Gov. Healey names new state climate chief

Aladdine Joroff, a former Boston climate policy official who has been the deputy in the Governor's Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience for the last two years, is Gov. Maura Healey's new climate chief, the administration announced Tuesday. Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer's last day as climate chief was Monday, and...

This Scenic Massachusetts Trail Stretches Over 6 Miles Past A Peaceful Lake And Wooded Landscapes

A paved trail stretching more than six miles through Massachusetts might sound like an ordinary walking path. But this one passes peaceful woodland scenery, a beautiful lake, and quiet places where you can stop and enjoy the outdoors. I have a soft spot for trails that give walkers, cyclists, and...

Football Recap: Abby Kelley Foster Now 2-1 Since Losing 14 Straight + How To Watch

After soaring to 34 points the game before, Abby Kelley Foster was a bit more limited in their matchup on Friday. They fell 20-8 to the Murdock Blue Devils. Abby Kelley Foster is now 2-6, having gone 2-1 since their 14-game losing streak ended. As for Murdock, they moved to 5-5 with that victory, which also ended their three-game losing streak.

Meet Flint Funny: A Sweet Puppy Whose Owner's Could No Longer Take Care Of

Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE), a dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, would like you to meet Flint Funny, a local pup who has been in their care. According to the rescue, “The FUNNY litter's Tennessee owner couldn't care for them anymore (which is no laughing matter), but these hilarious pups can't wait to make you smile with all of their jokes!” He has since been living with a loving foster family while he awaits what comes next.

Nobscot Housing Plan Keeps Shrinking as Framingham Council Weighs Rezoning

A long-debated housing proposal for a roughly 30-acre swath of Framingham's Nobscot neighborhood has shrunk again, with the latest version calling for between 325 and 350 units — down from an earlier 416-unit plan that itself followed concepts once contemplated at more than 1,000 potential units back in 2024. The Planning and Zoning Subcommittee discussed the scaled-back proposal on November 9, but has not finalized a unit count, leaving the project in limbo even as one councilor pushes to speed things along.

From Flurries to 60: Worcester Basks in Week-Long November Warm-Up

Worcester is starting Saturday near freezing under cloudy skies, with skies potentially remaining mostly cloudy or overcast and a high near 45 degrees. The bigger story is what follows: a long stretch of dry weather, cold nights and increasingly mild afternoons that will push into the upper 50s and low 60s by late week.

Massachusetts Expands Emergency Shelter Capacity Ahead of Winter With $13 Million Investment

Massachusetts is committing nearly $13 million to expand winter shelters and overnight warming centers, with 101 full-season beds planned for Worcester County through a partnership with the South Middlesex Opportunity Council. The Healey-Driscoll administration announced the supplemental grants as communities prepare to provide shelter during the coldest months of the...

School technology debate heads to committee for further review

WORCESTER—A petition seeking to remove internet-connected devices from Worcester’s youngest classrooms will undergo further review after parents challenged the school district’s response and school committee members debated how to balance technology use with traditional instruction. The school committee voted Thursday, Nov. 12, to refer the petition and...

A Taste of Social Psychology

For those of you close to Southeastern Massachusetts or Rhode Island, I’ll be doing two lectures next week – same presentation, different venues, free admission!. Social Psychology is the study of how attitudes and behavior can be shaped by the social situations we find ourselves in or by the influence of other people. In this presentation we’ll learn about various.

Milford Scarlet Hawks’ Championship Run Ends with 35-14 Loss to Barnstable

The Milford Scarlet Hawks saw their impressive postseason run come to an end with a 35-14 loss to Barnstable in the Division 3 football championship game. Milford came out strong, putting together an impressive second quarter to take a 14-7 lead. The Scarlet Hawks found the end zone twice, highlighted by a spectacular 52-yard touchdown pass from Vincent Loscerbo to Jaxson Finnimore that energized the Milford sideline.

Harvard Law School Suspends Students’ Library Access After ‘Study-In’

Harvard Law School suspended at least 18 students’ access to Langdell Library for two weeks following a silent “study-in” in support of clinical instructors last Friday. At least 18 participants received suspension emails Friday morning, according to an organizer. The organizer said at least one student who was in the library but did not participate in the study-in also received a notice.

Trey Anastasio to play concerts to help VT addiction nonprofit

Trey Anastasio and Billy Strings will share the stage for two benefit concerts Nov. 20 and 21 at DCU Center Arena in Worcester, Mass., with fans around the world able to watch livestreams that support addiction recovery care in Vermont. The musicians will be backed by the Trey Anastasio Band for both shows, according to a community announcement. The concerts will be livestreamed through LivePhish and Nugs.net, with 100% of net proceeds from the webcasts benefiting the Divided Sky Foundation. Viewers also will be encouraged to donate directly during the livestreams. All of those donations will go to the Divided Sky Foundation. Each webcast will include exclusive content about the foundation's Residential Recovery Program and its work with people seeking addiction recovery. Livestreams can be purchased at livephish.com or nugs.net . Concerts will support Divided Sky recovery program Trey Anastasio founded the Divided Sky Foundation, a nonprofit focused on addiction recovery. Its Vermont nonmedical program in Ludlow emphasizes mindfulness, emotional sobriety and tools for living a joyful life in recovery. The program can serve as a next step after medical detox or relapse, or as a primary option for someone who is medically stable and prepared to make a change.

Worcester businesses: We want to tell your story for Small Business Saturday

WORCESTER — Black Friday has the big-box bargains. Cyber Monday has the online deals. But sandwiched between them is a day devoted to the businesses that give Worcester its personality — and The Worcester Guardian wants to help tell their stories. Small Business Saturday returns Nov. 28, and...

Boys soccer defeats Sharon to advance to quarterfinals

On Thursday, Nov. 12, boys soccer faced off against Sharon High School at home in a Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division II, Round of 16 matchup. Wayland carried its momentum into this game from Monday’s Round of 32 matchup against Marblehead and shut Sharon out 3-0, advancing to the Elite Eight.

Local group donates hundreds of handmade flag memorial cases to veteran families

NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass. (WJAR) — A group of friends from Massachusetts have donated hundreds of memorial flag cases for families of fall veterans and police officers. Dan Bullock of North Attleborough said it all started a while ago with his dad, Paul Bullock. "My dad was very proud of...

Is Planet Fitness open in MA on Thanksgiving 2026? See hours

Gym buffs hoping to squeeze in a workout on Thanksgiving this year may find some Planet Fitness locations closed for the holiday. The membership-based gym chain, founded in New Hampshire in 1992, operates more than 2,900 fitness centers across all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. Massachusetts has 92 locations , including eight in Boston, three in Worcester, two in Springfield and one in Quincy, according to Planet Fitness' online gym locator. This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, Nov. 26. Although many Planet Fitness locations are typically open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, some may have limited operating hours that day. Still, many members plan to make time for a workout during Thanksgiving week, according to a Planet Fitness spokesperson. The company surveyed more than 40,000 gym members, and found that 89% plan to work out the week of Nov. 26. Here's what to know about Planet Fitness Thanksgiving hours for Massachusetts in 2026. Is Planet Fitness open in MA on Thanksgiving Day 2026? Since each Planet Fitness gym is independently owned and operated, hours vary by location, according to a company spokesperson. For example, the gyms in Boston's Downtown Crossing

Worcester Railers vs. Greensboro Gargoyles - Nov. 12, 2026

College Dumbs Down: Students Need NeeDoh

WORCESTER, MA—Holy Cross’s English Department recently interviewed some of the majors to ask questions like “Why are you an English major?” “Who are you?” and “Why should someone study the humanities, especially in this moment of rapid technological change?” To the last question, the college intervened and answered for the naive, callow, ignorant English majors with its shiny new Thesaurus. It appears that the mental capacity of students to obtain any knowledge is contingent on fidget toys.