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By CHRIS LARABEE

BOSTON — State Rep. Natalie Blais and Sen. Jo Comerford are urging the Healey-Driscoll administration to reform the payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) formula for state-owned land, which they say “shortchanges” rural counties, while rewarding those in urban and suburban areas.

By CHRIS LARABEE

BOSTON — Rural school aid is likely to stay level-funded in the fiscal year 2026 budget, even after more testimony from local advocates on Beacon Hill this month.

By CHRIS LARABEE

More funding for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) may be on the way in fiscal year 2026, as Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed budget, along with those put forward by the Senate and House of Representatives, all request more money than in FY25.

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

TURNERS FALLS — An equipment malfunction caused FirstLight Hydro Generating Co.’s Turners Falls dam to leak roughly 300 gallons of hydraulic fluid into the Connecticut River this week, marking the facility’s fourth such incident since 2021.

By CHRIS LARABEE

BOSTON — When flooding devastated the Pioneer Valley in summer 2023, it took an extraordinary partnership between the state, nonprofits and private individuals to quickly bring millions of dollars in aid to those affected.

By EMILEE KLEIN, ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL and DOMENIC POLI

Supporting K-12 public education, confronting climate change, and protecting health care and reproductive care are among the priorities this year for the legislative delegation representing Franklin County.

By CHRIS LARABEE

BOSTON — New legislation filed by state Rep. Natalie Blais seeks the development of minimum statewide quality standards for private wells, as well as the expansion of a financial assistance program for residents trying to remediate wells contaminated by so-called “forever chemicals,” or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

By CHRIS LARABEE

CONWAY — The Bardwell’s Ferry Bridge is weighing heavy on residents’ minds, as several people discussed the inconvenience of the bridge’s closure in a conversation with local legislators on Monday evening.About two dozen residents joined Sen. Paul...

By LIESEL NYGARD

LEVERETT — State Rep. Natalie Blais held a town hall in Leverett Friday to provide updates to residents on transportation and infrastructure projects. Speaking to a small group, Blais announced that Leverett would be connected to public...

By MAX BOWEN

MONTAGUE — Increased school funding, road and bridge repairs, and wastewater system upgrades were on the minds of Selectboard members as they met with Rep. Natalie Blais this week.Blais, D-Deerfield, met with the board as part of her annual tour of...