HeyJaredThe Shoestring
The Shoestring is an independent news publication in western Massachusetts.
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 10
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- Sep 26, 2026
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- Jul 11, 2026
Latest issues
Getting in the zone (opens the original)
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Dear Shoestring readers,This week, our election coverage continues with our first ballot question story. Question 7 will ask voters to override local zoning laws to allow residential building on lots as small as 5,000 sq. ft. across the state, the culmination of a campaign that supporters have dubbed “Legalize Starter Homes.” While the campaign has racked up some endorsements from elected officials and progressive groups, others are not so convinced it will really ease the state’s housing crisis
We’re suing OpenAI and Microsoft (opens the original)
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Dear Shoestring readers,Together with other smaller, independent news publishers, we’re suing OpenAI and Microsoft for damages for the use of our journalism to build up some of the most valuable companies in the world.<a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Csuo!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3e7891dd-eb36-436c-8400-9813145bf37f_3024x2
What’s next for Northampton’s divestment resolution? (opens the original)
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Dear Shoestring readers,Earlier this week, a Hampshire County judge dismissed a lawsuit brought against the city of Northampton over its resolution to divest from companies tied to human rights abuses in Israel and Palestine. But both the plaintiffs’ representation and intervenors who sought to argue for the resolution on its merits say the fight continues.The intervenors’ concern, Colin Weinstein reports, was that if the lawsuit were dismissed solely on matters of standing as opposed to merits,
Incumbents sweep primaries (opens the original)
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Dear Shoestring readers,This week, we wrapped up our primary election coverage with Dusty Christensen reporting from Jeromie Whalen’s election-night party and catching up with organizers, candidates, and observers about what comes next. Despite the successes of those attempting to push the Democratic party to the left elsewhere in the country, efforts to unseat powerful establishment figures like U.S. Rep Richie Neal and state Rep. Angelo Puppolo were unsuccessful. But Whalen came closer to unse
Of primary concern (opens the original)
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Dear Shoestring readers,This week, we’re in primary election mode. With summer intern Dylan Vrins setting the bar with his in-depth coverage of the Governor’s Council race last week (if you haven’t read that yet, go do it!), we’ve been working hard to check out some other notable races.In Hampden County, longtime incumbent state Rep. Angelo Puppolo
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