Thursday, November 12, 2026

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JOHN BREASTED: The Great Barrington Selectboard’s credibility gap

Transparency does not require officials to reveal legal strategy. It does require them to tell voters when the town has been sued.

I WITNESS: Of trans athletes, red herrings, and chickens

There seems to be nothing the GOP loves more than a red herring—something unusual and essentially meaningless that they can point to excitedly in order to gin up mass hysteria over nothing.

PETER MOST: Housatonic Water Works has some chutzpah

Just as Exxon Valdez Captain Hazelwood was stripped of his command for turning water black, HWW’s management should be stripped of its duties for turning its water brown.

‘The Disappearance of Shere Hite’ is a perfectly timed revelation—An audience pleaser about a woman who studied female pleasure

Clearly, I have a thing for documentaries that incorporate best-selling authors and archival footage, and this one was no different.

CONNECTIONS: Those who bully the more vulnerable govern the same way

Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court of the United States by a narrow Senate majority of 52 to 48. He took the oath of office on October 23, 1991. And the rest is history: accusations of corruption, dishonesty, unethical behavior, and continuing to assert power over those more vulnerable.

I WITNESS: Goodbye to all that

What I can say without hesitation is that it has been my honor to work with the incredibly talented, child-centered teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and service providers who have inspired me every day and made even my most despairing moments so much better through their examples of deep commitment to children.

A submersible named Titan goes missing en route to Titanic wreck site: Missing people always haunt me, regardless of the circumstances

For now, I am praying to all the patron saints of the sea and the Virgin Mary that a miraculous rescue will pluck the missing submersible from the ocean's twilight zone.

CONNECTIONS: How do we fix our affordable housing shortage?

Visitors to the area have more discretionary income than locals do. Visitors can pay more for a place to sleep than we can. Nevertheless, here in Berkshire County, we all need somewhere to live.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SPEAKING: Berkshire Zero Waste Initiative is committed to reducing waste in our community

If you find yourself falling into the habit of using plastic bags because they are so readily available, challenge yourself to use fewer on your next grocery trip. If you forget to bring in your reusable bags, now is the time to build the habit of bringing them.

I WITNESS: There is no cure for stupid

Although he proves himself to be an imbecile on a regular basis, Trump’s recent CNN town hall provided a media megaphone to amplify one of the stupidest things he’s ever said: He called E. Jean Carroll a “whack job” and a liar.

People’s Pantry seeks to alleviate food insecurity in the Berkshires

According to massnonprofit.org, one third of Massachusetts households are experiencing hunger, even as the pandemic emergency has ended.

PETER MOST: First AI Came

While we have managed and excelled through drips of innovation in the past, today’s AI-innovations are coming at us fast and furious. It will be interesting to see if today’s rapid technological change permits reinvention without massive employment disruptions.

CONNECTIONS: Trump’s name has become synonymous with traitor

In opposing Hilary Clinton, whom he has accused of mishandling confidential documents while Secretary of State, Trump makes clear he understands the obligation incumbent on all with whom top secret documents are shared. If elected, he promises to follow the rules in his administration.

I WITNESS: A message from Elon Musk

Look, we don’t want Donald Trump to return to the White House. Luckily, there’s an alternative! It’s Ron DeSantis, who is really just like Trump except that he’s not actually Trump.

Has the Russian misinformation machine infiltrated AI?

What I experienced is a complete rewriting of history, seemingly purposely changing facts and making a case as if it were written by Russian intelligence.

Say no to the PCB landfill proposal for the Woods Pond area of Lee

At a time when people and companies around the world are buying up water rights due to shrinking supplies caused by climate change and general overuse, the EPA would allow ours to be covered by a million cubic yard permanent dump.

New documentary ‘1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture’ reveals the link between Biblical literalism and homophobia

"1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture" is currently playing on the festival circuit. It won last year's DOC NYC Audience Award and this year's Best of Fest at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.