The latest New England stories on topics like climate change and the environment, the economy, health, racial equity, culture and politics — as reported by newsrooms of the New England News Collaborative, a nine-station consortium of the region's top public media organizations.
From making a living to saving lives: spent fishing nets are snaring Russian drones in Ukraine
Local fishing nets, once bound for recycling, are now saving lives in Ukraine. The spent nets are being repurposed to protect soldiers from Russian drone attacks.
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'Connected by love': In Ridgefield, an old rotary phone helps people cope with grief
In Connecticut and across the United States, ‘wind phones’ provide spaces for people to hold one-way conversations with their loved ones who’ve died. -
Springfield mayoral challenger Justin Hurst denies paying for votes
The allegations involve a campaign worker for mayoral candidate Justin Hurst paying voters after they cast ballots at the early polling place at Springfield City Hall Saturday, which is something Hurst denies. -
After years of decline, right whale population may be leveling off: report
“We're still not addressing the injury part of this problem,” said Heather Pettis, a research scientist and the executive administrator of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. “Until we do that, we're not going to see the population increase.” -
Western Massachusetts farmers say dam operators could have limited damage from July floods
Dam operators says they did what they could, but their ability to prevent flooding is limited. -
In West Springfield schools, a 'constant flow' of homeless students, many newly arrived in U.S.
The number of homeless families in Massachusetts continues to rise. As of October 2023, almost 7,000 families are living in emergency shelters — hotels, dorms and apartments — run by the state. In many communities, including West Springfield, the children enroll in public schools, where educators try to meet learning and basic needs.
