This week, Northampton's Reparations Commission released its preliminary report, and along with it the list of local institutions that have financed racist deeds in the city. Stacey Zhang follows up on the commission's most contentious topic to date: theshoestring.org/2024/12/06/rep…

On this week's podcast, we talk with Jason Pramas, Corinne@AthensNews and brine about the crisis in local news, how to duct tape together an information ecosystem, and visions of a brighter future. Available wherever you get your podcasts: theshoestring.org/2024/12/11/ep-…

Easthampton's Tesla vehicles have had a rough year and a half, public records show. But the narratives around how the department's vehicles were damaged don't always add up, and leadership has remained tight-lipped. Shelby Lee investigates: theshoestring.org/2024/12/13/din…

The UMass Foundation, which manages the public university’s $1.5 billion endowment, has pledged to offer two sustainable investment options to donors after years of activism from student & faculty activists. Story by Dan McGlynn, photo by Dylan Podlinski: theshoestring.org/2024/12/16/uma…

Northampton’s Division of Community Care was born of activist demands for an alternative to policing. But some former employees say the agency has strayed from its mandate. By Brian Zayatz: theshoestring.org/2024/12/18/for…

"Police Hang Out at the Former Easthampton School. No One Will Say Why." Shelby Lee reports for The Shoestring theshoestring.org/2024/12/19/pol…

Our year-end fundraiser concludes tomorrow at midnight, and we still have matching funds left to earn! This is how we raise the majority of our budget for 2025. Can you donate today to help fund more independent journalism for western Mass next year? fundrazr.com/shoestringdona…

Please support quality local journalism and help The Shoestring reach its fundraising goal. 🗞️✅

Western Mass: If you believe in the value of independent local journalism, please make a donation to The Shoestring today and help reach its year-end goal. fundrazr.com/shoestringdona…

New F-35 jets are coming to Westfield — a decision the federal government announced last month. The planes have generated significant noise complaints in other places they're stationed. They'll soon be roaring over the 413, too. Jonathan Gerhardson reports:theshoestring.org/2025/01/14/dod…

Police threatening to break a protester's ankle, bragging about punching an arrestee, putting hands on protesters’ necks. That's some of what divina cordeiro discovered in body-camera footage from the 2024 crackdown on a pro-Palestine encampment at UMass:theshoestring.org/2025/01/27/pun…

Public health experts have concerns about the opioid reversal agent Opvee. But the company that makes it, Indivior, has found a vocal ally in its marketing of the drug: police. In collaboration with The Shoestring bit.ly/4jI68Kb

Public health experts and those in #harmreduction have concerns about the opioid reversal agent Opvee. But the company that makes it, Indivior, has found a vocal ally in its marketing of the drug: police. My latest investigation for The Shoestring: theshoestring.org/2025/02/03/hea…

The National Harm Reduction Coalition National Harm Reduction Coalition weighs in on our reporting The Shoestring New England Public Media

"Even so, an investigation by The Shoestring and New England Public Media has uncovered efforts by Indivior to circumvent experts by promoting the drug directly to police departments and sheriffs offices across western Massachusetts and statewide." By Dusty Christensen. nepm.org/regional-news/…

For The Shoestring , I wrote about the Springfield "zombie plant" and about how municipalities in western Mass are trying to retain local control over energy permitting. Thank you Dusty Christensen for your thoughtful edits! theshoestring.org/2025/02/18/zom…

The Easthampton Public Library is nearing completion of its 1st phase of renovations to open an annex at the former BankESB building on Main Street. But how quickly all renovations will be completed is still to be seen. Our latest from reporter Shelby Lee: theshoestring.org/2025/02/19/eas…

Five years after Eric Matlock sued over his 2017 arrest on City Hall’s steps, Northampton has agreed to settle. But for how much? City officials won’t say. Our latest from Shoestring investigative editor Dusty Christensen: theshoestring.org/2025/03/12/nor…

Climate change is fueling extreme swings between wet and dry weather, including in western Mass. But as the region faces drought and wildfire risks, the Trump administration is cutting support for climate adaptation and more. Dusty Christensen reports: theshoestring.org/2025/03/19/dro…

"The six-figure payout brings the total amount of such settlements the city has made since 2022 to $215,500, according to figures City Solicitor Alan Seewald released to The Shoestring." theshoestring.org/2025/03/29/aft…