how many others might join him?

The 43-year-old Justin Verlander has already announced this is his final year. Some other prominent players may also have made — or might be making — their last appearances in the major leagues.

4 weeks ago in Sports

Injuries to Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels deprive the NFL of 2 young stars

Caleb Williams was carted off the field with a hamstring injury. Jayden Daniels needed a cart after he dislocated his elbow again. Williams and Daniels already were linked together as Heisman Trophy winners selected with the first two picks of the 2024 NFL draft.

4 weeks ago in Lifestyle

There’s an easy way to get rid of all the reusable bags piling up in your home

The environmental impact of a reusable bag is relatively small, so ending up with a sizable stash isn't a significant problem. Still, paring down can declutter cupboards and lead to a smaller collection that'll actually get used. As for the excess, donate to food banks and thrift stores.

4 weeks ago in Trending, World

Tiny wild cat newly identified as a species draws curious visitors in Bolivia

A tiny wild cat hidden away in the cloud forests of Bolivia has become an unlikely tourist attraction, drawing a stream of visitors hoping for a glimpse of the animal that scientists have identified as a brand new species.

4 weeks ago in Local

Northampton is taking a closer look at the potential impact of data centers

Northampton is taking a closer look at the potential impact of data centers. The City Council has approved a ten-member…

4 weeks ago in Local

The reopening of Amherst’s Jones Library is being pushed back nearly two months

The reopening of Amherst’s Jones Library is being pushed back nearly two months. Construction delays have moved the expected completion…

4 weeks ago in Local

Belchertown has an extra half-million dollars in state aid

Belchertown has an extra half-million dollars in state aid, and town officials are deciding how to spend it. About 162-thousand…

4 weeks ago in Local

Two administrators at Holyoke’s Peck Middle School have been placed on administrative leave

Two administrators at Holyoke’s Peck Middle School have been placed on administrative leave amid allegations of improper behavior. Principal Kevin…

4 weeks ago in Local

Millions of dollars in new state energy grants are headed to Franklin County

Millions of dollars in new state energy grants are headed to Franklin County. Berkshire East in Charlemont is getting $4.5…

4 weeks ago in Sports, Trending

Josh Allen opens the Bills’ new stadium with a 5-TD outing in a 41-31 win over the Lions

Josh Allen quickly put his stamp on Highmark Stadium by throwing three touchdown passes and running for two more scores in a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night in the first regular-season game at the $2.1 billion facility.

4 weeks ago in Entertainment

Jon Stewart explains his ongoing philanthropic support of first responders

Jon Stewart says he never really decided to focus his charity efforts on first responders and their families. It just happened. The award-winning host of "The Daily Show" said he wanted to feel useful and support people who dedicated their lives to helping others.

4 weeks ago in National, Trending

Early voting begins in US midterm elections that could flip control of Congress

In-person voting for this year's midterm elections began Friday, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide which party they trust to lead Congress through a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues.

4 weeks ago in Entertainment

Bingo and Tickle Me Elmo nominated for Toy Hall of Fame. Will Care Bears also make it this year?

Tickle Me Elmo dolls, the game of chance Bingo and the humble playground slide are among the finalists to get into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year, a lineup that also includes cuddly Care Bears, the dice game Yahtzee, the ancient game Mahjong and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

4 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Karol G, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, Rosalía and Drexler are the most nominated for the Latin Grammys

A fight of titans is coming up for the 27th edition of the Latin Grammys with singers Karol G, Rosalía, Jorge Drexler and hip hop duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso as the most nominated artists revealed on Wednesday.